Sigur Rós | Hvarf / Heim

Everyone seems to be wondering about Sigur Rós's new release. This double EP, released 11/06/07 is a separate companion to their first live film, Heima, which was released today in North America. Although this collection (11 tracks, two discs, 72 minutes total) doesn't have any new material, most of it hasn't been released before. Hvarf is a collection of studio-recorded rarities, and Heim is a collection of live acoustic favorites. I found the selections on Hvarf to be somewhat repetitive in their sound, although the remake of Von (from their debut) is pretty good. The live material really makes this cd worth buying, however; if you're a fan of Sigur Rós and you haven't seen them live, this is an essential buy. Hearing their material live proves their musical talent: without the help of synthesizers and everything else they still make incredibly beautiful music. These stripped-down versions also confirm the delicacy of their sound, that is, their ability to create emotion-evoking moments without their characteristic 'noise.' The recording quality is perfect, and the familiar songs chosen for Heim take on a new life.

Sigur Rós's official website on the new EP & DVD, including full descriptions of each song:
Hvarf-Heim CD
Heima DVD