Ágætis Byrjun

lulling me to sleep while I work. I do appreciate the instrumentation but it needs something in addition to whats here to make this a classic.

Didn’t like this one at all

Different. Listenable

Not for me. DNF

Wonderfully depressing

this list really illuminates a generational gap in music taste when it comes to post-rock. there's barely any on it! just this, the Tortoise album, and Spiderland which is in its own category tbh. zoomers love that shit. not me but i get the appeal. and this does appeal to me in a very real sense. sleepy music. the bombast feels lightweight, like throwing a football on the moon. deserves to be one of the 1001? yes. over ( ) which, like the actual list, i would skip. thumbs up on Sigur Rós here. but no Godspeed You Black Emperor and neither of Talk Talk's final two albums?

Cool sound but nothing super entertaining

I found this really interesting and could definitely see myself listening to it more to really dig into it. So different to the last few albums I’ve listened to. At its best you get transported away into a peaceful plane of existence and the music washes over you. I was definitely in this category for a few songs on the bounce and into solid 4 territory. However at times I found the vocals a bit discordant, it was like they were needed to tie the music together but a bit grating, particularly on the first two songs. Then towards the end of the album there were a few songs that had a more chaotic vibe I didn’t enjoy as much. A close miss on a 4 and might be one that over time I grow to enjoy more, but it’s a strong 3 on first listen.

Initial reaction was this is premium meditation songs.  An upgrade from whale noises or the lapping waves of the sea.  I did start thinking the vocals were also an annoying distraction that just repeats over the top.  Caveat I was listening in the car which is poor audio for the first attempt! Anyway ended up listening to the album twice with different points of reference e.g. car, during intense periods of work, chilling etc. Now if I was wanting to chill or have as background for focus I think this fulfils the brief well. I did however find that if I wanted to immerse in the music I found it was equal measure annoying as stimulating as different parts did repeat and become cumbersome so had a simple foundation for each song. However musically they did add depth to the song with the different sounds and interplay of vocals etc. On balance a very interesting album that I would not naturally gravitate to but for which I am better off as a result of 1001. A must to re-visit I think but elements of it for now which niggle at me which prevent me from elevating this to the top tier in my rotation.

I discovered Sigur Rós during my covid lockdown musical revival and I have listened to this album countless times since. Sigur Rós create a soundscape through which the album floats, sweeps and soars. It's sometimes pleasantly ambient but then there are moments, like the string section in "Starálfur" that demand attention. The Icelandic (or "Hopelandic") vocals remove the clutter of specific meaning and forces the non-speaker to make their own interpretation. Although referring to specific tracks seems inappropriate because the whole album flows so congruently I can barely bring myself to listen to any part in isolation. Musically, they often get referred to with the catch-all of "Post Rock", but this has never felt suitable. There are obvious rock music structures but in long, prog-rockesque tracks that have classical orchestral accompaniment, jazz horns, and even some occasional blues harmonica. This is a great album to just put on some headphones and melt into.

that was awesome. a cinematic soundscape. slow yet not boring. haunting at times but still very beautiful

I do not dislike these songs but I don’t think most of them needed to be 7-10 minutes. But what do I know, I’m not Icelandic

Hollllyyy shit this is mb the best album ive been introduced to from this project. Makes other albums in adjacent genres sound worse. Makes me miss Iceland. Maybe theyre so happy because theyre somber and accept it? I’ll take my Ls even though it’s not fun… FIVE. (All u did was write the book on garbage ass rollies - Aubrey)

Phenomenal! Felt like a mix of classical and ethereal space rock, haven’t heard anything else like it before.

<3

Я бы мог расписать отзыв к этому альбом на несколько страниц, и я скорее всего сделаю это попозже. Но вкратце: этот альбом поменял мою жизнь на до и после, каждый обязан послушать его взахлëб до смерти

ça me fait penser à cigarettes after sex, mais sympa même si trop long

Meh. Very ambient

I've been sleeping on Icelanders. I didn't understand a word, but enjoyed every second of this album

So ethereal

Atmospheric music with some real beautiful moments. Not sure when I would listen to this again in full as it runs a bit long for what it is. Worth the listen though.

Almost got in on a couple songs then the singing started. Who plays this shit for company or anyone?

Whoa... now this is a fun sound. Very distinct. Sounds electronic, but actually a lot of genuine instruments with fun effects. I suppose, what is that line? A few songs that are built off more basic chord progressions. Like the song Flugufrelsarinn. Good formula for exploration -- starting with some trusted, basic foundation. However, this gets a bit old by the end of the 7 minute song... some more variation might have been good to add in.

a beautiful epic that combines sigur ros hopelandic lyrics with soaring and emotional post rock that soars and flies into emotional spaces you didn't know you could feel.

expected a kinda pretentious sonic soundscape thing, and it delivered that, with some moments of beauty. but it all wore kind of thin. kind of annoying. it's an hour-plus soundtrack to luxury cars on winding autumnal roads. a soft-focus tribute to the lexus december to remember sales event.

This album is the closest thing I can think of to being wrapped up in a cozy blanket on a cold winter night in audio form. The swells and ambient world building completely melt away your consciousness and open up your third eye to see a more beautiful and majestic reality. This is one of those bands that stand in their own category on their own pedestal. I’ve never listened to this album all the way through what a fucking treat.

This was alright, feel l won't revisit but I can appreciate what it was, to be honest I can't really remember much about it other than it was angelic? Possibly...

Favorite Track: Staralfur

#DÍA 18: 1001 Discos Que Hay Que Escuchar Antes De Morir (English Translation Below) Buenas tardes, ayer tuve el día ocupado pero hoy vuelvo para escuchar esta pieza celestial de música. Ya lo había escuchado alguna vez antes, pero principalmente lo dejaba de fondo o lo usaba para dormir (funcionaba bastante bien para ello). Pero ahora dedicándole una escucha atenta me doy cuenta de la extensa belleza que contiene este álbum. No es de extrañar que siempre sea mencionado como un LP vital que escuchar cuando quieres adentrarte en el Post-Rock, aunque sea un disco al que le tiemble esa etiqueta, como a muchos clásicos del género también cabe decir. También se suele decir que su sonido está fuera de este mundo, pero yo lo considero bastante terrenal, aunque con ciertos toques oníricos y de fantasía, como adentrarte en un cuento medieval. En ocasiones me hace sentir que voy flotando junto a criaturas místicas por los gélidos valles de Islandia. La Intro y Svefn-G-Englar son el perfecto preludio de este libro, como una dulce nana cantada a un niño para irse a dormir y comenzar a soñar. La guitarra tocada con arco, las atmósferas tan azules y moradas, la fragilidad de la voz de Jónsi… En mi opinión Starálfur y Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása son dos temas de diez dentro de este proyecto, siendo el primero una cálida y bellísima canción que te hace volver a sentir la ilusión de ser un niño, y el segundo una lenta y sutil pieza cuyo piano lentamente derrite el hielo que cubre su clímax. Es alucinante en casos, aunque hay algunas pistas que se sienten más monótonas y que no logran la misma progresión, como Olsen Olsen o la canción homónima, aunque de esta última valoro el sentido autobiográfico tan entusiasmante de la letra. También cabe destacar que Hjartað Hamast tiene una combinación de instrumentos poco ortodoxa en cuanto al resto del LP, lo que la hace algo irruptoria, pero no deja de ser interesante. En fin, una experiencia que se siente tan íntima como gigante, siento que estos sonidos deben reflejar bien lo que se debe sentir al observar la aurora boreal. Favoritas: Svefn-G-Englar, Starálfur, Flugufrelsarinn, Ný Batterí, Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása Menos favorita: Olsen Olsen #DAY 18: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die Good afternoon, yesterday I had a busy day but today I'm back to listen to this celestial piece of music. I had listened to it before, but mostly I would leave it playing in the background or use it to fall asleep (and it worked quite well for that). But now, giving it a focused listen, I realize the vast beauty this album holds. It’s no wonder it’s always mentioned as a vital LP to listen to when diving into Post-Rock—even if it’s an album that wavers under that label, as many other classics from this genre also do. It’s often said that its sound is out of this world, but I find it quite earthly, though with dreamlike and fantastical touches—like stepping into a medieval tale. At times, it makes me feel like I’m floating alongside mystical creatures through the icy valleys of Iceland. The Intro and Svefn-G-Englar are the perfect prelude to this book, like a sweet lullaby sung to a child to drift off to sleep and begin dreaming. The guitar being played with a bow, the blue and purple atmospheres, the fragility of Jónsi’s voice... In my opinion, Starálfur and Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása are two standout tracks on this record—the first being a warm and beautiful song that brings back the joy of childhood wonder, and the second a slow and subtle piece whose piano slowly melts the ice covering its climax. It’s astonishing at times, though there are some tracks that feel more monotonous and don’t achieve the same progression, like Olsen Olsen or the self-titled track, though I do appreciate the excitingly autobiographical nature of the lyrics in the latter. It’s also worth noting that Hjartað Hamast has a rather unorthodox combination of instruments compared to the rest of the LP, making it somewhat disruptive, but still interesting. All in all, an experience that feels both intimate and massive—I feel these sounds must reflect what it’s like to witness the Northern Lights. Favorites: Svefn-G-Englar, Starálfur, Flugufrelsarinn, Ný Batterí, Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása Least favorite: Olsen Olsen

Weird. Fun. Relaxing. Ethereal. Scandanavian.

Wow! Love this! It’s just so “refreshing” to listen to something so different from anything else, being sang in Icelandic probably helps, but the music is sublime also. Big thumbs up

4.5/5 Aún mejor de cómo lo recordaba. Este álbum lo llevo escuchando varios años y cada vez me gusta más. Creo que es difícil que te encante en primera escucha porque es una experiencia muy particular y de a poco uno va aceptando lo que el album te presenta y dejas de pensar en qué te gustaría que hicieran distinto. Debo decir que aún en algunas canciones no me convence la voz full reverb y por eso también me gusta mucho el title track, porque la voz está bien adelante en la mezcla. Sin embargo sigue siendo una wea demasiado increíble, demasiado grande y meditativa y etérea; tan lleno de texturas que se mezclan a la perfección con el cuarteto de cuerdas y los instrumentos de viento y el bajo, es de verdad una maravilla de álbum, no por nada son considerados los papitos del post rock. Y meu deus el tono del piano es demasiado delicioso ctm. Obra (casi) maestra porque tienen álbumes mejores en mi opinión.

Increíblemente inmersivo. Creo que el principio no ayuda a enganchar pero las últimas 6 canciones son ridículamente atrapadoras. No me las quiero dar de crítico así que, me gustó, no sé si lo escucharía siempre pero definitivamente me deja con ganas de seguir escuchando de ellos. Canciones que no guardé: Intro (lol !!!) Starálfur Flugufrelsarinn Avalon (por sí sola no creo que funcione pero dentro del álbum es un buen cierre) Nota: 4/5

Un disco que dejé de lado mucho tiempo, las portadas normalmente son mi principal incentivo para escuchar un álbum, y ver esta junto a discos de Swans, Explosions in the Sky y similares bandas de post-rock en tops de RYM me hacían saber que era un álbum importante. Lamentablemente, Sigur Ros sigue siendo una banda a la cual no puedo entender de la manera que pinta su trayectoria y su fanaticada. Ágætis Byrjun es un album lento, en instantes catatónico, o monumental, o muy intimo, en otros llega a ser explosivo y llamativo, logrando retener mi atención, pero lamentablemente estos instantes duran la nada. Mientras escuchaba el álbum pensaba: esto suena a si Coldplay hubiese escuchado más Bjork que Radiohead e intentaran hacer un álbum de Godspeed You! Black Emperor pero cantado en islandés. Mucho piano, mucha ambience pero hay momentos donde te recuerdan "Oye, seguimos siendo una banda de rock". El bajo, como en todo el post-rock, es el hilo conductor para las canciones más interesantes. Es innegable la calidad musical que cada pieza tiene. Y, salvo las voces, está mezclado espectacularmente. Pero sufre algo que siempre me alejará del post-rock, los momentos "post" (digase el ambient, la instrumentalización orquestal, los pasajes repetitivos) le quitan todo lo interesante a los momentos "rock". Mi canción favorita fue Ny Batteri, luego Olsen Olsen, y lo que menos me gustó fue la letárgica primera mitad que antecede Ny Batteri. Si este álbum fue considerado mejor que "Lift Your Skinny Fists...", entonces el post rock no es para mi. Mi nota es un 5.5-6/10

8/10

Çok değişik bi albüm sessizliğin gürültüsü gibi 😅😅😅 genel olarak beğendim çok nadir dinlerim büyük ihtimalle ama olsun 3.5 dan 3 gibi neden buçuklu veremiyorum amk orospsu evladı uygulama 4 veriyorum o zaman

Beautiful epic ethereal A bit long but I'll make an exception

it was fine

Interesting record. They made up a language of babbling for this. There are some gorgeous tracks, but I never connected with this album in a way that made me want to listen to it again.

New band to me. Have heard there name but don’t think I’ve heard a song before. Songs: viorar vel til loftarasa, Olsen olsen

As another reviewer said, this is the kind of album I was hoping to discover in the course of the project—completely new to me, and perfectly itself. Apart from the coda to one track that sounds like an orchestra tuning up, and the suspicion that the lyrics would put me off if I could understand them, it’s a 5.

Interesting background music

Like

Not really my thing, but it wasn’t bad. Album art is off putting tbh.

Nah

Sigur Ros sounding like Sigur Ros in true Sigur Ros fashion.

Sigur Ros is like Icelandic Explosions in the Sky and I'm cool with that. Plus the use of Staralfur in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou rules.

Wow! A slow burner of a record. Something very unique that I will revisit soon.

Sigur Ros are one of my all time favourite bands. Their albums whilst always experimental never fail to move me. As a live band there is no better. Always an experience rather than a gig which always leaves me emotionally drained. As a fan I obviously have all their albums which I play regularly so this album needs no introduction. If I were to rank their albums, which is hard because each one has unique features to set them apart and love equally, I wouldn’t quite put this at the top of my list. Takk contains most of their well known tunes and () is sublimely beautiful and surprises me every play. Both these I would rank ahead of this one but only just and on another day might change my view. The best thing on this album is that Jonsi’s trademark guitar playing with a stringed bow is really to the fore. What a wonderful sound he makes guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of your head stand up. They also achieve something Pink Floyd on Echoes manage. An immediately recognisable one note start to Svefn G Englar. What a wonderful happy tune Olsen Olsen is. Can it ever fail to put a smile on your face and make you want to skip along to that penny whistle tune? The title track is Jonsi singing and playing at his best in a style as if he’s right In front of you singing for you. Note the guitar string sounds recording his movements along the fret which make it so personal. The effect he achieves here is replicatated and improved upon on the live album Harv/Heim which really must also be sought out. This album is no doubt in my top five of those so far served up to me and I cannot recommend it enough. Pity and a travesty that this seems to be the only Sigur Ros album on the list. For that reason make the most of it because music does not get a lot better than what’s on this album. 5/5 25/5/25

A new favorite

moving, beautiful, absolute cinema wonderful - 10/10 these last few days have been the generators apology for the miserable spell it put me through before that

Difficult. I love "Starálfur" since several years but I did not like any other song on this album. It is creative, there are lots and lots of moments which are interesting. But still, I simply don't get it for most parts.

Yes, I tried to learn icelandic because of my obsession with Sigur Rós when I was a teenager. What can I say, I was a weird teenager. Maybe not the most "palatable" album, but so good.

A long journey of cosmic ambience from Iceland with some epic moments and rich instrumentation. The highs are very much worth sitting through the low moments.

Not for me Best Song: Flugufrelsarrin Rating: 4.5/10 (not Good) Stars: 2/5

Beautiful music, not going to inspire you to go kick ass - but probably after a long hard day with a glass of wine or whiskey to unwind to.

Great great great

Purchased the CD.

A really solid and moving post-rock album, a benchmark for many bands in the 2000s

Wow I don’t think I was listening properly at first listen, as this is way better than I remember. The synths are incredible and also the piano parts. Everything is so glued together - parts feel quite lo-fi but still very high production value. I just wish I could understand the vocals as I think that would be an extra layer of enjoyment, but even so, they are incredible and also- and fit in with the instrumentals so well. Not understanding the words makes me see them as more of an instrument in themselves. I think that makes this incredibly unique - even from other ‘post-rock’. It’s just quite beautiful and haunting at times which is somewhat a perfect combination. Favourite songs: all of them - absolute favourites may be the first one (including the intro I suppose) and Olsen Olsen. Overall around 9/10

Muy ambiental

Didn’t care for

A dreamy atmospheric album. Beautiful background music but just not something I can really engage with.

Solid album, a little repetitive in some parts. Like the second song was 10 minutes it could have been cut in half IMO but otherwise I enjoyed it.

The melodies and style of singing match really well, even if I can't understand the lyrics, I feel like I can still understand the message to these songs. This ambient/ progressive /rock style is pretty cool. And the piano adds a nice touch. A bit strange at times but still cool.

Really cool album. I liked this one alot and I think I will revisit this one a few times. Vocal heavy post rock.

Really beautiful music. Gave me chills sometimes.

5/5

Great music to work to, or to do nothing to. I did freak a little though, I was listening to the 20th anniversary deluxe version, and saw 3 DISCS!!! By the time I was finished with the first one, I thought I'd had enough. But I came back, later, and started the second disc (live). And then the third. I'm a fan now.

Beautiful songs individually but as a an album I found it a hard listen, bit of a chore to get through.

Interesting and appreciate it's something different but not really for me. I'm probably missing something massive here. I'm OK with that.

Not bad, my Icelandic is rusty so didn’t really connect.

Unexpected. Excellent.

Da je neko komponovao album iz čiste namjere da mene namuči do granice ludila, to bi bilo nešto ovakvo. Svaka pjesma kao da traje godinu dana. Sve zvuči identično. Živne jednom u 20 minuta a i tad je iritantno. A tek ovaj glas. Jedan od najmanje podnošljivih albuma dosad.

Sigur Rós: Ágætis Byrjun: This was an hour and eleven minutes. It SUCKS. It is super boring, unengaging, and just not interesting at all. The entire thing just keeps droning on and on and on and on and I cannot recommend it at all. Its a different flavor of boring from yesterday but boy its getting the same score. 1/10

I enjoyed that a lot. Always have had a soft spot for SR since the Vanilla Sky soundtrack. Icelandic Radiohead. Not for everyone. But grows on you with each listen. Not quite a 4. 3.75

3/5. Intriguing and quite beautiful. I’ve listened to songs people have written in Tolkien’s elvish, and this reminds me of that.

Nice sounds

I love my kitchen we got bananis and avacodis

I tend to enjoy ethereal dreamscapes. But even I think this album is way too long. Still, there’s some good stuff here. 3/5

4.4 stars. Sad and melodic mostly. Does sound like movie music. Beautiful builds. Wish I knew what they were singing about. Etheral and calming yet lively in a way. Does feel like movie music. Good track cohesion for whole album. Ný batterí and Viðrar vel til loftárása are standouts. Not sure which I like more.

I love Sigur Ros, no idea what they’re talking about or what anyone’s name really is but they’re so good at the unique sound the produce.

I hate you post- whatever genres, just call yourself something else and I would have enjoyed it more. 1 star

Interesting is the word id use. dramatic, sweeping, but repetitive and nothing really of note. the long songs were really annoying honestly. good background music but not much more than that; definitely could feel the emotion through the music but it wasn't something i deeply resonated with

Definitely strange. But entertaining.

Banger. They weave musical dreamscapes. Not understanding the language really helps in appreciating the music more abstractly. 5/5

Like nothing else, great music for walking in the outdoors to.

Have always liked, but not loved Sigur Rós. I appreciate so much of what they do on this album, but it fails to move me. The best way I can describe the experience is the difference between looking at a beautifully painted landscape, and being surrounded and a part of the landscape. There’s a distance in their music at times that holds me at arm’s length.

It doesn't matter if you don't understand what is being sung--the emotions come through the music powerfully. Love these guys and this was one I hadn't heard before. Beautiful and stirring.

Between Bjork and Sigur Ros, Iceland is the tiny world capital of freaks making ethereal, otherworldly tunes. This demands more than one listen. Its undeniably pretentious with the band even inventing their own language for a song or two, but whatever, they have created an absolutely immersive listening experience. Like youre vibing along to an alien soundtrack which randomly incorporates some classical music and other popular music genres that they overheard on earth. Truly one of a kind and deserves a spot on this list.

Super ambient chill music Favorite songs: Flugufrelsarinn, Ny Batteri, Hjartad Hamast, Svefn-g-englar Least favorite songs: Vidrar Vel Til Loftarasa 3/5

Ethereal chill vibes. Sometimes a little repetitive, yes sometimes rather challenging. Overall an interesting and pleasant listening.

An amazing album. A classic probably? It really feels outer worldly although vocals that are not in my language help with that. It feels like one of the best examples however of how transcendent music can make you feel regardless of your contextual understanding of the lyrics.

Interesting…didn’t love it but didn’t hate it. It just struggled to get traction in my opinion

Sounds like whale or birth music. From the depiction of of the cover, the latter would be about right. Wasn't like any of my kids being born, it was lots of swearing and cursing. Next time I'm suffering from insomnia I'll put this on. Trouble is, it's so forgettable that I don't think I will.

Two new-to-me five star albums in a row? LOVE it when that happens! This is the type of discovery that makes trudging through all the mediocre albums worth it. I’ve heard of Sigur Ros before but didn’t know what type of music they made, so this was a beautiful shock to me. It felt like a transmission from another world, chillwave, ambient music made by elves or something. I found this album so soothing, so calming, with staggeringly breathtaking moments of intensity and release. This album immediately touched me. I had a lot of travel yesterday to and from school, and honestly, I get stressed by long travel. I had this album on the whole time and it brought me serenity. Music is really incredible! One of my favorite new albums I’ve heard for this project!!! Top 3 probably!

Nice

Droning soundtrack music. I’d have to give it another listen but couldn’t get into it.

A Post-Rock instant classic

I don't understand why this one is considered so good. I found it to be terribly uninteresting.

Like the Icelandic Radiohead? This album truly needs you to listen to it, when you do it’s easier to appreciate. But it also does nothing to hold my attention there. I’m sure there’s lots of people that will love this, but not for me.

This album is haunting, beautiful, and incredibly liminal. The cover is so fitting for the sounds too, shit sounds like how I imagine it was in the womb. Just chillin in the embriotic fluid. It's like a low, embracing, warming kind of sound though. I do love 'hopelandic', I can't really tell the difference between hopelandic and icelandic obviously, so I kinda listen to it like I would an Elizabeth Fraser record. Absolutely otherworldly. I am a sucker for pedals, reverb, and melting into the ether and this album does all those exceedingly well. Staralfur's opening makes me tear up just from the sheer grandiosity of heavenly sounds. Really stunning atmospheric post rock with gentle nods to some very thick n rich early ambient albums. Very intense walls of sound instantly eat away at the meditative qualities and send you into a whole new loud rock space. We're only young once.. or?

Very strange and calming, no idea what they are saying but I enjoyed it

Felt like an intro the whole album

This is awful lmao, I don’t get how this is something you need to hear before u die

amazing to just enjoy

Qué es esta poronga hermano, banco lo novedoso y lo que quiso intentar pero un PARTO literal

Es como estas en el utero a punto de nacer pero como que no salis nunca, quedas en el eter flotando. Me aburrí.

Infumable encima largo como esperanza de pobre, perdón escuché hasta la mitad, pista 6 si no me equivoco y lo dropee. BIYIUUUHHHJUUUUU Aaaaaaaa que re mil poronga

Interesante la propuesta ponele, Posta un sonido muy novedoso. +1 estrella por usar el arco de violín en la guitarra y dar esas vibes Pero no es algo que dejaría sonando a gusto (capaz de fondo)

Meh!

I liked it

C14 must have heard this

I have known the band for quite some time now and this album is one of my favourites. I love these kinds of experimental music, the connection between Icelanders and nature fascinates me and Sigur Rós is together with Björk my favourite Icelandic artist. It is really great for relaxing and could serve as a study background, although I often listen to it while commuting to school and I will most definitely come back to this almost masterpiece of an album. And on a side note I just love the album cover. 9.2/10 Best: Svefn-g-englar

Very mid, I didn’t enjoy. Not my type of music and found it a bit boring honestly

Angelic in nature

Talented but so slow and painful

Sigur Rós: Ágætis Byrjun This was a really interesting album - even in Icelandic. This is great for background or soothing listening.

164/1089 - The excellent song forms are what sell this album for me. The sounds are very unique and beautiful and atmospheric and all that for sure but the sounds are arranged in a very functional and structural way that grounds it and elevates it. Cool sounds with purpose.

Both dreamy and dreary.

Not come across this before and really enjoyed listening to it for the first time. Will need to return and listen again.

Beautiful in lots of places, could grow to a 5. Already love Svefn in particular after three listens.

Beautiful!

I can appreciate what they are doing with this album, but I just can't get into it. I like psychedelic rock and I feel like there are elements in this album, but there seems to be a lot of tension...

Worst piece of shit ive ever heard

This album is beloved by a great many people. I am not one of those people. The musicianship is great, and obvious, but it does nothing for me at this point in my life.

I really enjoyed this, I was only aware of later Sigur Rós material so this was fresh. Hauntingly ethereal, it's good atmospheric music and the Icelandic lyrics give it all a very exotic feel.

Great ambient rock

Dull and boring. Not my thing at all. I don't enjoy this type of atmospheric, melancholic music

a lot of big sounds, if that makes sense. Very grand and room filling. It started out a little much for me, but Staralfur pulled me in. Proof that you dont need to know a language to enjoy music. Most of the songs do run long, and I would suggest listening to this during a less hectic activity, like a hike or something.

This album was very enjoyable and Norwegian or whatever! Perfect for a drive through the mountains on the rainy day. A little long though

Achingly beautiful and dreamlike. Worthy.

Musically solid. The lack of English lyrics and the voice is a little annoying Would be good for background music?

Epic...interesting...even better with lyrics I could understand

I liked the intro Too slow for My taste

I bet this would hit hard on a 10 degree winter day when you're surrounded by a foot of snow. On a 90 degree day in June? Not as much.

Ikkje heilt for meg

Sleep music?

this album feels like it should be right up my alley, but it feels too lush and peaceful. too much of a good thing?

Ethereal and lovely, this wasn’t the right album for a sunny summer day, but it was still nice. I wish we could do half stars because it’s more 3.5 for me.

Most beautiful thing I have ever heard

good but not quite there

Ambient music. Not my thing. Lyrics when sung are too distracting to let me read.

Haven’t listened to this for years and because of the length never listened to the whole album! Saw Sigur Ros live once and it was quite an experience. This is a beautiful and unique album. Particularly enjoyed the tracks where the rhythm section also were to the fore.

I had never heard Sigur Rós and didn't know what to expect. The arrangements and vocals on this album work very well together. This album does not require active listening to enjoy it however from time to time your ears perk up when you hear some new instrument, vocal, or change in tempo. It is very engaging even though you wouldn't expect it to be. I would go out of my way to have this gem in vinyl. It's far from mainstream and that's the point. It's fresh.

I still don't know what this was, but it was like a moody, ethereal, Radiohead meets Smashing Pumpkins, meets Muse. I liked it and understood none of it. Very cool album.

This was a strange vibe. I could maybe see myself listening to it on a rainy day but not sure when else. I did not like the harmonica on “hjartao hamast”

Peculiar listen, will have to try again

Not for me. Listened yesterday and I can’t remember what it was.

Cover 8 An ok album. on first listen, only one or two songs caught my attention. Over all, no bad songs but nothing great.

I've listened to this album before. I like the cover art. Solid album, the vocals are really good and I like the mix of instruments. I would really like to visit Iceland.

Atmospheric, ambient almost synthy electro. Some guitar/folk jazz elements on Hjartad hamast Actually, soft rock elements throughout. Is this shoegaze? Title track reminds me of Coldplay, so soft indie?' Not too bad Best track - Flugufrelsarinn, title track, Olsen Olsen

Completely ethereal. The soundtrack to transcendening from mortal flesh to the afterlife. The distorted reverberations, extended droning, dreamy floating ambience, heavenly Icelandic vocals… it all just wraps you in a blanket and gives you some aural beauty to admire.

It was good background music but a bit too weird for my taste at times.

Kind of a trippier Icelandic version of Radiohead? pretty good, I actually had to go back and edit my review, I might come back to this, it's pretty long at 1h 10m though.

Ambient post-rock. Some of the vocals veered toward Thom Yorke territory which kept this album from being rated higher.

pov: when your first iceland album is not bjork It's one day before my history finals exam. I am now in my bedroom, with all the curtains closed, staring at revise materials while the air conditioner blows at a temperature that freezes the room into ice. Determined, I opened the album. and I elevated. 5/5

Un peu long, ai été agréablement surprise au début mais après j'ai fini par trouver ça un peu répétitif. C'est un album qui mérite sûrement d'être écouté dans un certain contexte, mais j'ai bien aimé, j'ai l'impression d'avoir rarement entendu quelque chose comme ça. Un son unique mais tout de même digeste. Au départ j'étais partie sur un 4 mais après la première écoute j'hésite avec un 3. J'aurais bien aimé pouvoir mettre 3,5!!

Probably the prettiest album I have ever heard, even though I didn't understand anything he said, this album sounds warm and comfortable like a blanket

I remember being introduced to Sigur Rós in a dingy terraced house in Wrexham, North Wales sixteen years ago by an American Mormon Missionary with cast iron hair and a truly gruesome case of acne. He was a weird guy, and at nineteen I lumped his love of Sigur Rós in with his all the rest of his other 'weird guy' traits and habits. (I was more of a Rolling Stones guy). So, once he'd moved on I never gave that weird Icelandic music another thought. Until yesterday. This is a quintessential 'headphone record.' Initially I tried listening to 'Ágætis Byrjun' on car speakers and something about the experience just...didn't land. Maybe there was some residual Wrexham resistance, maybe nineteen year old me was still howling "WHAT IS THIS SHIT??" from the void. However, I tried again. Once I'd put on some noise cancelling headphones and hit play we were off and cooking. Good music has the ability to take you to places. GREAT music stops time. This album does both. It's etherial, otherworldly and absolutely gorgeous. I'm not sure entirely sure whether it was made in Iceland (as is claimed) or on Jupiter. Frankly, I don't care. I don't know what any of it means, but I know that I FELT it. I guess I owe that strange American an apology.

Enjoyed this a lot and would listen again!

Immaculately produced and orchestrated, the layers upon layers of instrumentation benefit from listening on a high-end system or with a good set of headphones. It’s a demanding listen, as the album is well over an hour and all of the songs sit in the 6-7 minute range and develop in a slow, progressive fashion in the now classic post-rock model. An impressive achievement, but one that rewards attentive listening and the right mood to maximize its impact.

Після скромного дебюту Von (1997), який розійшовся мізерним тиражем, та звучав як суміш Smashing Pumpkins та My Bloody Valentine, Sigur Rós вирішили радикально змінити підхід та створили 70-хвилинний опус, що поєднує ембієнт, класичні аранжування та рокові елементи. Ágætis byrjun побудований на принципі масштабності, де звук народжується від динамічного контрасту. Найкраще це демонструє вже перший 10-и хвилинний трек Svefn-g-englar - занурення в підводний світ з ехом сонарів, органном та фальцетом Йонсі Біргіссона. Аранжування тільки додають симфонічного розмаху - струнні, духові, флейти та піаніно створюють багатошарові текстури, що нагадують "мінімалістичну класику", але з роковим впливом. Емоційно альбом викликає відчуття катарсису, суміші меланхолії й піднесення. Це більше “досвід” - суцільна подорож, яка або захоплює, або дратує своєю монотонністю. Звісно - зараз це вже "просто класика" пост-року, яка і досі звучить впізнавано й велично, але й водночас це не найлегший альбом для пересічного слухача, тому для більшості він буде сприйматися швидше як документ епохи. Культурний ефект Ágætis byrjun колосальний. Цей альбом фактично вивів пост-рок за межі вузької сцени й показав, що атмосферна, інструментально складна музика може працювати для великої аудиторії. Саме завдяки цій роботі, Sigur Rós стали джерелом натхнення для десятки гуртів нульових, а їхні треки почали з’являтися в кіно та рекламі.

Sigur Ros has such a unique sound, but this wasn't my favorite album by them. Still good, but it felt like it was missing something at times. 3.5/5

One of my top all-time favorites.

Tip tier ambient rock!

Interesting, liked but didn’t love.

Pleasant enough background instrumental music.

This is #day309 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… It's been more than 10 days since I got something decent, meaning an album I could give at least a 4. So here's to what Friday the 13th brings. There was a time in my early 20s when I was really into Sigur Rós. Under Byen comes to mind, and a bunch of other bands. I think it had a lot to do with a friend I used to share music with, we connected over this kind of sound. Fun times... I like a description I once read of Sigur Rós' music: "an avalanche in slow motion." While my favorite will probably always be ( ), aka The Bracket Album (I also really liked Kveikur; I remember looking forward to its release), Ágætis byrjun is likely their first truly definitive work. No wonder the title translates to A Good Beginning. Not sure there's a point in trying to decipher this music, probably the right word, since on their next album, they'd go on to invent an entirely new language to sing in (as if Icelandic wasn't already cryptic enough, lol). That's what you call avant-garde. "Ný batterí" (really like their darker stuff) is stellar. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day310.

Liked it, and would probably have liked it even more if I gave it my full attention/could understand what is being sung.

Amazing artist that I hadn't heard of before. Loved it. Shot me to another dimension

I got this when it was released. The CD packaging was unique. It was one of those paper jewel cases with a single color silver ink. This was heavily promoted on KCRW and a friend of mine LOVED this so much that when he was a camp advisor / counselor at some swanky summer camp for kids he built a breakout session around listening and enjoying Sigur Rós and similar Icelandic music. But as the summer camp filled up he was forced to cancel the offering for lack of interest. This is one of those albums that you either love or hate. For me, it tics all the boxes. It’s unique, has lost of white space, soft and relaxing, otherworldly, even (and had cool packaging). But for whatever reason I am repulsed by this. It makes me wanna crawl outta my skin. Nothing ever seems to happen and the repetitiveness gives this feeling of boundless purgatory. I had a visceral reaction to this on par with Gotan Project, Limp Bizkit, Gunfighter X and Duck Stab.

Beautiful and evocative, even without (or maybe in spite) know what Jónsi Birgisson is singing about either in Icelandic or Sigur Rós' gibberish language Vonlenska.

Ouch, soothing, perfect for today (a grey rainy day).

I can see it. I really can. But it's a bit samey and the translated lyrics are ok. 3.5

Not really my thing but most tracks were pleasant.

Incredibly ethereal with great production, unexpected melody and tone shifts. Definitely not for everyone, but it instantly appealed to me with the unique, "icy" vibe. My favourites were Svefn-g-englar, Staralfur, Ny batteri (a total standout) , Hjartath hamast (absolutely singular, never heard anything like this) and Olsen Olsen. Definitely would listen to it again, especially in winter, as it has this cold, spacious, icy atmosphere. I'd give it 4.5 stars, but there is no option to do so.

Pretty big Sigur Rós fan. His voice def gets on my nerves sometimes on this early stuff, but no biggie. Overall they are my quintessential go-to for just pure sonic beauty. I also really like that there's just weird stuff in here. Some random funky stuff. To boil it down, in the category of "mood music" I'd pick Sigur Rós over like Moby or Enya any day. Starálfur is timeless.

I find this music very very dull

It's because I wrote that I had respect for Bjork, isn't it. That's why I'm being punished with this? The recording is obviously purposefully poor. They seem to think it's a good effect to jump in and out of quality. I see what we're doing with the strings, but at the end of the day this is way too far towards "art" and away from "music."

Reminds me of late-era Radiohead; Good, but not at all catchy.

I've been meaning to hear this album for a long time and now thanx to the 1001Generator I have & I'm simply not hearing what a lot of others have heard and that's greatness. To me this is not a great album. It's a good, interesting album, the last two tracks being my favorites. A lot of it just sounds like soundtrack music, most of it has a sadness about it that reminds of Big Star and no of course I'm not saying they sound a thing like Big Star I'm saying both this album & the bulk of Big Star's back catalog have a similar kind of sadness to them. It's interesting enough & has a massive enough reputation that I will do something that I rarely do when an album is just average to me and that's replay it. I will hear it a few more times during the week & see if anything changes if it does, I'll update my rating, of course. I didn't dislike anything about it but outside of the last two tracks it just seemed like variations of the same soundtracky song played over & over. Maybe I just don't get it or maybe it's just not for me - I'll see if I come to any conclusion by week's end.

So beautiful. Love it!

another artist/band I generally know of but don't know that much about. seeing "10 songs - 1 hour 11 minutes" scared me but the thing about post-rock is that you can kind of just tune it out and have it as nice background noise. great music to fall asleep or study to. I don't speak icelandic so I wasn't really able to get anything out of the lyrics though, and it didn't really grab my attention enough to be much more than some nice background noise - even if it does sound really pretty at times. favorite song - staralfur (that melody is really pretty) overall - 6/10

Definitely an interesting album. I can appreciate the musicianship, but this was an album that required more of my attention and I just couldn’t get into it. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again

i like this type of music and I like icelandic musicians but for some reason sigur rós always lacked the oomph for me

I liked it a lot, very calming

Last listened to this when it first came out and was underwhelmed, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge both personally and musically since then. This time around I loved it! A zen-like experience…

I really enjoy this music as it is cinematic and has a big sound. I think it also suffers from sounding so profound that it ends up being a mile wide and an inch deep. I cannot confuse the profoundness with the gotta get down’ness

If I really sat down with this one and focused on it, maybe I'd get into it over time. But it feels a bit long and drawn out. There's definitely some interesting songs here and I think the last couple songs are the best - but I dunno maybe this just feels pretentious and overly ambitious without enough payoff for me. It's not bad it's not great, it's just....there.

Decent

An album so beautiful they had to create a new language for it

This album really takes you elsewhere, what a floating blast!

I follow Sigur Ros since I'm a teenager and this album is one of the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. I'm always blown away by how otherworldly this music is.

Nice album with ambient and orchestra sounds and music combined. Sometimes the orchestra climaxes seem out of place.

The lead singer sounds like Billy Corgan. I’ve heard some of these songs before. Most of them make me feel like I should be flying in a spaceship looking at earth.

Perfect soundtrack for something. Landscape music.

This is awesome. Certainly something I would have scrolled on by without the recommendation.

the intro threw me off BUT the second track was actually good. i’m pretty sure this is icelandic alternative which is a subgenre i have yet to listen to! was surprisingly not bad. VERY similar instrumentation to artists like massive attack, portishead, etc. (all artists i listen to btw). i wish i could have understood the lyrics so i could grasp the meaning of the songs because the instrumentation was SO good (but that will not affect my rating since that can’t be controlled)! 4/5.

Cool but gimmicky

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would initially. It’s the kind of music I can picture myself playing in the background while I focus on another task of some kind. Quite relaxing but I did find some of the pieces very repetitive, especially considering their semi-epic length.

Love it! Such a good album, reminds me of being 16. I'd forgotten how much I know it off by heart. Actually makes me quite emotional and is hard to listen to, 5 stars

Sounds like the Icelandic Mazzy Star. Interesting listen.

Amazing, second song is the bomb

Pretty good, didn’t love it.

Incredible. Listened to this album religiously back when it came out. During my post-rock phase. Ny batteri is incredible. Also we had staraflugerythmnor what ever its called during our wedding

This is another classic album I've been wanting to listen too for a while now. I don't know how often I will be revisiting this one but I know at some point the perfect occasion will occur and this album will hit incredibly hard. The vibes are other worldly. Favorite track: Ný batterí

I love me some ethereal Icelandic music

Not for me

Bryan zigs and I zag. This album sucks, multiple unlistenable/grating songs and the others are just boring. Staralfur used to get heavy airtime on xrt and I liked it then (read, middle school), but it holds nothing for me now.

Powerful. Beautiful. Stoic. Not good music for fixing cars.

Veldig spennende album. Har partier i sangene som er nyskapende, vakre og interessante. Beste låt Viȯrar vel til loftárása. Ligger helt i skille mellom 4 og 5 stjerner. Denne gang vipper jeg opp til 5.

Beautiful!

Ganz was anderes aber voll cool und chill. Gefällt mir schon.

Liked it

Purity, beauty and serenity all in one. I'm a Sigur Rós fan for many years - Takk... being one of my all-time favourite albums - but Ágætis Byrjun is well up there with the best too. Svefn-g-englar is a true sonic journey. I love it.

What does Heaven sound like? Can we hear peace? Is God merely a bowed guitar? Perhaps, or perhaps it is…this….album

Very pretty and relatively complex. Some surprising moments, and some dull ones, and some goofy ones. Not as guitar driven as literally anything else in the post-rock genre. Honestly not a fan of the voice though. I like to pretend he's just reading the Ikea catalog.

Nice chilled album for a Sunday morning

!!! First time it's a band I'm already very familiar with. I haven't listened to this particular album much before though, so this was a treat. I love it, but that was no surprise.

My type of music. Very spacey. I don't know what they're saying because I don't speak Dutch or Icelandic languages but I know the mood. 10/10

Twee, sacharine tosh

Enjoyed this more than I expected.

the strangest album yet 2/5

point2.

immaculate feelings. i do in fact feel like an embryo in the womb siphoning nutrients, being fed with ambient static

Very subdued and pleasant. Sounds like music I would want to be carried down a river to. I like the longer songs and expanding on their ideas. I think the voice fits the music well and the whole thing is rather nice and relaxing.

It was good nice instrumentals

Not at all I was expecting when I read "Icelandic post-rock," but I'll happily take it! Like Massive Attack without the bass.

This was such a surprise to me! Incredible instrumentals and vocals! Even though it was all in Icelandic, you could feel the emotion.

This album made me sleepy

Meh. 2*

This was a solid album listen that was more eccentric and experimental than most of the music I listen to. I don’t know if it was my taste per se but I can see why people like it. It did kind of put me to sleep towards the end but I would recommend it to others in an effort to diversify their music listening!

I'd probably bump this up a star if it wasn't for the vocals (and to be clear it's not because they were in another language)

Boring

The vocals on this are infuriating 95% of the time, vacillating between a shit falsetto and a forced soft voice that reaches an absolutely enraging nadir on Hjartad Hamast where it sounds like this motherfucker is insipidly whining in your ear and you don’t know what it’s about or how a grown person can sound so pathetically infantile. There is some beautiful music here, but every track lasting seven minutes means it’s interspersed with a lot that isn’t great to hear. The best stuff on this album sounds like it could be the music in a documentary about space exploration or technological progress, and I don’t really feel like I mean that in a complimentary manner despite it being the nicest thing I have to say about this album.

Dessa islänningar!

Excellent prog. Great dynamics. An unexpected aural experience.

obviously very good but not the high highs of post rock that i like from gy!be and such

Oh boy…Icelandic Artsy Fartsy. Great if you’re into that stuff.

ok LOVED! and it's a made up language? hopelandic? sold

Best album ever!!!5/5

Neat sounds, and I like the singing in Icelandic. Very different than what I would normally listen to.

I don’t think I’ll ever really be a fan of post-rock, but this and Talk Talk’s “Spirit of Eden” have taught me to seriously respect the genre. There is clear talent and attention to detail focused in on creating a…texture? vibe? Fascinating stuff

When I listened to Sigur Rós first I had my issues with them. It's high wailing and ambient stuff. Only later I appreciated them more at real artists in what they do. They didn't know where the Cocteau Twins were, the pioneers of dream pop. After relistening to this album here, I sincerely believe that these Iceland Iads mastered dream pop better than any other. Headphones open up this wide space for you that's actually hidden in the deep soundscapes. It's slow music that works with repetition but still complex enough to get these full notes right. Geniuses!

Amazing, I can only imagine what a live concert in Iceland could be

Pretty good ambient/post-shoegaze album. Glad the vocals are in Icelandic because I don’t think having understandable lyrics would have worked for me. Sometimes forgot it was on so possibly a bit boring but there were enough interesting bits to bring me back in.

Staralfur was good but was a bit much to listen to the whole album of this style

This was unexpectedly good. I really enjoyed the soft, ambientness of it though I couldn’t understand a word of what was being said. I felt it though, the emotion was evident despite the language barrier. My only real issue is does a drag on just a fraction too long.

Listening to this album was like jumping through many calm dreams and some turbulent ones as well. This album was unlike something I've heard before. I thought most of the tracks were good, but none too outstanding. Overall, I feel like this album would be great for enhancing an outdoor walk or for drifting you to sleep. Favourite Track(s): Olsen olsen Least Favourite Track(s): Avalon

A beautiful trip through a cold winter night

Atmospheric, sparse, post rock

when it's good it'really good but most of the time it isn't for me.

Interesting sounds and really crisp, immersive production, but I found this a real chore to listen to. Too ponderous, pompous and plodding to hold interest for long and what few melodic ideas there are here become repetitive and are buried under the wall of sound. I'll give it two stars for the vision, but this isn't something I'd return to personally.

Very soft and slow. Might make good sleep music?

An absolutely beautiful listen from start to finish. This album is one of those unique records that feels like it belongs in a genre/category of its own as it is that unique and special.

What in the Swedish chef transcendentalism was this?!

Not for me

It was pretty slow to get going. It did grow on me a bit as I listened but generally kind of boring for me. Too sophisticated for my tastes I guess.

Loved it! Prefer some later albums, but great work

Going into this I was only familiar with "Hoppípolla", which I love. This entire album was a similar vibe to that song, which was both good and bad. The production and song composition are beautiful, however this thing can start to drag as it goes on. Regardless I'm excited to explore more from this group.

"I remember this band's name, I think they were already on the list. Oh.. it's Icelandic... and isn't Bjork? Maybe I don't know this" Poor Iceland. Always assumed to have Bjork. I gave it a half focused listened in a car at first. I'm glad I gave this a second listen on headphones. What an interesting album. The instrument usage gave me loose late Bowie vibes at times. This is compelling to listen to. I really enjoyed it. Great one to have on the list, I'd never have heard it otherwise. I'll try to listen to this again in the future.

This is a tricky one. I like a lot about this album. Some really great melodies. I don't care for the album art, but it's of it's time. Nothing repellent for me. The issue is this isn't made for this format of listening. Some really long tracks but it fits the style so I can't complain. A high 4, I don't know if I will ever listen to this again, but I wouldn't mind it.

Some good songs but i don't really get it overall

The band that put together this album is from Iceland. I think this is the first Iceland group so far. The music is a fusion of outer space and rock, with a bit of classical. The record started great but got weaker as it progressed. Nevertheless, it was different from most albums and reasonably nice to listen to.

Praise be. The great thing about the random album model is that just when you start to think "my god... will I ever enjoy an album again?!" they give you a classic like this. Thank you, website. Not loving the album cover, but everything else is a go. Apparently, this too is "dream pop". And unlike their later stuff, it's in Icelandic (mostly)! Ring-a-ding-ding. I remember in the early 2000s 'Svefn-g-englar' was everywhere, and I didn't really appreciate it then, I just thought it was sad, weird, and kind of boring. Now I'm grown and I think it's sad, weird, and kind of captivating. Or maybe it's just a nostalgia boost. Either way, I like this album. Strings, piano, hardly any unpleasant electric guitar. Definitely mood music. Highlights: 'Starálfur', 'Viðrar vel til loftárása', 'Olsen Olsen'

Initially I liked the art-house, ambient vibe of the album but that novelty wore away by the fourth song and I had a hard time getting through it

Really didn’t jump at me - it’s fine and soothing but nothing really bar svefn-g-englar grabbed me

Great if I'd be 16 and in my emo phase

Very chill with weird melodies. 2

Well, I heard it. I guess I can die. What a difficult listen. The etherealness gets old quickly. The random screeching is grating. And then I found out on wikipedia that they are often not even speaking Icelandic, instead they coined a term for the gibberish they're speaking as "Vonlenska". I bet these people enjoy smelling their own farts. 1 star (only because zero isn't an option), and no I didn't need to hear this before I die.

YES!!

Im sure its fine if i spoke the language

Until today, I hadn’t really listened to Sigur Rós. But with tickets booked to see them at the Royal Albert Hall later this year, it felt like the perfect time to finally dive in — and Ágætis Byrjun seemed the ideal place to start. This is not a typical album, nor is it like anything else I usually listen to. It demands — and deserves — your full attention. After two or three focused listens, the album’s true character begins to emerge. It’s not background music; it's an experience to surrender to. And once you do, the rewards are undeniable. There are moments of real beauty here. Viðrar Vel Til Loftárasa stands out — the piano work is stunning, delicate yet powerful, and the production is immaculate. Olsen Olsen is another highlight, feeling almost cinematic, like the soaring conclusion of an epic film. And then there’s Svefn-G-Englar — a brilliant, otherworldly piece that lingers long after it ends. Favourite track: There are so many to choose from, but Svefn-G-Englar just edges it for me. It's wonderful — haunting, immersive, and deeply moving. Least favourite track: Intro felt a little unnecessary. It didn’t add much to the album and could easily have been omitted — but everything else is so superb that I’m really just nitpicking. Album artwork: Honestly, not my favourite. It doesn’t quite capture the depth, scope, or beauty of the music inside.

I have no clue how I first heard of them, but I do remember thinking about just how different this album was, with its mix of ethereal, rock and classical sounds and singing in a language I didn't understand. Still just as great today as it was then.

This was a weird listening experience. I'd heard of Sigur Ros before, and maybe had unfair expectations of their music from the hype I'd heard. This album wasn't unpleasant to listen to. Quite the contrary, it felt almost transcendental at times. But in the end I didn't really get much from it. I liked the music fine enough, but I don't feel I'd search it out again.

Explosions of fresh materials amidst songs that might feel ordinary

One thing is for certain - I listened to the album. I can't recall a memorable moment of it, but I listened. This is the definition of ambient music.

Nice but dont understand what theyre saying

Chill music. I like it even though I don't understand a single word :D

Beautiful.

Another great album just tarnished by its lack of brevity

This is one of those albums that really turned my head when I first heard it. Something so different much of what I was listening to at the time. Following their progress on subsequent albums convinced me that there was something truly different going on here. I play this a lot, at different times, in different locations and in different moods. There's something here that still makes the hairs on my neck stand up so many years later.

Una obra de arte, como toda su discografía. Banda y sonidos únicos (con influencias de Radiohead, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, Pink Floyd, Beatles, My bloody valentine, todo el ambient...) He escuchado el disco tantas veces que me lo sé de memoria. Svefn-g-englar, Starálfur, Flugufrelsarinn, Ny Batteri, Olsen Olsen (en Vonlenska)... No es post-Rock, es mucho más, es un universo único, con la voz tan peculiar de Jónsi. Y este debut (en realidad segundo disco, pero primero internacional) es solo el comienzo (un buen comienzo como indica Ágætis Byrjun) pues cada disco es una experiencia, sobre todo (), Takk o Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust . Absolutamente imprescindible.

Feel like it might deserve a 5 but I'm just not culturally mature enough to fully appreciate it.

"Ágætis byrjun" is the second studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. Post-rock, dream pop, ambient and chamber pop are the Wiki-listed genres. Yeah, they all belong. The album was a departure from their debut "Von" which had extended ambient soundscapes and was replaced by Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson's cello-based guitarwork and orchestration. Ágætis byrjun means a good beginning. The album was produced by Ken Thomas who worked with the Sugarcubes and the bandmembers included Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson (vocals, guitars), Kjartan Sveinsson (keyboards), Georg "Goggi" Hólm (bass) and Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson (drums). The album was Sigur Rós' commercial and critical breakthrough. "Intro" opens the album. Choir-like vocals, a wobbly, warped vinyl sound and then silence. An echoing submarine sounds leads into the next song "Svefn-g-englar." High-pitched keys, a distorted guitar with feedback and drums. It's dreamy. A high-tenor voice with Icelandic vocals. Slowed paced but the songs builds with the pace and volume picking up. You realize the vocals are just another instrument. Just beautiful. Svefn-g-englar translates to sleepwalking angels. "Starálfur" is brighter with orchestral strings and piano keys. It becomes louder. The drums sound like firecrackers. More strings and higher-pitched backing vocals. It's movie like. Starálfur = Staring Elf. The second-released single "Ný batterí" (new batteries) starts with a drone. High-tenor vocals and drums with loud cymbal strikes. The pace picks up and horns come in. Very "Kid A." "Viðrar vel til loftárása" (It's good weather for airstrikes) opens very slowly with a melancholic-sounding piano. Strings, a drum beat, hushed vocals. Eventually, the song explodes. Strings, louder drums. A chaotic ending. It's not surprising that three of these songs were used in movies. The songs do follow a pattern of very slow to building to exploding. But, it works in every song. Movie-like, dramatic and dreamy. The music is just beautiful evoking emotions. Birgisson has a tremendous, emotional voice which is essentially another instrument. Even though the language used is mostly Icelandic, the vocals are also purposely gibberish. It doesn't matter, they sound great. An album everyone needs to hear at least once and is highly recommended.

7.5/10 Can be a somewhat difficult listen at points, but eventually the beauty reveals itself. Highlights: Starálfur Viðrar vel til loftárása Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm) Flugufrelsarinn Olsen Olsen Svefn-g-englar

This could be a record to put on, on ocasion, it is slow but makes the environment known, and filled with magical sounds and hang out to, a landmark in the band's discography.

glad i stuck with this one bc it improved a little towards the end

En djup lyssnarupplevelse. Helt otroligt flöde mellan genrer: pop, noise, ambient, traditionell isländsk, blues, soul osv Grym produktion och absolut makabert nra låtskriveri. Mycket stråk och synth. Mycket lek med ljudbilden. Nästan lite likt sena Beatles i vissa partier.

Would be awesome vibes if I understood it

First listen

If anything can cause an ear orgasm - it's definitely this!

3.5

Drove around Iceland listening to sigur ros, first I heard of them was Takk and they’ve stayed in the rotation since

This album stuck to me when I lost my dad and when some of my older friends were sick and who are now gone.

Reminded me of Beach House, Cigarettes After Sex. Maybe they were the original influence? I would say it’s a 2.5 stars, not quite 3. If it was in English and or had more vocals I’d be more into it. Solid.

Beautiful, unique, evocative and serene. Most songs are good. Faves include: Svefn-g-englar, ny-batteri, agaetis-byrjun

Different and very soothing, I liked it but ultimately it didn't hold my interest.

I can't believe this was produced in 1999. The quality sounds like it could've been produced yesterday. I've looked up the lyrical translations and they're beautiful and somewhat grim/haunting. -Starálfur -Flugufrelsarinn -Ágætis byrjun