Ágætis Byrjun

Amazon.com
Reykjavík-based noise quartet Sigur Rós are the biggest band in their native Iceland, which should say much, much more about the collective insanity of that earthquake-ridden, blizzard-beaten crag of an island than anything to do with Sigur Rós's sound. But in their music, Sigur Rós reflect all the breathtaking glory of the Icelandic wastes--a fairy-tale explosion of unhinged elemental majesty that's finally crystallized here, their debut European release. Poised somewhere between the haunting soundscapes of Labradford and the lilting Celtic falsetto of Enya, Agaetis Byrjun is a truly breathtaking listen. Frontman Jon Por Birgisson sings in a language that Sigur Rós dub "Hopelandic"--an otherworldly mutation of Icelandic, sung in the falsetto cadence of angels; similarly, he plays his guitar with a violin bow, opening the floodgates for brilliant waves of feedback. And while it's the opening "Svefn-G-Englar" that's Sigur Rós' moment to date, there's far more that they have to offer; listen to the pomp and flourish of a full orchestra on "Flugufrelsarinn," or the awe-inspiring near-religious mantra of "Ny Batteri." --Amazon.co.uk

Product Description
UK version of the Icelandic experimental/alternative act's international debut (their third album overall). Originally released in 1999, 'Agaetis Bryjun' is multi-platinum in their homeland. Includes the singles, 'Svefn-G-Englar' and 'Ny Batteri'. Single disc packaged in a very cool envelope style digipak. 2000 release.

Ágætis Byrjun,Sigur Rós,Pias America,Alternative Pop/Rock,Ambient Pop,Chamber Pop,Iceland,Pop,Post-Rock/Experimental,Rock,Rock/Pop,Space Rock

Ágætis Byrjun

Average customer rating:

The Good Reviews Are Apparenthetically ( Priceless )
AMAZING MUSIC BEYOND THE COMPREHENSION OF SOME POP MUSIC CRITICS MINDS
Sigur Ros CD
Undescribable...Breathtaking..
Music never heard describing a place only imagined

Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
Manufacturer: Play It Again Sam Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ambient Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Svefn-G-Englar

ASIN: B00005IC2H
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

Intro
Svefn g englar
Staralfur
Flugufrelsarinn
Ny batteri
Hjartad hamast
Vidrar vel til loftarasa
Olsen olsen
Agaetis byrjun
Avalon

Amazon.com

Reykjavík-based noise quartet Sigur Rós are the biggest band in their native Iceland, which should say much, much more about the collective insanity of that earthquake-ridden, blizzard-beaten crag of an island than anything to do with Sigur Rós's sound. But in their music, Sigur Rós reflect all the breathtaking glory of the Icelandic wastes--a fairy-tale explosion of unhinged elemental majesty that's finally crystallized here, their debut European release. Poised somewhere between the haunting soundscapes of Labradford and the lilting Celtic falsetto of Enya, Agaetis Byrjun is a truly breathtaking listen. Frontman Jon Por Birgisson sings in a language that Sigur Rós dub "Hopelandic"--an otherworldly mutation of Icelandic, sung in the falsetto cadence of angels; similarly, he plays his guitar with a violin bow, opening the floodgates for brilliant waves of feedback. And while it's the opening "Svefn-G-Englar" that's Sigur Rós' moment to date, there's far more that they have to offer; listen to the pomp and flourish of a full orchestra on "Flugufrelsarinn," or the awe-inspiring near-religious mantra of "Ny Batteri." --Amazon.co.uk

Album Description

UK version of the Icelandic experimental/alternative act's international debut (their third album overall). Originally released in 1999, 'Agaetis Bryjun' is multi-platinum in their homeland. Includes the singles, 'Svefn-G-Englar' and 'Ny Batteri'. Single disc packaged in a very cool envelope style digipak. 2000 release.

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

The Good Reviews Are Apparenthetically ( Priceless ).......2007-07-09

Aren't All Those Good Reviews JUST Priceless ?

With tongue firmly poked in cheek. Being "Visually Enhanced" Music is, first, enjoyed by the eye.
Which is to say that if the COVER is "interesting" the MUSIC is, possibabblely, at least as "inspired."

Take for instance the COVER of "Rock Bottom"... EXACTLY Why Mr. Wyatt and Alfraidie Cat ever changed that is beyond understanding, however it still touches the heart all the way up the charts. With that in mind, Sigur's Ro's's A'gaetis's Byrjun's, (it is with a tear on the other cheek this type-tighter does not connect the a to the e,) COVER has been observed for the past 8 years or so, picked up and perused and neatly replaced neatly in the bin still in protective placenta . ( See :: Put THAT Book Back on the Shelf and 787 Ray Johnson gives birth to CalligRayphy's new hole ) So it passes the "Visual Review". The Smekkleysa alone is worth the price. Honestly up until now only SNIPPETS of this have reached our ears and thus just the SNIPPETS and jib-lettes are being review here, so don't expect the WHOLE Inch-A-La-La. To make it short and tweet :: The SNIPPETS are not nearly long enough, however having purchased this, we are looking forward to cele-berating the entire Jam Boring Jamboree . And with tongue still snuggling deep in cheek, we do not need to see yet another review of this review so if you wanna review this review please send a stamped self addressed antelope or Deer Post Card To :: rain rien nevermind 2101 baneberry way east, Chanhassen, MN 55317 you sofa with some fingernails and religious overtomes. Dear Kjartan Sveinsson, Wheee! Appreciate YOU being appreciated. Put The Book Back On The Shelf: A Belle And Sebastian Anthology 2aBaby TranceDance.

AMAZING MUSIC BEYOND THE COMPREHENSION OF SOME POP MUSIC CRITICS MINDS.......2007-06-22

Like the other reviewer nearby, I also have a pet peeve about this word "pretentious" when applied to Sigur Ros (or other arful pop). It is a universal cliche amongst reviewers who don't like art rock or progressive rock. The word "pretentious" actually means:

---adjective DISAPPROVING
---trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are,
especially in matters of art and literature:
---a pretentious art critic
---The novel deals with grand themes, but is never heavy or pretentious.

-- characterized by assumption of dignity or importance.
-- making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious

I've heard this word all my life because apparently I like a lot of music that is "pretentious." The last time I heard it used was recently on a radio special about the 40th anniversary for The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which one critic decried as "the beginning of pretentiousness in pop music". And this for an album that is consistently at the top of almost every list as the most important album ever made-- I guess a LOT of people like pretentious art.
What these critics are saying is that pop and rock musicians that have other musical influences (i.e., world music, classical music, jazz music) are somehow falsely trying to BE world musicians, classical musicians, and jazz musicians by using those influences. Or that lyricist that have other influences (i.e., poetry) are trying to BE poets. In reality, all they are is open-minded pop and rock musicians, willing to experiment with skills they have that lie beyond the boundaries of early rock styles (i.e., Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc.).
I'm not sure why it makes you pretentious simply because you have musical skills beyond pop and rock, but I can't imagine a more boring scenario than a genre that didn't grow or challenge itself. In reality, this is how the language of an art form evolves. The heyday for what Sigur Ros is trying to do was between 1967-1977, when progressive rock was literally a top ten chart topping phenomenon.
In the end, this is all "pretentious" means when used by such critics: they don't like the styles of music that exist midway between folk and classical, or rock and jazz, or whatever and whatever. I love music rooted in pop, rock, and folk that is embellished by all sorts of influences from more complicated genres. I love the fact that a song can swing from a gentle little folk tune to a complicated instrumental movement. I also love the storytelling aspect of longer pieces of music and concept albums-- it gives the lyricist more time to stretch out and explore a theme. These artists are not trying to be something that they are not, they are being exactly what they ARE: pop artists with ears open to other influences. This happened as soon as Paul McCartney (in 1967) came into the studio after hearing a classical work with a Bach trumpet, and he wrote and plopped a similar trumpet arrangement in "Penny Lane." It happened when Brian Wilson crumbled the Beach Boys formulaic song structure (1966) and started to record his collage piece SMiLE. And then for ten odd years after, much of the best of rock music had similar boundary-breaking tendencies.
Sigur Ros is very much in the art-rock category. You can see their lead singer from one or two vantage points (albeit extreme ones): either he is the most otherworldly supremely beautiful gift to pop music that has ever happened, or he is a pretentious pseudo-opera singer. And really, which vantage you choose depends on whether or not you are moved by his work. You can tell which camp I fit in-- I think he's one of the most important pop artists on the planet, and you'd have to be crazy not to at least give him a chance to work his magic on you. Buy this record--- TODAY!

Sigur Ros CD.......2007-06-08

Received in a timely fashion. Couldn;t be happier with the condition. Mahalo!

Undescribable...Breathtaking.........2007-05-16

Breathtaking is truly the only word that describes this album as a whole. It's one of the most stunning and beautiful albums i've ever heard, and I don't even understand a single word that's sung! There's not a single bad track on this album, each song makes you not only feel as if you're in Iceland watching the sunrise, but such uplifting, spiritual emotion. Sigur Ros might not be considered "easy listening" to those who are new to them...but once you hear this album, you just don't give a damn. Their music speaks volumes, you FEEL what they're saying, not what they're saying. This album is one of the best albums ever, once again showing how Icelanders sure know how to play their music.

Music never heard describing a place only imagined.......2007-05-12

This is one of the 10 best albums I've ever heard. Cannot recommend this album enough. If you have never heard of Sigur Ros you might want to borrow an album from a friend first but if you have remotely heard of them you know no words can describe their sound, so buy this album now!!!

Average customer rating:

Beautiful and original
Masterpiece
An ok start
Awe Inspiring
Amazing

Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
Manufacturer: Play It Again Sam
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ambient Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

( )
Takk...
Finally We Are No One
The Bends

ASIN: B00004W3MS
Release Date: 2000-07-28

Tracks:

Intro
Svefn g englar
Staralfur
Flugufrelsarinn
Ny batteri
Hjartad hamast
Vidrar vel til loftarasa
Olsen olsen
Agaetis byrjun
Avalon

Amazon.com

Album Description

Album Details

'agaetis Byrjun', Released in Iceland in 1999 Where it Enjoyed Number One Status for Weeks, is Now Set for a Worldwide Release.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful and original.......2002-06-15

This album rivals anything by Gospeed You Black Emperor, Labradford or Mogwai for beauty, and if you are a fan of these bands, i suggest giving this a whirl. Very interesting production techniques, layers of synthesizers and effected guitar are piled upon each other to make a truly beautiful mess of sound. Add to that the wonderfully expressive vocals of singer Jonsi and this is the complete package (despite the lyrics are in a mixture of Icelandic and opther languages that the band has dubbed "Hopelandish"). One of the most beautiful albums you will ever hear.

Masterpiece.......2001-12-26

This album is the most inspiring album that I have ever listened to. I bought the album only for Ný Batterý but when I played the album from start to finish my jaw just hit the floor, I was so amazed by the inhuman vocals and the blistering power of the bow on the guitar. You can't define this music, the only thing that you can do is listen and make your mind take you to a higher plane, a different world where you just fly through the clouds and valleys of rivers and green grass.

Sigur Rós is my favorite band and Sigur Rós will be my favorite band for a long time if not forever.

An ok start.......2001-10-06

I just wanted to let you people out there know what the album name means. It is kinda unfitting for a 3 album but then again they aren't ordinary. 'Agaetis Byrjun means: An ok start/begining. I couldn't find their first and second album in here wich are titeld "VON"="HOPE" and "VON-Brigði"="Letdown/Hope-alternatives", the second album was a remix of the first hence the name.

Awe Inspiring.......2001-07-30

Sigur Ros is the one band that I believe a hell of a lot more recognition. I was first turned on to them due to praises by fellow Radiohead fans. I downloaded the song Flugufrelsarinn and then went on a crusade to find this album.

The moment Svefn-G-Englar was over I knew this was going to become the one album that would give a good challenge to Radiohead's OK Computer for my favorite album. So far they are very closely tied. It depends on my mood.

It is extremely hard for me to choose a favorite song off of this album. It flows too well to just choose one piece. The singles Svefn-G-Englar and Ny Batteri are both classics but Olsen Olsen and the rest are just as impressive.

I can't wait to hear more Sigur Ros material after this! I just wish I could find any of their singles or EPs where I live.

Amazing.......2001-07-09

Sigur Rs hails from the nation of Iceland, an island the size of Kentucky in the North Atlantic. The newest land on earth, Iceland is an amazing collection of glaciers, deserts, the ocean, the beach, lava, and geysers. The scenery is so ethereal that most Icelanders believe in faerie folk, that are said to live populate their nation. In fact, you must use a 'seer' (someone who can see the faerie folk) before you can build a house or road in the Reykjavk suburb of Hafnarfjrur because their concentration is said to be so dense.

So, it should come as no surprise that a sound so haunting, ethereal, and awe-inspiring comes from Iceland. gtis Byrjun has sold over 16.000 copies in Iceland alone. You may not think that sales of 16.000 CDs are so many, however that is tantamount to selling 16 million CDs in Iceland.

Sigur Rs opens gtis Byrjun (Good Start in Icelandic) with the song Intro, which quietly swells into the song Svefn-G-Englar. gtis Byrjun isn't filled with 'tracks' in the typical sense, with a beginning, a middle, and an end, but songs that flow into each other, and creates a modern symphony.

gtis Byrjun is perfect for just lying back and relaxing. The sonic waves transport you to another world.

In short, I think it would be a wise investment for you to go out and buy Sigur Rs' gtis Byrjun.