Von (studio album)
by Sigur Rós

Having listened to their later stuff first, and having seen the rating of this album (both here and on RYM), I was expecting an unpolished precursor to their AB sound. What I got was a decently well-done ambient album with flashes of brilliance that hinted towards their future projects.

The track Hún Jörð starts with a quietly pounding drum behind positively haunting vocals. After a couple of minutes a distorted guitar line kicks in, getting progressively heavier and more distorted throughout the song. You could almost call this noise-rock. Not at all what I expected, but a brilliant track.

Hafssól was more of the Sigur Ros sound I'm accustomed to; a slow-building melody ending in a crescendo of strings and Jonsi's soaring vocals. It seems to be an important prototype for what would come on their later albums, particularly AB. Definitely worth checking out for any fans of AB.

The title track, Von, is a more melancholic and rather affecting string arrangement. Another which hints towards their future sound, moreso Takk in this case.

Those were the highlights for me, but overall quite an enjoyable album. I can see why it doesn't receive the recognition of Sigur Ros' other albums; it doesn't have the consistency, cohesion or peaks of AB, Takk or (). Then again, not much does.

Hún Jörð and its outro Leit að lífi are great

Rather Good

I get the impression this album was built more on ideas than content.