(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KmuPgHBV5Wc/TLzaD3UnQ3I/AAAAAAAAA1A/eXnck3YzAlE/s1600/Bjrk+PNG.png)
Bjork's music has long fascinated me, especially considering her punk, avant-garde, and jazz-rock history with The Sugarcubes and many other bands, but her outbreak into the spotlight came with her album Debut. I remember watching the video for Human Behavior on MTV back in the early 90s and being enchanted and puzzled by the music at the same time. It had this urgency, wild abandon, and primitive quality to it. After all these years later, I finally took the plunge with four recordings: Debut, Post, Homogenic, and Vespertine. Looking forward to digging into these albums.
Anyone here a fan of her music? Has anyone seen her live? Have any stories to tell?
Used to be a fan, well, I a still am, just not that interested as of late. She lost me around Vespertine but I like some of the newer stuff. Earth Intruders was brilliant, as was the video. And speaking of her older stuff, Homogenic is a masterpiece. Easily one of my favourite albums of all time.
Plus, her Arvo Pärt interview is kinda cute:
http://www.youtube.com/v/0BVACGWgN4U
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 27, 2014, 07:42:34 AM
(http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/20200000/Bj-rk-bjork-20245708-481-479.jpg)
Debut, Post, Homogenic, and Vespertine.
I have these four and Post is my clear favorite, followed by Homogenic. I also owned Medulla at one point, but I think I sold it. My favorite song is Unravel from Homogenic. Put on your headphones and listen to the song Headphones from Post! Enjoy!
I am a fan and also go back to The Sugarcubes days, when my then-girlfriend turned me on to them.
Saw her live at The Gorge, in WA, as part of the Sasquatch Music Festival (a smaller, PacNW version of Coachella; better too imo). She was tremendous live! I think that was when Volta/Voltaic had come out and she concentrated heavily on that material. I am a fan of the Volta album and play it often.
A long-time favorite Bjork album is Gling-Glo:
[asin]B0000AYL44[/asin]
I linked the CD, but have it on vinyl. Totally fun record for me. . .
I think you selected 4 good ones MI. Please report back, after you've listened a bit. :)
Quote from: Rinaldo on January 27, 2014, 07:58:31 AM
Used to be a fan, well, I a still am, just not that interested as of late. She lost me around Vespertine but I like some of the newer stuff. Earth Intruders was brilliant, as was the video. And speaking of her older stuff, Homogenic is a masterpiece. Easily one of my favourite albums of all time.
Plus, her Arvo Pärt interview is kinda cute:
http://www.youtube.com/v/0BVACGWgN4U
From what I've heard of
Vespertine, I was completely mesmerized. I love the symphonic strings set against the more electronic sounds and thick bass lines. Yeah, I've read several people give
Homogenic very high marks.
Post seems to get great reviews as well. But I'm going to start with
Debut of course and work my way forward.
That interview is pretty cute, but she's just cute as hell anyway. I think so much of her upbringing in Iceland permeates her daily life and music.
Quote from: sanantonio on January 27, 2014, 08:03:29 AM
I've listened to her and liked everything I've heard, but it's been a while. Another thing I like about her is her mentoring of other musicians. she's got a good heart. From what I've read, she appears to approach her records with much thought about what she hopes to accomplish and take great care to achieve those results.
She does seem to have a good heart no doubt. She also comes across as a very genuine person who isn't into belittling other artists and feels the need to always find new sounds and avenues to explore sonically. A tremendous, if underrated, musician for sure.
Quote from: NJ Joe on January 27, 2014, 04:50:48 PM
I have these four and Post is my clear favorite, followed by Homogenic. I also owned Medulla at one point, but I think I sold it. My favorite song is Unravel from Homogenic. Put on your headphones and listen to the song Headphones from Post! Enjoy!
Homogenic and
Post seem to have gotten very good press.
Vespertine has as well. Will be sure to listen to
Headphones with the headphones on. ;) :D
An image i took myself from Austin City Limits Festival in 2007, part of her Volta tour, my good friend and I pushed our way as close as possible to the stage...
(http://gregscottmoeller.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/img_8780.jpg?w=500&h=392)
One of the best live shows I've ever seen. About ten years ago I said I must see three acts perform live before I die, Bjork, Philip Glass and Tom Waits. Well I missed Waits by four days by in Dallas by moving to Richmond, Virginia. But Glass and Bjork have been checked off.
Still the best music video ever created...
http://www.youtube.com/v/AjI2J2SQ528
Very cool, Greg. 8) That video is something else. Quite bizarre actually. :)
Quote from: NJ Joe on January 27, 2014, 04:50:48 PM
I have these four and Post is my clear favorite, followed by Homogenic. I also owned Medulla at one point, but I think I sold it. My favorite song is Unravel from Homogenic. Put on your headphones and listen to the song Headphones from Post! Enjoy!
Homogenic is certainly the most pure and original Bjork sounding album. It perfectly highlights the type of melodies and song structure that really set her aside from other artists.
Medulla was the beginning of the end, as I've heard some fans call it. Perhaps her experimentation began to over shadow her musical abilities and definitely steered towards different directions musically. But I'm a bit biased and would enjoy Bjork singing the ingredients from a cereal box.
I think her best album is
Vespertine, at least as a personal favorite. It just seems to cover all facets that make Bjork great.
Favorite songs...
Desired Constellationhttp://www.youtube.com/v/P6CassFknGs
Aurorahttp://www.youtube.com/v/IZOWP6QQdRE
If you watch just one, make it this performance of
Hyperballadhttp://www.youtube.com/v/-W5OfUzwyyw
Dancer in the Dark was released during the peak of my Bjork and Dogma 95 interest. The latter being a movement co-founded by filmmaker Lars Von Trier that was to display an all natural setting cinema, films using no special effects, no artificial lights or musical score, etc.
Von Trier directed Bjork in the pseudo-musical with songs (and an overture) written by the singer herself. It holds the honor of being the only film I've seen twice in the same day. Yep, it happened.
It's an emotional and disturbing tale, but superbly done. Bjork is phenomenal.
http://www.youtube.com/v/N8FJyhnC2Eo
Speaking of Hyperballad here's a great cover by the Marcin Wasilewski Trio:
http://www.youtube.com/v/ru58wsQ9mkM
I didn't know you were quite the Bjork fan, Greg. Good to know you're passionate about her music. Your posts help give me a better scope of her musical output.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 27, 2014, 07:29:45 PM
I didn't know you were quite the Bjork fan, Greg. Good to know you're passionate about her music. Your posts help give me a better scope of her musical output.
You may have opened a can of worms with this thread. ;D Glad you made this.
Just bought this and it's all Monkey Greg's fault:
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16n1Nn0eug0/UjhqEPuJJWI/AAAAAAAABso/2DCN43xAluc/s1600/selmasongs1big.jpg)
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 27, 2014, 07:32:13 PM
You may have opened a can of worms with this thread. ;D Glad you made this.
I'm glad I made it, too. I'm glad I opened up a can of worms. I think she deserves her own thread because there's no other musician like her out there. As I mentioned in my initial post,
Human Behavior opened up some strange sonic-worlds for me. Is that timpani in that song? It sounds like it. 8) This song sounded like nothing on the radio nor did sound like she was backtracking on something that's already been done before. I couldn't tell you
why it's taken me so long to come back around to Bjork, but so many other musical interests got in the way. Like my obsession for jazz, which lasted about 14-15 years.
Quote from: HIPster on January 27, 2014, 05:22:40 PM
I am a fan and also go back to The Sugarcubes days, when my then-girlfriend turned me on to them.
Saw her live at The Gorge, in WA, as part of the Sasquatch Music Festival (a smaller, PacNW version of Coachella; better too imo). She was tremendous live! I think that was when Volta/Voltaic had come out and she concentrated heavily on that material. I am a fan of the Volta album and play it often.
A long-time favorite Bjork album is Gling-Glo:
[asin]B0000AYL44[/asin]
I linked the CD, but have it on vinyl. Totally fun record for me. . .
I think you selected 4 good ones MI. Please report back, after you've listened a bit. :)
Thanks for the recommendation, HIPster. I'll certainly try to report my thoughts on each album as I listen to them. I'm going to start with
Debut first and work my way forward.
This song is just so...ummm...how do I put this delicately? Umm....BAD ASS!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/v/MxWUwkTZSpg
My sister is a Björk fan. I like some of Björk's music, but I'm not a fan. The only Björk I have is her vocals on 808 State's track 'OOOPS' from 1991 album EX:EL.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 27, 2014, 08:47:49 PM
This song is just so...ummm...how do I put this delicately? Umm....BAD ASS!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/v/MxWUwkTZSpg
Word! And speaking of badass, this jazz cover embodies badassary. The main part starts after the 3 minute mark:
http://www.youtube.com/v/uYge2L5qXW4
One of my favorites with all the microtones:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e3/MTV_DVD.jpg)
MTV Unplugged / Live
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV_Unplugged_/_Live (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV_Unplugged_/_Live)
Quote from: Rinaldo on January 28, 2014, 12:44:46 AM
http://www.youtube.com/v/uYge2L5qXW4
Hmmm...personally I didn't really care for this version. I think for a cover to be successful the music should actually sound as
close to the original as they can get it. This particular performance didn't seem to retain anything from that Bjork song. If you want to check out a successful jazz cover of a Bjork song, check out the one I linked here on the first page with the Marcin Wasilewski Trio. They do a beautiful rendition of
Hyperballad.
hot meat
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 28, 2014, 06:26:27 AM
I think for a cover to be successful the music should actually sound as close to the original as they can get it.
Haven't listened to that "Army of Me" (I'm listening to Mahler 4 right now) but I fundamentally disagree with this. I prefer covers that are in a completely different style. It should put the performer's stamp on it at the very least -- otherwise, why not just listen to the original?
Bjork performing along with another one of my favorites, PJ Harvey.
http://www.youtube.com/v/kK02kW1mKkk
Quote from: NJ Joe on January 28, 2014, 04:04:42 PM
Bjork performing along with another one of my favorites, PJ Harvey.
http://www.youtube.com/v/kK02kW1mKkk
Very cool, Joe. I've never seen that performance, nor would I ever have placed them together, but they sound great.
Quote from: Pat B on January 28, 2014, 08:22:11 AM
Haven't listened to that "Army of Me" (I'm listening to Mahler 4 right now) but I fundamentally disagree with this. I prefer covers that are in a completely different style. It should put the performer's stamp on it at the very least -- otherwise, why not just listen to the original?
I never said to copy the original note for note nor did I say that I think that a musician shouldn't put their own unique stamp on the music. What I am saying is that if a musician isn't going to use the main melody and keep the cover close to the original, then there's no point in doing a cover. Of course, the music will sound
different coming from another musician, but this shouldn't mean they should ignore the original. For example, Golden Earring did a cover of The Byrds'
Eight Miles High, but while they incorporated more improvisation into the fold, they still left the main melody and harmony and I think they pulled this off successfully while still retaining the 'original glue' if you will.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 28, 2014, 06:26:27 AM
If you want to check out a successful jazz cover of a Bjork song, check out the one I linked here on the first page with the Marcin Wasilewski Trio. They do a beautiful rendition of Hyperballad.
I heartily agree that the trio version is lovely. My favourite though is this one performed with the Brodsky Quartet:
http://www.youtube.com/v/TOwHxXiJXY4
Quote from: NJ Joe on January 28, 2014, 04:04:42 PM
Bjork performing along with another one of my favorites, PJ Harvey.
http://www.youtube.com/v/kK02kW1mKkk
Oh, nearly forgot about this one. Universe must've halted for a moment to sustain such a convergence of greatness.
I very much like the song 'Venus as a Boy' played in the (excellent) film 'Leon'.
[asin]B000007WMT[/asin]
The song is not included on the film soundtrack but can be found on the above inexpensive CD 'Debut'.
I know just one thing about Bjork. This:
(http://celebritystylespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bjork-swan-dress.jpg)
I'm not even sure I've heard any of her music. Has she done anything I am likely to have heard (like in a famous movie, for example)?
Quote from: vandermolen on January 29, 2014, 10:52:24 AM
I very much like the song 'Venus as a Boy' played in the (excellent) film 'Leon'.
[asin]B000007WMT[/asin]
The song is not included on the film soundtrack but can be found on the above inexpensive CD 'Debut'.
I remember the film
Leon, but don't recall that Bjork song. I do have
Debut, along with four other recordings, on the way, so I very much look forward to hearing her music.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on January 29, 2014, 10:57:30 AM
I know just one thing about Bjork. This:
(http://celebritystylespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bjork-swan-dress.jpg)
I'm not even sure I've heard any of her music. Has she done anything I am likely to have heard (like in a famous movie, for example)?
Ah yes, I remember this was this at
The Golden Globes? I can't remember what award show it was. Jeffrey just pointed out a song of hers that was used in the film
Leon, but as for other film soundtracks, I have no idea. Perhaps one of the more knowledgeable Bjorkians can oblige you.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 29, 2014, 11:02:27 AM
I remember the film Leon, but don't recall that Bjork song. I do have Debut, along with four other recordings, on the way, so I very much look forward to hearing her music.
Excellent! Venus as a Boy is track 3 on 'Debut'.
Quote from: vandermolen on January 29, 2014, 11:18:49 AM
Excellent! Venus as a Boy is track 3 on 'Debut'.
Just heard
Venus as a boy -- very nice song indeed. For those that haven't, here's a link:
http://www.youtube.com/v/ZaxUZH0cbhM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 29, 2014, 11:04:51 AM
Ah yes, I remember this was this at The Golden Globes? I can't remember what award show it was.
The Oscars. Few years later, when Jon Stewart was hosting, one of his jokes went like this: 'Bjork sadly couldn't be here, she was trying on her new Oscar dress and Dick Cheney shot her.'
Quote from: Rinaldo on January 29, 2014, 11:44:32 AM
The Oscars. Few years later, when Jon Stewart was hosting, one of his jokes went like this: 'Bjork sadly couldn't be here, she was trying on her new Oscar dress and Dick Cheney shot her.'
:P
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 29, 2014, 11:41:46 AM
Just heard Venus as a boy -- very nice song indeed. For those that haven't, here's a link:
http://www.youtube.com/v/ZaxUZH0cbhM
Glad you like it John.
Thanks, Jeffrey.
Here's funny interview with Clive Anderson as the instigator :) -
http://www.youtube.com/v/o0c5GkAhsT0
She's so cute.
Just bought these two sets:
(http://eil.com/images/main/Bjork%2B-%2BLivebox%2BSampler%2B-%2BCD%2BALBUM-259595.jpg) (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0028P4WCC.01.L.jpg)
She's very cute...I was so pissed off after watching Dancer in the Dark in the theater.
Quote from: 7/4 on January 29, 2014, 02:16:26 PM
She's very cute...I was so pissed off after watching Dancer in the Dark in the theater.
Never seen the film, but have the soundtrack on the way. 8)
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 29, 2014, 02:09:37 PM
Just bought these two sets:
(http://eil.com/images/main/Bjork%2B-%2BLivebox%2BSampler%2B-%2BCD%2BALBUM-259595.jpg) (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0028P4WCC.01.L.jpg)
Does anyone own these box sets? Monkey Greg? I wonder how they are. The audio samples sounded quite nice, but reviews seemed to be positive for both sets.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 30, 2014, 07:22:50 AM
Does anyone own these box sets? Monkey Greg? I wonder how they are. The audio samples sounded quite nice, but reviews seemed to be positive for both sets.
I don't own any of the box sets, just purchased the individual discs and singles/EPs as they were released.
I also own 3 concert DVDs and 2 collections of music videos which I find to be essential for Bjork fans.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 30, 2014, 08:17:27 AM
I don't own any of the box sets, just purchased the individual discs and singles/EPs as they were released.
I also own 3 concert DVDs and 2 collections of music videos which I find to be essential for Bjork fans.
Cool, Greg. I've been looking at that documentary DVD
Inside Bjork and
Live at the Royal Opera House on DVD but think I'll wait awhile on those. Yeah, I would think those video collections would be awesome. Definitely will get those at some point.
I've always liked the bass in the Sugarcubes song 'Birthday'.
It's that ultimate 'new wave 80s' bass sound that makes my pelvis swing.
Still, I could/can never become a fan of Björk, because I couldn't/can't surrender myself to her voice. :(
(http://111.imagebam.com/download/AlBVZE7-dhx-BYWBfVAXTg/30499/304980182/02m.jpg)
But yes: she's cute as a button. :-*
Quote from: Marc on January 30, 2014, 09:33:28 AM
I've always liked the bass in the Sugarcubes song 'Birthday'.
It's that ultimate 'new wave 80s' bass sound that makes my pelvis swing.
Still, I could/can never become a fan of Björk, because I couldn't/can't surrender myself to her voice. :(
(http://111.imagebam.com/download/AlBVZE7-dhx-BYWBfVAXTg/30499/304980182/02m.jpg)
But yes: she's cute as a button. :-*
Birthday is a great song!
Quote from: Marc on January 30, 2014, 09:33:28 AM
I've always liked the bass in the Sugarcubes song 'Birthday'.
It's that ultimate 'new wave 80s' bass sound that makes my pelvis swing.
Still, I could/can never become a fan of Björk, because I couldn't/can't surrender myself to her voice. :(
(http://111.imagebam.com/download/AlBVZE7-dhx-BYWBfVAXTg/30499/304980182/02m.jpg)
But yes: she's cute as a button. :-*
She's certainly an acquired taste I suppose because her voice sounds 'untamed' but as Thom Yorke pointed in the documentary
Inside Bjork, that's just an illusion. She is in complete control and knows where she wants to go at all times.
For those interested:
http://www.youtube.com/v/qbJCqnITC7s
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 30, 2014, 10:21:06 AM
She's certainly an acquired taste I suppose because her voice sounds 'untamed' but as Thom Yorke pointed in the documentary Inside Bjork, that's just an illusion. She is in complete control and knows where she wants to go at all times.
No matter if untamed or in control, I have to admit that my problem with Björk's voice is only because of me. It is
I,
Leclerc Marc, who cannot surrender myself. Of course Björk should just sing like she wants, feels or needs to.
I must say that when I first heard her voice and the way she used it, she made me (slightly) think of Bono Vox (U2), with whom I have more or less the same problem (though not as much as with the Icelandic cutie).
Quote from: Marc on January 30, 2014, 10:35:34 AM
No matter if untamed or in control, I have to admit that my problem with Björk's voice is only because of me. It is I, Leclerc Marc, who cannot surrender myself. Of course Björk should just sing like she wants, feels or needs to.
I must say that when I first heard her voice and the way she used it, she made me (slightly) think of Bono Vox (U2), with whom I have more or less the same problem (though not as much as with the Icelandic cutie).
Well, sure I knew it was
your problem, not mine. ;) ;D I like Bono, too, so go figure. :-\ But I like U2 a lot in general anyway, I just love The Edge's guitar playing. Anyway, we all enjoy things for different reasons.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 30, 2014, 10:41:54 AM
Well, sure I knew it was your problem, not mine. ;) ;D I like Bono, too, so go figure. :-\ But I like U2 a lot in general anyway, I just love The Edge's guitar playing. Anyway, we all enjoy things for different reasons.
October is my favourite U2 album.
All I Want Is You my fave single.
Apologies. :-[
This is Björk's thread.
Quote from: Marc on January 30, 2014, 10:48:59 AM
October is my favourite U2 album.
All I Want Is You my fave single.
Apologies. :-[
This is Björk's thread.
No problem, as Monkey Greg would say: "You opened up a can of worms." :) My favorite U2 album is probably
The Joshua Tree. Probably a conventional choice, but
With Or Without You has to be one of my all-time favorite rock songs. I also like
War and
The Unforgettable Fire.
Okay, back to Bjork...:D
Wow! Fairly soon at this rate the Björk topic will rival the Havergal Brian one! ;)
The only thing I can say here is a mere tangent, i.e that my oldest son likes Of Monsters and Men, who also hail from Iceland.
Quote from: Cato on January 30, 2014, 11:00:42 AM
Wow! Fairly soon at this rate the Björk topic will rival the Havergal Brian one! ;)
http://www.youtube.com/v/cx8jpyM5Vsw
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 28, 2014, 04:37:42 PM
I never said to copy the original note for note nor did I say that I think that a musician shouldn't put their own unique stamp on the music. What I am saying is that if a musician isn't going to use the main melody and keep the cover close to the original, then there's no point in doing a cover. Of course, the music will sound different coming from another musician, but this shouldn't mean they should ignore the original. For example, Golden Earring did a cover of The Byrds' Eight Miles High, but while they incorporated more improvisation into the fold, they still left the main melody and harmony and I think they pulled this off successfully while still retaining the 'original glue' if you will.
Not trying to be argumentative, but there's a vast amount of room between "as close to the original as they can get it" and "ignore the original." IMO neither extreme makes a good cover. I don't think we agree on this (which is fine) but we're probably closer than it first seemed.
Speaking of covers of "Eight Miles High," have you heard Hüsker Dü's?
Quote from: Pat B on January 30, 2014, 01:33:22 PM
Not trying to be argumentative, but there's a vast amount of room between "as close to the original as they can get it" and "ignore the original." IMO neither extreme makes a good cover. I don't think we agree on this (which is fine) but we're probably closer than it first seemed.
Speaking of covers of "Eight Miles High," have you heard Hüsker Dü's?
We'll just agree to disagree, how about that? The only way I would listen to Husker Du is if you paid me. 8)
Getting back to Bjork...
I think Monkey Greg may be onto something when he said that after Vespertine, Bjork's recordings began to suffer according to her fans. I'm not ready to jump on the anti-Biophilia bandwagon just yet, I'll have to see which albums I prefer and do some more sampling. But just thought this was interesting as I've read this a good bit while browsing the internet about Bjork.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 30, 2014, 03:40:06 PM
Getting back to Bjork...
I think Monkey Greg may be onto something when he said that after Vespertine, Bjork's recordings began to suffer according to her fans. I'm not ready to jump on the anti-Biophilia bandwagon just yet, I'll have to see which albums I prefer and do some more sampling. But just thought this was interesting as I've read this a good bit while browsing the internet about Bjork.
I do have my favorite songs and album, but I truly like everything Bjork has done. My only gripe is that her newer albums feel less like complete albums and more like a collection of random songs. But, they are not bad songs, there just seems to be a bit more experimenting involved. But in some cases it turns to pure genius.
A great example of these abilities can be found in the album Medulla. The entire album is performed using voices. The beats, instruments are all originally recorded by voices. It's quite amazing if you analyze the songs and hear all the detail.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 30, 2014, 04:39:23 PM
I do have my favorite songs and album, but I truly like everything Bjork has done. My only gripe is that her newer albums feel less like complete albums and more like a collection of random songs. But, they are not bad songs, there just seems to be a bit more experimenting involved. But in some cases it turns to pure genius.
A great example of these abilities can be found in the album Medulla. The entire album is performed using voices. The beats, instruments are all originally recorded by voices. It's quite amazing if you analyze the songs and hear all the detail.
While I normally am onboard with experimentation, I just think some experiments, like those you say found on
Medulla, are so far off-the-beaten track that it makes my 'instrumentalist heart' crumble to pieces. :) I
love instruments whether it be acoustic or electric. I do realize Bjork is a vocalist of course, but without her assembly of all these different sources from different instruments, it just wouldn't sound good to me to have voices merely emulating the sound a drum machine or even real drums for that matter. But, I'll sample some of
Medulla and see where I stand with it.
Quote from: James on January 30, 2014, 05:09:55 PM
Björk: Why I love Stockhausen
Bjork is also known for not always making the right choices. ;)
(I kid, James)
Well, the Cut-and-Paste King James does bring up a good point about Bjork and that is anyone remotely interested in electronic music has come into contact with Stockhausen at some point or another. Bjork also likes Part's music so she can be forgiven for any errors of judgment. ;) ;D
Pagan Poetry, a killer song from the album Vespertine -
http://www.youtube.com/v/Wp6tAcjq0N0
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 29, 2014, 02:09:37 PM
Just bought these two sets:
(http://eil.com/images/main/Bjork%2B-%2BLivebox%2BSampler%2B-%2BCD%2BALBUM-259595.jpg)
I have this box set and I think it's a good one, especially the last
Vespertine Live CD.
Quote from: Artem on January 30, 2014, 08:05:37 PM
I have this box set and I think it's a good one, especially the last Vespertine Live CD.
Excellent! Do you own the studio album of
Vespertine as well? If yes, does the live version differ much from the studio one?
I don't have that studio album in my collection, but all those 4 live discs are rather different from their respective albums. To me that box set was a very satisfying purchase when I first got it, because she brings a lot of new things for her live shows.
Quote from: Artem on January 30, 2014, 08:12:20 PM
I don't have that studio album in my collection, but all those 4 live discs are rather different from their respective albums. To me that box set was a very satisfying purchase when I first got it, because she brings a lot of new things for her live shows.
Ah, yes and this is one of things that I continue to read about her live performances. Her songs continue to evolve and, thus, making them sound different than their studio counterparts. A sign of a true artist.
I love Björk and some music of her, also because she has influences on and collabs with the IDM music scene. Especially with the band "Plaid". Haha, the guys from Autechre said they heard working with her would not be easy, as she wants to be the boss. Rumors. I love her Hunter song.
Björk - Cover me (Plaid rmx) !!!
http://www.youtube.com/v/Hva4f5ReLGU
Plaid - Lilith (Björk sings)
http://www.youtube.com/v/pNA-l2Nb1ow
Björk plays a cutie and icelandish accent at Harald Schmidt show, sweeet:
http://www.youtube.com/v/Q-dFRFsQKGQ
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 30, 2014, 04:52:03 PM
While I normally am onboard with experimentation, I just think some experiments, like those you say found on Medulla, are so far off-the-beaten track that it makes my 'instrumentalist heart' crumble to pieces. :) I love instruments whether it be acoustic or electric. I do realize Bjork is a vocalist of course, but without her assembly of all these different sources from different instruments, it just wouldn't sound good to me to have voices merely emulating the sound a drum machine or even real drums for that matter. But, I'll sample some of Medulla and see where I stand with it.
I had the same reservations but ended up liking it.
In the midst of Debut as I'm posting:
(http://cdn.albumoftheyear.org/album/debut.jpg)
Definitely can see why people call this a brilliant debut or even that much toted word 'masterpiece.' I'm still digesting the music but I'm loving everything I've heard so far. I love all the keyboard work, rhythms, and textures and Bjork's voice sounds great. I can understand why a record label would give her 'full artistic freedom' because she's established herself as a huge musical persona.
What I love about Bjork's music is the way the music goes in totally unexpected directions. Like for example the way One Day starts off and then here comes some electronic drum rhythms and thick bass lines and then enters some clean-toned jazz guitar. Didn't expect this at all. Her music, as I can hear now, has definite replay value. Can't wait to dig into the rest of Debut and then it's time for Post. 8)
Now getting into:
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/artaalbumdb/Bjork-Post-1.jpg)
Debut was just so fantastic! I really, really enjoyed it! Post starts off with the darkly-tinged Army of Me, which sounds even better on my Sennheiser headphones. :) All sorts of textures reveal themselves in such unique ways. Now onto Hyperballad, which I'd heard years ago, but really enjoying this album's version a lot. She's really something else. I could have saved money on Debut and Post because my Dad told me just moments ago that he owned these two albums. Oh well, now I've got my own copies. 8) Also, the issue of Debut I own has an extra song on it: Play Dead that wasn't on the original issue.
Edit: The issue of Debut I own is actually the international release.
Should I wait to listen to Vespertine since I haven't received Homogenic yet or should I go ahead and listen to Vespertine? I really wanted to listen to the albums in succession.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 01, 2014, 01:07:44 PM
Should I wait to listen to Vespertine since I haven't received Homogenic yet or should I go ahead and listen to Vespertine? I really wanted to listen to the albums in succession.
Succession is not a bad idea since that's how a lot of us heard them.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 01, 2014, 01:30:59 PM
Succession is not a bad idea since that's how a lot of us heard them.
Agreed, I'll hold off on
Vespertine until I've heard
Homogenic and
Selmasongs for that matter. 8)
Since I got a pretty good idea of how Medulla is (not my bag at all), how do you guys feel about Volta and Biophilia? How are these two recordings compared to her earlier output?
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 01, 2014, 06:26:31 PM
Since I got a pretty good idea of how Medulla is (not my bag at all), how do you guys feel about Volta and Biophilia? How are these two recordings compared to her earlier output?
They become further and further away from her initial sound as in Debut and Post. But you should at least give them all a try. I think if you find an appreciation for Bjork's talent in general you could easily find enjoyment from her most recent offerings. Also, don't let the descriptions of Medulla sell it short, there are still many elements there that are similar to her roots.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 01, 2014, 06:34:33 PM
They become further and further away from her initial sound as in Debut and Post. But you should at least give them all a try. I think if you find an appreciation for Bjork's talent in general you could easily find enjoyment from her most recent offerings. Also, don't let the descriptions of Medulla sell it short, there are still many elements there that are similar to her roots.
What little I've heard of
Homogenic and
Vespertine sounded right up my alley. I agree that I shouldn't let misconceptions and lingering doubt corrupt my thoughts. I need to try and keep an open-mind, especially concerning
Medulla. I'm drooling at the thought of listening to
Vespertine but I'm going to wait because I really want to hear
Homogenic first. I also received that live set
Voltaic today and I'm drooling over it as well at the moment, but I'm going to wait on this one as well at least until I heard the
Live Box. :)
Anyone own any books on Bjork that are worth getting? I've been looking at this one which explores her music with some musical analysis:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0253220653.01.L.jpg)
I produced a rock video for Bjork. She was cute as a button and very shy. Her voice was astounding.
(http://www.thelmagazine.com/binary/6a53/1327644085-screen_shot_2012-01-27_at_12.59.53_am.png)
Quote from: bigshot on February 01, 2014, 07:11:59 PM
I produced a rock video for Bjork. She was cute as a button and very shy. Her voice was astounding.
(http://www.thelmagazine.com/binary/6a53/1327644085-screen_shot_2012-01-27_at_12.59.53_am.png)
Damn, really? What video? How long ago was this?
Wait a minute...Bigshot are you John Kricfalusi? If yes, I LOVE your work! Ren & Stimpy was one of my favorite cartoons growing up.
I'm not John. I'm a pal of his. I was the in house producer at Spumco for ten years. The video I produced for Bjork was I Miss You. I think it's at youtube. John's doing cartoons for Miley Cyrus's tour now believe it or not!
Björk is one of those people I've always felt I ought to like more than I actually do.
I mean, there are some very nice songs in there. But there are also so many ideas that look good to me in theory but don't seem to gel. I even own two albums - Homogenic and the 'app' version of Biophilia - but I just don't find myself wanting to listen to them (and with the latter popping the album on for a listen is impossible, which is irritating). And yet I still have an idea in the back of my mind that I maybe want Vespertine...
I don't know what it is. Her singing, or her lyrics, or her musical choices. But lots of times I end up with this feeling of interest that dissipates once I try delving into a whole album.
Quote from: bigshot on February 01, 2014, 08:40:11 PM
I'm not John. I'm a pal of his. I was the in house producer at Spumco for ten years. The video I produced for Bjork was I Miss You. I think it's at youtube. John's doing cartoons for Miley Cyrus's tour now believe it or not!
Ah, okay. Well, that's still cool as everything. I love that song
I Miss You and I did watch the video BTW. VERY COOL! 8)
Just bought the remaining Bjork studio albums I was missing (I bet you guys didn't see this one coming):
(http://cdn.buzznet.com/assets/users16/beatrixkiddo79/default/30-bjork-medulla--large-msg-126052033847.jpg?post_id=81377701) (http://0.static.wix.com/media/cec8b8_abada157fd08baed640019b8cab7ce77.jpg_512)
(http://i2.cdnds.net/11/33/550x550_music_bjork_biophilia.jpg)
Quote from: orfeo on February 01, 2014, 08:46:18 PM
Björk is one of those people I've always felt I ought to like more than I actually do.
I mean, there are some very nice songs in there. But there are also so many ideas that look good to me in theory but don't seem to gel. I even own two albums - Homogenic and the 'app' version of Biophilia - but I just don't find myself wanting to listen to them (and with the latter popping the album on for a listen is impossible, which is irritating). And yet I still have an idea in the back of my mind that I maybe want Vespertine...
I don't know what it is. Her singing, or her lyrics, or her musical choices. But lots of times I end up with this feeling of interest that dissipates once I try delving into a whole album.
She's certainly not for everyone...there's no denying that and there's no shame in not enjoying her music of course. We're all different. I was actually quite hesitant getting into her music at first for several reasons and one of the main ones is something you point out: she's all over the place stylistically and I was always afraid these ideas just wouldn't form into any kind of coherent musical thought, but...I WAS WRONG! :) I like to think of her music as almost a stream-of-consciousness type of music where the song itself is actually open-ended and can go into any direction. It's that spontaneity and feeling of not sure what's going to happen next that gives her music an edge and freshness. Of course, after you've familiarized yourself with her style, everything starts making more and more sense and you can see how this jigsaw puzzle adds up into something that's understandable and fulfilling.
Well, if I want all over the place stylistically, my preference right now is for Janelle Monae. Or the band Gomez. Or of course, Tori Amos (wait, is that a legitimate 'of course' on this forum? I can't remember whether my Tori obsession has successfully leaked onto my classical music forum...).
This song from Volta is so....dare I say, like I said about Army Of Me, BAD ASS:
http://www.youtube.com/v/MZvEcjUKXR0
8)
Quote from: orfeo on February 01, 2014, 09:08:16 PM
Well, if I want all over the place stylistically, my preference right now is for Janelle Monae. Or the band Gomez. Or of course, Tori Amos (wait, is that a legitimate 'of course' on this forum? I can't remember whether my Tori obsession has successfully leaked onto my classical music forum...).
I personally love Bjork's assembly of styles and sounds and, again, I can sympathize, and understand, why many would not. I love her voice too or else I would've stopped listening quite awhile back. I'm not familiar with Janelle Monae, so I'll look her up. I'm not a fan of Tori Amos, so I'll leave her with you. :)
Crying from Debut is just so infectious!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/v/AJFWGpgS5gU
I'd kill to have wrote a song like this one, but Bjork beat (no pun attended) me to it. 8)
For those of you that own Vespertine, I was wonder what issue of the CD do you own? Mine has a completely white back with a sticker giving track information while the inside CD tray is clear and there's some nice looking artwork on the CD's front.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 01, 2014, 09:09:11 PM
This song from Volta is so....dare I say, like I said about Army Of Me, BAD ASS:
http://www.youtube.com/v/MZvEcjUKXR0
While I'm not a fan of the whole album,
Volta sure has its badass moments. Declare independence! Raise your flag! And I LOVE the ship horn intro in
Wanderlust. The video was cool as hell too.
Quote from: Rinaldo on February 02, 2014, 07:18:23 AM
While I'm not a fan of the whole album, Volta sure has its badass moments. Declare independence! Raise your flag! And I LOVE the ship horn intro in Wanderlust. The video was cool as hell too.
Can't wait to hear it. It seems to be a common thread amongst long-time fans that
Homogenic and
Vespertine are her two best albums. Your favorite is
Homogenic, correct? If yes,
why do you feel this recording to be her strongest?
Bjork has a forum on her website and I'm definitely going to join whenever it comes back on. Apparently, they're having some server issues.
Quote from: Rinaldo on February 02, 2014, 07:18:23 AM
While I'm not a fan of the whole album, Volta sure has its badass moments. Declare independence! Raise your flag! And I LOVE the ship horn intro in Wanderlust. The video was cool as hell too.
When I saw Bjork on her Volta your, Declare Independence is the song she ended with, imagine the studio version times ten. Was one of the most energetic and intense moments at a concert I've ever experienced.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 02, 2014, 07:55:37 AM
When I saw Bjork on her Volta your, Declare Independence is the song she ended with, imagine the studio version times ten. Was one of the most energetic and intense moments at a concert I've ever experienced.
What was her band like? Was it the same kind of lineup that she had on the Royal Opera House concert?
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 02, 2014, 08:01:40 AM
What was her band like? Was it the same kind of lineup that she had on the Royal Opera House concert?
When I saw her, if I am remembering right, it was one or two programmers, a drummer, perhaps a keyboard player, and an all women brass band.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 02, 2014, 08:04:49 AM
When I saw her, if I am remembering right, it was one or two programmers, a drummer, perhaps a keyboard player, and an all women brass band.
Awesome! 8) Sounds like my kind of concert.
This:
[asin]B000024Z88[/asin]
Sheer brilliance.
The other Sugarcubes albums are still good, very good, but this is just a different league.
Quote from: bigshot on February 01, 2014, 07:11:59 PM
I produced a rock video for Bjork. She was cute as a button and very shy. Her voice was astounding.
(http://www.thelmagazine.com/binary/6a53/1327644085-screen_shot_2012-01-27_at_12.59.53_am.png)
My favorite Bjork vid, I was thrilled that they'd work together!
http://www.youtube.com/v/80HmLlRB1TQ
http://www.youtube.com/v/VbHGOFwH09k
Quote from: 7/4 on February 02, 2014, 09:02:13 AM
My favorite Bjork vid, I was thrilled that they'd work together!
The fact that she wore a
Ren & Stimpy t-shirt for a promotional photograph alone solidifies her into my 'coolest person' category. 8)
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f9/7a/af/f97aafea463c141c945504ed45d11b22.jpg)
From the 'Non-classical purchases' thread -
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 02, 2014, 10:31:05 AM
Oh and I was able to snag an original US release of Bjork's Debut. So now I have the US release and the international release. The main different between the two besides perhaps some slightly different artwork is the international release contains a song called Play Dead which wasn't included on the US release. 8)
I'm also interested in remix recordings. Anyone own any of these? Looks like
Biophilia has quite a few of them.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 02, 2014, 07:23:12 AM
Your favorite is Homogenic, correct? If yes, why do you feel this recording to be her strongest?
Hmm, where to start? With
Homogenic I feel she reached the apex of what makes her special - great tunes, great production (the bass in
Hunter just
kills) & orchestration, very experimental yet memorable at the same time. For me, it's the perfect cross between Björk the adventurer and Björk the pop star (although she has left the pop market a long time ago).
Quote from: Rinaldo on February 02, 2014, 10:33:16 AMHmm, where to start? With Homogenic I feel she reached the apex of what makes her special - great tunes, great production (the bass in Hunter just kills) & orchestration, very experimental yet memorable at the same time. For me, it's the perfect cross between Björk the adventurer and Björk the pop star (although she has left the pop market a long time ago).
Sounds like
Homogenic is quite a special album for many people. What little I heard of it is just remarkable. I've been reading that many people who disliked
Debut or thought it wasn't a very strong album initially have come around in full circle. It seems that this album has stood that test of time. Last year marked it's 20th anniversary and it seems that a re-evaluation of the music came into light. Now, it's heralded as a masterpiece and I personally wouldn't disagree with those that feel this way about this recording. I love
Debut and
Post equally right now. I think the strengths in
Debut are in it's pure, almost youthful energy and so much of it does still sound strikingly modern to my ears. I know some musicians' or bands' recordings don't age well like so much of Rush's 80s output, which I love BTW, but you know it's the 80s by just the sound of the keyboards. With
Debut, the music retains a freshness and vitality that I just didn't hear on a lot of albums around early 90s.
All of this said, I'm really looking forward to listening to
Homogenic and going further up the ladder in Bjork's output.
During my teen years, we 'blessed' :P Dutch boyz and girlz knew that there were some interesting music festivals going on, like No Nukes (Utrecht) and Pandora's Box (Rotterdam).
KUKL from Iceland, with a certain Björk Gudmundsdóttir as one of the vocalists, appeared at the latter in October 1984, delivering some crazy punky performance with a mix from, say, B-52's, Bow Wow Wow and .... heaven knows.
http://www.youtube.com/v/VJ41aVoJZVM
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire - it's KUKL! Boy and girl charging around, shouting and screaming, while four others contrive to make one hell of a racket, lapsing into occasional bouts of melody. I'm not sure that it was their intention, but I found them jolly entertaining, and they should be seen if only to witness the extraordinary performance of that manic little girl".
(Sounds, October 13, 1984)
Cool, thanks for that, Marc. It only rectifies the fact that Bjork is 'all over the musical map.' She has such a wide interest in music that thankfully has been well-documented.
Another song from Debut that I just love to pieces:
http://www.youtube.com/v/PJ10NHdU11Y
Again, I wish I had written this! Damn, Bjork! ;D
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 02, 2014, 10:32:57 AM
From the 'Non-classical purchases' thread -
I'm also interested in remix recordings. Anyone own any of these? Looks like Biophilia has quite a few of them.
Got literally dozens ;D (think my record is about 20 remixes of big time sensuality!)
A couple of good places to start:
[asin]B000006SXQ[/asin]
The debut remixes are pretty cool, nice down tempo stuff.
Back then there were a series of vinyl only releases of the main songs from debut, each one had about 500 pressings. These were then cherry picked for the CD above.
The biophilia album had a series of spin off remixes which were released over 8 volumes. These were then narrowed down onto the remix album bastards :
[asin]B009MFA2A2[/asin]
There were also lots of sugarcubes remixes lots of which are captured on this:
[asin]B0000248CL[/asin]
This is the 2 disc version, there's also a 1 disc version.
Not the best listening now, but good at the time.
Start with the debut remixes would be my advice...
Oh and check this out while you are at it...
[asin]B000002MUW[/asin]
Written by Bjork.
Thanks for the suggestions, jut. I'll check those out. 8)
Bjork's lookin like that chick from 'Splice'. Her eyes are sooooo far apart.
Quote from: snyprrr on February 03, 2014, 08:37:08 AM
Bjork's lookin like that chick from 'Splice'. Her eyes are sooooo far apart.
Just keep Adrian Brody away from her.
Now listening to:
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSQg2G6zsJM/T04ps3EygVI/AAAAAAAABkc/DhyOVcblTI0/s1600/tumblr_lgdpc2l3OU1qfvv6oo1_500.jpg)
Absolutely outstanding so far! I really loved every song so far. I'm on Bachelorette right now. I'm digging the string ensemble she uses on this album.
I really enjoyed Homogenic and I'm obviously going to need multiple listens before the album sinks in completely as this one was much complex than Debut or Post. But next up is Vespertine. 8) Then I'm going to listen to Homogenic. Whoever said Homogenic was Bjork's 'darkest' album I don't really agree. I think Post had more darker moments but that's just my opinion. Pluto from Homogenic is downright sinister. >:D
Now:
(http://did13.dippedindollars.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bjork-vespertine.jpg)
Not enjoying this album as much as the others at the moment. I liked Hidden Place but absolutely hated Cocoon. I am really enjoying It's Not Up To You, however, at the moment. Beautiful. I can tell also that this is quite a personal album. Perhaps her most personal one yet? What do you guys think?
Okay, so I think Homogenic and Vespertine are two very strong albums and both help piece together strands of Bjork's multifaceted musical persona. They also reveal a musician who is in constant evolution and who is gaining more experience.
Giving Homogenic another listen and then off to bed. Love the strings in Hunter. 8)
A good little read about the 20th anniversary of Debut:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/jul/05/bjork-debut-20-years-of-innovation
20 years? ! Where did that go? I remember queuing outside the record store waiting for it to open to get this on release day...
Quote from: jut1972 on February 04, 2014, 05:25:53 AM
20 years? ! Where did that go? I remember queuing outside the record store waiting for it to open to get this on release day...
You must be a pretty hardcore fan, jut? Awesome! 8) I'm certainly getting there. :)
Indeed! Your cd buying and listening is prolific by any standards!
Quote from: jut1972 on February 04, 2014, 11:37:00 AM
Indeed! Your cd buying and listening is prolific by any standards!
:P
I will say this buying and listening could be a double-edged sword in the sense that in many cases too much of something is not a good thing. I just try and listen to Bjork's albums over and over again until I feel comfortable enough to actually say I know that album well.
Just bought for $14:
(http://www.wicked-halo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/bjork-royal-opera1.jpg)
Bjork: Live At The Royal Opera House
Does anyone own this DVD? I watched a few performances off of YT before buying this DVD and it looked, and sounded, fantastic.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 04, 2014, 07:30:50 PM
Just bought for $14:
Does anyone own this DVD? I watched a few performances off of YT before buying this DVD and it looked, and sounded, fantastic.
Yes. It is. ;D
All of her concert DVDs are worth buying.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 05, 2014, 01:26:03 AM
Yes. It is. ;D
All of her concert DVDs are worth buying.
Which I'm probably going to find out soon. 8)
So many of Bjork's songs have acted as earworms for me over the past week or so. Right when I think "Okay, it's time to go back to classical," she pulls me right back in. Such infectious music.
I listened to 'Post' on Spotify. I heard the album a few times when it came out in 1995 because my sister bought it. Björk is strange, very contradictory. There's things I like, but there's things I don't care about. The music sounds creative and banal at the same time. I think Björk uses banal music ideas and puts them together in creative ways to have this contradictory result. Björk keeps things "innocent" and gets sympathy points for that ('Army of Me' is just a mediocre trip hop track if you forget it's Björk), but occationally she also shows genuine creativity and musical bravery. Post is a nice album for sure, but there's something that annoys me about Björk's art.
Frankly, I don't know what to think about her... ::)
P.S.: I'd be interested to hear Lea Michele sing 'It's Oh So Quiet' .
Quote from: 71 dB on February 08, 2014, 01:50:59 AM
P.S.: I'd be interested to hear Lea Michele sing 'It's Oh So Quiet' .
Based on this, it might be clear Bjork is not for you. ;D
Quote from: 71 dB on February 08, 2014, 01:50:59 AM
I listened to 'Post' on Spotify. I heard the album a few times when it came out in 1995 because my sister bought it. Björk is strange, very contradictory. There's things I like, but there's things I don't care about. The music sounds creative and banal at the same time. I think Björk uses banal music ideas and puts them together in creative ways to have this contradictory result. Björk keeps things "innocent" and gets sympathy points for that ('Army of Me' is just a mediocre trip hop track if you forget it's Björk), but occationally she also shows genuine creativity and musical bravery. Post is a nice album for sure, but there's something that annoys me about Björk's art.
Frankly, I don't know what to think about her... ::)
P.S.: I'd be interested to hear Lea Michele sing 'It's Oh So Quiet' .
It's strange to see two posts from you in this thread, 71 dB. Both posts contain the same general message which is "I don't really care much for Bjork." Each time you post here, I can't help but to continue to think "Why is he even on here?" This said, I'm glad you listened to
Post, but I don't think she's for you at all.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 05:57:58 AM
It's strange to see two posts from you in this thread, 71 dB. Both posts contain the same general message which is "I don't really care much for Bjork." Each time you post here, I can't help but to continue to think "Why is he even on here?" This said, I'm glad you listened to Post, but I don't think she's for you at all.
I have posted here twice (plus this answer to your question) because this thread has been (surprisingly) active and I am curious why Björk is so liked among classical music fans (how about Sigur Rós?). My second message was after I listened to 'Post' again after almost 2 decades (to re-evaluate Björk).
How would you know whether Björk is for me or not? I like some of her music (e.g. Hyper-ballad) but not 100 % of it.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 08, 2014, 04:52:25 AM
Based on this, it might be clear Bjork is not for you. ;D
Really? I'm not a big fan of Lea Michele. I just think her voice would work well with 'It's Oh So Quiet' .
Quote from: 71 dB on February 08, 2014, 06:25:11 AM
I have posted here twice (plus this answer to your question) because this thread has been (surprisingly) active and I am curious why Björk is so liked among classical music fans (how about Sigur Rós?). My second message was after I listened to 'Post' again after almost 2 decades (to re-evaluate Björk).
How would you know whether Björk is for me or not? I like some of her music (e.g. Hyper-ballad) but not 100 % of it.
People like things for different reasons. I'm sure if you ask to Bjork fans what they enjoy about her music, you'll get two different answers. What attracts me to her music is it's eclectic sound-world. Also, the instrumentation is quite different. Like, for example, on
Homogenic she uses a string octet which augments the more electronica soundscapes and I just think this is so cool sounding. But her music would mean nothing to me if I didn't actually
feel some emotion from it. Anyway, I think she's a genuine, honest musician who is always trying to find new surroundings and trying to find ways of bringing those surroundings into her music.
I love
Joga from
Homogenic:
http://www.youtube.com/v/oFV4QCq9SEU
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 05:57:58 AM
It's strange to see two posts from you in this thread, 71 dB. Both posts contain the same general message which is "I don't really care much for Bjork." Each time you post here, I can't help but to continue to think "Why is he even on here?"
"Why is he even here?" ;D :D ;D Yes, I've wondered the same about you, John ;)
Why did you feel it necessary to post in the Lloyd thread when you really don't care much for Lloyd?
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 25, 2013, 12:10:45 PM
Can't say I've been particularly impressed with any work I've heard by Lloyd. Certainly not up to par with some of my favorites.
Or Satie?
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 05, 2010, 06:39:04 AM
Historically, Satie was very important and a big influence on other French composers of the day, but his music isn't remotely interesting at least to me.
Or Glass?
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 26, 2011, 05:46:44 PM
Okay, I just listened to the slow movement to Glass' Violin Concerto on YouTube and I'm not very impressed. I think my biggest problem is there's nothing harmonically interesting about his music for me. Rhythmically it's not interesting either. He continues to rely on the same old tricks over and over again. There's no kind of motivic development that I enjoy in composers such as Bartok, Stravinsky, Ravel, Koechlin, etc.
It's hypocritical of you to chide dB for something you've done numerous times; in fact, something you routinely do.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 08, 2014, 06:48:41 AM
"Why is he even here?" ;D :D ;D Yes, I've wondered the same about you, John ;)
Why did you feel it necessary to post in the Lloyd thread when you really don't care much for Lloyd?
Or Satie?
Or Glass?
It's hypocritical of you to chide dB for something you've done numerous times; in fact, something you routinely do.
Sarge
Ooch...yes, so you nailed me. :) (digs claws out of back)
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:55:04 AM
Ooch...yes, so you nailed me. :) (digs claws out of back)
I hope I didn't draw too much blood ;D
Let me just add that I don't mind negative comments or reviews--from you or anyone else. It's a legitimate part of any topic, I think.
On topic: I loved her band Sugarcubes but haven't really clicked with her subsequent solo career. She's really cute though 8)
Sarge
Thanks Sarge. ;)
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AM
People like things for different reasons.
Yes. People also dislike things for different reasons.
My reasons are responded with words "why is this guy here?". ;D
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AMI'm sure if you ask to Björk fans what they enjoy about her music, you'll get two different answers.
Two? More like thousands of different answers.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AMWhat attracts me to her music is it's eclectic sound-world.
Yes, Björk has eclectic sound-world. Björk takes some trip hop beats by Graham Massey, adds sugary strings and sings a chidren's song on top it all. As I said, a creative combination of banal components.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AMAlso, the instrumentation is quite different.
Different from what? Pop music?
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AMLike, for example, on Homogenic she uses a string octet which augments the more electronica soundscapes and I just think this is so cool sounding.
I don't think I am familiar with 'Homogenic'. I'll check it out on Spotify. ;)
After 'Post' Björk somehow disappeared from the mainstream and I wasn't force-fed with herr music by my sister so my exposure of Björk has been minimal.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AMBut her music would mean nothing to me if I didn't actually feel some emotion from it.
That's a truism, isn't it?
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AMAnyway, I think she's a genuine, honest musician who is always trying to find new surroundings and trying to find ways of bringing those surroundings into her music.
Yes, I think she is genuine. That doesn't mean I automatically love
everything she does.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AMI love Joga from Homogenic:
http://www.youtube.com/v/oFV4QCq9SEU
Nice track. Not mindblowing, but good. I'll check the whole album on Spotify. ;)
How long have you been into Björk? 20 years or only lately? I have the album 'Courtesy of Choice' by Leila Arab who worked with Björk. Her music is quite strange too.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 06:42:29 AM
People like things for different reasons. I'm sure if you ask to Bjork fans what they enjoy about her music, you'll get two different answers. What attracts me to her music is it's eclectic sound-world.
That's the very feature of her music that turns me off. I hadn't even heard of her until this thread began. I've listened to all the clips provided and was disappointed with each of them.
Quote from: Sammy on February 08, 2014, 08:40:20 AM
That's the very feature of her music that turns me off. I hadn't even heard of her until this thread began. I've listened to all the clips provided and was disappointed with each of them.
Don't say that, even
Albuquerque must love Hyper-ballad! ;)
Quote from: 71 dB on February 08, 2014, 07:40:33 AM
Yes, Björk has eclectic sound-world. Björk takes some trip hop beats by Graham Massey, adds sugary strings and sings a chidren's song on top it all. As I said, a creative combination of banal components.
That's harsh. She's much more inventive than most other "pop" acts. She's worked with the Brodsky and Kronos quartets, Inuit throat singers.. so to say she's banal is wide of the mark.
Quote from: jut1972 on February 08, 2014, 09:45:05 AM
That's harsh.
It's harsh if you interpret my words unilaterally.
Quote from: jut1972 on February 08, 2014, 09:45:05 AMShe's much more inventive than most other "pop" acts. She's worked with the Brodsky and Kronos quartets, Inuit throat singers.. so to say she's banal is wide of the mark.
Yes, she is. Basement Jaxx uses London Session Orchestra on some of the tracks of their album 'Kish Kash'. Does this make Basement Jaxx creative or banal?
Quote from: Sammy on February 08, 2014, 08:40:20 AM
That's the very feature of her music that turns me off. I hadn't even heard of her until this thread began. I've listened to all the clips provided and was disappointed with each of them.
Then don't listen, it's that simple. :)
Quote from: jut1972 on February 08, 2014, 09:45:05 AM
That's harsh. She's much more inventive than most other "pop" acts. She's worked with the Brodsky and Kronos quartets, Inuit throat singers.. so to say she's banal is wide of the mark.
You have to remember one thing: 71 dB is a fan of Ke$ha. That's all that needs to be said. ;D
One thing that I continue to admire about Bjork, besides her constant evolution, is the fact that she gives her music a completely free creative license. Her songs aren't 'written in stone' and her live performances are testimony to this fact. There are no limits or constraints in her music.
A great documentary -
http://www.youtube.com/v/If9UMQKVIWQ
Also, name one well-known 'pop' vocalist that would include this short instrumental interlude as a lead-in to another song (Aurora):
http://www.youtube.com/v/-7lEE3eP5-0
BTW, 71 dB, name one well-known pop vocalist that uses a harp as part of her sound-world? Name a well-known pop vocalist that uses a saxophone quartet? Name a well-known pop vocalist that uses an Inuit throat choir in conjunction with a full-piece orchestra set alongside two electronic programmers?
You certainly don't have to like her music and I wouldn't care if you did or you didn't, but there's nothing 'banal' about her music or at least from Debut up to Vespertine as I don't know her other two studio albums too well. You like a few songs well that's great, but you seem like you remain unenthusiastic about a lot of the music that you're hearing, which is fine of course. But I like Bjork for the reasons I detailed earlier as you like who you like for reasons that are specific to your own tastes. Of course, Bjork has nothing to prove to anyone as she's been one of the most constantly creative musicians in alternative music for many years.
Let's do some comparisons:
Here's a song from Ke$ha who 71 dB apparently likes a lot:
http://www.youtube.com/v/QR_qa3Ohwls
Here's a song from Bjork who I apparently like a lot:
http://www.youtube.com/v/Wp6tAcjq0N0
I can see the attraction. With the sound down of course.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 05:30:11 PM
You have to remember one thing: 71 dB is a fan of Ke$ha. That's all that needs to be said. ;D
Yes, I definitely am. Ke$ha is the kind of artist who seems talentless moron before you know/understand what she really is and what she is doing. Ke$ha is extraordinary. I like Katy Perry too, but not as much as Ke$ha.
What is Ke$ha doing? She disguises art as silly pop songs to make people happy, to be themselves as they are.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 07:22:55 PM
Let's do some comparisons:
Here's a song from Ke$ha who 71 dB apparently likes a lot:
http://www.youtube.com/v/QR_qa3Ohwls
Here's a song from Bjork who I apparently like a lot:
http://www.youtube.com/v/Wp6tAcjq0N0
I like
both of these tracks a lot. 'Pagan Poetry' is the kind of Björk I really like and 'Your Love is my Drug' is solid Ke$ha. ;)
Ke$ha is much more versatile artist than the masses know because the record company only allows her to release certain kind of "party" songs as singles + music videos. Ke$ha is also this:
http://youtu.be/d9ko3i3r3RA
and this:
http://youtu.be/Fe3QGy7eTb8
(sorry, I didn't get the flash working,..)
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2014, 07:12:48 PM
Also, name one well-known 'pop' vocalist that would include this short instrumental interlude as a lead-in to another song (Aurora):
http://www.youtube.com/v/-7lEE3eP5-0
BTW, 71 dB, name one well-known pop vocalist that uses a harp as part of her sound-world? Name a well-known pop vocalist that uses a saxophone quartet? Name a well-known pop vocalist that uses an Inuit throat choir in conjunction with a full-piece orchestra set alongside two electronic programmers?
You certainly don't have to like her music and I wouldn't care if you did or you didn't, but there's nothing 'banal' about her music or at least from Debut up to Vespertine as I don't know her other two studio albums too well. You like a few songs well that's great, but you seem like you remain unenthusiastic about a lot of the music that you're hearing, which is fine of course. But I like Bjork for the reasons I detailed earlier as you like who you like for reasons that are specific to your own tastes. Of course, Bjork has nothing to prove to anyone as she's been one of the most constantly creative musicians in alternative music for many years.
I can't. It doesn't matter what Björk or other artist use. Sometimes I like Björk and sometimes it's overdone or something, I don't know. 'Pagan 'Poetry' and 'Hyper-ballad' are great but 'Human Behavior' and 'Army of Me' I find boring and so on...
I'm not against YOU or YOUR taste. Björk is a damn good artist to like! ;)
Btw, Björk is 48, Ke$ha is 26. Björk has had two decades more time to use harps and Kronos quartets on her music. Ke$ha is still fighting for her creative freedom.
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 01:15:12 AMBtw, Björk is 48, Ke$ha is 26. Björk has had two decades more time to use harps and Kronos quartets on her music. Ke$ha is still fighting for her creative freedom.
Ah, but the age gap isn't much of a problem at all. Do you know what Bjork was doing at 26? She sang and collaborated with avant-garde punk bands and jazz fusion groups. She was continuously going against the mainstream as any good musician would do and challenging the status quo. Ke$ha sings Top 40 Radio, homogenized pap and/or whatever her record company makes her sing. She's not a true musician IMHO and actually quite far from it. As I pointed out, I don't care if you like or dislike Bjork, but I think it's completely relevant that we
know who you listen to, and what your tastes are, when you make any kind of criticism against Bjork's music.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 06:15:07 AMDo you know what Bjork was doing at 26? She sang and collaborated with avant-garde punk bands and jazz fusion groups.
Good for her! Ke$ha has collaborated with Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips and Alice Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PThwR-5knf4
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 06:15:07 AMShe was continuously going against the mainstream as any good musician would do and challenging the status quo. Ke$ha sings Top 40 Radio, homogenized pop and/or whatever her record company makes her sing.
Björk established herself decades ago when it was a different world. Ke$ha needs to fight for her creative freedom a lot more. Ke$ha's singles are targeted to top 40 but she has a lot of stuff that is not top 40 (just listen to the links!). Björk has "top 40" songs too, especially in her "Debut" era. 'Human Behaviour' was heavily played on MTV 20 years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrC1u_fH8m8
Not so top 40...
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 06:15:07 AMShe's not a true musician IMHO and actually quite far from it.
Really? Ke$ha writes her songs (and has wrote about 250 songs already, dozens of unreleased ones available on youtube as demo versions or sold to other artists. Ke$ha has been called "female Bob Dylan") , is a good singer, is said to play 20 different instruments and has invented "cock pop" music genre. Not a true musician? Really?
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 06:15:07 AMAs I pointed out, I don't care if you like or dislike Bjork, but I think it's completely relevant that we know who you listen to, and what your tastes are, when you make any kind of criticism against Bjork's music.
To me both Björk and Ke$ha are extraordinary musicians. I think you misundertood my opinion about Björk. I have clearly said I like 'Hyper-ballad' and 'Pagan Poetry'. I don't care about all Ke$ha's songs either.
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 07:50:11 AM
Good for her! Ke$ha has collaborated with Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips and Alice Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PThwR-5knf4
Björk established herself decades ago when it was a different world. Ke$ha needs to fight for her creative freedom a lot more. Ke$ha's singles are targeted to top 40 but she has a lot of stuff that is not top 40 (just listen to the links!). Björk has "top 40" songs too, especially in her "Debut" era. 'Human Behaviour' was heavily played on MTV 20 years ago.
Actually, the world isn't so different than it was when Bjork's
Debut hit the record stores back in 1993. Musicians still struggled as much then as they do now. True the marketing and technology has changed but the struggle is still very much the same. Bjork's 'Top 40' songs don't sound like 'Top 40' songs because she has such an individual stamp on the music that there was no mistake who wrote the music. I mean listen to the electronic dissonance in
Crying for example. Even in music written in a more popular style, she was still throwing curve balls to the listener.
BTW, that link you provided was horrible.
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 07:50:11 AMReally? Ke$ha writes her songs (and has wrote about 250 songs already, dozens of unreleased ones available on youtube as demo versions or sold to other artists. Ke$ha has been called "female Bob Dylan") , is a good singer, is said to play 20 different instruments and has invented "cock pop" music genre. Not a true musician? Really?
She could have written 1,000 songs, this wouldn't change my view of her one bit. For me, quality over quantity is always preferred. Ke$ha may write her own music, but this doesn't mean it's compelling in any way. I find her music quite the opposite actually.
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 07:50:11 AMTo me both Björk and Ke$ha are extraordinary musicians. I think you misundertood my opinion about Björk. I have clearly said I like 'Hyper-ballad' and 'Pagan Poetry'. I don't care about all Ke$ha's songs either.
Again, it wouldn't matter to me whether you liked or disliked Bjork. My point is it's important to note her musicianship which I'm glad you finally did. I don't like every song Bjork wrote either. Her newer material isn't up to par with her earlier work, but that's a topic for another day. :)
Quote from: jut1972 on February 09, 2014, 12:10:41 AM
I can see the attraction. With the sound down of course.
Sure, I mean she's quite attractive, but that's about all she has going for her.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 08:01:35 AM
BTW, that link you provided was horrible.
I agree, but it was to show Ke$ha is much more than top 40 hits and she collaborates. Sure you understand that clip was recorded with a cellphone from the audience?
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 08:01:35 AMShe could have written 1,000 songs, this wouldn't change my view of her one bit. For me, quality over quantity is always preferred. Ke$ha may write her own music, but this doesn't mean it's compelling in any way. I find her music quite the opposite actually.
It's compelling to me and that's enough for me. Ke$ha is a megatalent and we have only seen the beginning of her creativity. You want me to appreciate Björk, but you are not willing to get into Ke$ha, to understand what an extraordinary person she is.
Saying nothing changes your view doesn't make you clever. It makes you stubborn.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 08:01:35 AMAgain, it wouldn't matter to me whether you liked or disliked Bjork. My point is it's important to note her musicianship which I'm glad you finally did. I don't like every song Bjork wrote either. Her newer material isn't up to par with her earlier work, but that's a topic for another day. :)
Finally? I liked 'Hyper-ballad' in 1995 and 'Pagan Poetry' in 2005. How about you? :D
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 09:44:44 AM
I agree, but it was to show Ke$ha is much more than top 40 hits and she collaborates. Sure you understand that clip was recorded with a cellphone from the audience?
It still would have been a horrid experience whether it had good or bad audio. The music just does nothing for me.
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 09:44:44 AMIt's compelling to me and that's enough for me. Ke$ha is a megatalent and we have only seen the beginning of her creativity. You want me to appreciate Björk, but you are not willing to get into Ke$ha, to understand what an extraordinary person she is.
I think you've got one thing wrong: I don't want you to appreciate Bjork. Again, I could careless if you liked or disliked Bjork. I don't think Ke$ha is extraordinary at all. You may think she is but I heartily disagree. She's whatever the record label says she'll be and that's all there is to it.
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 09:44:44 AMSaying nothing changes your view doesn't make you clever. It makes you stubborn.
Saying nothing will change my view doesn't make me stubborn, it makes me real and honest. Again, I don't think Ke$ha is a creative musician at all. Even if she had complete artistic freedom, she'd be churning out the same old, boring pap that she has already done previously.
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 09:44:44 AMFinally? I liked 'Hyper-ballad' in 1995 and 'Pagan Poetry' in 2005. How about you? :D
Well, I'm late getting into Bjork at serious level but I have known of her and several of her songs all the way back to 1993's
Debut. So that's 21 years to you and me. :)
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 10:02:36 AM
The music just does nothing for me.
I don't think Ke$ha is extraordinary at all.
I don't think Ke$ha is a creative musician at all. Even if she had complete artistic freedom, she'd be churning out the same old, boring pap that she has already done previously.
You have an
image of Ke$ha and you are not willing to relate yourself with that image. One part of that is
"why is she using dollar sign in her name?", right?
I have demostrated you Ke$ha is much more than top 40 hits. I have told you she has tons of songs. I have told she is fighting for her creative freedom.
You are not alone with your opinions. Ke$ha is hated by many. People are not willing to understand her.
She is also deeply loved and admired by her fans. She is a huge inspiration to many. Her inspiration has prevented suicides. No other artist respects her/his fans more than Ke$ha.
You mentioned Ke$ha in this thread for the first time. You did it to discredit her and my taste. I think you are afraid there COULD be a Ke$ha song you actually like. I have read people confessing how ashamed they are for having hated Ke$ha before they knew how awesome she is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Z_Fls4y3k&feature=kp
Quote from: 71 dB on February 09, 2014, 11:19:27 AM
You have an image of Ke$ha and you are not willing to relate yourself with that image. One part of that is "why is she using dollar sign in her name?", right?
I have demostrated you Ke$ha is much more than top 40 hits. I have told you she has tons of songs. I have told she is fighting for her creative freedom.
You are not alone with your opinions. Ke$ha is hated by many. People are not willing to understand her.
She is also deeply loved and admired by her fans. She is a huge inspiration to many. Her inspiration has prevented suicides. No other artist respects her/his fans more than Ke$ha.
You mentioned Ke$ha in this thread for the first time. You did it to discredit her and my taste. I think you are afraid there COULD be a Ke$ha song you actually like. I have read people confessing how ashamed they are for having hated Ke$ha before they knew how awesome she is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Z_Fls4y3k&feature=kp
I could careless why she uses the $ sign in her name and also, make no mistake, I don't like her music and I don't see myself ever enjoying it. I'm not afraid of liking anything. I gave my honest opinion of what I think about her music and the reason I brought her up is that she represents the side of the pop music coin that I dislike and Bjork represents the side of the coin that I actually do like. You like her, that's great, but don't expect anyone else to. I'm just glad I met other Bjork fans on this forum, which is apart of my purpose for creating this thread.
Speaking of Bjork...let's get back to her music, shall we?
Giving
Volta a spin for the first time:
(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/47/01/ccc39833e7a00b7b08352110.L.jpg)
I thought
Earth Intruders was just strange.
Wanderlust is closer to my liking. Again, the electronica elements are intact, but there's something else on going here. Something a bit more disturbing and edgier.
I sort of liked The Dull Flame of Desire. I was a bit put-off initially by the male vocalist, but I warmed up to it as the song progressed. I absolutely hated Innocence. I See Who You Are has some interesting textures. I've heard Vertebrae By Vertebrae before and I enjoy it because of it's dissonance. Still, finishing up the album...
Okay, I can definitely say I enjoyed most of Volta. This isn't a bad album at all. Of course, I really disliked Innocence. I also didn't like Declare Independence. I thought Hope was a very interesting song with it's Indian influence. Something I've not quite heard in Bjork before. Again, she continues to push herself in new directions and even though Volta wasn't a 'groundbreaking' album for her, it did introduce some new elements to her ever-expansive musical universe.
Listening to Volta again. It's even better the second time, but still don't like the afore mentioned songs. The Dull Flame of Desire sounded even more fantastic to me this time around. I love the tribal, almost ritualistic sound-world this song inhabits. I can see how this recording would put-off some listeners at first, but I think this one of those albums that grows on you. There's a lot of beauty to be found here, but it's beauty in a much more rawer musical light.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2014, 02:05:33 PM
Listening to Volta again. It's even better the second time, but still don't like the afore mentioned songs. The Dull Flame of Desire sounded even more fantastic to me this time around. I love the tribal, almost ritualistic sound-world this song inhabits. I can see how this recording would put-off some listeners at first, but I think this one of those albums that grows on you. There's a lot of beauty to be found here, but it's beauty in a much more rawer musical light.
Flame of Desire features Antony Hegarty from Antony and the Johnsons. It's a great song, and Antony and Bjork sound great together. She ended up singing on one of Antony's albums too.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 09, 2014, 02:23:29 PM
Flame of Desire features Antony Hegarty from Antony and the Johnsons. It's a great song, and Antony and Bjork sound great together. She ended up singing on one of Antony's albums too.
They do sound great together. There's so much Bjorkian goodness to be found on
Volta.
I still need to listen to Selmasongs. I'm not sure why I skipped over it, but I'll give it a spin tomorrow. Just got through listening to Homogenic, now listening to Volta again. It just gets better and better. I also purposely have been skipping over Medulla. I just have a lot of doubt about this album. Also, I'm holding Biophilia in my hands, so this one will definitely get a spin soon as well.
I just love this song from Volta, quite understated, but poignant -
http://www.youtube.com/v/BjphPNThy84
I definitely plan on listening to Selmasongs and Biophilia. What do you other Bjorkians think of these two albums?
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 10, 2014, 07:11:24 AM
I definitely plan on listening to Selmasongs and Biophilia. What do you other Bjorkians think of these two albums?
Both very good. But I'm always partial to Selmasongs only because of its relation to Dancer in the Dark.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 10, 2014, 07:55:29 AM
Both very good. But I'm always partial to Selmasongs only because of its relation to Dancer in the Dark.
You know it's interesting I read Bjork's opinion of
Volta and she said it was only 'Okay.' Wow, she must be quite the self-critic. :) This is always a comforting thought because it only means she's never satisfied with her art and that she only pushes herself that much harder.
Been listening to:
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16n1Nn0eug0/UjhqEPuJJWI/AAAAAAAABso/2DCN43xAluc/s1600/selmasongs1big.jpg)
Sounds great so far. I had forgotten Thom Yorke sings with Bjork on I've Seen It All.
Scatterheart was just chockfull of Bjorkian goodness. In The Musicals is a damn cool piece, too. Selmasongs is a pretty short album overall. But I shouldn't complain considering I only gave $3 for the recording. :)
I've been listening to Biophilia this afternoon and I do think the music seems to have taken a backseat here. This music isn't as engaging as Volta or even Selmasongs, but there are a few songs I enjoy like Virus and Thunderbolt for example. I think she might have been going for something a bit more understated for Biophilia, but this isn't a 'terrible' album by any means, but it's also something I don't find compelling. Perhaps this is one of those albums I'll have to 'grow' with as I gain more listening experience with it.
I'll say this about Biophilia, Nattura is completely insane!!! :)
http://www.youtube.com/v/iTQMrxxhAy4
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 10, 2014, 03:08:13 PM
I've been listening to Biophilia this afternoon and I do think the music seems to have taken a backseat here. This music isn't as engaging as Volta or even Selmasongs, but there are a few songs I enjoy like Virus and Thunderbolt for example. I think she might have been going for something a bit more understated for Biophilia, but this isn't a 'terrible' album by any means, but it's also something I don't find compelling. Perhaps this is one of those albums I'll have to 'grow' with as I gain more listening experience with it.
Biophilia is interesting because it's more than just an album, its a multimedia collection of music, artwork and apps. Even though Biophilia's music is a departure from more popular albums like Homogenic and Post, it definitely encompasses the brilliance of creativity that Bjork is capable of.
An interesting tidbit into Bjork's personal life, and not surprisingly, her husband is artist Matthew Barney (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Barney). He created a five-part film called The Cremaster Cycle which I had the pleasure of catching in Dallas years ago, an incredible experience.
(http://artislimited.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/musa-matthew-barney.jpg) (http://basilicasoundscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/barney.jpg)
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 10, 2014, 03:30:53 PMBiophilia is interesting because it's more than just an album, its a multimedia collection of music, artwork and apps. Even though Biophilia's music is a departure from more popular albums like Homogenic and Post, it definitely encompasses the brilliance of creativity that Bjork is capable of.
Yes, I suppose I'm not too much into that side of music. I think a true piece of art can stand on it's own without enhancements made from outside sources. That's just my own opinion of course. The music on
Biophilia I would say isn't so much a departure, it's just that it doesn't seem to be Bjork at her best musically-speaking. Again, it's predecessor has much more going for it IMHO. But I will need more time with
Biophilia before I completely dismiss it altogether, which is something I really dislike doing, but have been known to do.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 10, 2014, 03:30:53 PMAn interesting tidbit into Bjork's personal life, and not surprisingly, her husband is artist Matthew Barney (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Barney). He created a five-part film called The Cremaster Cycle which I had the pleasure of catching in Dallas years ago, an incredible experience.
(http://artislimited.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/musa-matthew-barney.jpg) (http://basilicasoundscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/barney.jpg)
Ah yes, I knew her husband was an artist and filmmaker. Of course, Bjork would be attracted to artists, musicians, etc. since that's so much of her world.
Selmasongs is great, Bjork with an orchestra. See the film!
Quote from: 7/4 on February 10, 2014, 03:48:33 PM
Selmasongs is great, Bjork with an orchestra. See the film!
I wish I
wanted to but for whatever reason I have absolutely no interest in the film. Sorry Bjork!
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 10, 2014, 03:52:02 PM
I wish I wanted to but for whatever reason I have absolutely no interest in the film. Sorry Bjork!
You're missing out, John. Not just on great music and a revelatory performance from Bjork, but on an incredible, and unique film.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 10, 2014, 04:04:39 PM
You're missing out, John. Not just on great music and a revelatory performance from Bjork, but on an incredible, and unique film.
Well, I only care about her music, so, yeah, I'm definitely missing out and not regretting a minute of it. :)
Went ahead and bought this documentary:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AlcbyT-zL.jpg)
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 10, 2014, 03:30:53 PM
Biophilia is interesting because it's more than just an album, its a multimedia collection of music, artwork and apps.
The problem is that it ends up being less than an album.
Do you know what the apps lack? An option to just play the album. You have to play one song at a time, and it's irritating trying to work out which 'mode' of an app will actually get you the most complete version of the song, because the answer to that question is different for different songs.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 10, 2014, 03:52:02 PM
I wish I wanted to but for whatever reason I have absolutely no interest in the film. Sorry Bjork!
uh....but you get to see her perform songs.
Quote from: orfeo on February 10, 2014, 11:01:49 PM
The problem is that it ends up being less than an album.
Do you know what the apps lack? An option to just play the album. You have to play one song at a time, and it's irritating trying to work out which 'mode' of an app will actually get you the most complete version of the song, because the answer to that question is different for different songs.
:-\
That's just so gimmicky to me. Just give me some Bjorkian musical goodness and I would be fine. Again, I don't think
Biophilia is a terrible album, but, on strictly musical terms, it's not one of her strongest.
http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/a-guide-to-bj%C3%B6rks-custom-ibiophiliai-instruments
Have you seen some of the mental instruments used to perform it?
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 10, 2014, 03:30:53 PM
An interesting tidbit into Bjork's personal life, and not surprisingly, her husband is artist Matthew Barney (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Barney). He created a five-part film called The Cremaster Cycle which I had the pleasure of catching in Dallas years ago, an incredible experience.
Have you watched Barney's film
Drawing Restraint 9, starring him and Björk?
(http://image.eiga.k-img.com/images/movie/56569/original.jpg?1396886297)
Apparently, Björk's new album Vulnicura is available, but only as a digital download right now:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/21/bjork-vulnicura-first-listen-review (http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/21/bjork-vulnicura-first-listen-review)
I'm not sure if I'll download it as I really want to wait until it's officially released. The album is already getting some good press.
Curious as well, never dived into Bjork. Cover looks nice.
Oh dear, now I may have to get into Björk again. :)
"the inky, jet-black flipside to Vespertine" sounds promising enough to me.
Nice interview over at Pitchfork. (http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/9582-the-invisible-woman-a-conversation-with-bjork/)
Quote from: Henk on January 22, 2015, 11:53:53 AM
Curious as well, never dived into Bjork. Cover looks nice.
Check out
Post,
Homogenic, and
Vespertine first. If you like 'pop' music with an avant-garde twist, then Bjork is your woman!
Quote from: Linus on January 22, 2015, 12:38:02 PM
Oh dear, now I may have to get into Björk again. :)
"the inky, jet-black flipside to Vespertine" sounds promising enough to me.
Indeed. Bjork had become an obsession of mine whenever I started this thread, but I've cooled off now, but I still love her music and admire the hell out of her.
So, I've just listened through Björk's main discography again. :)
It seems to me like the road from Debut to Vespertine is one of maturity (yes way). Gradually, her untamed talents become more focused.
On Vespertine, after years of experimentation, she finally seems to be comfortable with the medium and only uses her "crazy" to accentuate certain parts, making them the more effective. Choirs and strings constitute a more natural component among the electric beats and the musical layers are beautifully developed into ambient soundscapes that seem to have a purpose, quite unlike the attempts on the latter half of Homogenic (which is valuable for its first three tracks).
Medúlla is more experimentation and didn't do much for me. Volta is a bit of everything from her career. Biophilia was a nice surprise, the songs are allowed to breathe again. The material is not as strong as on Vespertine, but I think this may be her second best effort.
In conclusion, if the new record truly is "the inky, jet-black flipside to Vespertine", I'm looking forward to it. :)
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 22, 2015, 06:39:24 PM
Check out Post, Homogenic, and Vespertine first. If you like 'pop' music with an avant-garde twist, then Bjork is your woman!
Thanks for the recommendations. I dig the new recording much. :) Played debut today, I like that recording. Maybe getting Vespertine as well.
Quote from: Henk on January 27, 2015, 01:17:06 PM
Thanks for the recommendations. I dig the new recording much. :) Played debut today, I like that recording. Maybe getting Vespertine as well.
Excellent, Henk. Bjork is so cool. What's interesting about her music, especially live is the instrumentation/arrangement is usually different than what is heard on the studio recording. She's always evolving and her music seems to evolve with her. Don't forget to check out
Post and
Homogenic.
Hey, Friends,
The new Bjork album is good, not on par with Vespertine (still the best IMO) and it does contain a few light duds, but also contains 2 to 3 fantastic songs that could easily make a greatest hits compilation. The track Black Lake is not only a highlight for Bjork, but for modern music in general. As with most Bjork albums I'll listen to it over and over and find new appreciations as I dig in depper to the music.
QuoteThe track Black Lake is not only a highlight for Bjork, but for modern music in general.
Wow, how so? :o
Quote from: Linus on January 31, 2015, 12:18:29 AM
Wow, how so? :o
I'm exaggerating, I'm just a big fan and get pumped when she releases something new. ;)
Sigh. Once again, with her back in my Facebook feed owing to the large number of friends who are fans (there's a fair overlap between Tori Amos fandom and Bjork fandom) I am trying to explore her work, and...
It doesn't matter which album I try (and I've tried at least 4), I always end up with the same reaction: that there's some things I find wonderful but that they're mixed in with things I regard as bad or deeply off-putting. For every song I think is excellent, I can usually find another one that I find very boring or downright bad.
There are few musicians that provide me with such a frustratingly uneven listening experience.
Quote from: orfeo on February 01, 2015, 12:53:22 AM
There are few musicians that provide me with such a frustratingly uneven listening experience.
I would agree she's quite uneven. (Much less so on
Vespertine, in my opinion.)
At her worst, Björk just loops a motif and "varies" it with drum fills, using textures that make no sense together.
But hey, there's always classical. :)
Quote from: Linus on February 01, 2015, 03:33:28 AM
(Much less so on Vespertine, in my opinion.)
I am actually deliberately saving that album until last in my current overview, partly because I suspect it may be one of the best. I'm not sure whether I've actually heard that album complete from beginning to end before, so it will be interesting.
I listened to
Post this evening, and I think that's one where the standard manages to stay reasonable throughout. I wouldn't say, at least at this stage, that I think everything on it is fantastic, but neither did any of it have me gnashing my teeth.
PS And yes, sudden flurries of drum fills in an attempt to make things interesting is one of the things I don't like. Seem to recall that happening on
Biophilia a few times...
Quote from: orfeo on February 01, 2015, 04:09:31 AM
PS And yes, sudden flurries of drum fills in an attempt to make things interesting is one of the things I don't like. Seem to recall that happening on Biophilia a few times...
Indeed, on that album I think she completely botched e.g. "Sacrifice" (a song that otherwise had a nice melody going) by all of a sudden drowning it in "avant-garde" drums.
Good luck with
Vespertine, I was surprised myself by how well it held together. :)
There's only one Björk album that I enjoy from start to finish and that album is Homogenic. People tend to be put off by the harsher tracks like 5 Years or Pluto but I find those effin' brilliant. Any beat that feels fresh after almost 20 years is a miracle, especially when it comes from the d'n'b / trip hop infested nineties.
I find Bjork's music a bit neat.. Not becoming a real fan I think.
I've finished listening to all the albums from Debut to Biophilia (not in chronological order) and it really has become clear that one of the biggest factors in my like or dislike of a song is her treatment of beats.
It's not simply that I dislike heavy beats, the problem is when I can't see any musical reason for them and/or they just become too repetitive. On a single listen, I think I actually like some of the noisy parts of Volta because it feels intentional and justifiable - although 'Declare Independence' is one of the worst things she's done.
Yesterday I listened to Homogenic, which I own, for the first time in a number of years. I continue to be stunned by 'Joga', which is one of the best single things she's ever done, and 'Unravel' isn't far behind, and really the first 4 tracks are all pretty good. But then it starts falling apart as the strings fade and the beats take over. 'All Neon Like' has some good elements but the beat is intrusive. The first section of '5 Years' is just utterly lousy.
And then today I listened to Vespertine... and not once did I end up thinking anything was terrible. Not everything immediately grabbed me to the same degree, but none of it was off-putting, and I'm inclined to go buy a copy for further exploration. And what do you know, this is the album where the beats are always light and subtle and integrated into the music instead of shouting over the top of it.
Quote from: orfeo on February 16, 2015, 01:26:21 AM
...although 'Declare Independence' is one of the worst things she's done...
...The first section of '5 Years' is just utterly lousy...
*grumbles under his breath*
Love both of 'em. DI is
hysteric (in a good way) when done live.
https://www.youtube.com/v/l1-5uOAPLv8
Quote from: Rinaldo on February 16, 2015, 02:16:55 PM
*grumbles under his breath*
Love both of 'em. DI is hysteric (in a good way) when done live.
https://www.youtube.com/v/l1-5uOAPLv8
Bjork ended with Declare Independence when I saw her at the Austin City Limits Festival back in 2007, a memorable closer for sure. Definitely pumped up the crowd.
Since I've been spending time with her newest album I'm about to go down Bjork memory lane tonight....
Quote from: orfeo on February 16, 2015, 01:26:21 AM
I've finished listening to all the albums from Debut to Biophilia (not in chronological order) and it really has become clear that one of the biggest factors in my like or dislike of a song is her treatment of beats.
It's not simply that I dislike heavy beats, the problem is when I can't see any musical reason for them and/or they just become too repetitive. On a single listen, I think I actually like some of the noisy parts of Volta because it feels intentional and justifiable - although 'Declare Independence' is one of the worst things she's done.
What do you think about
Medulla?
Quote from: Artem on February 16, 2015, 03:22:04 PM
What do you think about Medulla?
It was only one full listen (well, maybe I had listened before years and years ago), but I think I liked most of it. 'Where is the Line' stood out in a bad way, but that was about it - some of the others are odd but I think they probably work on their
own terms, which is critical. I've just gone back and reminded myself with samples... I liked 'Pleasure Is All Mine' a lot, and 'Who Is It', and 'Triumph of a Heart' is a surprisingly upbeat finish.
Quote from: orfeo on February 16, 2015, 01:26:21 AM
I've finished listening to all the albums from Debut to Biophilia (not in chronological order) and it really has become clear that one of the biggest factors in my like or dislike of a song is her treatment of beats.
Too much imo, my judgement of her latest album.
My sister (a Björk fan) bought Volta years ago when it came out. The package included a multichannel DVD -version of the album. Since my sister doesn't have a DVD-player, she gave the DVD to me. Björk is a hit and miss artist for me. I like some of her songs. On Volta I like quite a bit 'Wanderlust'.
Bjork has an exhibit at MOMA starting in March. Here's a trailer for the exhibit featuring the song "Black Lake" from her new album, "Vulnicura". I have plans to visit my mother in NJ and to hop over to NYC to see it, not sure when but I don't want to miss this.
https://www.youtube.com/v/EiXQ5qaUGDI
Björk's music is the only thing I listen to that has beats like that, so it's no big deal.
Whatta voice!
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on March 11, 2017, 07:42:21 PM
It's comforting to know this has a thread. Thanks John 8)
No problem. Like you mentioned, I tend to favor her earlier work over what she's doing now. I really ought to give her new album a proper listen, though.
Favorite Björk albums:
Post,
Homogenic, and
Vespertine.
I like the song 'Venus as a Boy' from the film 'Leon' (Natalie Portman's best performance IMHO):
https://youtu.be/7Z5aPaDwAkU
The Goddess has returned...
The song is great, and the video is up there with some of her best.
https://www.youtube.com/v/_n0Ps1KWVU0
A fairly impressive film clip, designed to hide another under-developed song.
Quote from: ørfeo on September 23, 2017, 04:55:21 AMA fairly impressive film clip, designed to hide another under-developed song.
Agreed. I sort of like the sparseness of it and Arca's presence lurking somewhere in the background but if it wasn't for the video, I'd stop paying attention after the first minute.
"Blissing me" took me somewhere else :)
High school Björk Guðmundsdóttir.
With her 'jazzy' punk band Tappi Tíkarrass, which, IIRC, means something like "Plug that bitch's ass". 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAuP1JDesJs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkuXOtFLMZw