Reviews (page 9 of 14)
The album teetered between cheesy and cool af the whole time for me. It almost won me over by the end, and I don't think a single listen is enough to appreciate the artsy depth of it. I'm down to listen to this one again in the future, but for now it was a decent 6.7/10
I think it’s safe to say I would have liked this better if I understood the words. I liked it well enough without.
Bardzo dobry album, potrzebuje jeszcze raz być przesłuchanym
good to put on in the background
Interesting
i expected to like this significantly more than i did. it's 70 minutes of wandering ambient string orchestration which blurs together like it's a single long track. you'd think this would be more up my alley given my appreciation of strings, but i don't know. perhaps in a different mood i might've felt different but for how much focus i felt was demanded by the album, it didn't quite hold me. it has its moments (though it's difficult to pinpoint them given the structure), but no point in this really hooked me. i think an album like this requires a really particular headspace to get full enjoyment out of, and a good flac instead of streaming compression.
Molto bello e interessante nella prima parte, ma dalla seconda metà in poi l’ho trovato eccessivamente triste
Bello ma tuttodi fila è troppo per me, ma resta il fatto che questi devono essere bravi per essere diventati famosi nonostante cantino in islandese
The synth-heavy minimalist crooning style is worth a listen, but the occasional string sections feel like cloying Beatles references and the fricative, glottal Icelandic doesn't mesh well with the whisper-thin vocals. Maybe a more melodic Latin or Arabic language would fit better.
This one's hard to rate. I think objectively it was a great album, but it was very hard for me to just get into it. By the time I did the album was almost over.
Actually, this was a pretty chill album and although the names of everything were a bit confusing, since it's Icelanding, it was overall quite nice leaving the album playing in the background. The band seems to be a rock one, but I would say that the whole experience was too chill for a rock album.
In a lot of ways it is beautiful. Its immersive, emotional and brings you into this whole universe that is created. But for me it is just a little to crushing in weight. Everything feels heavy and after a while like a burden and swimming in an weightless world I am never going to get out of. Songs 7-9 gave me a reprieve that I really needed from the heavy feeling of the rest of the album. I had a hard time also deciphering between songs and feeling different emotions during the album, it all felt very one note and somewhat suffocating while also beautiful.
Didn’t really get this one. Ok to listen to I gues s.
New to me
Bit slow in parts.
I didn't hate it, I didn't love it. It was ok, very ambient music type stuff. Might listen to it again if I needed background music but would not search it out. Would not buy it
Ethereal - I suspect it would score higher as I listened more
Forever on the list of bands I need to dig deeper into. A 3 that would will likely rise over time.
surprisingly I liked this a lot actually
I haven't cried yet, or fallen asleep. By the third track I'm mostly wondering how to say bless you in Icelandic. Achooo-o-wooooo Bless you! Achooo-o-wooooo Bless you! Somebody told me 20+ years ago how important this album was and I just didn't get it. I'm trying hard on this relisten to keep an open mind, but the second dream pop album in two days is making me restless so far. Some good stuff later in, ambient but a little more substance. Soundtrack to a movie you couldn't hope to understand (hello, Vanilla Sky). Kinda lost me in the flute zone - it is me, not you. 3.5
Kind of demands your attention despite keeping a drowsy ethereal feel for most of the album. Cant really do anything else while listening to it.
на фон
I’ve heard of Sigur Ros for a long time now but admittedly have never listened to them. I had a rough idea of the type of music they’re known for but I’m two tracks in and can see why they’re renowned. The music is soft but also HUGE at the same time, there’s these lush background layers filling every space. Ethereal. There’s a couple of parts in Starálfur that sound...angelic. Like I’m on my way to the Pearly Gates themselves (I’m not religious btw but that’s what it made me feel lol). My only gripe so far is some of the singing – it’s a great voice don’t get me wrong just some of the way he sings I’m not sure of. Some songs I prefer it to others. I’m torn on my feelings about this – musically it is incredible in its own way there’s no doubt. I have to say I did find my interest waning as it went on. The ambient nature can be an acquired taste, and there’s some ambient music I’ve listened to before that I really like. I guess sometimes it hits you right and sometimes it doesn’t. I could probably listen to this album on another day and feel much different.
supposedly knowing the lyrics are critical to experience this album to its fullest. it feels unfair, but im not here for a reading exercise. the music is pleasant enough. this may be what radiohead sounds like to people who dislike radiohead
A little bit weird... I mean, it s not bad but it sounds like the sounds of nature or sth like that, and it becomes boring after some time, but it would be great for streching of sth. Ohh and realllly long songs, like +10min. And at the end or in the middle is were the lyrics starts, so late, and then it becomes more like interesting and rock thing. (Icelandic)
I've been an admirer, if not exactly a fan, since this album was released. They make some absolutely gorgeous music, and they are certainly unique. But they also tend to go on and on, and overly complicate arrangements to the point of being overwhelmed by the instrumentation. I'm also hot and cold on Jonsi’s vocals. Sometimes really lovely, other times grating. But in the end, the world is a better place with Sigur Ros making its own music and letting us listen in. I saw them in 2005 and the first hour was absolutely stunning. And the last 30 minutes dragged. That's just SR and me
it's a lovely ambient and calming album. my only complaint is that I wasn't listening to this high. 3.5
Very relaxing
No está mal esta frikada
Feels like it should be my cup of tea but is actually just a bit annoying at times. Some of it is beautiful though, mixed bag.
Interesting. Was sceptical at first but it grew on me. The songs were too long for me however, and there wasn’t a lot of difference between them.
- meno on ku legendaarisessa radiohead pyramid song hidastettu 800%, eli hyvä - sigur ros on nimenä ollut tuttu melko pitkään mutta kärsivällisyys ei oo riittänyt tutustumaan lähemmin - on kyl mielettömiä melodioita ja upee tunnelma, kylmiä väreitä pukkaa - ei ehkä päivittäiseen kuunteluun mutta kyllä tälle on varmasti aikansa ja paikkansa
"Icelandic Post-Rock" is a new phrase in my music genre vocabulary and to be honest I didn't hate what I heard. It was a fantastic soundtrack to me setting up my classroom in the morning and I can see this being the perfect accompaniment to a rainy or cold morning. I don't know if I would listen to this record under any other circumstance. I also don't know if it is something I would return to after my time listening to it as part of this experience. Because of that I'm giving it a 3/5. Thankful to it for expanding my sphere of genres I've listened to but not enough here to make me a convert to the genre.
3/5
This was pleasant enough, I suppose. But didn't really get me there. 3
Sounded kinda cool I guess, but no specific songs really stuck out to me
I was surprised how much I liked this…good chill vibes
I liked this, laid back for 400
Dreamlike. Good ambience but gets a bit long in spots.
Good for background music. Not at all what I was expecting!
:)
Something this project has taught me is that I generally like high energy music. Across genres, I am way more likely to fuck with something if it's got some kind of energy behind it. Failing that, brilliant lyricism tends to be the only hope for a low energy album to remain in my good graces. I liked some of the higher energy options well-enough.
interesting
It's a good album if a bit monotonous
Never would've found this. Probably wouldn't listen again. Very ethereal, but not bad.
NK
Donnerstag, 26.03.2026 ~ Vormittags ~ In der U3 auf dem Weg zur Uni.
Donnerstag 26.03.2026 Ringbahn und U3 aufm Weg zur Uni, Aufenthaltsraum 2. Stock Campusbibliothek
разок послушала - вроде красиво, интересно. второй раз послушала - очень занудно))
Fairly interesting album, very atmospheric and chilled. But not the most exciting in my opinion. Appreciated it, but not my favourite.
I listened the heck out of this album when I was 17. What?!? More music out of Iceland (that’s not Bjork). Made up language lyrics? Let’s see if it holds up. Ok, this album feels like soaking in a warm bath. Do I love it as much as I did in 1999? No. Did I ever really like it or was I trying to get a return on purchase of my CD? Cost per listen? In any case, great album that has lost some lustre (for me. I get it that people love this record). Fave track remains Olsen Olsen. Necessary on the list. Hovering just below a 4/5.
I see why people like this but it’s not my thing
Definitely gave me a new perspective on music. Very long for my taste.
I get why so many people I know love this band. I just don't
Was weird and different
Very interesting. Enjoyed it, not something I'd normally listen to.
Very dreamy and ambient, complete with the interesting language that is Icelandic. Didn't really do much else for me, though. A lot of the reviewers seemed to have been wowed by this record, so I kind of feel like I've missed something here. I sort of felt exhausted as I neared the end. The production is great, don't get me wrong, so I guess the novelty wore thin with the lengths of some of these tracks.
Average. Quite melodic in places, got lost in the noise in a few places. Enjoyed listening by the pool in Tenerife.
This hits a lot of the things I like - post-rock, dreamy, synth-y, but it didn't impress me or hold my attention. It's like overly emotional in the way that makes it feel performative. That sounds like terrible, meaningless criticism, but it's something I've found in a few albums on this list. Perhaps the emotions are authentic to the artists who contributed to the album, but to me, this feels plastic like a simulation of emotion rather than the emotion itself. It's nice to listen to and entertaining but too perfect, too polished, and inauthentic.
wasn't vibing w/ it at first but it grew on me. def need to relisten
Definitivt häftigt men inte riiiktigt min grej
Rätt nice! Inte vad jag väntade mig.
Музыка норм но эта воющая залупа пиздец
Expected sub-Radiohead noodling, but was pleasantly surprised by the variety of sounds and moods. Yes, it's experimental, which normally translates as "unlistenable", but I actually enjoyed this. It would be a great soundtrack to a Moomins film. Hemulens would enjoy this. And yes, I do know they're singing in Icelandic and not Swedish... Hate the cover though. That foetus is a scary bugger.
I listened to most of this album while finishing a Lego Flower Set for my wife on Valentine's Day. The music was pleasant enough & stimulating enough to make the building process go by like it was nothing. At times it reminded of Radiohead. The sonic soundscapes are interesting. I don't think I'd listen to again but I did enjoy it. 3
3.5
Pretty but also boring. Every track sounds basically the same. Listened once and that was probably enough.
A beautiful ambient album with classical-sounding instruments and Icelandic vocalizations. A good album if you're looking to wind down. I learned that "Starálfur" was used in The Life Aquatic and it makes so much sense. Very Wes Anderson coded
I enjoyed this when it first came out. I think the band got even better on subsequent albums. 3 stars.
I thought this album was great working music and solid vibes
My dad asked me if I was meditating at a spa while I listened to this.
oh post-rock you are always a hit or miss for me at first I was sure this was a miss it does have some good sounds, but overall feels more of a spiritual experience (for some maybe) than a musical (what I was expecting) was getting hard to sit through crazy how it is so hughly-rated maybe I am just undeveloped idk it does however sound very interesting and novel so bonus points for that
There's some really pretty moments to this, but unfortunately a lot of it ends up as musical wallpaper. Pretty good album for listening to while you work, though!
Hard for me to rate this. Much more of an ambient, kind of drone thing than what I was expecting. Genuinely really beautiful in parts, could really do without the ASMR in Bamm Bamm though.
It’s like the generator read my review from yesterday praising 35 minute albums and wanted to test me today. Heard of this band because I think some of their music was in a movie or show I watched years ago, but completely unfamiliar with their sound so this will be a brand new listen. Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou! Right in their Wikipedia page. I do like the sound of this Life Aquatic song. Early on in the album and I think I’m going to like plenty of this sound, but maybe not 71 minutes worth of it. This seems influential to the sound of some indie music that came later. Very much atmospheric and spacey. It’s a nice sound, but overall feels more like something I would throw on in the background. There’s nothing I particularly dislike here, but overall the long songs are something I’m less likely to re-listen to. It feels like every song also has a moment where it becomes something else to transition into the following track. That being said, there is a real nice sound to a lot of this. Even if it’s not all entirely for me. I think there’s a stretch of a songs toward the end of the album that I really enjoyed so think I’ll settle on a 3. (Tracks 8 and 9, didn’t like the closer). This feels like the album when you’re in the mood for, it would be great. But I don’t think I would often be in the mood for it. If I need to focus and get some work done, this might be a perfect sound to have on. It’s somehow both original and forgettable.
Very worthwhile addition to the list, but a bit to pedestrian for my taste.
It was nice but difficult to listen to.
It's OK. I do appreciate that it's a new language. Not the only thing they have in common with Cocteau Twins. (They don't actually sound like Cocteau Twins, though, so if you like them, don't assume.) There is something atmospheric and beautiful about their music, but it is not really my cup of tea.
2.5 RYM
Overall I liked this album, but every once in a while they would add the strangest choice in sound. And I'd go from following the music with them to wanting to throw things at my speakers. Pour quotes?!
With the albums we’ve heard this week I wasn’t expecting much, and it started off a bit slow, but the rest of the album was actually not too bad.
Sigur Rós – Ágætis Byrjun Ágætis Byrjun is an "on Mars" technical achievement that unfortunately hits a "lyrics barrier" before it can make a true personal impact. While the production is "immaculate"—delivering a "cinematic" and "ambient" atmosphere that rivals the best of Radiohead—the lack of relatable substance makes it hard to fully "unlock" the experience. I can admire the "sophisticated" musicianship and the "eerie" beauty of the cello-bowed guitars, but without a lyrical connection, the songs often feel like a "pretty average" wash of sound. "Olsen Olsen" stands out as the lone highlight that managed to break through, but the rest of the LP lacks the "replay value" needed for my permanent rotation. A respectful 3/5 for a "triumphant symphony" that remains just out of reach.
3.5. Lovely and very appropriate for the Icelandic weather we have.
ik vond het heel cool en mooi en ben wel blij dat t in deze lijst stond, maar ik zou dit soort muziek voor de rest niet uit mn eigen luisteren ook vond ik het soms een beetje te veel van t zelfde
Ok but , not my favorite
Very trippy, out of this universe, slow
it's 3.5
j'ai cru j'étais dans le ventre de ma mère (le fait de pas connaitre la langue rajoute un plus) puis dans une foret enneigée ou jsp
Унылый меланхоличный пост-рок на ирландском. Под соответсвующее настроениие зайдёт ок. Очень чувствуется влияние протяжных песен radiohead с ноющим вокалом
I really like it, but there's something possibly a little to earnest about it even for me. Maybe just the mood I'm in.
Great background music. Maybe I need to re listen and immerse.
Soothing
Very pretty but it does get slightly dreary.
Listened
Sigur Rós es una banda islandesa, de rock experimental que lanzan este disco a fines de los noventas conviviendo con discos como kid A y amnesiac quienes claramente lo influencian al igual que la artista más reconocida de su país Björk. Querían hacer un disco que cambiara las cosas y contribuyó un poco al nuevo movimiento de post rock, este género de rock que no encajaba con lo previamente conocido y que venía a romper el esquema del britpop que ya por esos años ya dejaba de ser novedad. Tuve que ver alguna reseña y leer un poco de que hablaba, y habla sobre la vida, el nacimiento, la portada lo gráfica muy bien. Es un disco de música muy ambiental. Lo más parecido hasta ahora de lo que salió fue el moon safari, pero este es mucho más analógico por lo que me gusta más. Fueron de los primeros que empezaron a usar guitarras con arcos lo que les da un sonido característicos. Incluyen muchos instrumentos, de viento, de cuerda, tiene voces angelicales, tal como lo querían, imitando la voz de Tom yorke o Bjork. El idioma lo hace ser un disco difícil de comercializar, pero a mí me transmito varias emociones, cada canción parecía un mundo nuevo, para mí es un 3 bien puesto Canción favorita: Flugufrelsarinn
Dope album cover! Not my style of music though.
This was interesting! I enjoyed listening but nothing exactly stood out to me. Feels slightly overrated as far as electronic, downbeat music goes. But a good listen overall and would revisit.
Bleak, chilly soundscapes - one track was dangerously close to Coldplay. Fine whilst I was running the vacuum cleaner around.
Kinda of a chill listen
Overall Rating - 2.90/5 (5.80/10). Odd and atmospheric. Mostly pleasant.
It’s a vibe, that’s for sure.
It does not belong here
A nice "close your eyes and be immersed" sort of album
Well that was something... Like Icelandic Radiohead...weird...a little whiny...poppy hooks at moments...orchestral instruments at others...not my cup of tea
I didn't understand a lick of it, but it sounded ok. Intro ★★★☆☆ Svefn‐g‐englar ★★★☆☆ Starálfur ★★★☆☆ Flugufrelsarinn ★★★☆☆ Ný batterí ★★★☆☆ Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm) ★★★☆☆ Viðrar vel til loftárása ★★★☆☆ Olsen Olsen ★★★☆☆ Ágætis byrjun ★★★☆☆ Avalon ★★★☆☆ Average Album Rating: 3.0/5.0 ★★★☆☆
A very interesting album. Loved the sound.
Nice calming album, good for background
I love a lot of music just like this, but unfortunately this didn't really click, on know there's an amazing album somewhere in here that a couple more listens might reveal. But for now it's a 3*
It’s ok. Spacey and prog.
Fine
Ambient, futuristic. Wondering how it was received in '99. Not the vibe on the day I listened but a nice atmosphere.
I have this and enjoy it more for the albums mood than tracks. It’s over an hour of chill and relax.
Cheeoh ooooooo
suena xulo d pelotas pero m puso triste triste triste
Parts are very good. Others are just too much musical noodling with lots of lengthy intros and outros. I don’t think this is for me and really feel like I am missing context either musically or culturally to understand why this is deemed a masterpiece.
6/10 I quite like it, but it is so mono-paced (or at least has a top speed of about 41mph) that I find it a struggle to fully engage with it. I have to check every so often to see if we've reached the end - it is too long - but it provided a reasonable background to my first day back to work in the new year
5.5/10
This was a very interesting album, that was much more ethereal than I expected. I’ll probably revisit but it certainly would not be on rotation.
5 - AVERAGE
Probably need to listen to this a few times
It's okay.
If I spoke Icelandic it would prob have more impact but the instrumentals and vocals are relaxing
Interesting album, probably needs more than one listen to get to grips with it
This is a difficult album for me to review as the lyrics are all in Icelandic, so it's hard to really get the gist of what Sigur Rós are talking about here, but I will say that 'Agætis Byrjun' is very well produced, and sounds like an orchestra playing on in your dreams. There's hints of Radiohead, Ride and Cocteau Twins all across this dream-like record, and it's a perfect accompaniment for periods of deep reflection and meditation, as it helps centre your mind. Just don't expect to pick anything up lyrically unless you understand Icelandic. Best songs: Svefn-g-englar, Flugufrelsarinn, Ný batterí
A very broad soundscape of an album. Impressive production. I enjoyed it, but its not an album i would listen to again.
Lovely soundscape. Eno could learn a thing or two from these guys
The music is pretty decent and interesting, but is all stretched way too long. Just an insufferably long active listen.
Strong start but then it wafted away toward the end--a little too much ethereal falsetto.
5/10
interesting background music
Man I realize they put a lot of work into this. Hearing it described - made up languages/trippy music/etc always made me want to hear it in the past, but unfortunately nothing really grips the ear. May try again.
I liked it but also reminded me of something but im not quite sure. I couldn’t tell if it made me feel relaxed or sad or kind of a yearning for something but I don’t know what. Interesting
Zu esoterisch für mich.
Great sounds. Just not my cup of tea.
Not the best to listen to in the car. I don’t think this is supposed to be an ambient album. Had some enjoyable moments
Not bad, different, chill vibes for sure. Icelandic
Intro : ok. Toune #2 : ha non pas la maudite toune fatiguante de café de flore... (YIOUUUOUUU) Ha tiens de la guit électrique jouée à l'archet, première fois que je remarque ça, interessant. Il y a beaucoup de cordes et d'orchestration en général. Ça me fait penser à Radiohead souvent, les ambiances et aussi les voix. Fun fact, c'est leur seul album en islandais, sauf une piece dans une langue gibberish, leurs albums suivants seront dans ce gibberish. J'ai bien aimé la tounette avec les bamm bamm bamm
Singur Ros is very pretty. I'm never going to put it on, but I like it.
This was OK, but I just don’t think I was in the mood at 6 o’clock in the morning
Hey… I was a fetus in 1999
Feels very cinematic. I don't think it's something I'd revisit but it's better than it could be.
I've never listened to this album (61). Makes me want to sleep.
Als ik me inbeeld dat ik in Ijsland ben is het wel echt goed
Atmospheric foetus music
too spaced out for me
Interesting, mostly background music. Its well performed but isn't something I would actively listen to. Svefn-g-englar sounded familiar, but I can't place it. I might come back to this as some calming work music.
I didn't really connect to it like the commentators did. I liked the ambience but I just wasn't my taste. It's mostly music to just concentrate to or study to. I will save it for those occasions.
I guess it’s ok. Kind of like Bon Iver meets Band Of Horses. Could have trimmed a little off that run time. I also have no idea what this dude was singing about, but my guess is something sleepy 🥱
It was ... fine.
3.0 - Ok
Transcendent highs mixed with some pleasant, if plodding, filler. It's unclear to me whether this feeling is justified or not, but I have become increasingly cynical about the state of the music industry in recent years, particularly since the streaming takeover deepened in the mid 2010s. More and more, music, like the ultraprocessed foods that have been making headlines, has been depleted of any semblance of soul or personality and broken down into its constituent parts, which are then recombined into sonic bites that target some emotion, vibe, or "aesthetic", ready to be algorithmically mixed into a personalized playlist and played when the moment calls for just that sort of sound. Sigur Ros's Agaetis byrjun may have been released well before the advent of Spotify's recommendations, but it is clear to me that it was created with the express goal of touching that part of our brain that registers awe and beauty. I had no hope of understanding what this album’s lyrics mean, so I approached this listen exclusively from a sonic angle. What I heard is a band that, at their best, play with gorgeous lunar soundscapes that I would compare to some of Brian Eno’s ambient work (Apollo in particular comes to mind). The "lunar" comparison is particularly apt given that nearly every song on the album gives the feeling like you are bounding over the moon or swimming through honey. Things move in slow motion - you couldn't speed up even if you wanted to. The band play with vast combinations of some piercing sounds, but there are no strong impacts to speak of, and songs build and recede in swells while somewhat harsh vocals seem to float over the instrumentation. When done properly, the cinematic, transporting effect is fascinating. The highs on this album are positively transcendent, particularly Svefn-g-englar, which achieves that stop-you-in-your-tracks sound that Sigur Ros must have been going for, even if you don't dig into the lyrics describing a newborn baby coming to life. However, if the album is an attempt to stretch this atmosphere over the full 71-minute run time, the results are a bit mixed for me. Given that nearly every song is at least 7 minutes long, Sigur Rós give you plenty of time to absorb the atmosphere they create. When successful this works wonderfully, but when the sounds they experiment with don’t come off quite right the consistently slow tempo can make things plod along. At points, what I'm sure reads as standout beauty to some often comes across to me as overwrought. The strings in Staralfur just *scream* emotion but I find them a bit grating by the end of the song. The layered vocals, strings, piano and guitar feedback toward the end of Hjartao hamast give me similar impressions, reaching for a vast soundscape in a way that wears on me. Other cases are even frustrating to me because the band will have a great concept at the core of a song, only to lose track of it. Viorar vel til loftarasa is a perfect example of this - it has about a minute of beauty buried after 8 minutes of blandness and followed by a minute of more classical string pretensions. But that minute sure makes you think. This is an album that seeks to establish a certain vibe and runs with it. It's successful at that without a doubt. In doing so, though, there are some points where the music itself just loses me. Given how many sounds Sigur Ros play with, they do a nice job of pulling everything together into a coherent sound, at points melding discordant sounds into a gorgeous output. As what I view as an ambient-adjacent album, it feels fitting to me that I'll take only one or two songs with me for active listening. But maybe, just maybe, I'll reach for this the next time the "Ambient Dreamscapes" playlist on Spotify calls to me.
Pretty good
Normally don't like this genre but this is good for what it is.
1. Intro - N/A 2. Svefn-g-englar - 9 Maybe this is right place right time for a track given the seasonal depression crushing me at the moment but it's melodic tones speak volumes. It's like a mix of the best of Radiohead and Pink Floyd in a track. The last ninety seconds that contain the beating is needless in the track. 3. Starálfur - 10 Instrumentally a masterpiece, the vocals only come in when needed. Breathtaking track. 4. Flugufrelsarinn - 8 It starts really well and builds even better. Fantastic track. Vocals are definitely the highlight as it reaches a crescendo. 5. Ný batterí - 7 It's fantastic once the drums come in but it's a haul to get there. The part prior isn't bad at all, it's very enjoyable, but it's just such a slow build the song leaves you wishing it was a little stronger. 6. Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm) - 7 It has a lot of the same problems as the previous track but it's not got the bombastic drums. Instead they've been replaced by absolutely otherworldly strings that add an amazing emotion to the track. Not a fan of the noise at the end at all. 7. Viðrar vel til loftárása - 4 The strings to open is fantastic but the chaotic nature of them at the end is unenjoyable and swallows up the fantastic drums that support the track there. 8. Olsen olsen - 7 Brilliant mainly all instrumental track that really builds well and incorporates a lot of variety of instruments. It sounds a bit like a circus or carnival track at times but it's still very enjoyable. 9. Ágætis byrjun - 5 It's a bit of a lullaby. Instrumentally it's very good but I'm really not a fan of how it sounds vocally. Still, the track reminds me of an old village or something in Final Fantasy VII. It's a decent track. 10. Avalon - 4 It feels like the track cannot decide if it is going to be a funeral procession or Also Sprach Zarathustra. Bit of a nothingness track to end the album. Average Rating: 6.78 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 3.39 Rounded Down: 3 Stars
Sigur Ros is beautiful. I don't think I was in the right headspace for this album today but will always revisit when the time is right.
Really didn't enjoy this, aside from a few fleeting moments.
Nice álbum. Interesting, however I did not have patience to hear it all
Hmmm, good strings and orchestral arrangements. Vocals are pretty and ethereal.
Growing up means that I can freely admit that this isnt my shit. As a too-smart indie teenager I always had to go along with this. And that's fine, I can appreciate the music, and how orchestral and cinematic it is. But is this something that I feel particularly drawn towards? Nah. Glad that I listened though. I can hear Radiohead and early Coldplay, so this album was probably very influential to others. Yeah...right down the middle. 3/5.
6.2/10
Not Takk, but ok
I get why people would really love this, but it wasn't quite my style. I really don't care for the 8 or 9 minute long soundscape style songs. I won't knock points for being in a language that I didn't understand, but I don't think it really helped either. I'm glad I listened though. It was nice to get something completely outside of my normal listening.
= The Beatles
Normally not my thing. Can't explain why this is ok to my brain.
Eigentlich 3,5 Sterne. Aber leichte Tendenz zu 3, weil die Ausreißer nach oben nicht ganz für 4 reichen.
somewhat inaccessible, but ultimately rewarding
Ngl I was floating to a good portion of this.
ny batteri and bamm bamm bamm just blew my shit apart
Loved the first half but them it dropped off for me on the second half. A great listen.
At first I wasn’t liking this album. The more I listened, and learned a little about its meaning, the more I liked it. But I still didn’t come to love it. Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása was my favorite track. It’s really beautiful. Maybe after another listen I may have rated this a little higher.
Long album, not a lot to hold your attention, but beautiful beat and wonderful listening experience… if you want to lay down/meditate/relax. Reminds me of an islandic enya.
The whole album felt like a dreamscape.
Not sure I ever actually listened to this back in the day, maybe I did but I can't remember. Very pretty but sorta feels like it's trying to beat you over the head with its prettiness at the expense of actually being interesting Fav song: Svefn-g-englar
Very spacey.
Lo-fi music to bleed out in the snow to
Psychedelic, calming, funky.
Some nice songs, but some stuff is a little too out there...
Interesting but not sure I heard any bowed guitar.
Yes it’s ethereal and yes it’s exquisitely crafted, and yes they’re beautiful nostalgic Icelandic fairies and elves. But there’s something lacking here, like it’s all a bit out of focus. It’s a hell of a way to break out as an artist but it’s definitely not their best, most focused work.
I thought this was a cool ambient album. Might not throw on any song from it but I’d definitely listen again for that specific vibe
Meio melancólico Boa pra ouvir quando estiver triste
95/1001 :: Ágætis Byrjun - Sigur Rós Heard before? ✅ Would I revisit? ➖ Rating: 6 Listen before you die: Yes I’ve listened to this album before. And every time I go back I find it tough to get through. It’s a good one to put on to live in the background of a work setting where you can drift in and out. It’s beautifully done but it can get a little dull at times. After revisiting today I realized this had more singing than I remember. I think maybe I thought it was more instrumental because there’s no English. Either way, this is definitely worth a listen and worth of this list even it’s unlikely I’ll ever listen in its entirety again. That said, this is a good contender to play at your funeral.
I tried listening to Sigur Ros years ago but it never grabbed me at all. This album is actually much better than I remember them being - some great stuff but also some dull stuff. Overall though a decent album.
This album was weird but better then I expected. I wish it was in English but I enjoyed regardless.
Un peu particulier, je dois reconnaître que je n’ai pas vraiment été emballée par cette écoute…
Beautiful, delicate, and not for me. 3/ 5
This was such a lovely, calm listen. Not quite a 4 star album because it was a smidgen too long, but I enjoyed it a lot.
ok galera não é ruim não mas foge bastante do meu escopo
Some truly beautiful stuff on here, however, there is a lot of down time. 7/10
This music is interesting, and I suspect there is a lot here if you have the patience to examine it. Unfortunately I couldn't quite focus in on it despite multiple spread out attempts. So, I think worth examining but maybe not quite my speed. Maybe I'll try again one day and it'll be the right timing for it.
6/10 Sleepy time tea.....z.zz.zzzzzzzz 9-22-2025
A very beautiful album, but just a bit too long for my liking! Also didn't realise this was the band that sang hoppipolla, love that song 3 ⭐️
I was thinking about giving this album my first 1-star review for a while. It's not like it was sonically offensive--and I couldn't understand the lyrics to know whether they're saying anything unspeakably ghastly or anything--but it was really just boring the absolute shit out of me. Every song like 8-10 minutes, all of them sort of quiet and moody and meandering, nothing managing to compel me along on a journey. Knowing I had something like 8 more tracks like that was enough to turn me against it in a serious way. Then I finished work, night fell, and I started listening with headphones. It's still not blowing my mind or anything, but the whole mood of the album is without a doubt best suited for quiet, pensive, nighttime listening, in my opinion. It definitely changed up on me and saved itself from a truly dubious distinction.
Definitely an artifact of its time. Can’t tell if it inspired everything else that sounds like it, or if it was inspired by everything else.
weird ambiance or trance music
Hauntingly beautiful
Pleasant in the background. ★★★
Interesting but not something I would listen to again.
Beautiful and atmospheric album.
I like the idea of this band and album more than the actualities. I'm happy they exist and understand why they are lauded. It, for me, is like a soundtrack to a dense indie movie that I also did not relate to or particularly enjoy.
long but ok
Another "short number of songs but each song is long" weird album. Nothing bad but I never thought "oh yeah this is a good one"
I really enjoyed this. I hadn't listened to them before. I feel like I just knew them as the band who sometimes sings in a made up gibberish language... which I kind of have mixed feelings about. I was happy when I did some googling and found out most of this album is in Icelandic. Why does the gibberish bother me? Well I think a big part of making music and having vocals is the lyrical content. It's hard to put your thoughts and feelings to paper and share them with the world. It's scary. And I just feel like using a gibberish language is a copout, it feels like they're avoiding digging into their true feelings and instead just doing some "oooo" "ahhhhs" which sorta creates a barrier between me and the work. Buttt I was glad to find out that wasn't the case on this album. I have no idea what they were talking about but it felt massive and sad but also joyous... emotional for sure. Those feelings came across even though I don't speak Icelandic. Musically... it felt vaguely orchestral and classic, but also like radiohead ballads stretched out into these massive 10 minute atmospheric movements. It also gave me a post rock vibe the way tracks would build to these big joyous crescendos... a little god speed you black emperor vibes. Also it made me think of whale songs... in a good way. This was a pleasant surprise. Definitely too long though. 70 minutes is a lot of music. I tried to pick out specific tracks but they kind of blur into this one massive piece of music... also in a good way. 3 stars
It’s pretty mellow, but pretty repetitive as well.
Esoteric, interesting modal movement within the instrumentation. I'm not a fan of overtly repetitive music, but it's hard to know if it's poignant without understanding the language. Overall, it's good vibes, but not my typical cup of tea.
Occasionally the silences are a bit too long and make me wonder if there is something wrong with my headphones. But what is here has its beauty. Something for a cold late night.
This album demands your ambivalence.
Going to come back to this one
Seems to be a great album to enjoy while alone with your thoughts.
nice ambient
Hmm, an odd one this, and I feel a bit bad about my opinion. I remember when this came out and there was a bit of fuss in the UK about them - there were a few of these gentle, pleasant albums around at the time (José Gonzales, this lot, Magic Numbers etc), and I bought it and never really listened to it. I didn’t really miss much. It’s very pleasant, and nice … but it’s not very interesting, and it goes on forever. Background music feels harsh, but that’s my impression. It’s not bad by any means and if it was on somewhere I wouldn’t be upset, but I’m never taking it off the shelf again.
Yup, that’s Icelandic.
Okay background music... kinda like noise sometimes?
Pleasant background noise but nothing memorable. Meh.
Interesting, melodic, moody (all the moods). I’d listen to this again and/or more of their stuff
Good in atmosphere. Not really my taste of music but felt well mixed, produced and cohesive. If you’re a fan of this type of music, i believe this is great.
3 stars
Interesting and unusual sounds. Glad to have listened to it but not sure I would re listen.
I don’t really get these kind of soft synth pop with female vocals albums, I understand that people may like them, but I don’t feel like they are interesting enough to make a list of 1001 albums you “must” hear. It’s a perfectly fine record, just nothin notable in my opinion.
A very unique and beautiful sound, i really enjoyed it. I think this is an album that will grow on me in time so I will listen to it again in the future and may edit my rating accordinly
interesting
3/5
To get the real experience out of this, this has to be played on some high-powered speakers, and not some kind of DMV office speakers I have. Besides that constatation, this album gets boring quickly after the first few tracks. It's overly long, with a lot of repetitiveness to it. The only redeeming factor is how much it sooths. A nice listening experience for a cold and dark night, when you want nothing extravagant, just something to pass through the ears and kill the deafening silence. Also, you can hear where some bands took inspiration, instrumentally. Coldplay's early ventures into the more alternative side of rock have a lot of atmosphere that can be attributed to Sigur Rós, and this album.
Strays into melodrama, missing a little edge. Not Sigur Ros's best album for me
like aphrodite twin missed with pink floyd
I listened to a bit of Sigur Ros back in the day - and a bit more of Jonsi solo stuff. The guy is clearly insanely talented as a musician and composer, and you can hear here why he would go on to have a bigger career in film score. This was cinematic and beautiful, for sure, and I would put this firmly in the category of nice albums to fall asleep to. Not a bad thing, but there isn't really anything that sounds like a hit on here. Fun fact I learned the other day: Hoppipolla, on a later album, they called "The Money Song" because they knew that would be more of a commercial hit. This album doesn't have any Money Songs. Feel like they are kind of coasting on the novelty of singing in Icelandic - like an average looking British guy getting swarmed by women because of his accent.
Good for certain moods, like lofi music
Ambient and beautiful, however it doesn’t quite capture me. At most this sits as strong background music unless you are seriously critically listening, there’s a large divide between the two when it comes to casual enjoyment. Nothing wrong with that!
Different. Listenable
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 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
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.
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
Weird. Fun. Relaxing. Ethereal. Scandanavian.
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
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
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.
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.
Muy ambiental
A dreamy atmospheric album. Beautiful background music but just not something I can really engage with.
Unexpected. Excellent.
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.
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
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.
Interesting…didn’t love it but didn’t hate it. It just struggled to get traction in my opinion
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.
C14 must have heard this
Angelic in nature
Sigur Rós: Ágætis Byrjun This was a really interesting album - even in Icelandic. This is great for background or soothing listening.
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 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
this album feels like it should be right up my alley, but it feels too lush and peaceful. too much of a good thing?
good but not quite there
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
Cover 8 An ok album. on first listen, only one or two songs caught my attention. Over all, no bad songs but nothing great.
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
Interesting, liked but didn’t love.
Pleasant enough background instrumental music.
Liked it, and would probably have liked it even more if I gave it my full attention/could understand what is being sung.
I can see it. I really can. But it's a bit samey and the translated lyrics are ok. 3.5
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.
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
i like this type of music and I like icelandic musicians but for some reason sigur rós always lacked the oomph for me
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
Nice album with ambient and orchestra sounds and music combined. Sometimes the orchestra climaxes seem out of place.
Sounds like the Icelandic Mazzy Star. Interesting listen.
Pretty good, didn’t love it.
Nice chilled album for a Sunday morning
point2.
It was good nice instrumentals
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)
Neat sounds, and I like the singing in Icelandic. Very different than what I would normally listen to.
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
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
Not for me
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.
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.
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
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.
Nice but dont understand what theyre saying
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.
First listen
3.5
This album stuck to me when I lost my dad and when some of my older friends were sick and who are now gone.