Ágætis byrjun (album)

Ágætis byrjun ( icelandic pronounciation OW-gy-tiss BI-ar-yun. A good beginning in english) is the second album by Sigur Ros, released originally in Iceland on the 12th June, 1999. When it was released, like their pervious album Von, it didnt achieve much success. However, it eventually began to climb the Icelandic charts and and managed to get to number 1. It was re released in the UK in August 2000, and charted at number 52 there.

Two singles—"Svefn-g-englar" and "Ný batterí"—were released from the album, as well as a video for " Viðrar vel til loftárása".

Background and recording
They recorded their first album Von from 1995 to 1997, and it was released in Iceland in June 1997. A remix album called Von brigði was released in 1998.

In september 1997, Jónsi said that had began to work on their second album, saying "actually we have already begun recording the next album. but considering how long it took to record von, i don't think we should say anything about when it will be released." At the time, the band had only three members and said they wanted to keep it that way, however Kjartan soon joined the band.

In August 1998, they had began recording their next album, beginning with the bass and drums. Jónsi said that he "promises the album will be released by the next millennium." The first song recorded for the album was "Ágaetis byrjun", which a friend heard and said it was "a good beginning", which gave the song and album it's name. they had originally planned the album to be released at christmas in 1998, but they said it wasnt ready. they said they usually use rehersal time for shows to write, and so they tend to play new songs instead of old ones. the band arranged all the strings for the album, and said they had to use a computer program and printed out the notes for the musicians playing on the album. the cymbal on "Ný batterí" were found on a street in Reykjavík, which was bent and it had apparently been ran over.

Track listing

 * 1) Intro - 1:36
 * 2) Svefn-g-englar - 10:04
 * 3) Starálfur - 6:46
 * 4) Flugufrelsarinn - 7:48
 * 5) Ný batterí - 8:06
 * 6) Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm) - 7:08
 * 7) Viðrar vel til loftárása - 10:13
 * 8) Olsen Olsen - 8:03
 * 9) Ágætis byrjun - 7:39
 * 10) Avalon - 4:01

Credits
Sigur Rós additional musicians
 * Jónsi – vocals, guitar
 * Kjartan – keyboard
 * Georg – bass
 * Ágúst – drums