Ágætis byrjun

Oh my, this is going to be a tough one to review - and even tougher to guess the titles. At least also one that has to be done before noon to avoid dozing off. This really isn't work music and not even actual listening-to music but atmospheric (relaxation? sanitarium?) music, so when judged by normal musical terms, it won't get justice.

#1 Intro

#2 Svefn-g-englar 9

This one's name I even may have remembered properly. The first song I heard from them altogether, informed by the Attitude article, how come. I wonder what wonders I might've already become aware of, had I read the year full of issues I manually carried into my home one by one but never found time to read. The kinda D part after some six minutes is one of my favourite points, as well as the manic heartbeats at the end.

#3 Starálfur 10

Oh my favourite. More orchestral and melodic than most of the other tracks, maybe because of that. The instrumental section after four minutes is just unbelievable.

#4 Flugufrelsarinn 8½

Is it Icelandic they sing in? In some interview they said it's actually not, but something called "Hopelandic", if I remember correctly. These songs don't function so much by themselves but more as a wholeness, so it's difficult to grade the individuals.

#5 Ný batteri 8

The kitchenish percussive instruments are very interesting.

#6 Hjartað hamast 6½

Somehow jazzish, which is not good.

#7 Viðrar vel til loftárása 7

Is this Viðrar vel til loftárása? Oh, the video was so good. Never liked the song, though, except for the wonderful discord towards the end.

#8 Olsen Olsen 6½

Like some pompous waltz marching carnaval echoing from far away. I guess this music is already taking its toll as I'm getting drowsier by the minute...

#9 Ágætis byrjun 6

Soon I'll be too tired to write anything... Remind me not to listen to this at work ever again...

#10 Avalon 7

Oh, this was the last one. I kinda missed it.