Hvarf-Heim

Rarities of alt-rock masters Sigur Ros

The legendary Icelandic band Sigur Ros released its last full length album Takk two years ago. The album has proved to be its least complicated work sung in the Icelandic language instead of the invented one that the band normally sings in. During more than ten years of its existence the collective has not yet relesed a complilation album, and this year it is high time for that while the fans are expecting the following studio work. This autumn the band releases Hvarf/Heim, an album consisting of two parts: Hvarf (Icelandic for 'disappeared') contains new studio versions of previously unreleased songs that could be heard only on the band's live performances, and Heim (Icelandic for 'home') is a shorter part offering the acoustic versions of a few compositions. Sigur Ros has made a great present to its fans for most of the songs of the album's first part are rarities that can be now added to your collections of the alt-rock masters.

Each of the 11 tracks on Hvarf/Heim deserves attention

Collection Hvarf/Heim is a travel into the world of Sigur Ros surrounded by a mystery, and although some might think it end too fast, each of its 11 deserves attention. The album opens with a fantastic slow composition Salka practically without any special lyrical part, but only the plangent singing of impressive, almost opera vocals. Hljomalind is rather a heavy track filling and penetrating everywhere with an amazing melody and superb guitars. A magic song I Gaer is rather from a horror fairy tale provided the ominous sounding of voices and instruments in it. The longest tracks here, Von presented in two versions on the record, and Hafsol, both lasting over nine minutes have proved to be the most interesting moments as well. The first is a magnificent orchestra composition that carries the listener somewhere very far away, and the second built on unearthly strings keeps you in constant tension until finally explodes into an absolutely insane dance thrilling your imagination. Acoustic version of Staralfur differs from the original with the vocals that sound somewhat softer, while Vaka in its new variant reminds of a strange lullaby. The tired tempo of Agaetis Byrjun contrasts with the rich sound of Heysatan, and the record closer is another version of the debut album title track Von, no less beautiful and heartfelt.

One of the most unusual collectives in the world

It is hardly possible to state that the new record of Sigur Ros has made a furor, but it has definitely become a kind of conclusion, which is quite important. During the ten years of its existence the mysterious band has not even for a second stopped surprising its fans, and today we have got a collection that has imprinted the brightest moments providing the idea of the different periods of the Icelanders' creative work. Mystic songs, a vast variety of musical instruments and the lyrics which are by no means understood by anyone make the collective one of the most unusual in the world. At the present moment Sigur Ros are planning to continue releasing the material similar to Hvarf/Heim. For instance a DVD+CD recording of their 2002's concert is being prepared for release. It looks like the collective has decided to have some rest from recording new songs, and has all the rights to do that. Now that the ten years frontier is surpassed one can have no doubt concerning the audience's faithfulness, nor the firmness of one's positions in the world of music, nor further success. Still Sigur Ros' new works will be as much welcomed as the spectacular Hvarf/Heim.