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Writing a correct review of a post rock album is maybe the trickiest and hardest thing to do on the Archives. This is mostly due to the lack of explanation coming from some bands regarding their music. But clearly one of the most mysterious groups is Iceland's Sigur Ros and their obscure but sometimes-exhilarating ambiances come as adventurous as their compatriot Bjork can manage to be. This gives you an idea on how abstract Sigur Ros can get? How can one review an album when the number of tracks are not listed or even named (at least not on the record but apparently they did give names to them on their website)? How many musicians? That very album having no name but also being a neat object with the booklet being entirely in plastic and it is sung in a strange invented language (not Kobaian). Not that easy but listening to the album is also not easy, either. Not that the music is difficult, but it will require the average listener a good dose of patience (as it is usually the case with post rock groups) because of the very slow evolution of most of the tracks to climax that sometimes do not happen.

Musically Sigur Ros, although a full-fledged post rock group, they are rather different sounding than the usual GYBE! or EITS. In that regard, as far as originality is concerned, they are rather a pleasant surprise even if their music is not experimental in the way Tortoise or some Tarentel albums can be. There is something really amazing with Nordic groups - even if Iceland is not Scandinavia - one can consider that the groups coming from that country all have that typical Scandinavian melancholic feel that one hears and feels with Anekdoten, Anglagard, Landberk etc. To say that the music is sad and depressing is maybe exaggerating a tad, but it is reflective and allows for much room for personal interpretations from the listener. Another thing that sets Sigur Ros apart from many groups is that they use vintage and analogue KB and instruments but they manage not to sound like retro-prog like many other Nordic groups. The album seems to be divided into two parts with the first definitely more positive-minded than the latter half which is more brooding and even a bit menacing, while remaining calm. The vocals can, at times, be trying on your tolerance level, as the high-pitched yells can get irksome if not in the right mood.

Overall Sigur Ros is one of the more enigmatic groups listed in our beloved ProgArchives, but also one of those really worthy of your interest if you enjoy highly atmospheric music bordering on the lunatic spirit of most Icelandic artists. "Uncanny masterpiece" would've said Mr. Citystart