ÁGÆTIS BYRJUN

Sigur Rós plays a strange sort of psychedelic New Age-y minimalist rock that was a natural extension of some of the more creative moments of the mid-90s Britpop "movement". Obviously influenced by Pink Floyd, they cover the same ground (at various different times) as contemporaries Air, Portishead, The Verve and Spiritualized, although Sigur Rós is probably the least song based of the lot.

Most of the tracks on Ágætis Byrjun run from between 7-10 mins, and there is a strong, sweeping feel that can overwhelm you when you are listening to the album. The lack of vocal hooks and luxuries such as instrumental solos may make it hard to differentiate between the various tracks, and the fact that Jónsi Birgisson's high-pitched vocals are sung in a made-up language called Hopelandish (not that I think singing in their native Icelandic would have made Sigur Rós any more accessible) doesn't help either. But somehow it doesn't seem to matter.

Ágætis Byrjun is widely considered to be the best album Sigur Rós made and there are lots of beautiful melancholy moments lurking around this seamless work. I particularly like the string-heavy Starálfur and the strangely euphoric Olsen Olsen (replete with choir!) as well as the darker pieces Flugufrelsarinn and Hjartaõ Hamast (Bamm Bamm Bamm) , but none of the tracks are weak. Still, I must say that while I know many people who love this album, Sigur Rós' music isn't exactly what I look for in a prog band. ... 62% on the MPV scale