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Track Listings
| 1. Salka |
| 2. Hljómalind |
| 3. Í Gær |
| 4. Von |
| 5. Hafsól |
| 6. Samskeyti (Live) |
| 7. Starálfur (Live) |
| 8. Vaka (Live) |
| 9. Ágætis Byrjun (Live) |
| 10. Heysátan (Live) |
| 11. Von (Live) |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Trust Sigur Ros to be different. When asked to put together an album release to accompany their recent film (Heima), the Icelandic mavericks could have lazily slung together a selection of the songs that appear on the film. But, no. Instead they create Hvarf/Heim, a double album that collects together unreleased songs, live versions and reworkings in order to give their fans a little more value for money--and to maintain their reputation for going against the commercial grain. The first disc, Hvarf ("disappeared," or "haven"), collects together three previously unreleased cuts ("salka," "hljómalind," and "í gær"), which possess the same beautiful, cascading instrumentation and gentle, slow-burn emotions we now expect from the band. There are also two beguiling re-imaginings from the band’s first album, "Von," namely, live favorite "Hafsol" and the title track. Heim ("Home"), meanwhile comprises live acoustic versions of some Sigur Ros faves: "Untitled 3", "Staralfur", "Samskeyti", "Ageatis Byrjun", "Vaka", and "Heysatan" all get a new lease of life via these spellbinding performances, all recorded in Iceland during their 2006/2007 tour. This is an imaginatively complied collection whose subtly transcendent beauty is likely to both sate most Sigur Ros fans and excite newcomers alike. --Paul Sullivan
Review
Sigur Rós, Icelandic pioneers with the decorative and complicated CD covers, emerged at a time when rock was spawning so many new sub-genres and tributaries that reviewers couldn't come up with labels quickly enough. 'post-rock', 'experimental', 'ambient'!you name it. Yet Sigur Rós defied them all and created a fan base that loved them for this very perversity, making them leaders, never followers. The band have deflected the trappings of success and yet remain as seminal as they were in 1995, releasing an eagerly awaited album every two to three years since. So far they have four, Hvarf-Heim being as close to a 'best of' as we're ever likely to get.
The first disc of Hvarf-Heim (Disappeared-Home) belongs to an upcoming film release, Heima; the second offers a selection of acoustic tracks performed live on location while filming Heima in Iceland. With all the songs being unreleased numbers from previous releases, those expecting something new may be disappointed. But since their sound is so drifting, amorphous and sinuous, they may only betray their vintage to the most informed of their fans.
Their music is so intrinsically cinematic that it's surprising Sigur Rós haven't done more soundtrack work like so many of their contemporaries (Air, Daft Punk come to mind). Yet, as a piece of movie music this compilation makes more sense. It's not until the beginning of the second disc with "Samskeyti" that rock dynamics are alluded to. This is confirmed in the last few songs. Such a mood continues enjoyably until the end of the album where vocals are key to songs such as "Vaka" and "Agaetis Byrjun".
Sigur Rós' made up language is undeniably enchanting and transports the city-dwelling listener to barren landscapes of wintry wilderness.
Indeed, many of the songs feel like landscapes in themselves - some nine-minutes long - and the album feels like a journey through revisitation or renewal. It's a remarkable thing when you consider that their first studio release, Von, introduced the world to a new way of making 'rock' music. Maybe by now the world is ready! --Ruchie Farndon
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'll level with you straightaway. I couldn't give an unbiased Sigur Ros review if you pointed a crossbow straight at my temple and told me your trigger-finger was well itching. I love them. I love their music more than any other music I have ever heard in the four decades I've been around. I wouldn't care if every other band I loved vowed only from this point on to only record covers of Chas and Dave records. As long as I have Sigur Ros, I am happy.
So it's no surprise I give this five stars. If fact I would give it six, seven if I could. Hold on, no wait! I've given it FOUR! What am I doing?
Well, it's not often that Sigur Ros disappoint me. Not since, after wearing out "Agaetis Byrjun" and "()", I finally got my hands on "Von" - the first album, and played it, and discovered it to be by the world's only Curve tribute band (and a bad one at that). But the Hvarf half of Hvarf-Heim is not Sigur Ros anywhere approaching what they are capable of. It's merely a collection of b-sides (if they released singles, that is), the final track - Hafsol - having been released before. If Hvarf-Heim had just been Hvarf, then I would have felt cheated.
Now we come to Heim. Oh dear Lord. Having listened to these six songs I know that I cannot listen to them again, tonight. Sigur Ros's music has such a way of reaching deep into you, finding your heartstrings and plucking them without thought of mercy. But somehow these acoustic versions of old favourites sound so raw and honest that hearing them just leaves you breathless. Samskeyti, the first track, is also known as Untitled #3, and the version on "()" is sublime enough, but on Heim, without the effects and the loops and the little Jonsi bits alternating between your left and right speakers, it transcends the sublime and becomes something of pure loveliness. Just the notes, just the music. It's a stunning thing to hear. The rest of the tracks take the same stance, with Sigur Ros even performing a miraculous rescue of the mundane "Von" from that tepid first album. At the end of it your ears feel like they've been repeatedly slapped by a huge Icelandic haddock, or you're that boy at the end of the "Saeglopur" video, drowning in an aural sea of bliss.
Well, I'm glad that's off my chest. Six stars for Heim, but only two for Hvarf, making four. I'm off for a little lie down.
So it's no surprise I give this five stars. If fact I would give it six, seven if I could. Hold on, no wait! I've given it FOUR! What am I doing?
Well, it's not often that Sigur Ros disappoint me. Not since, after wearing out "Agaetis Byrjun" and "()", I finally got my hands on "Von" - the first album, and played it, and discovered it to be by the world's only Curve tribute band (and a bad one at that). But the Hvarf half of Hvarf-Heim is not Sigur Ros anywhere approaching what they are capable of. It's merely a collection of b-sides (if they released singles, that is), the final track - Hafsol - having been released before. If Hvarf-Heim had just been Hvarf, then I would have felt cheated.
Now we come to Heim. Oh dear Lord. Having listened to these six songs I know that I cannot listen to them again, tonight. Sigur Ros's music has such a way of reaching deep into you, finding your heartstrings and plucking them without thought of mercy. But somehow these acoustic versions of old favourites sound so raw and honest that hearing them just leaves you breathless. Samskeyti, the first track, is also known as Untitled #3, and the version on "()" is sublime enough, but on Heim, without the effects and the loops and the little Jonsi bits alternating between your left and right speakers, it transcends the sublime and becomes something of pure loveliness. Just the notes, just the music. It's a stunning thing to hear. The rest of the tracks take the same stance, with Sigur Ros even performing a miraculous rescue of the mundane "Von" from that tepid first album. At the end of it your ears feel like they've been repeatedly slapped by a huge Icelandic haddock, or you're that boy at the end of the "Saeglopur" video, drowning in an aural sea of bliss.
Well, I'm glad that's off my chest. Six stars for Heim, but only two for Hvarf, making four. I'm off for a little lie down.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For the record I'm a huge Sigur Ros fan, I love all the albums (including Von) and I was very excited about the Hvarf portion of this double disk set.
However first I must mention the Heim side. Acoustic live takes of previous album tracks could have gone either way, thankfully they turned out great. Samskeyti one of my favourite ( ) tracks shines out for me and the other tracks show a different, slightly more vulnerable side to the originals.
Hvarf was what I was really interested in however and I must say I was really overwhelmed in parts. Salka starts of things very nicely with some really powerful passages before current single Hljomalind cuts through, its a great track full of sparkle. The next track I gaer is a completely different prospect altogether with sinister xylophones in the intro with a almost Muse feel before a wall of Glosoli style noise smashes the thing wide open. Its great stuff. Then the reworking of Von and Hoppipolla b-side Hafsol finish up proceedings nicely.
All in all its a 2 disk summary of everything that makes sigur ros an amazing one of a kind band...Now i just wish my copy of Heima would arrive!
However first I must mention the Heim side. Acoustic live takes of previous album tracks could have gone either way, thankfully they turned out great. Samskeyti one of my favourite ( ) tracks shines out for me and the other tracks show a different, slightly more vulnerable side to the originals.
Hvarf was what I was really interested in however and I must say I was really overwhelmed in parts. Salka starts of things very nicely with some really powerful passages before current single Hljomalind cuts through, its a great track full of sparkle. The next track I gaer is a completely different prospect altogether with sinister xylophones in the intro with a almost Muse feel before a wall of Glosoli style noise smashes the thing wide open. Its great stuff. Then the reworking of Von and Hoppipolla b-side Hafsol finish up proceedings nicely.
All in all its a 2 disk summary of everything that makes sigur ros an amazing one of a kind band...Now i just wish my copy of Heima would arrive!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well there I was purchasing it on the day of its release, havent heard anything about it. I was expecting big things..but not in the way i was expecting. It more like a re-mix album...bring the old stuff to a different audience..its great...a bit dissapointed of not having lots of new material to get my teeth into but I am sure it will come at some point soon.
For all those who havent seen them playing live, the live tracks are a fantastic representation of what they do on stage..if they tour the UK soon..Ill be there and you should too..
For all those who havent seen them playing live, the live tracks are a fantastic representation of what they do on stage..if they tour the UK soon..Ill be there and you should too..
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
emotionally stunning
simple music that goes deep into your soul.
dont hesitate to buy their cd's.
you will be glad you did...... but be prepared for some emotional times.
dont hesitate to buy their cd's.
you will be glad you did...... but be prepared for some emotional times.
Published 15 months ago by britishartist
NOT ANOTHER BRILLIANT ALBUM
Brilliant, I don't speak Icelandic, so they could be calling me all the names under the sun, but it wouldn't matter I would still buy their albums. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2010 by Stephen
my big mistake
I've give this a 2 star rating for one reason and that is that there is some nice music on this album. Read more
Published on 17 May 2009 by Ben Grimm76
Why such a slating?
The common complaint which seems to be levelled at this album is that much of it is old material. This is correct, but this isn't your normal run-of-the-mill "best of"... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2009 by Peter Lee
Just one thing...
This collection is worth getting, whether you're a die-hard Sigur Ros fan or a newbie, even if it's for just one track: Í Gær
Listen to it and prepare to get... Read more
Listen to it and prepare to get... Read more
Published on 25 April 2008 by J. ONG
A worthy addition to classic back-catalogue in the making.
I absolutely adore this band. There is something deeply moving about their music that sends shivers down your spine and makes your hairs stand on end. Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2008 by WaitingForTheTide
Atmospheric !
This album has become one of the most played discs in my collection in the last six months. Brooding and atmospheric like the Icelandic hinterland, 'Hvarf-Heim' beautifully weaves... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by Arthur Dooley
Odds and Ends
Will Sigur Ros fans by any half-baked efforts the group put out? The magic they once had is dying by the minute. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2007 by M. Brown
greatest band on the planet!
I have been shouting from the rooftops about how amazing this band is for years now! This album is amazing as ever. Also check out the DVD.
Published on 29 Nov 2007 by T. Long
More of the same?
I seem to recall last time I wrote a piece about a Sigur Rós release I wasn't best pleased (threatening the cd with a stomping from my Dr Martins I think was the general... Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2007 by Mr. R. K. Jones
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