Album of the month : October 2000
SIGUR RÓS ( ISL.):
Ágætis byrjun
Fatcat (GB)
Remember the first time you listened to the SUGARCUBES' "Birthday"? How strange and different from anything you heard it was ? SIGUR RÓS' "Ágætis byrjun" is of the same rare kind, and the fact both bands hail from Iceland is no mere coincidence: You can' t grow up and live in such an uncommon country, so rich in culture and traditions, without developing a strong and peculiar identity .
If SPIRITUALIZED, MOGWAI and GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR ! are the most frequently quoted names concerning SIGUR RÓS, the one and only influence the band fully assume is the majesty of the Icelandic landscape. Their ambition is to bring these breathtaking beauties to you with their music. And that's what they do : on large screen, in Panavision, Technicolor and Sensurround sound !
" Svefn-G-Englar" is an outstanding introduction. Ten minutes (an average length by S.R.'s standards !) that slowly grow in intensity and emotion, held by the surnatural Siren-chant of Jonsi Birgisson and the shower of sparks he draws from his bowed Stratocaster. Listen to this, and become a SIGUR RÓS fan for the rest of you life ! " Staráflur" is equally arresting. Getting outside help from a string ensemble, this gorgeous baroque affair stands as one of the album's melodic highlights and shows the band's most accessible side. " Flugufrelsarinn" offers yet another thrilling vocal performance by Jonsi over an aural lava flow that blends a pump organ, a piano, and more bowed-guitar onslaughts to uncanny results. It imperceptibly melts into the awesome " Ný batterý", a symphony for foghorns and ship hooters that, consciously or not, reminds of JOHN CLARK's classic " Faces" (ECM, 1981, *****). A masterpiece, no less. Other standout tracks include the gentle " Olsen Olsen", originally written for Swedish whispering angel STINA NORDENSTAM, and finally the title-track, roughly translated by "A new beginning", a touching piece of delicacy and understatement that gently waves to the rhythm of your heart and could convert even the most relinquishing listener.
On their website, SIGUR RÓS bring their self-biography to a conclusion with the following statement : « We are not a band. We are music. We do not intend to become superstars or millionaires. We are simply gonna change music forever, and the way people think about music. And don't think we can't do it. We will ». Quite cheeky, but true : It's already done.
FATCAT Records, PO Box 18212, LONDON EC1V 9XA, U.K. www.fat-cat.co.uk .
SMEKKLEYSA SM ehf, PO Box 710, 121 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND.
KRÚNK, Klapparstígur 25-27, 101 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND.
Also check this fine fan-site :
