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Ágætis Byrjun Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 215 Ratings

  • Summary: This sophomore effort from Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros (which translates to "Victory Rose") appeared on numerous year-end Best Of lists in 2000, despite not receiving an official release in the United States until the following year. Imagine one of Radiohead's recent albums -- or better yet,This sophomore effort from Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros (which translates to "Victory Rose") appeared on numerous year-end Best Of lists in 2000, despite not receiving an official release in the United States until the following year. Imagine one of Radiohead's recent albums -- or better yet, Spiritualized or My Bloody Valentine -- but with everything sung in Icelandic. This album garnered the band the 2001 Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement In Music. Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Agaetis Byrjun stands up in overall artistic merit to any record ever made.
  2. Sigur Rós effortlessly make music that is massive, glacial, and sparse..... They are the first vital band of the 21st Century.
  3. Each song drifts in and out of focus like snatches of street noise on a half-awake Sunday morning - no need to get up, just lie there and listen quietly.
  4. Sigur Ros's second album proper features this astonishing opener ["Svefn-G-Englar"] and 10 others which, while surprisingly diverse, each reflects their penchant for apocalyptic serenity, overdriven guitars and teenage singer Jonsi's Birgisson unique Hopelandish language.
  5. Agaetis Byrjun is an impressively unself-conscious record that would have been difficult to make in a trend-obsessive center like London or New York. It is sincere and though its influences may be familiar, its beauty and tenderness are refreshingly new.
  6. 'Post-rock', which Sigur Rós most assuredly are, may be little more than the shoegazing of a decade ago in an ironic T-shirt, but that's no reason to dismiss it outright. For a start, much of it is very lovely.
  7. Ágætis Byrjun is one of the most sublimely immersive albums to come along in ages.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 50
  3. Negative: 2 out of 50
  1. FanMorgan
    Jul 9, 2002
    10
    Jesus, I've had this album for a few months now. I don't usually write this kind of thing. Perfect. Like nothing else in the world. Jesus, I've had this album for a few months now. I don't usually write this kind of thing. Perfect. Like nothing else in the world. Indescribable. Expand
  2. DevynM
    Apr 11, 2007
    10
    this is one of my favorite and probablly will always be because of its beauty and original sound that sigur ros created. The use of the bow this is one of my favorite and probablly will always be because of its beauty and original sound that sigur ros created. The use of the bow makes this album so much different then von or () because of its mellow and sleek noise it gives off. This album deserves its rating Expand
  3. JeremyG
    Jan 10, 2004
    10
    This album, more than any other, will evoke spontaneous bursts of emotion in me. For example, I'll just break out in goosebumps at one This album, more than any other, will evoke spontaneous bursts of emotion in me. For example, I'll just break out in goosebumps at one point, or laugh aloud at another. Not to sound *too* stoner-turned-music-critic... but sometimes it feels very much *above* music. I love wading through it. Expand
  4. TrevorT.
    Oct 21, 2001
    10
    Absolutely mesmerising. You will stop what you're doing and listen. You have no choice.
  5. dna13
    Apr 16, 2007
    9
    Beautiful and ancient. New and utterly original. Trippy and grounded. Of this world and another...... This music is oxymoronic in more ways Beautiful and ancient. New and utterly original. Trippy and grounded. Of this world and another...... This music is oxymoronic in more ways than a critique could ever validate. Expand
  6. May 1, 2017
    9
    Seeing this name and the legendary album cover makes me just forget everything, start playing Svefn-g-englar and go on a journey that spans 70Seeing this name and the legendary album cover makes me just forget everything, start playing Svefn-g-englar and go on a journey that spans 70 minutes.

    A mesmerising experience.
    Expand
  7. AlexF.
    Jun 5, 2001
    0
    Over-produced kitschy crap. This space music shite makes me vomit. Most embarassing high-pitch voice of all times.

See all 50 User Reviews