Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim

Sigur Ros
Hvarf/Heim
XL Recordings
Grade: A-

You may quickly caste Iceland’s Sigur Ros as ‘sleepytime music’, but there is little here not to enjoy as your mellowing music, concentrating music, background music, or as, indeed, your sleeping music. On Hvarf/Heim – a collection of two EPs – Sigur Ros are offering a bit of odds and ends instead of a true new package. The five songs on Hvarf – roughly translated to ‘disappeared’ or ‘haven’ – are composed of three songs not included on past recordings for various reasons (“Salka,” “Hljomalind,” and “I Gaer”) and two reworkings of “Von” and “Hafsol” from past albums. Heim – roughly translated to ‘home’ – features acoustic live versions of past released material recorded in sorts throughout 2006 and 2007. These include “Samskeyti,” Staralfur,” “Vaka,” Agaetis Byrjun,” “Heysatan,” and “Von.” In what to make of these eleven tracks, well, it is simply quintessential ethereal Sigur Ros and it’s amazing. Past fans will love it and the uninitiated should minimally find solace on the offerings. Along with this release, Sigur Ros is releasing the DVD Heima which chronicles the band’s series of free concerts offered throughout Iceland in the summer of 2006.