Sigur Ros - Von
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Sigur Ros broke through and became noticed in the year 2000, after the release of their 1999 second effort "Ágætis Byrjun". Because "Ágætis Byrjun" was getting so much praise and attention, the band's 1997 debut, "Von" received next to no attention. Even after the release of "Ágætis Byrjun", "Von" stayed on the band's Icelandic label, making it extremely hard to get a copy (it has recently been released in the US and is avaliable on websites such as [url]www.amazon.com[/url]). Those who did manage to get a copy found an album that was just as, if not more interesting than "Ágætis Byrjun". While the album is probably not better than the band's followers, it is certainly an exceptional album.
The Band
Jónsi Birgission - Vocals, Guitars
Orri Páll Dýrason - Drums
Gorggi Holm - Bass
(the group didn't have anyone permanently on keyboards at this stage)
Tracklist
1. Sigur Ros
2. Dogun
3. Hun Jord
4. Liet ad lifi
5. Myrkur
6. 18 sekundur fyrir solaruppras
7. Hafssol
8. Verold ny og od
9. Von
10. Mistur
11. Syndir Guds (Opinberun frelsarans)
12. Rukrym
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The album begins with an odd avant-garde piece, similar to something like "Augmn" by Can. The sounds of it are actually quite scary and would do well in a horror movie. The album's main problem is easily realised after listening to the first track. The album is 72 minutes long, but were it only 40 minutes it would make it's point much better. While some of these experimental tracks may be seen as filler, they can also be quite interesting for a while. It's very surprising that a band as young as Sigur Ros were at the time (the album was first released over 7 years ago in 1997) would be so experimental, especially in a first release. The oldest member of Sigur Ros (Jonsi, currently 29) would have been just 22 at the time of release. Yet this album contains probably the most experimental music that Sigur Ros have made so far.
Most of the tracks are strange ambient avant-garde songs and aren't really similar to the material heard on "Agaetis Byrjun" or "( )". A lot of the material doesn't have too much replay value, but some of the tracks on the album show the direction that Sigur Ros were heading in for their second and third albums and are among the best of the album. The album's strongest track is the title track, "Von". Roughly translating to "hope", the song is up there with some of the best stuff Sigur Ros have ever recorded. Track 6 is literally 18 seconds of silence, possibly John Cage influenced.
Other than "Von", some of the best tracks are "Myrkur", sounding like a trippy brit-pop song. "Syndir Guds", similar to the later Sigur Ros material but fitting in with the album is also one of the highlights. Another great track is "Dogun", probably the wierdest out of the album's highlights. An ambient piece, revolving mainly around synth parts with vocal parts swooping in over the top. Most of the album seems like it would fit better as a science fiction thriller soundtrack, rather than an album. The reason is that this stuff just sounds so different to the newer Sigur Ros material. It's not really better or worse, just different. If it wasn't for Jonsi's unique vocal style (it would be hard to tell if the vocals were male or female without album notes), it would sound like it was another group. Be warned, this is not a new Sigur Ros album, it is their first full length album and is not like their other stuff although the listener will find some similarities. Thought it is a great piece of work and equally interesting as their other albums, "Von" shows the potential that Sigur Ros had to turn into what they are today.
Pros
- Interesting things to discover with each listen
- Diversity in the different songs
- Jonsi's unique vocals
- Different to what listeners normally expect from Sigur Ros
Cons
- Probably too experimental for some
- Different to what listeners normally expect from Sigur Ros
- Long drawn out experimental instrumentals can get extremely boring
- Album is dragged out; about 20 minutes too long
Reccomended Tracks
Dogun
Myrkur
Syndir Guds
Von
FINAL RATING: 4/5
