Hvarf - Heim

iTunes Review

Comprised of essentially two EPs in support of the band’s first ever film, "Heima" (November 2007), this release by Iceland’s Sigur Ros offers more of what we love about them; there is nothing new here in the way of their sound or direction, rather, as in a gift, they are wrapping up some of their most creative moments into one package, carefully crafted with their meticulous sense of who they are and what they want to express. The first five tracks live under the title, Hvarf (translating as “disappeared”). The first three of those were either never recorded or released, and tracks four and five, “Von” and “Hafsol,” are “lost” versions of songs from the band’s first album, Von. The shimmering and melancholy “Salka” was originally intended for the ( ) album, but never made it for unknown reasons. “Hljomalind” is a soaring “pop” song originally recorded as “Rokklagid” at the tail end of the Ágætis Byrjun sessions, and a track the band never felt much affinity for.  But the song took on a fan-driven life of its own, and Sigur Ros generously renamed it and included it here. The incredibly dramatic and beautiful “I Gaer” represents the band’s self titled “prog rock period,” recorded in 2000, prior to the release of ( ). The next group of songs, under the Heim EP title (roughly translated as “home”), are live, acoustic version of songs from all four Sigur Ros studio albums recorded on tour in Iceland during summer 2006 and spring 2007.  This collection is a lovely gift for any fan.