902. Agaetis Byrjun

Agaetis Byrjun
Sigur Ros
1999

Tracks
1. Svefn - G - Englar (Intro)
2. Svefn - G - Englar
3. Staralfur
4. Flugufrelsarinn
5. Ny Batteri
6. Hjartao Hamast
7. Viorar Vel Til Loftarasa
8. Olsen Olsen
9. Agaetis Byrjun
10. Avalon

And with that, we polish off the 20th century! Based on what I've read online, the general consensus from the 1001 album community seems to be that the List lost its way post 1999. This is either because of a worldwide shortage of good music or because the Listmakers felt compelled to include modern mainstream artists with no staying power. So stay tuned!

This was a pretty worthy finale to the 90s. Sigur Ros creates beautiful soundscapes and a sort of dreamy pop that manages to be really complex and soothing at the same time. So much good music comes out of Iceland. The darkness must be a real inspiration.

And now, let's see what the 21st century has in store...

RATING: 4/5

664. Heaven or Las Vegas

Heaven or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
1990

Tracks
1. Cherry Coloured Funk
2. Pitch the Baby
3. Iceblink Luck
4. Fifty Fifty Clown
5. Heaven or Las Vegas
6. I Wear Your Ring
7. Fotzepolitic
8. Wolf in the Breast
9. River Road and Rail
10. Frou Frou Foxes in the Midsummer Fires

Welcome to the 90s! I anticipate an improvement in quality of albums starting now. I'm not entirely sure why I feel this way, and it's entirely possible that some boy bands might join forces with a country metal group to prove me wrong. I'm going to remain optimistic, though.

So our induction into this decade is the Cocteau Twins, and I've never gelled with this group very well. They are a little too ethereal for my tastes, and I have a hard time grasping it. But it's different, and doesn't overstay its welcome.

This album doesn't exactly scream the 90s, but it's still a decent start to the decade.

RATING: 3/5