ÁGÆTIS BYRJUN

Many bands stumble upon the question "Can we be experimental and innovative while providing listeners with something beautiful and melodic?" This album answers this question with a resounding "Yes."With their second studio release, Sigur Ros took their place at the forefront of the post-rock scene by attracting many new listeners and enticing those familiar with this genre. Agaetis Byrjun showcases the atmospheric and melodic qualities that the band possesses. The result is haunting and artistic, somber and uplifitng. With their charming. sweeping soundscapes, Sigur Ros is a powerhouse of beauty and emotion that can certainly please the ears of many people.

After a short, atmospheric introduction, "Svefn-G-Englar" starts and immediately shows the qualities of music that is other- worldly yet accessible. In fact, it gained quite a bit of popularity from the Vanilla Sky Soundtrack. Over ten minutes, the song winds through memorable instrumental interludes and soaring Icelandic vocals. Of course, one does not listen to the band for poetic lyrics, so the fact that it is another language does not keep people from other countries away. I feel that it adds to the mystery and melody, showing that music does not have to be concrete. Sigur Ros's music is anything but concrete being that due to heavy reliance on strings and E-bows, it has a very flowing and sprithe quality that allows it to surpass convention. "Staralfur" is a bit more normal in its composition, building itself around a very pretty piano line in addition to a normal vocal pattern. The song is a great intro for new listeners becuase it is very similar to the band's other works in its atmosphere and freeflowingness, yet is more accessible. "Flugufrelsarinn" is more energetic because it showcases more passionate vocals that don't seem to be as blended with the atmosphere in addition to more prominent drums and bass. The last repetition chorus seems to be a sonic explosion of sorts and is certainly a highlight. The next song, "Ny Batteri" is more standard post rock. The horns at the beginning in addition to the soft bass and vocals are a great way to start this piece. Soon, you find yourself drifting away in the atmospheric quality of the song complemented by the horn section, only to encounter a sudden encounterto loud and (relatively) fast drums and the build-up certainly pays off. The next piece, "Hjarto Hamast" has a bit of a jazzy swing to it at first. It has several pauses from the main melody for very orchestra-like parts which greatly enhance the song. It really is a very emotion- filled track. "Viorar Vel Til Loftarasa" is a more slow, brooding track, possibly the most depressing on the album. It stars with great piano and bass interplay, and really soars with addtion of strings. Eventually, the strings lead the song in to a driving sonic force that is lush but full of life, acting somewhat to counter the slow and melancholic start. The track overall is expertly orchestrated. "Olsen Olsen" gives the album a bit of Hopelandic, the bands made up language. Again, it is a very characteristic post-rock song, but one that has a great atmosphere with blurred instruments and vocals (except the guitar). Whatever effects they use, it gives the album a very outer-worldly element and it is well exectuted on this track. Excellent piece that sort of drifts around and builds to another track where the horns (and even some choral orchestration) are a highlight. The title track is one of the catchiest and most melodic. It has a variety of instruments, mainly acoustic guitar that create the lush sound. Closing the album is "Avalon," which isn't really a major track, but more of an outro.

What this album has to offer is a very unique type of work which is unmatched in beauty, melody, character, and orchestration. It really portrays what the post-rock genre has to offer better than any other album I've heard. If you like atmosphere, musicianship, and emotion in your prog, than this album is a must-have in your collection. Certainly a masterpiece because this is a pinnacle for this genre and it really can surprise people who thought that prog died a long time ago or that ambience destroyed hope for creativity and melody. I wholeheartedly recommend this album, it can give you a new perspective on modern music.

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