HVARF / HEIM

Appropriately, Hvarf has several songs which will sound very familiar for fans of the band's other releases (being re-recorded versions of older, unused songs from those albums), encapsulating the group's unique sound in an approachable format that meets expectations, but doesn't quite exceed them.

Hvarf is not doubt beautiful, in a way which only Sigor Ros can be described as, but is not nearly as striking as Agaetis or Takk; some of the vocalizing is indistinguishable from earlier work (maybe just because I don't speak Icelandic?), and the ambitiousness of song writing seems to be toned down as well, fitting softs/louds into more abbreviated passages without as much liquid transition between; nor are there as many wow moments to be found. Old fans will probably not rank this one near the top of the band's list, but it will still please thanks to a few new sounds in songs like Salka, which is the closest the band has ever come to a conventional sounding rock tune, and Hafsol, which features an energetic bass riff and dynamic build. Additionally, those who got to see the band live (on their last tour at least), will get to hear more of the eclectic string quartet Amiina (four talented young ladies who each play a dozen different instruments) accompany the group on several songs.

The live material is hardly a selling point, but a nice bonus for the fans. In short-- check out Agaetis and Takk first.

Songwriting: 3 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 3 Style/Emotion/Replay: 2

"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.

Between the two albums 'Takk...'' and 'Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust,' the Icelandic post-rock band SIGUR RÓS released this double disc album titled HVARF / HEIM which some sources seem to list as a compilation and others as a bona fide album release. Disc one - HVARF contains three unreleased tracks, the track 'Von' from the debut album as well as the track 'Hafsól' which was originally only available as the B-side of 'Hoppípolla" from 'Takk...'' Disc two - HEIM is a set of six live acoustic versions of tracks that were presented on the documentary 'Heima' which presented SIGUR RÓS's tour around Iceland in the summer of 2006. Of these six live performances, 'Von' is included as well making it appear twice on this release. Although they are live performances, it is impossible to tell that they are so since there is no audience noise participation and sound as polished as any studio release. The tracks are taken from the albums '( ),' 'Á'gætis byrjun,' 'Takk..'' and 'Von.'

Like their bona fide studio albums, HVARF / HEIM was very successful all across Europe and with the independent crowds in the US. This Icelandic act delivers the expected journey into the frosty cold post-rock journeys that they have always been known for but the albums comes across as a more chilled and laid back affair sounding most like the ''g'tis byrjun' album with sensual airy keyboard runs accentuated by Jón ''Þór " Jónsi" Birgisson's ethereal falsettos (in Icelandic) accompanied by bass and drums. In other words, the band performs just as expected without any deviations from the norm. The chord patterns and floating cloud atmospheres lollygag leisurely through the friendly skies while mid-tempo beats prance about like lucid pegasus ponies on a lazy afternoon and none of the unreleased would sound the least bit out of place on any of the albums prior. And unfortunately they fail to craft distinct identities from the other.

Soundtracks have to work double duty to win me over. They were created exclusively for accompanying the visuals and commentary that fits into a bigger scheme of things as background music for a film or documentary but often soundtrack music doesn't have the gusto to pull off unaccompanied listening alone and such is the case with HVARF / HEIM for me. The fragility of SIGUR RÓS' sound is like that of an eggshell and one tiny crack and the whole system fails. While carefully crafted albums work beautifully even the less loved debut 'Von,' random track offerings such as HVARF / HEIM just seem a little lackluster as the tracks just aimlessly float by without the context of the visuals that they were designed to augment. Overall there isn't enough to win me over on this compilation and / or album. It's not that this isn't pleasant music in the least and any hardcore fans will surely want to own this one, however it's just not one that draws me in for repeated listens and lacks the distinct charm that albums like 'Takk...' so successfully employed. The unreleased tracks are the more interesting ones.