Wee Icelandic chaps Sigur Ros saw their album 'Agaetis Byrjun' very highly praised upon its release in the UK last year, and played a few sizeable gigs, but - although their music belongs firmly in the section of the record shop marked 'desperately uncommercial and peculiar space rock' - acclaim and success is hardly new to them. In Iceland, their tender blend of gentle noise and FX regularly tops the charts. Which should tell you all you need to know about Iceland...
'Angels Of The Universe' - or rather, 'Englar Alheimsins' - is one of Iceland's most successful films ever; over half the nation's population has strolled into a cinema to see it. Described as an "Icelandic 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"', it's set in a Rejkjavik mental hospital, and concerns a group of nutters, including a gentleman who believes he is 'in touch' with all The Beatles. This album is its soundtrack.
It's probably no accident that the film's Hollywood-style poster has been replaced for this release for a more spacey photo of clouds and sky, nor that the sleeve lacks a tracklisting. A cursory glance, you see, would reveal that Sigur Ros are responsible for just two of this brief album's seventeen tracks - and both of those have been released before, on the band's 'Ny Batteri' EP.
That said, if the pleasing textures and almost muzak-quality of Sigur Ros's quieter moments appeal to you, you'll find much to enjoy in Hilmar Orm Hilmarsson's efforts. His icy orchestral pieces are drenched with atmosphere, and much sadness. But then, the film is based on a true story, and it's principal character was the composer's friend.
'Agaetis Byrjun' certainly filled a hole while we all waited for a new Spiritualized album. Unfortunately, 'Angels...' isn't a second helping. But it's a tasty enough snack.
