A (pretty) good start (Agaetis Byrjun - Sigur Ros)

Member Name: MykReeve

Product:	Agaetis Byrjun - Sigur Ros
Date:	03/12/00 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Innovative, an emotional musical journey

Disadvantages: Not in English, might prove difficult to get hold of

One of the main things Iceland is known for is its amazing ability to produce innovative and interesting music, despite its relatively small population (e.g. Gus Gus, Bjork). So, when I was in Reykjavik earlier this year, I made a point of visiting a branch of Skifan, the main Icelandic music retailer, and picking up a collection of CDs by native bands that weren't available back in the UK. Just before I left, I remember reading that Thom Yorke from Radiohead was a big fan of Sigur Ros, so I was determined to pick up all of their albums, to see exactly what he's been banging on about. Having listened to Sigur Ros before Radiohead's 'Kid A', their influence on Thom Yorke's band is immediately apparent.

'Agaetis byrjun', which approximately translates as 'a (pretty) good start' is the band's second album – third if you count a CD of remixes of their first album. It is widely regarded as the band's greatest work, having been recorded exactly the way the band wanted it – their earlier albums were more heavily influenced by record companies. The songs on the album are recorded in a mixture of Icelandic and what the band term 'Hopelandic' – an entirely invented language.

One thing's for sure, the album is unlikely to be like anything you've heard before. It's quite experimental, despite using conventional instruments – typically guitar, keyboards, drums and bass. However, there is a distinctly unique sound that permeates the band's music, produced by the singer running a cello bow across his guitar. The lead singer (Jon Thor Birgisson (Jonsi)) sings in a high-pitched voice, similar to Thom Yorke, but slightly more gentle and melodious, if anything.

Listening to the album is an incredibly relaxing experience, and a haunting one. The strange thing is that even though I have little to no idea of what each song is about, they still manage to convey emotio
n terrifically well. My favourite track is the third one on the album, 'Staralfur' which the band translate as 'Staring Elf' – it's a beautifully sung relaxing piece.

Two of the tracks on the album have had extremely limited UK single releases, 'Svefn-g-englar' (Sleepwalkers) and 'Ny batteri' (New Batteries), and both are involving intriguing songs. 'Svefn-g-englar' is a ten-minute epic, with a slow drum beat running throughout, over which waves of sound pass, accompanied by Jonsi's voice. 'Ny batteri' is eight minutes long, beginning with a gentle fanfare of muted trumpets, slowly building until Jonsi begins singing.

There are 10 tracks in total on the album, which is almost 72 minutes long. The tracks are, 'Intro', 'Svefn-g-englar', 'Staralfur', 'Flugfrelsarinn' (The Free Flyer), 'Ny batteri', 'Hjartad hamast' (The Heart Pounds), 'Vidrar vel til loftarasa' (Good Weather For Airstrikes), 'Olsen Olsen', 'Agaetis byrjun' (A (Pretty) Good Start', 'Avalon'.

The album's packaging is pretty interesting too, consisting of a black cardboard sleeve slightly taller and thinner than a normal plastic CD case, with a simple silver drawing of a foetus on the front. There are a couple of pockets inside, one holding the CD, and the other holding a silver-coloured liner notes booklet cut to the same shape as the CD.

I guess the best way to describe the album is to say that listening to each track is like going on an emotional musical journey. Yes, I know it sounds like the most horrific of clichés, but that really is how I feel listening to it. Each song has been beautifully constructed, and the album is a perfect accompaniment to laying back and not doing anything. If you're interested in trying an Icelandic band, this album is exactly what it says – "A Pretty Good Start".

Summary: