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CD Review by Mark Hamilton Sigur Rós ágætis byrjun FATCAT · The title translates as "Victory Rose" in the band’s native Icelandic. · Sigur Rós are currently touring throughout Europe with Radiohead. At first glance, Sigur Rós seem a little too pretentious for comfort. They play their guitars with cello bows, regularly employ both string and horn sections, and lead vocalist/guitarist Jonsi Birgisson sings in a steady falsetto in a language of his own creation (which he terms "Hopelandish"). The cover itself is a painting of an alien embryo with angel wings floating in the womb with prayer-clasped hands. Thankfully, these worrisome pre-conceptions vanish the moment the needle hits the record. Unfolding through a thick gauze of echo and the howl of wind, ágætis byrjun moves at the pace of glacial shift. The reference points are easy enough: Cocteau Twins and Spiritualized meet Mogwai and Low somewhere in the middle. While there is no possible translation for the lyrics, Birgisson’s ability to transmit emotions through his voice lends a universal meaning to whatever is being said. Pretension has rarely been quite so pretty or affecting. 4/5

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