Music : Agaetis Byrjun

Rating: - Like a Freshly laid egg
The scary thing about this masterpiece is that i cannot understand any of the lyrics! This albulm has been the secret gift that nobody in the whole entire planet could have expected to recieve, yet when i think of the second song it sends me into a "world", whizzing about on some magic carpet going at glacial speed through the beautiful landscape of Iceland. i read a review on this albulm and thought i had to reply. "IF THE STARS HAD A SOUND..IT'D BE THIS" writes one individual that got me thinking. Siguor ros may sound like the stars but have indeed made a new sound that i have NEVER heard in my whole entire life, somthing fresh IF THEY HAD A SOUND I WOULD SAY IT WAS MORE OF A SOUND OF ICELAND as a country a Beautiful one at that! The scary thing is that nomater how many times i listen to Agaetis Byrjun i never think or listen to it in same way as the last time i listened to it! Buy it!

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Rating: - A remarkably beautiful new sound.
I was given this album as a gift, and having heard so much of sigur ros i was very excited to get the chance to hear it.

Despite this initial excitement, little could prepare me for the astonishing power and beauty of this album. The second, third, fourth ad fifth tracks are just stunning - the fact that you can't understand a word of the lyrics only adds to the mystique this album holds witihin itself.

A word of advice - buy this album if only to listen to before you go to bed - apart from relaxing you with its beauty, you will fully appreciate the power of this album in those semi-conscious moments just before you drift off into the world of sleep.

Just stunnning.

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Rating: - IF THE STARS HAD A SOUND..IT'D BE THIS
I bought this album on the strength of one song and a large number of recommendations from other people. And i honestly have to say that it is one of the most beautiful albums i have EVER heard.

Tracks such as Flugufrelsarinn and Ny batteri are astounding in their beauty, and the album sound like the sort of thing you would expect Iceland to sound like (corny i know, but i've never been there, much as i'd like too..)

I think it is the fact that i don't understand the lyrics that the album is much more of a complete experience to listen to. You don't concentrate on the lyrics because you don't know what they mean, and therefore you learn to appreciate the whole package a lot more, the brass and string sections, the ambient keyboards and the bowed guitar, not forgetting the fact that the singer has a voice that is quite unbelievable...

This is a fantastic album for chilling to..it has to be said..

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Rating: - If you could hear paint dry, this would be it!
An extremely whiney album from the very beginning right through to the last dire note! I thought this on my first listen, but as you do, I listened to it a bit more, still no joy! The music doesn't go anywhere, it's like you are listening to the same dull roar over and over. Just don't bother, I wish I hadn't!

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Rating: - Burning Icycles
Sigur Rós, formed in 1994, in Iceland, have, so far, remained pretty unknown outside their native country. But, since London-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.