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Odin's Raven Magic
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Odin's Raven Magic Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The recording of the collaboration between the Icelandic band, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, Steindór Andersen and Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir with the Schola Cantorum of Reykjavík and L’Orchestre des Laureats du Conservatoire National de Paris is finally released after having premiered it liveThe recording of the collaboration between the Icelandic band, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, Steindór Andersen and Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir with the Schola Cantorum of Reykjavík and L’Orchestre des Laureats du Conservatoire National de Paris is finally released after having premiered it live on stage back in 2002.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Paste Magazine
    Dec 9, 2020
    87
    The framework for Odin’s Raven Magic grounds the band and shows that, when they wanted to, they were more than capable of tempering their penchant for extravagant strangeness. Which is not to say that Odin’s Raven Magic’s doesn’t contain many of the band’s signature hallmarks—like the rest of the Sigur Rós discography, the album comes drenched in mood, as well as an incomparable sense of elegance.
  2. Exclaim
    Dec 4, 2020
    80
    This isn't a Sigur Rós album, and that's just fine. Lack of reverb-soaked bowed guitars notwithstanding, this collaboration vividly reimagines a bastion of medieval Icelandic poetry. The only issue is how long it spent under wraps.
  3. Uncut
    Dec 15, 2020
    80
    The twin voices of Jonsi and Andersen make for an eerie contrast at times, with "Stendur aeva" a ravishing, multi-faceted highlight. [Feb 2021, p.35]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. musicOMH.com
    Dec 4, 2020
    70
    Odin’s Raven Magic captures the group reconciling their actual genius with the mountains of praise heaped upon them.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Dec 4, 2020
    70
    Hauntingly atmospheric and staggering in its scope, it’s well worth spending an hour of your time with. Though perhaps not one to put on at a party.
  6. Clash Music
    Dec 4, 2020
    70
    It has moments of great assurance, where drums, strings, and vocals are heavily foregrounded, making it perhaps the most solid or opaque soundscape of the band’s entire career. ... And whilst it is doubtless an exciting prospect to finally hear the work in full and professionally produced, the elusive nature of this work has now dissipated.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Dec 4, 2020
    60
    ‘Odin’s Raven Magic’s is built on incredibly specific foundations – the particulars of Norse Mythology and medieval Scandinavian poetry is certainly niche – so key aspects feel lost in translation without a hefty visual component or matching blurb. It feels less like conventional album, and more like a live piece immortalised on record.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Mental_Fitness
    Dec 7, 2020
    8
    Perhaps not as experimental as their previous releases or as it was in its original form given it has been gestating since its live debut inPerhaps not as experimental as their previous releases or as it was in its original form given it has been gestating since its live debut in 2002, but it is undeniably Sigur Ros and perhaps better when not trying to be understood as a narrative piece.

    There is not the usual level of originality on show here but overall it fills the great hall it manifests and Steindór Andersen's rendition of sections of the original poem is a high point.

    I've been lost in the flow of its ancient magic, haunting vocals and sweeping orchestral arrangements for days now.    … Expand
  2. JLuis_001
    Jan 22, 2021
    8
    Sigur Rós is back!!!!
    Well sort of. This album is actually the release of music that was composed 18 years ago for a special project.
    The    Sigur Rós is back!!!!
    Well sort of. This album is actually the release of music that was composed 18 years ago for a special project.

    The composition was a collaboration by Sigur Rós, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, Steindór Andersen, Páll Guðmundsson and Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir.

    Those who haven't heard this music before may be surprised because this is closer to the music that Jónsi makes with his partner Alex Somers, than the ambient that characterizes Sigur Rós.

    So be warned because this a full classical album. Not a single note of rock music.

    Notable Tracks

    > Prologus
    > Alföður orkar
    > Stendur æva
    > Áss hinn hvíti
    > Dagrenning    … Expand

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