Ágætis Byrjun

oh wooooaaaaaaw this is the kind of thing I was hoping to find on this excursion. An unusual and exotic band, something I have never heard before and instantly have a connection with. I really enjoyed this, and can't understand a word he is singing... but somehow I get it. Isn't music just amazing. gibberish out of 5

The sound of midnight in the wintertime, being alone without being lonely, a calm darkness with nothing insidious hiding in it. Absolutely marvelous.

The most demanding album I've come across so far on this generator. 1. It demands to be listened to with headphones. 2. It demands to have your undivided attention, while doing very little to grab it and hold on to it. 3. It demands you stay awake throughout the album, which too is no easy feat. 4. It demands you look up the English translations and make an attempt to decipher it's cryptic lyrics to follow the themes and stories. 5. It demands that you be in a certain type of melancholic, vegetative mood, but again, do not drift off to sleep! I'm sure for the listeners able to meet the above 5 demands, it would be a very rewarding listen. Unfortunately for me, I could only really meet 2/5 on any given day.

Sigur Ros is Icelandic for Sugar Ray.

Ágætis Byrjun is a triumph of engineering and arrangement, but most of all, it's a triumph of imagination. For sure, you can trace Sigur Ros' antecedents in My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai, and other similar post-rock bands, as well as ambient and industrial music, but the widescreen cinematic dreamscapes of Sigur Ros are unique to them. How do they pull it off? It sure isn't the melodies and the harmonies, which are standard issue. It's more the ever so patient accrual of layers of bowed guitar, keyboards, strings and horns, all played legato, and how all of it is recorded through echo and reverb and other production tricks. The breakout track is the title cut Svefn-g-englar, which steadily builds to an epic conclusion slowly dying away. At over ten minutes, it's long for a pop tune, but the running time goes by in a flash because the music lulls you into a trance state. Not all the tunes on Ágætis Byrjun are as timeless and wonderful, but there's plenty to enjoy here. Ágætis Byrjun is an amazing breakthrough which has inspired dozens of bands--the reverberations are still being felt today. 4.5/5

Ágætis byrjun by Sigur Rós (1999) It’s a rare album that can induce tears on a first listen, but this is it. A first person narrative beginning in the womb, a boy anticipates nativity with an awareness of transience, reticence, impatience, and the explosive violence of birth, followed by experiences of the comforting softness in his early sensations. Then, as a toddler, an awakening in his nursery room is marked by the image of an elf running toward him, strangely without getting closer. And in his reflexive effort to check his surroundings, he notices that something is missing—the walls. And we’re only four minutes into the third track. I strongly recommend listening to this album while following an English translation of the lyrics (unless, of course, you know Icelandic!). The dramatic development of the narrative is set to a composition that makes just enough contact with Western traditional music to keep it accessible, with string octet, bowed guitar, and brass ensemble providing the dominant settings. Not without horror, disappointment, and reverie, Sigur Rós walks us toward a celebratory contentment with what God provides. I won’t spoil any more of the experience of a first listen, other than to say that this slow tempo sonic masterpiece will take considerable time to absorb. En það verður ei gott að fórna sér Dagarnir eru langir (But someone has to sacrifice himself The days are long) 5/5

Agaetis Byjurn and Godspeed You! Black Emperor are 2 of the most well received records that do absolutely nothing for me. I know the orchestration sounds terrific, and the strings, pianos, flutes create beautiful harmonies, but it's just incredibly boring to me. I will not listen to 9 minutes of pretentious ambient noises to wait for a climax that won't come, in a language that I don't understand again, to see why people love this so much. 2/5.

-Aged very well -Calm and soothing -Clear production -Easylistening

Ethereal Millenial Soundscape. Very cool all around, a little hard to listen to all the time. Very, Very good though.

Unremarkable orchestral stuff with dreary guitar stuff and whiny vocals. I saw these guys live when I was going through a brief post-rock phase. They put on a big visual spectacle show, but I honestly can't remember what I ever enjoyed about the music. I guess it felt like serious, artistic music to me at the time, and I was a try-hard. But it's really the most insipid elements of ambient, classical and rock brewed together into a weak and unsatisfying infusion. Couple of interesting brass moments, and one or two tracks were the vocals actually sound alright - but these are dribbles of interest in an overlength ocean of tedium.

Listening to this album, waiting for something that never happens. Letdown.

A womb with a view. I eat placenta on a daily basis. It goes best with vinegar and brown rice. Yum.

I thought I would like this more than I did.

-it feels like a dream converted into an album -orchestral -beautiful -atmosphehric -love the themes of childbirth and naivity -this is (near) perfect -I almost started crying -favourite songs: Svefn-g-englar (<3), Starálfur, Ný batterí, Hjartað Hamast (<3), Viðrar vel til loftárása (<3), Olsen Olsen (<3), the title track (<3) -least favourite song: Intro

Highlights: Starálfur, Flugufrelsarinn, Viðrar vel til loftárása I have no idea what they're saying, or what language (It's Icelandic, in case you were wondering) but it doesn't make any difference because Sigur Rós' moody, atmospheric downtempo transcends language, invoking a sense of wonder and serenity. I can't help but to try and connect with the music...My own interpretation is that Starálfur ("Staring Elf") transports the listener to a celebratory fireworks display so lifelike, you can almost smell the sulfur and feel the night breeze on your cheeks. Flugufrelsarinn ("The Fly's Savior") continues later in the same night, deeper in the dark, at the water's edge. My interpretations don't really matter, though... This is right at home with the likes of Halou, Flunk, Zero 7, and Theivery Corporation, and will be including more in my downtempo playlists.

Excellent,dreamy, original.

Vous qui fréquentez ce site connaissez très bien mes goûts et ma personnalité. Et je pense qu'aucun d'entre vous n'aurait parié sur le fait que je puisse adorer cet album. C'est pourtant ce qui s'est passé. J'ai néanmoins été déçu d'apprendre que les paroles qu'ils baragouinaient n'étaient en rien de l'Islandais mais bien une langue inventée de toute pièce, ce qui ne m'a pas empêché de relever quelques fautes de grammaire.

Feel like I aged 100 years listening to this. In a good way

Ooh, this was honestly the definition of atmospheric. Made me feel at peace. Singer is brilliant. 4.

"Ég spring út og friðurinn í loft upp"

Nothing (except many some of Brian Eno's work) can calm me more than 'Agaetis Byrjun'. I remember hearing about Sigur Ros and searching everywhere for this album before I finally found an import version. I'd listen to it over and over while lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling. Jonsi's cello bow playing on the guitar mixed perfectly with the atmospheric music which seems to reach up to the sky and reflects the beautifully stark Icelandic landscape. I saw Sigur Ros during their tour for their third album '( )'. The venue allowed a 100 college aged kids with CMJ Music Marathon passes to attend. The crowd was rowdy, rude and drunk. They booed the opening act and generally were frustrating to listen to. But three minutes of Sigur Ros playing was enough to shut them up for the rest of the show. Years later 'Agaetis Byrjun' remains one of my all time favorite albums.

Agaetis Byrjun is the brilliant debut album from Sigur Ros. Their music is very difficult to categorize - first, they are from Iceland. They are a rock band that makes elegant ballads and soundscapes. Their lead singer, Jonsi, sings in a melodic falsetto, and is accompanied by a rock band and at times, an orchestra. They layer ambient electronic effects to create the full, rich sound of their songs. Agaetis Byrjum was the album that made Sigur Ros into international stars. Their unique sound propelled the band to near-universal critical success, and world-wide commercial success.

Very happy to see this album on here. I love Sigur Ros and this album especially. You do need to be in a certain mood to listen to them though. Glad it was gloomy today.

Used to listen to this to fall asleep, I mean that in the best way

The beauty of this music is not only found in the structure and instrumentation, but furthermore exist in the audiences interpretation.

Otra sorpresa, no porque no conozca la banda sino por el reto de escuchar por primera vez un disco completo de Sigur Rós. Súper relajante, para estar tirado en una cama o en un sillón, sólo concentrado en la música que suena. Ambiental, noventoso en detalles sutiles que recuerdan a Radiohead (el mejor ejemplo es Flugufrelsarinn). Tiene canciones épicas, como Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm) y Viðrar vel til loftárása. Tiene todo para un viaje emotivo. Introspectivo. Pienso que también son necesarias estas instancias de desconexión: sobre todo en Argentina. ¿Está mal que el arte sea, de vez en cuando, un escape?

I really liked this. The ambient portions of the overall sound make me want to replay Disco Elysium.

Just gorgeous and genre-defining. A big part of my mid-2000s.

Dreams

Really good album, did not expect something so good so soon.

I have no idea what they are singing about but I loved this already years ago... Great album

Beautiful This album is truly beautiful. I have the same feelings towards it as i did to Melody AM and Vespertine. It's anthemic, makes you wanna run through a field with your arms up in the air, embracing life. its just absolutely beautiful i think im going 5, i will come back to this record often, i hope

I thought a whole album of Sigur Ros would be too repetitive for me, but wow I just get so emotional listening to this music. There is something transcendental about it.

Riktigt bra, skönt sound och fina melodier. Tror bara att jag inte lyssnat på vissa låtar tillräckligt men annars är det nog en av de bättre jag har rateat.

Solid. By coincidence this album was recommended on North American eclipse day 2024. Excellent soundtrack for an eclipse.

I'm hoping this isn't the only Sigur Ros. I've seen them live a few times. Spent a good chunk of my late teens/early 20s listening to them. Very special place in my heart.

I have absolutely no idea what this is, and I love it. Whenever I see an album from the late 90s pop up that I've never heard of before, I can't help for my initial reaction to be dread. I have received so much shit from that era from really underground bands and artists to the point where I just assume that I've discovered all the good music from the late 90s, and everything else sucks. But this album has proved me wrong. Every song rewards you for listening to the whole thing, and slowly builds until it reaches an epic climax. Even though I don't speak a word of Icelandic, the intensely passionate delivery of the vocals makes me love them. I initially found it daunting that this album was 10 songs and 71 minutes long, that means that each song averages at about 7 minutes. But you know what, if anything that's the best part of it. Being able to really explore every sound in every song to such depth, and slowly add layers that build perfectly throughout the songs. I never would have thought that I would have fallen in love with this album as much as I have, but I do love occasionally getting a reminder that there is still music out there that I have never heard of that is still this amazing. It's so easy to get caught up in always listening to the same things and not realising how much music there actually is in the world that's still really good. But hey, I suppose that's the reason we are all doing this album list at the end of the day.

Incredibly atmospheric and moving, achieved exclusively through tone and texture. Sung in Icelandic and gibberish, I didn't understand a word but was still moved almost to tears. An otherworldly masterpiece. Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: Svefn-g-englar Date listened: 19/12/23

Ugh, I really love this. It definitely helps to listen to this as an album in its entirety. Turn the sound way up and let the whole thing wash over you in its sublime majesty. The whole album is solid, with big melancholic soundscapes throughout, and flashes of searing beauty (notably with songs like Starálfur). The long tracks go by so quickly. I love everything about this. The album art, the concept, everything.

Familiar with a couple of Sigur Rios songs but first time listening to this album, wow, so atmospheric absolutely a masterpiece. Can see me listening to this a lot this year.

goated, if only their other albums were as consistent as this

https://www.stereogum.com/2047135/sigur-ros-agaetis-byrjun-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/

Coincidentally been listening to this (for the first time) recently. Very chilled and cohesive. Definitely added to my favourites.

Simon: 1. I have this, but probably made it never all the way through before today, due to its length. 2. Did you ever go to a majestically dingy club called The Foundry wedged between Great Eastern St and Old St? Some friends played strange and sometimes obnoxious music to other weirdos there in the early noughties, and among gruesome remixes of “The Lady in Red” and the “Eastenders” theme, a constant was the set ending with “Svefn-g-englar”, which is enchanting. 3. There are some sumptuous textures and melodies in here, and it builds a consistent sound-world for itself, which I like. However, there’s not enough grit in there to keep me from sliding off. The sixth song flashes a spot of Dave Brubeck before the wailing guitars and epic whispering return, and I’m extending my arms going no, no, bring back sexy Brubeck, which is a dangerous move when driving a car. 4. I saw Sigur Ros support Radiohead along with Beck, and I must report R Head were surprisingly fun while SigRo sounded lost and missable, while Beck as just dull. Don’t worry, I didn’t pay. 5. There’s something a little cute or twee to the vibe, the silliness of singing sometimes in a made-up language fitting, trading in darkness that is more Tim Burton than David Lynch. 6. A later album, “Kveikur", has a song called “Isjaki" that has an urgency absent here, and is my favourite track of theirs along with "Svefn-g-englar”. 7. Homework noted with thanks.

I remember first discovering this and being amazed at how different it sounded compared to anything else I knew at the time. I was huge into Sigur Rós for awhile and even saw them in concert. Now hearing this again many years later, I still enjoy this, but the feeling for me is more nostalgia than anything else. There are a couple strong tracks on this album, but most of this kind of moves from one to the next without much consequence. I listen to this with fond memories but I also wonder if this could have been the beginning of something much bigger that never really materialized.

This is what the northern lights would sound like if they made music.

Sigur Ros. Enough said.

Bands like Sigur Rós - I've never heard of them before today - are exactly the reason why I like the 1001 site. It provides me the opportunity to expand my horizons and listen to something new and different. Two tracks, "Olsen olsen" and "Ágætis byrjun", are truly beautiful.

To be transparent here my review may be inflated by me being in the optimal situation to hear this album. I had a 40 minute walk home after work at 1 am. Turned this one on and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more beautiful album. All of the instrumentals just had a way of evoking emotion. It was long for sure and I do kinda wish it was in English but when a albums speaks to me in this was I’m more willing to overlook that. Weird one to rate cuz there’s not songs with replay value and I don’t know when I’m gonna listen to it again but I just had a 5/5 experience listening. Best: the first four tracks (not including intro)

I thought, for some reason, this was going to be a Hispanic rock band. Heard the name before and I guess that’s what came to mind. It’s not. Icelandic melodic dreamy music. I really like this.

Music to stare at icebergs to.

This album is a snoozefest... but it sounds beautiful and has great production. If you like loooooong instrumental, dreamy songs with random singing , then you will love this. It is unfortunately not my thing, cool fetus though.

Strange. Some songs are too long and drone along at the same tempo for way too much time. Length is an issue overall. I have no problem with long songs, I just don’t need to listen to 10 of them in a row. This was ok, but I’ll never go back to it.

Radiohead and its consequences have been a complete disaster for the music industry.

One long beautiful dream scape....I couldn't get thru it. Sounded like a soundtrack for a stunning visual IMAX movie. Good background music for doing something.....

A little dull, sometimes repetitive. Cinematic, but what’s the point?

You could probably sleep to this. Very slow, quiet songs. All in Icelandic or whatever.

Mental icelandic orchestral cinematic sounds. The singing is a bit irritating. I liked the batteri and bamm bamm bamm

This album is just too slow for my liking. Not really a fan.

When this was released I thought it was deep and emotional but upon relistening it appears fucking insufferable. Nice music, but those vocals? Drunken elves.

This album starts off like a tornado and smacks you in the chops. It’s loud and brash and in your face. It’s thrashy and punky and a little bit screamy. Normally this combination would induce an excited curiosity from myself and these tracks did just that...but that was all. I just can’t find anything worthwhile or standoutish. The songs speed along happily enough, but leave you feeling unsatisfied and with an empty void. 2 Stars!

weird shit

Long and Boring. That’s all I can say about this album.

I get a slow build but having to wait 20 minutes for anything resembling tempo was just annoying. An exercise in patience and futility.

pretty but just overall generic and boring

I fell asleep. Tedious stuff that goes nowhere. I get what they're trying to do, it is not for me.

It's an amazing album, but ngl, I listened to this a ton in my stoned and depressed college days, so it's bringing back many memories and feelings from that era that I would rather not explore.

The sound of a long abandoned cathedral collapsing off an eroded cliff. In slow motion.

Vibes

"Ágætis Byrjun", to dzieło przełomowe, które nie tylko umocniło pozycję zespołu na światowej scenie, ale także zmieniło sposób, w jaki postrzegana jest muzyka post-rockowa. Islandzka grupa stworzyła album, który brzmi jak coś spoza tego świata – hipnotyzujący, emocjonalny i nieziemsko piękny. Każdy utwór na "Ágætis Byrjun" to odrębny pejzaż dźwiękowy – od ambientowego spokoju po wzniosłe, niemal symfoniczne kulminacje. Utwór tytułowy, balansuje między delikatnością a epickością, opowiadając historię, której słowa nie są konieczne, by ją zrozumieć. Wystarczy wsłuchać się w dźwięki, by poczuć emocjonalne głębie. Sercem albumu jest jego wyjątkowa atmosfera – islandzka surowość połączona z mistycznym ciepłem. Sigur Rós używa nie tylko tradycyjnych instrumentów, ale także głosu Jónsiego (kocham jego wokal), śpiewającego częściowo w wymyślonym języku Hopelandic, jako dodatkowego instrumentu. To sprawia, że muzyka nabiera uniwersalnego charakteru – przemawia do serca, niezależnie od języka. To podróż przez emocje, krajobrazy i stany umysłu, które trudno opisać słowami. Nie ma w nim ani jednej zbędnej nuty, a całość składa się na jeden z najbardziej inspirujących, wzruszających i transcendentnych albumów w historii współczesnej muzyki. Absolutne arcydzieło. Mocne 5

Incredible music in general such a vibe and so relaxing to listen to while playing LOZ late at night Svefn-g-englar is a uil mediation classic and It will always hold a very special place in my heart from all those amazing memories

Beautiful album. One of my favorites.

ethereal

Easy 5.

I know that I will be echoing a lot of people's words, but this album is fucking awesome. Super unique, but somehow familiar all the same. Some of the most beautiful and poignant piece arranged. A fantastic place to start into the world of international music and how language isn't a mandatory requirement for understanding music itself. A must listen to album. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful. 2nd 10/10 album on this list

This is one of the most interesting and unique post-rock albums I’ve heard so far. It’s especially impressive considering it came out in the ‘90s. It feels like it was way ahead of its time. While it’s rooted in post-rock, it blends ambient, art rock, dream pop, and chamber pop seamlessly. The album has an otherworldly, ambient feel with lush orchestrations that set the stage for its expansive sound. Even with its calming, almost sleep-inducing moments, there are also chaotic parts that maintain the ambient soundscape throughout.

Planant, émotion, s'écoute de bout en bout. Coup de coeur

Ágætis byrjun ebbs and flows with exquisite beauty. It might be one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard. Each song drifts gently into the next, rising to astonishing crescendos (such as Viðrar vel til loftárása), then fading away until the next one. A gorgeous Icelandic mountain range for the ears. I have no idea what the lyrics mean but that doesn’t matter. This album is as much sonic art as it is music, transcending language and genres. It’s almost like classical music but with the addition of modern instruments and production techniques. A couple of the more guitar-let tracks reminded me of Radiohead and felt like fitting resting points before continuing the hike to the next peak, to continue the mountain analogy. I love everything about this. Somehow it captures the essence of beauty in life; I can’t imagine any day in which you listen to this with your full attention being a bad one. Hoppípola is not on this album but deserves praise too. I’ve liked that song for years but never probed further, but I’m glad I have now. Thanks Sigur Rós.

Space. Heaven. The journey to the beyond. Such a relaxing album. Will definitely be returning here from time to time.

Such a great album. The title track is phenomenally good as is the first track after the intro. Ný Batterí fills out the top three. A well deserved entry to the 1001

Sigur Rós OH MY GOD one of my favorite post rock bands. They are so good, just, so good. Nothing else need to be said. I admire how they keep everything so light and delicate, almost fragile, and oh dear that melancholy, that nolstalgia, what an old friend. It's the sound of forest and ocean nights and sweet annihilation. and it's just so beautiful...5/5, 10/10.

This is one of the most interesting and unique post-rock albums I’ve heard so far. It’s especially impressive considering it came out in the ‘90s—it feels like it was way ahead of its time. While it’s rooted in post-rock, it blends ambient, art rock, dream pop, and chamber pop seamlessly. The album has an otherworldly, ambient feel with lush orchestrations that set the stage for its expansive sound. Even with its calming, almost sleep-inducing moments, there are also chaotic parts that maintain the ambient soundscape throughout.

One of my favorites top to bottom!

This album was very important to me for a long time. I suppose, that in the wake of the many many imitators that have cropped up over the years, it’s no longer unique as such, and I don’t listen to it nearly so often. Still beautiful, though. I think it has an undeserved reputation for being ethereal, which I understand, but after seeing them live a few times, I know it’s possible to miss the ear-splitting, wall-shaking, brown-noting potential that their music actually has.

When you really need some cosmic post-rock, pull this out.

Music like this is why the generator is so interesting. I probably never would have listened to this otherwise. I had seen the album cover, but didn’t know the name or the artist. im glad i took my time with it because this shit had me floating. The cover art perfectly fits. I don’t know the language, but I don’t need to. The dynamic swells and string arrangements keep the long songs interesting.

Such a beautiful album. I recently became a father to twin girls and Svefn-g-englar touched me very deeply. And who can't relate to having been born?! I find it interesting that the initial theme seems to surround being born and being a child but then evolves into self-referential self-pity regarding the unsuccessful first album of Sigur Rós. While I was hoping the album would be more generalizations about growing up from childhood to adulthood, in a weird way that is exactly what it is albeit more difficult to relate to for every person given very few of us have had an unsuccessful album produced in Iceland. Interestingly, the self-referential nature of this album became celebrated and lead to its success. Musically it deserves everything anyone has ever said. There was a time in my life when I could only fall asleep to Riceboy Sleeps by Jónsi and so I assumed Sigur Rós was also a very sleep inducing band. I found Ágaetis Byrjun to maintain my interest with every note and never induce sleep. It's an album that will stick with me for a long time.

Oh my god, what a pleasure to get one of the best bands I've ever seen in my life and an record that completely opened up my entire world when I first heard it in middle school. I guess there are a few tiny moments where I have to give twelve year old me credit for being extremely cool. It's one of the best ambient/post-rock albums ever made.

No idea what this was but I liked it

Gorgeous, serene, surreal soundscape. Need to listen to this over and over again.

Incredible, used to listen to this while working through the night, perfect soundtrack. I can replay every note and phonetic vocal in my head. Just so good, Olsen Olsen in particular is untouchable [EDIT - Bet Mark hates this. It's lovely though]

One of THE great post rock albums, in my opinion. Probably one of the most unique too.

Love this album. Love this band. Didn't realize how much of a noise band this was until relistioning to it again.

For me, this was the "Holy shit. I get it." moment for post-rock.

I was excited but apprehensive when this came up. Sigur Ros were one of my favourite bands as a late teenager but it had been a while since I'd listened to them in earnest. It did not disappoint. A relaxing background ambiance punctuated by periods of intensely emotional music. It drags you down before sweeping orchestral segments fling you back up, evoking a sense of hopefulness that genuinely brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face at times. Staralfur, Ny Batteri, and Hjartao Hamast are the standout tracks in a fantastic post-rock album second only to ( ).

I love the album. It's dreamy, spheric, creative and the language is super interesting:D Immediately put some of the songs in my Yoga playlist

Dreamy, almost ethereal post rock. I really enjoyed the experience of listening to this album. I’m sure I would’ve enjoyed it even more if I spoke Icelandic, but damn is it pretty. The overarching timbre and soundscape is really something to behold, with quite a few almost cathartic crescendos really driving home a sense of relief. “Hjartað hamast“ stood out as my favourite track, the cool hammondy organ playing throughout is perhaps my favourite instrumentation on the record. The falsetto vocals are really interesting, without speaking the language they almost sound more instrumental than lyrical. I actually fail to find any gripes with this particular album, and I’m looking forward to putting it on during long nighttime drives. 5*

This is a slightly more challenging Sigur Rós album, but it’s extraordinarily beautiful. Heavy, soft, melodic and aggressive at times, it’s a masterpiece.

This is fantastic

Inspiring