Customer Reviews

Untitled #1 (a.k.a. Vaka) (DVD Edition)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The DVD here is worth the price of the single already. Shoutouts to MCA records for willing to put out a record by an almost unknown band in the US and more so for being so generous by offering a DVD with videos with the single.

Though a little late to release Untitled 1 now, it's really a case of better late than never and more. Untitled 1 is the haunting opener on ( ) which by all means is a threatrical masterpiece with all the right highs and lows packed into several minutes. The chilling vocals serve to heighten the lushcious mood of the song. Elsewhere on the single, you'll find the excellent but preiously unreleases Untitled 9A - C tracks. Essentially it becomes a seamless continuation of Untitled 1 and fulfills the listener's appetite thoroughly...

Of course, the bonus here are the 3 videos on the DVD. Watching them, I have only one thing to say: the videos for Svefn g englar, Vidrar vel til loftarasa and Untitled 1 are simply breathtaking and the perfect visual companion to the music.
This CD/DVD single is something anyone who loves Sigur Ros should grab!

As a previous reviewer so eloquently said: wow. Ever since I first bought "()" last year, "Untitled 1" has been one of my favorite songs of all time. It is so amazingly beautiful and emotional. The b-sides are ok, but I really wasn't expecting masterpieces. It's the DVD that makes this purchase more than worth it. I had no idea what to expect with the videos, but I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. They fit the music perfectly, and each one was heart-wrenchingly powerful. They all brought tears to my eyes. Sappy, but true. My favorite is the second one, which shows the difficulties (and small victories) of being a gay youth in a conservative Christian society. This one struck the biggest chord with me because I can completely relate. These powerful works of art are videos that the whole world should see. It ticks me off that America will rarely (if ever) see this type of brilliance on our televisions. Instead, we're stuck with mind-numbing booty-shaking. So if you have a brain, a soul, and depth of character, do yourself a favor and pick this single/DVD up.

American fans of Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros probably found the announced release date of their "Untitled 1" single/DVD a bit curious--especially considering that the promotional video for the song was shown here in the States way back in February.

This can largely be attributed to the delays that are associated with international releases (see Pulp's "We Love Life"), but regardless of the reasons, "Sigur 1/Sigur 9" is worth the wait.

"Untitled 1" is basically unchanged from its original album version (found on 2002's "( )"), but like most Sigur Ros material, is consistently listenable and re-listenable; its precious vocals from vocalist Jon Thor Birgisson and mixture of icy vocal samples and warm keyboards are engrossing, even if the song has no explicit meaning (or for that matter, language).

Even more captivating is the b-side, known on the street as "Smaskifa," which began as a reworked version of "Untitled 1" but became its own song. Sigur Ros's trademark sampled vocal gurglings cascade across the stereo field with haunting pace, giving way to an almost cathedral-esque performance by Birgisson. This all gives way to what sounds like a squirrel giving an incantation (I'm not kidding), to a more meditative piano progression, composed by the band's drummer, Orri Pall Dyrason, that recalls some of Eno's ambient works.

The b-side ends with a minimalist, looped interval of strings. This portion of the single will likely draw the most criticism, as, even for a band that prides itself on using meditative pace, it is a bit simplistic. Nonetheless, the beauty of the song as a whole is enough of a reason to purchase the single.

But there is another reason, and that is the three-track DVD, which includes videos for "Svefn-g-englar," "Vidrar vel til Loftarasa" (both from 1999's "Agaetis Byrjun") and "Untitled 1." The first two videos are sweeping in their imagery, using the crags and expanses of Iceland as their background. "Untitled 1," on the other hand, could be construed as having a more political edge (considering the time period in which it was released). The video is effective in its depiction of the world our children could conceivably inherit.

"Sigur 1/Sigur 9" may not be a treasure trove of rarities, but there's enough stirring power on this 20-minute disc that listeners can cope with its shortcomings. And that's a testament to the impact Sigur Ros has in today's music.

Yea, this CD is less than 20 minutes long, but Sigur 1/Sigur 9 is an amazing release and, like all their other works, is filled with beauty and it resonates in a way that is hard to describe.

There's "Untitled #1" (or "Vaka," as it is known by many of their fans), found on their latest full-length ( ). It may be one of their most 'popular' compositions but it is nonetheless one of the most moving compositions ever (their music is too good to be called 'songs'). After that is a new 3-part epic, "Untitled #9" (also known as "Smaskifa"), spread across the remaining three tracks. It's hard to say what my favorite Sigur Ros composition is, but "Untitled #9" is almost up there w/ "Svefn-g-Englar" "Vidrar Vel Til Loftarasa" "Untitled #2" and "Untitled #8". The first part consists of a hunting keyboard line, reminiscent of "Untitled #3" but not quite there, and contains beautiful vcoals by Jonsi. The second part consists of a loop of Jonsi's voice (stretched up at about an octave), and of a keyboard 'solo' (which I heard their drummer provided). The final part.... rules too. It's the same chord repeated for 4.5 minutes, but there's nothing wrong w/ that.

The DVD is amazing too, containing their 3 bizarre music videos. Like their music, their videos are incredible and breathtaking as well. This release solidifies even more that Sigur Ros is one of the greatest bands of this rather prosaic era in music.

A couple of months ago after by chance catching the Svefn-g-Englar video on a music video show, and then checking out the Vithrar vel... video on the Sigur Ros web-site, I was wishing that they'd put out a little DVD with the videos they've made to date, as they're so good but hardly ever get played on TV, probably for lack of commercial appeal.

So, anyway, am I happy or what, coz here's the very said DVD I was wishing for!

Along with the Vaka single this makes for great value.

Unlike some other reviewers here, I really liked the bonus tracks on the single. Sure they're maybe not what you'd get on an album, but that's always been the idea of single "B-sides": it gives a band a chance to put out stuff that's a bit more experimental, a bit out of the ordinary. (Think of all the trippy B-sides the Cure put out for example.)

The bonus tracks here live up to the tradition, and reveal a more minimal side of Sigur Ros, where sound manipulation and loops come out to play. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I really like it.

As for the videos, Svefn-g-englar is absolutely breathtaking. Anyone who says this video is "disappointing" obviously doesn't get it. The unique idea of using an acting troupe, all of whose actors live with Downs' Syndrome, to play to this song is stunning in its originality and simplicity. It completely dispenses with every video clip formula ever devised.

The clip for Vithrar vel til Loftarasa is apparently controversial (it deals with homophobia and depicts a pre-adolescent romance/kissing scene between two boys), though I don't see what the fuss is all about. I haven't yet seen it on Australian TV, but that's probably because no programmer has heard of it. It's a great narrative clip, very poignant, and I would argue, the most overtly political statement the band has made.

Actually the video for Vaka/()1 is also quite poignant and political, commencing with a bunch of schoolkids getting their heads checked by a teacher, after which they're all seen mucking about, trashing a car with gas masks. It reminded me of Pink Floyd's The Wall for some reason. It has a vaguely apocalyptic tone to it.

The over-riding theme of these clips is beauty though. You can tell that Sigur Ros is a band which has a distinct and definite aesthetic vision, and are wasting no time in sharing that vision around. Which is what makes them so unique, this sense that they know exactly how they want their sound to hear and images to look: haunting and beautiful.

This music is set to be an influence way beyond the next few years.What Radiohead started Sigur Ros have taken to undreamed directions and heights. But enough of the music- to the videos: Vidrar Vel Til Loftarasa just left me dumbstruck and it's worth the paying price for this video alone. Although I'm not gay, I've experienced bigotry being one of the only punks in a small town many years ago and I related to the extent I was in tears at the end. The use of the camera, the confident and sophisticated symbolism,the time setting and performances of the two boys and the real film effect (as opposed to god-awful looking modern video) made me believe that this was an accomplished full film that the guys had edited for their own benefit. When I found out they directed it I realised that I am witnessing true greatness at work.Sigur Ros are the kind of band that make you celebrate the existance of life, connect you with Yourself and fill you with hope.Extraordinary.

Ever since I bought ( ), Sigur Ros has been one of my favorite bands. This CD single is a great addition to your collection of Sigur Ros CDs. Untitled track 1, also known as "Vaka," starts off the CD, and ends with the three-part song, "Track 9." The DVD is interesting. "Svefn g Englar" shows a group of Downs Syndrome people dancing in a large field. "Vidrar Vel Til Loftarasa," two young boys are shown kissing on a soccer field, and one of the boys licks his friend's lips. In "Untitled track 1," a schoolteacher checks a group of kids' faces, and leads them out to a post-apocalyptic area by the school. This CD is NOT a waste of money.

With the release of (), Sigur Ros' third album that had no lyrics, no track titles, and no name, the foursome from little Iceland had reached a new plateu of experimental rock. From the elegant piano to the heavy hitting guitar riffs, () was all about emotion. Now, nine months after its release, a new single has hit store shelves. It consists of the opening song on (), "vaka" to the fans, "track one" to all the others. Then it transforms into three new "songs", if you can call them that. They are actually just remenants of the first track, transfomed and melded into something new, which ultimately works. With the notable exception of track 4 which is nothing more than timed reverb bursts (but does sound somewhat cool). Other than the abstract music, though, "The Vaka EP" comes with a DVD containing all the band's videos. I havent viewed this, but I have seen the videos before and they were excellent. All in all, if you have 9 dollars, you should definately buy this little single album, especially if your a current fan of Sigur Ros or Radiohead. All you newbies would probably be thrown off by its haunting sound (your better off getting to know the group by listening to its 2nd album: agietis byrjun). Thumbs up.

This CD/DVD collection, along with the new Saeglopur CD/DVD set, is one of the most beautiful and worthwhile singles any band has ever released. Untitled #1 (aka Vaka) is a slow but powerful song, with a video which compliments it incredibly. #1 is possibly the best song from ( ), excepting maybe #4, but at any rate it is definitely single worthy.

Untitled #9 A-C (which the band refers to as "Smáskifa", the Icelandic word for "Single") is haunting and layered, with sampled vocals a little too creepy for mainstream music. Part C is mostly ambient fluctuations of the same note for four minutes. Whether listened to as the counterpart of #1, or just thrown onto the end of the ( ) album as the final track, it fits very well and has a good mood for closure.

The DVD is obviously a huge draw, with their three first videos collected on one disk. With most places selling this for less than 10 dollars, it's an incredibly good buy. If you like Sigur Ros, this is a good bet. If you're just interested in getting into them, even better, because the DVD has their earlier videos. 5/5.

the main thing i wanted was to hear new sigur ros... and that didn't really happen. the cd itself didn't mean much to me. it's not bad, of course. but the untitled track 2, 3, and 4 weren't what i was expecting.

but my 5 stars are for the dvd. the music videos they did were IN-FLIPPIN-CREDIBLE. the first video had mentally challenged people (i mean this in no offence) that danced around in what looked like angel outfits. it looked like one of them died, but somehow was back to life, and kissed what appeared to be her significant other.

the second video (i'm not good with song names when it comes to this band) had these two boys...and there mean father. one of the boys has these two dolls, and his father throws them in the water. later, they are playing soccer, and the other boy scores a goal. then the boys start kissing on the field. the father throws a fit, and some priest pulls the other boy away. guess sigur ros aren't christians. good for them.

the third video was my personal favorite. a teacher is feeling all these children's faces, and you come to find out he/she must have been doing it to fit gas masks. they all run outside and it's looks like the world has ended...sky is red, ashes everywhere. there was even a snowman made of ashes. they all frolic in the ashes, and end the end, a little girl's mask falls off, and she dies. very sad.

there are some odds and ends i didn't mention in this review, hoping of course that you'll buy it to see it for yourself. great stuff, and cheap too.