Through an album darkly
I see from many other reviews here that the "pretentious" part of the discussion has been covered in (occasionally cutthroat) detail. I'll skip it and go straight to the album.

I freely admit that I'm a music nerd. Obscure languages don't put me off. Long tracks with no discernible structure? No problem. And yet I _still_ had to work in earnest to figure out anything on this album other than "Staralfur." This is thick, opaque, inscrutable stuff. It doesn't stand up well at all to casual listening.

If you can give the album several close listens, however -- and if the unsettling edge to the preteen-sounding, sunlight-deprived vocals doesn't put you off completely -- it's worth investing the time to get to know the music better. While the tracks divide up the album in traditional rock style, _Agaetis Byrjun_ more closely resembles a classical symphony. There are some gorgeous passages buried in the second half of the album (sometimes several minutes into single tracks). Once these spots become recognizable, the rest of the album will begin to fall into place. It's not a small effort on the listener's part, but the reward is considerable.

My three-star rating would be much higher on the music's quality alone. I wish that the artists had shared even a sliver of information about the album's lyrics, though. They're sung with such sincerity and feeling that it's a shame to be shut out of their poetry due to a language gap. While I respect the artists' desire to make a statement through their choice of language (and through their creativity in making up their own), the vocal lines are too structurally important to be ignored in the liner notes. Come on, Sigur Ros. Won't you give us non-Hopelandic speakers just a few hints?

Other than that, this is a dense and satisfying album that's worth the study time. Great way to find out what Sigur Ros is all about.

Why does this album not have a 5 star average?
I am at a loss, attempting to understand how any human with ears and emotional capabilities could give this album any less than the full 5 stars. This music is on the very fringe of being able to be described through language... The best I can muster is surreal, ethereal, intricate, awing... This album contains both my first and second favorite songs ("Viðrar vel til loftárása" and "Svefn-g-englar", respectively)... both of these tracks actually moved me to tears.

Upon my first listen of this album, I knew it was something special. But alas, it required numerous listens to REALLY get down to the core of this deep album, as good music should. All I can say is that you must give the album a fair chance, and always listen to it in its entirety. It is not a haphazard collection of individual tracks, clumsily sewn together. While I earlier mentioned particularly adoring 2 tracks, really, this album functions as 1 whole unit, and it begs for your full attention- so turn off your shuffle and truly dedicate yourself to appreciating and lavishing this masterpiece.

This album is a profound adventure through a breathtaking soundscape. Do yourself a favor and get this album. If not.. just know that there will be a gaping void festering in your life until you do. This album is a necessity.

I Don't Know What to Say
I think everybody is searching for some way to describe the music of Sigur Rós and maybe the beauty of their music is that it is indescribable. This album touches every fiber in me when I hear their music and makes me wonder how these guys are producing such beautiful sounds. Once I listen to Sigur Rós, I can't even bring myself to listen to other music for a while because everything else pales in comparison to this music. It is truly beyond music. I think I heard someone say once that if mother earth could sing it would be Sigur Rós and I have to agree. Do yourself a favor and buy this, you will never look back.

This is Heaven...this is beautiful indescribable music
I will never be able to give a review of Sigur Ros that can describe what this music does to my entire universe. It is the universe calling out gently for everyone to slow down, listen, weep if you may but listen. Bring your body to a comfortable couch and lie down as Sigur Ros takes you out of this world and into the truth we left behind when we grew up. Being a mother,I could imagine this being the soundtrack of a baby's journey in the womb from conception to birth. In fact, I would recommend mothers (to be and those who are now) to play this music to get your baby to sleep and just to bring that peace and serenity into your day, your night, your life. Sigur Ros, I love you all so much! This is the music of love and life...did that sound too dramatic? Sorry can't help it...this is awesome music.

Unknown Pleasure
This isn't the type of music many people will understand, enjoy, or consider to even be "real music."

It's not a cd you can just play and enjoy.

You have to let the music sink in deep to appreciate. But if you sit there one day with the album trying to let it sink in you're missing the point. You have to be one with the music.

When you're at a point in your life where nothing is going as you've planned and you don't know what to do listen this album. Listen to Sea Change by Beck. Listen to Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division. Listen to this album again.

Then everything will make sense.