HVARF / HEIM

"Hvarf-Heim" is a compilation album by Icelandic post rock act Sigur Ros. It was originally released as a double disc album. The compilation was released through EMIXL Recordings in November 2007. It bridges the gap between the band´s fourth and fifth full-length studio albums "Takk... (2005)" and "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (2008)".

The first disc is titled "Hvarf" and contains three new studio tracks, a re-recorded track from Sigur Ros debut album "Von (1997)", and "Hafsól", which was originally released on "Von (1997)" too, but this particular version is the re-recorded version featured as the B-side of the "Hoppípolla" single from 2005. The second disc which is titled "Heim" contains six tracks recorded live on Iceland between 2006 and 2007 and features the string quartet Amiina. One track originally appeared on "Von (1997)" (the title track), two tracks are from "Ágætis Byrjun (1999)" ("Starálfur" and the title track from that album), two tracks are from "() (2002)" ("Samskeyti" and "Vaka") and one track is taken from "Takk ... (2005)" ("Heysátan").

The three new tracks on the "Hvarf" disc are all pretty high quality recordings. Typical melancholic and atmospheric post rock tracks as we´re used to from the band. The two re-recordings of "Von" and "Hafsól" are great quality recordings too. To my ears these versions are of a much better quality than the original versions, which were ambient, uneventful, and a little tedious.

The material on the live disc "Heim" are high quality recordings too. These are acoustic recordings featuring the string quartet Amiina. The tracklist selection is excellent, and the band and the string quartet make the compositions shine. "Von" is quite different sounding from the original studio version, but otherwise these are just very well played and cleverly arranted acoustic versions of some of the band´s best tracks. These live versions are the same versions of the songs which appear on the 2008 "Heima" documentary movie.

Both the studio tracks and the live tracks feature a very well sounding, warm, and organic productions, which help the material to shine and upon conclusion "Hvarf-Heim" is a high quality release by Sigur Ros and well worth investigating for both fans and newcommers. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.