The Bottom Line Björk's music is unlike any other. It's limits are endless and there are no genres that it neatly fits into. This album is pure, unadulterated genius.
Full Review
An Icelandic pixie is the best description I have for Bjork. She’s exceptionally creative and very unlike any other musical artist out there in the last ten years. She’s bridged the gap between experimental music and mainstream audiences with seamless ease. There’s no question that her presence will be felt in the music industry for years and decades and eras to come.
Bjork Gudmundsdottir was born in Reykjavik, Iceland. Long before she became an international solo success story, Bjork was a member of numerous groups. She began her career in 1979 as a young teenager as a member of a local group. She quickly expanded her technicolored wings to join an odd post-punk bank called Tappi Tikarass. That fledgling band soon gained local popularity as a result of two songs. By 1983, the young songstress had formed another band that they deemed a supergroup called Kukl. The band only lasted until 1986, but they managed to release two albums and tour Europe.
It was in 1986 that Bjork joined the Sugarcubes--the band that would eventually lead her to success and her solo career. That newly formed band released their debut album on Elektra. It was entitled Life's Too Good. The Sugarcubes stayed together to record a total of three albums. From those three attempts, it became obvious that Bjork was a star. They met with success from fans and critics throughout the years between 1986 and 1992. Their most popular tracks ended up both being from their debut and were entitled Birthday and Motorcrash.
In 1993, the band split up leaving Bjork to her own defenses in London. It was at this point that the pixie released her first major label album. Debut proved popular among most press and magazines and for that matter fans. It solidified her spot on the charts for years to come. Her second album was Post, an attempt that was lauded critically but didn't make the same impression that her first try did. She's also released other albums since. In 1996, fans were given Telegram. Homogenic hit the charts the following year. Following her critical success in the movie Dancer in the Dark, Bjork released the soundtrack entitled Selmasongs. Her most recent effort is this year's Vespertine.
But what fans are left with is Bjork's uber-popular first album, Debut. It is rich and brilliant with multiple layers and complexities. Just as Bjork is a mystery unto herself (and odd to say the least), her music is a reflection of the beauty and the free spirit she appears to be. It seems obvious that she has found her niche in the music industry. She is really the Icelandic Pixie.
Debut consists of just eleven tracks, all written by Bjork. The two that got the most airplay were the first, Human Behavior and the sixth Big Time Sensuality. Her tracks range from low key and quiet to amazingly loud and crashing. Additionally, there is no denying that her music is a combination of genres ranging from techno and electronica to jazz and blues. It is very, very eclectic to say the least.
Human Behavior is an almost indescribably romp through the musical landscape. Beginning with soft tympanis and Bjork's signature vocals, this song is both tribal and rustic in addition to very much a pop song. The instrumentation in this track is almost totally percussion. Although, it's very important to note that Bjork's voice is much more a musical instrument than an actual voice. She's got a very odd intonation and emotional element to her voice. You could never confuse Bjork with another artist. She is an original. Human Behavior is a classic tune from the Icelandic artist. The song is magical and entertaining.
The track Big Time Sensuality sounds like a techno dance track from the beginning. Bjork's voice is soft and almost secondary to the ringing cymbals and electronic noise. This track is definitely one of the most user friendly of the album. It's easy on the ears yet exceptionally interesting and creative endeavors on the album for Bjork. The chorus of the track is catchy and very fun. Toward the end of the tune, Bjork utters the most guttural noises you could possibly imagine coming out of a human being so tiny. It is also important to note that this is one of the most popular tracks of the album commercially.
An experiment in keyboards and noise mark Crying as different than the rest of the album's outstanding tracks. Throughout the song, you feel that there is conflict despite the fact that it has got a smooth new age feel. Bjork's voice has never sounded more ethereal than it does here. This song proves that there is more to an album than just a few radio and MTV hits. Bjork proves the critics wrong.
Venus as a Boy is a great track that was also released as a single. The background of the song sounds very much like an old fashioned, classic jazz song. It is soft and touching. The song is tender and Bjork's vocals are complimentary to the sound as a whole. To look at the artist, she appears so young and so innocent. Listening to this song makes the listener realize that Bjork is very sophisticated and very talented. On a bit of a sidenote, this track was featured in my favorite film of all time, The Professional. There is a very memorable line from the song He believes in a beauty
The live track, There's More To Life Than This is superb techno. The beat is fast and the attitude is fun. Both of these elements make for great music. The centerpiece of this track is not Bjork's voice. It's that pounding synthesizer in the background that keeps my ears entertained. Björk blurs the genre lines with the jazz standard Like Someone in Love. The song is yearning for acceptance. It features Bjork's odd voice as coupled with a harp. Very interesting and very beautiful to say the least.
An odd synthesizer and manufactured noise wind their way around Bjork's vocals in One Day. The song is again a techno track with magical and mysterious elements. Sure, it may not be good to all ears, but this song is so complex with so many layers that there are many different moods it sets. Aeroplane is another Bjork standard. Again, there are odd layers and influences to the music. Beginning with a saxophone harmony and breaking into Middle Eastern beats, Bjork's combination of vocals and music is elaborately wonderful. What other artist would ever think to combine such diverse instruments?
Come To Me is an odd sort of song. It reminds me very much of a tune that David Lynch would choose for one of his exceptionally quirky films. There is a light piano mixed with slowish techno beats and most notably Bjork's voice. Her voice is an instrument here. Absolutely masterful music is contained within this track and all of the others.
Bjork's voice begins Violently Happy all alone. Quickly, it is joined by spastic house beats. The song sounds actually a bit like Big Time Sensuality. It is a great track with great tribal drums and superb vocals. You can't go wrong with this song or any of the others. The final track on the album is The Anchor Song. Talk about quirky! The track is almost exclusively Bjork's voice and saxophone harmonies. It has a sad feel about it, yet I still find that I am compelled to keep listening to the track.
You've heard Bjork at some time. Her music is very easily identifiable as is her voice. She's not just a talking head. She writes beautiful music with no apparent boundaries. This album is an exceptional first solo attempt. She set the bar very high. I insist that you check Debut out. If you are at all interesting in any of the things I've spoken of above, don't hesitate to run to the local record shop and grab this one off the shelves. Sure the heavy metal dude behind the counter might laugh a bit, but he's a closet Bjork fan, too.
I give this album the highest rating possible. 5/5 stars is the only thing it could possibly earn. Thank you Bjork for a great, classic album. One of the best of the 1990's.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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