Sigur
Rós, formed in 1994, in Iceland, have, so far,
remained pretty unknown outside their native country.
But, since Brighton-based record label Fat-Cat have first
heard of them, during a party organised by Gus Gus, things
seem to be set to change. After releasing a couple of
singles, Fat-Cat is now presenting the first Sigur Rós
album to be released outside of Iceland, Ágætis
Byrjun, which translate as Good Beginning. This record,
their second proper album, was originally released last
year, and has remained in the highest positions in their
national charts.
Describing the music of Sigur Rós is not an easy
task. Reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine, without the
arty complex, or Spiritualized, without the drug syndrome,
the compositions are completely devoid of pretension,
and are so much fresher, more ensuthiastic and sincere.
These comparisons though are too restrictive indeed. The
characteristic of the songs is that they all start so
quietly and go on to an impressive coda, where guitars,
strings and, sometimes choirs join forces to a powerful
end, bringing the listeners to their knees. Just as impressive
and powerful is the high-flying voice of singer Jón
Þór Birgisson. In turn masculine, feminine
or asexual, his gravity defying voice puts him in the
same league as Liz Fraser, with whom he share singing
both in his native language and in some invented idiom,
which doesn’t make much difference anyway if you don’t
understand Icelandic! This gives to the songs a very eerie
feeling, and have you spellbound to the end.
Sigur Rós have produced with Ágætis
Byrjun, a magnificent album, full of emotion, soul,
and light. In a nutshell, Ágætis Byrjun
is one of the most intense albums ever recorded. It is
a masterpiece.
5/5 |
