It is not often that I discover an artist that I really love, and rarer still that I come across an artist that has escaped me.I bought Post Surrounded a new dual disc release before committing to buying the Bjork Box Surrounded. For me, Bjork Guomundsdottir was love at first listen.
Debut Surrounded is a re release of Bjork's debut album, done in the dual disc format. One side is the original studio release of Debut from 1993. The other side is a DVD featuring the album in Surround Sound in either Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1. It also includes a selection of music videos! For the record, Bjorks first album was NOT Debut, it was an album of covers that was recorded when she was only 12. This is her first solo album after splitting with the alternative Icelandic band The Sugarcubes. For review purposes, I listened to this album in DTS 5.1 surround sound. Does further exposure to Bjork make me love her more or reconsider my initial reaction?
The album starts with Human Behavior in which her voice immediately captivated my attention. It is a voice that demands to be listened to. Bjork's voice warbles and rises as she shouts out lyrics like no one I have ever listened to before. The rich instrumentation that backs her is elaborate and layered. It reminds me of bands like The Talking Heads or King Crimson. A lot of percussion lays out steady beats backing her interesting vocal musings if you ever get close to a human and human behaviour, be ready to get confused, there's definitely no logic . There is however a logic to Bjork's songs. The surround sound truly adds to the experience, spreading the complex rhythms all around you.
Crying expands upon the beat, creating its own cool outerworldly experience. It's music that is just infinitely listenable, even if it is not always identifiable. In most of my music reviews, I am happy to tell my readers about guitar solos in one channel, and a saxophone that comes in from the rear. I don't know what I am listening to here, but I know I like it. I don't even know if they are instruments playing, but it is very rhythmic and very musical.
Venus as a Boy is a very catchy tune that explores sexuality with an inescapable pop melody. he's exploring the taste of her arousal so accurate he sets off the beauty in her, he's Venus as a boy. I do recognize a string section in this song that gives it a romantic dreamy feeling. There is some odd backing percussion in this song too, and not just drums. Bjork's vocals in this song are postively giddy as they float across the front speakers.
There's more to life than this I think the beginning of this song was recorded in a restaurant or a party, I can hear many voices. Just then a funky beat pops in and Bjork is singing in my ear let's sneak out of this party, it's getting boring, there's more to life than this We go back to her room and I hear the door shut, then Bjork, giddy with excitement sings we could nick a boat, and sneak off to this island, I could bring my little ghetto blaster there's more to life than this The song fades out as the party dies down and fades into the next song Like Someone in Love It is a soft bossa nova style tune complete with gentle acoustic guitar and relaxing ocean surf that Astrud Gilberto might sing, but richly reimagined by Bjork lately I find myself out gazing at stars, hearing guitars, like someone in love. On closer listen, its not a guitar at all, its a harp! Bjork sings out the tune like an old time crooner, but can't resist adding her own unique growl here and there in the song.
Up next, an aggressive piano, and synthesizer beat starts off Big Time Sensuality. The electronic beats flow around my head as Bjork sings. The beat on this song gets a bit repetitive, but Bjorks style of singing does not, she seems to slightly change the inflection of each verse. I don't know my future after this weekend, and I don't want to
One Day What is this? It is either a little kid talking or someone using a voice changer as the song starts. A hypnotic beat starts and Bjork's voice starts to slowly sing in an ethereal voice One day it will happen, one day one day it will all come true. The song is trance like.
Aeroplane is almost the opposite, with a strange out of tune horn section starting the song. However soon it is joined by deep percussions and I feel like I am descending into a dream of sorts. Bjork's voice floats above the dreamy jungle beats how come out of all the people in the world only one can make me complete. The horn section returns, in tune this time, adding to the danger of the song. At least I can identify the instruments this time! The rhythm and beat of this sound reminds me of movies set in deep dark jungles and rain forests, the music they play before one of the protagonists is attacked!
Come to Me continues in the dream like atmosphere as Bjork whispers to me come to me, I'll take care of you, protect you . The surround sound mix especially helps to create waves of dream like music to surround you. I like her lyrics too, they are interesting you know that I adore you, you know that I love you, so don't make me say it, it would burst the bubble, break the charm. It's a beautiful dream like song that makes me feel dizzy and euphoric.
Violently Happy sounds like a song title to describe director Quentin Tarantino's state of being, but it's just another ecstatic love song from my new favorite Icelandic temptress. Here again, Bjork's lyrics have the illusion of floating in the air, rather than originating from any particular point. Electronic trance like beats back her. I am not sure when Trance music started, but this music reminds me of Trance artists like Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk or Felix Da Housecat. I enjoy Bjork's vocals more than that on most trance songs though.
The Anchor Song has an odd out of tune horn section to it, that I really didn't care for. It is the first one I have heard by her that I haven't liked. The album concludes with Play Dead, another trippy trance song. Bjork sounds pleading and breathy as she implores darling, stop confusing me with your wishful thinking, hopeful embraces, don't you understand?.
Well if this surround sound mix of pop and trance from Bjork wasn't enough, the Disc includes a selection of pretty trippy far out videos.
Human Behavior follows small furry animals in the forest being pursued by a hunter. Bjork sings her song from a cabin in the woods and then running through the forest being chased by a stuffed teddy bear. Fortunately Bjork can fly. (you knew that right?, Bjork can fly). Yup this stuff is great! Later the teddy bear tries to run Bjork over with his car. It adds a dimension to the song that makes it even more interesting.
Venus as a Boy features the lovely Bjork daydreaming in her day glo colored kitchen. She contemplates an egg with extreme interest while singing about venus as a boy She looks quite cute with her eyeliner applied in a row of dots above her eyes, and her hair in several knots on her head ( a style later made famous by Coolio, I believe). I have never seen preparing eggs seem like such a sensual activity.
Play Dead This video features Harvey Keitel in film clips from The Young Americans. It was a 1993 film directed by Danny Cannon. Of course we see the lovely Bjork singing the song as well.
Big Time Sensuality Bjork sings and struts the city streets in black and white as she sings. She looks ecstatic as she prances and dances down the street. The looks on her face as she sings out in her trademark growl are priceless.
Violently Happy Bjork looks a little crazy here, hair long and crazy, in a cushioned room and all. Other residents who must also be violently happy are all in there cushioned rooms. The music bounces around the speakers as the residents bounce of the walls. Violently happy, I'm driving my car too fast, with ecstatic music on Ah Bjork knows me!
Why You Should Buy This on Dual Disc
Aside from the terrific album on CD on one side, you get two surround sound tracks to choose from on the DVD side. Dolby Digital or DTS, its your choice. The surround may be played on any DVD player hooked up to a surround system. The videos are also worth the price alone.
Summary How I missed this album when it came out in 1993, I don't know. Its a terrific album which was unique when it came out, and is still unique today. It is a solid five star debut album that is still relevant and listenable today.
related links:
I Met a Woman from Iceland, I Think I'm in Love : Review of Bjork Post (___Surrounded) dual disc
I fall Deeper in Love with Bjork : Review of Bjork Homogenic (___ Surrounded) dual disc
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