SIGUR ROS was formed back in 1994 by three Icelandic young men: Jonsi Birgisson (guitar, vocals), Georg Holm (bass) and Agust (drums). Later joined by Kjartan Sveinsson on keyboards they began their recording career in 1997 with the album “Von” which was not released outside of Iceland until the late 2004. “Von” was followed by a remix album “Von Brig?i” in 1998 and their first masterpiece “Ag?tis Byrjun” in 1999. After the recording of “Ag?tis Byrjun”, which was received with praising reviews all around the world, the drummer Agust left the band and was replaced by Orri Pall Dyrason. The fourth album, untitled and often referred to as “( )”, was released in 2002 and was received with love and acclaim both by critics and fans. The production of the much anticipated fifth album is under way and waiting to be released some time in 2005.

With “Ag?tis Byrjun” and “( )” SIGUR ROS have really perfected their unique sound full of space and atmosphere. Jonsi Birgisson’s falsetto and the use of a cello bow to to play his guitar are the most distinct factors in creating that sound incomparable to anything any band has ever come up with. The groups closest to SIGUR ROS in terms of feeling and atmosphere are probably GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR and MAGYAR POSSE. “Ag?tis Byrjun” is a collection of very orchestated songs with Birgisson’s voice and cello-bow-played guitar flying high and far across the horizon creating a place of beauty and tranquillity. “( )” is divided into two halves, the light and the dark, the summer and the winter, or however you like to describe it. The songs are much rawer and more straight forwardly arranged than on “Ag?tis Byrjun” creating a more solid but a little narrower, yet equally as exciting experience.

The biography on the official site says it well: “It’s impossible to justify it with words, you have to listen to it to understand.” Go to the official site linked to on the left and download the full songs offered there. You will love it.