The first U.K. release for Iceland's
Sigur Rós is a stunning, self-contained EP of epic aspirations shot through with over a half-hour of funereal, taunting excellence. Two studio cuts from the superb
Ágætis Byrjun make up half the release -- the gasping, virtuous sighs of "Svefn-G-Englar," the sub-zero buildup of "Viðar Vel Til Loftárása" -- but the real treats are the other live tracks found at the back of the dramatics. Both "Nýja Lagið" and "Syndir Guðs" show off a desolate, aural stage presence that promises a tremendous amount of live gifts even for a band twice
Rós' age. Indeed, this EP could've been a throwaway jaunt into a game of expositional "catch up," yet the mournful impact here remains almost overwhelming. Even those well aware of
Sigur Rós will feel this preamble's reverberations long after it has faded away. ~ Dean Carlson