As blogged previously, I was impatiently awaiting the release of the 2 DVD set “Heima”; a documentary on their recent free Icelandic tour and their new double CD “Heim / Hvarf” which has a CD containing some re-recorded acoustic tracks and a CD of new recordings (including the hard to find Salka).
The re-recorded “Von” (originally on their debut album ‘Von’) is nothing short of stunning. The longer intro features Amiina (the string quartet that record and tour with Sigur Ros) at their most beautiful. Likewise the re-recorded “Hafsól” (again, originally from ‘Von’) fares much better now the band have matured.
The real gem is the DVD. The first DVD ‘Heima’ covers their recent tour along with interviews with the band. Their music set to the frighteningly stunning Icelandic landscape is quite moving.
For such a huge band with such a devoted following, they are incredibly down to earth. Jonsi, Georg, Kjarri and Orri all seem bemused by their popularity and seem happiest playing beaten up equipment in threadbare tatty sweaters.
In a world where bling is king and children aspire to be a saggy panted hip hop stars showing off their houses and cars to MTV, it’s refreshing to see four friends creating such beautiful music for the villages and hamlets in their own country.
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