at a glance...

Hometown: Reykjavik, Iceland
First Solo Recording: 1975

Personnel:
Björk -vocals, arrangements, celeste
Mark Bell -production
Thom Yorke -vocals on "I've Seen It All"

Bands In The Family:
The Sugarcubes, 808 State, Radiohead, Tricky, Underworld, Massive Attack, Howie B, Cassius, A Tribe Called Quest, Radiohead, Talvin Singh

Notes:
Having already released a hit album when she was 11, Björk Guðmundsdóttir was involved in several punk bands as a teenager, one of which morphed into the Sugarcubes in 1986. The Sugarcubes were superstars in Iceland and had a strong following in both the UK and America, but tension within the band led to their 1992 demise. After the break up, Björk moved to London. The dance culture there inspired her to pursue a dance-oriented solo career, and in 1993 she released Debut. Björk's strange interpretation of pop and hip-hop thrust her into the spotlight immediately. With 1995 came the more subtle Post, and in 1996, Björk allowed Nellee Hooper, Graham Massey, Tricky, and the Brodsky Quartet, among others, to tranform Post into Telegram. In 1997, Björk decided to take production matters into her own hands and the result was Homogenic, which has placed her in international demand.

Links:
Check out our
Björk Mothership

Read Ink Blot's tribute to Björk, "Dancing Queen"

For the most part...briefly sweet - sated Bond-like dark surges/elements (Overture) Machines revisits Homogenic territory. "musical numbers" from Debut/Post songs plucked from Bjork's mind. As soon as Debut kicks off with "Human Behaviour," its massive tribal beat and shuffling layers of percussion immediately transport you into the realm of Björk, where acting on instinct is preferred and logical thinking is highly irrational. This is an album for the senses.

The Latin-tinged "Crying" is pure dance pop, and immediately commands you to get off your ass and dance. The ecstatic party moves on with "There's More To Life Than This," while Björk's mischievous tantalizing vocals dare you to escape from the mundane: "We could nick a boat/and sneak off to this island/I could bring my little ghettoblaster/there's more to life than this". Björk travels further away from sensible thinking with "Big Time Sensuality," an irresistible groove with a funked-out organ, as she sings earnestly, "I don't know my future after this weekend/and I don't want to". Brilliant.

Debut does have its soothing movements. A sparkling harp and wistful strings float through "Venus As A Boy" - a song that makes every girl sigh and every guy wish Björk was singing about him. "Come To Me" is a sleepy, mesmerizing whirl of echoing keyboards and strings as Björk gently calls, "Calm, calm down/you're exhausted/come lie down/you don't have to explain/I understand". Ending with "The Anchor Song," which sounds like an sad sailor's tune, Bjork is able to leave content: "This is where I'm staying/ This is my home". All that freedom and excitement sure can tire a girl out. Debut is one of those albums that are perfect for anything-parties, small intimate gatherings, or those times when you come home exhausted and need something to make you forget everything. Björk can make it all happen.

If you like Björk, check out:
Björk Homogenic
Björk Post
Björk Debut
Björk Telegram
Lhasa La Llorona
Radiohead Kid A
Astrud Gilberto Look to The Rainbow
Portishead Portishead
Solex Solex vs. The Hitmeister
Beth Orton Central Reservation
Massive Attack Mezzanine

-- Lori Latimer