The 'cute' Bjork album. (Debut - Björk)

Member Name: solas

Product:	Debut - Björk
Date:	07/04/01 (167 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic, fun, emotive, beautiful, etc

Disadvantages: Some of the tracks have dated a bit

I still remember the first time I saw the video to 'Human Behaviour', the opening track on Bjork's first post-teenage solo album. I just couldn't get over the weird cacophony going on in the background, the very unusual voice, and this weird little pixie running around the place with bears and stuff.

So eventually I bought the album. Now, back in these days, I was a teenager, with no job, so I had to save pocket-money for ages and ages before finally getting enough to make the purchase. Consequently, this album got some very heavy rotation before I actually was able to buy another - and therefore, I know it inside out!

I really love this album. It was probably the first album I had ever encountered where I liked every song on the album straight away - a rare occurrence nowadays, I can tell you!! Let's dive in, and see what all the fuss is about.

1. HUMAN BEHAVIOUR.

Weird music here! Well, at least that's what I thought to begin with. The lyrics aren't really all that important - this song is just fun. What really captivated me though, was Bjork's voice. She has a huge range and her accent (which has softened a bit since) is quite sharp. She really SOUNDS like an ice maiden! A great opener.

2. CRYING.

The best thing about this song is the chorus. Not because it's very revealing or anything like that, but simply the way Bjork sings it! She provides the harmony in the backgroun which just completely blows my mind! Especially the ending where the music stops and it's just her doing the harmony bit. The song has dated a bit however, as the beats sound VERY early-nineties. Also, the upbeat nature of the song doesn't suit the mood suggested by the title, or the lyrics.

3. VENUS AS A BOY.

This song is an almighty classic. Again, the music is very unusual, particularly the rhythm - which adds to the snesuality of the song. It's gets a little bit naughty at
one stage (the lyrics I mean!!) and as Bjork is want to do, she trails of in Icelandic in a couple of places, which is masterful. It doesn't matter that you don't know what she's singing - it just fits with everything! I remember once singing the song to myself while hanging around with some friends, and when I went through one of the Icelandic bits, I got many strange gazes!

4. THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS.

This song was recorded live at a niteclub, and part of it is done in the bathroom. The effect is to draw you in as though you're actually there on a night out with herself, and she's just dragging you this way and that with her eternal energy. Again, the beats have dated a little, but it takes nothing from the energy.

5. LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE.

This is a really beautiful song, with just Bjork and a harpist. She puts so much passion into it - it really sounds like she's singing it with someone in mind. The harp sounds wonderous, inter-twining with her melodious gurgling.

6. BIG TIME SENSUALITY.

This was a big hit all those years ago, and it's not hard to see why. It's got a good beat, it's happy, it's full of life, it's essentially Bjork. More Icelandic in places, and the immortal line "I don't know my future after this weekend, and I don't want to." If you're feeling down, this song really cheers you up!

7. ONE DAY.

This is my favourite song on the album by far. So expertly put together, so beautifully sung. This will also cheer you up - "..two suns, ready to shine just for you". This is Bjork telling you that everything's going to be ok. It has a nice, laid-back tempo, which really soothes and helps you calm down.

8. AEROPLACE.

Another unusual song, but passionate nontheless. The rhythms sound tribal, yet familiar with Bjork singing of someone she really misses and wishes was close by (so
mething I can well appreciate.) It's heartbreaking, yet fun also - on great note here, is the sax-jazz interlude that breaks in after every chorus. Fantastic!

9. COME TO ME.

This is one of the greatest love-songs ever written, in my mind. It calms me down whenever I'm stressed, like someone looking after me! Bjork hits a few high notes here, but hits them with clarity. Those who think she's 'mad', or 'daft as a brush' are quite mistaken, and this track is the proof of it!

10. VIOLENTLY HAPPY.

This is Bjork at her best. Here she's full of energy and wants to just run wild all over the place! This is also a dance-track, but it hasn't dated like some of the others have, and would do well on the club-floors of the moment. The title of the song would serve as a good description of Bjork, most of the time.

11. THE ANCHOR SONG.

This song is basically a poem, a lament for the ocean. It sounds as if Bjork is home-sick (she was living in London at the time she started this record) and it's quite heart-breaking to hear. She's accompanied by saxophones that sound out of tune the first time you here it, but you eventually learn to tease out the individual melodies located therein. One of my friends think that this is her best song, and while I don't agree with him, I think it's right up there with the best of them.

12. PLAY DEAD.

This is my favourite motion-picture song ever. (well, maybe apart from "Exit Music" by Radiohead) I can't remember what film, but it doesn't really matter, because this song outshone it anyway. With a full orchestra behind her, she makes you feel the pain of a broken relationship. The lyrics are striking :-"I play dead, it's stops the hurting." Magnificent!


So in summary, the album shows a Bjork full of youth and energy, but wisened when it comes to emotion. It wasn't technically he
re solo debut, as she released an album in Iceland when she was 11! (worth a fortune to anyone who has it now!) After this, she became far more experimental and art-oriented which is good in it's own right, but nothing beats this one I'm afraid.

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