14/01/2001
Posted by: Tony L on 15 January 2001
Sigur Ros 'Von' - I have now completed working backwards through the Sigur Ros back catalogue. This is their first album released in Iceland only. It certainly lacks much of the uniqueness and stunning maturity of the classic Ágætis Byrjun, but is pretty cool none the less. Style wise it is a bit ambient shoe gazer, and tends to meander around without ever nailing down a classic song in the way the second album does. Its still very good though, and well worth owning if a Sigur Ros fan. Suspect it’s a grower.
HOH & Sigur Ros 'Englar Alheimsins' - The soundtrack from Fridrik Thor's 'Children of Nature' film, features two Sigur Ros tracks (that I found out I already had on a single), plus much pleasant chilled instrumental music. The two Sigur Ros tracks are stunning, the equal of anything on Ágætis Byrjun, so if you don't have the 'Ný Batterí' single which is probably unavailable now, then you need this if you really rate the album.
Bjork / Gudmundur Ingolfsson Trio 'Gling-Glo' - Bjork takes on the role of cheesy jazz singer, and succeeds very well. This is an album of jazz standards played by a very competent piano, double bass, drums trio with Bjork adding her unique icelandic slant to the proceedings. Sounds daft, is daft, but is possibly her best album.
All the above can be had mail order from www.badtaste.dk
Tony.