The enchancement that is Vespertine (Vespertine - Björk)

Member Name: thedavey2k

Product:	Vespertine - Björk
Date:	24/05/02 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful harmonies and instruments

Disadvantages: A bit structure-less in places

Often labled as a rather controversial and inept artist by those who are unfamiliar with her brilliance, Bjork has done remarkabley well to achieve such a high standard of criticism and review in this, her most recent album. Vespertine is her fouth studio album, following the immense successes of "Debut", "Post" and "Homogenic". A progression in style and texture, this album exceeds all others,with such imaginative use of instruments including harp and music box. Also, Bjork has enlisted the American duo "Matmos" with their electronic expertise to add another new dimention to her music.

Track 1) Hidden Place. In my opinion, one of the best tracks on the album. The song begins with a light base line, and after a couple of bars, Bjork's subtle and unique voice shines through. As the first verse progresses, the beautiful choir chime in with an almost magical harmony. The song does make you want to hide away and forget everything. Truly magnificant.

Track 2) Cocoon. Not my personal favourite, but it still retains enough magic to keep me listening. The base line is heavier this time, and provides the main accompaniment to the lyrics. This track is much darker and colder in my opinion, and the name is not apt to the mood emitted. The "hidden place" in track one felt much more suited to a cocoon than this song. However, the track does get a bit better towards the end, when a few more instruments are used.

Track 3) It's not up to you. This track is an improvement on the last. It starts quite ambiguously, but as the chorus comes in, the bells and vibraphone shine out, and the beat is more steady. The harmony within the voice too enhances the song, making the whole chorus uplifting.

Track 4) Once again, this track starts with a heavier base line, but it has more of a electric guitar sound than a bass guitar sound. There is no obvious chorus, but
the song cre
scendos bit by bit to reach a climax of choir and strings. The choir kind of la the sounds out whilst Bjork sings out. I didn't like this track at first - and still don't at the beginning, but as the song progresses, it's beautiful.

Track 5) Pagan Poetry. My personal favourite. The track begins with sixteen bars of music box and harp (a brilliant combination), when a heavy beat begins to thump, with a kind of washy snare in the background. As the song intensifies, the music box and harp sounds become more intense. The song nearly always retains the thud of the beat (except in one place 2/3 through) , but it provides a good back bone to the song. Once the main climax of the song is reached, the instruments all fade out leaving Bjork with the words "I love him", which she says eight times. The choir then join in with "she loves him" in a beautiful story-telling kind of way, whilst the harp and music box lead us out. An absolutely magnificant track.

Track 6) Frosti. A short track which is just music box. For some reason it reminds me of washing on the line in the breeze. However, it may remind you of ice or snow or something. It's very well written, and the chords and harmonies in it are perfect. The song then carefully mixes into track 7.

Track 7) Aurora. The song begins with the sound of the music box fading out, with the sound of footsteps in the snow. The singing begins accompanied by the music box and harp in an ambiguous fashion. However, the song moves into a new section to provide lovely sounds of harp music box and Bjork a-a-h-ing and sing about goddess Aurora. The choir then join with the a-a-h-ing. Beautiful and enchanting.

Track 8) An echo, a stain. This track is rather peculiar, as there is no real tune - only what Bjork is singing. The accompaniment is electronic noises, with some harp mixed in. Reading this may sound strange, but as the string and other voices are
brought in, the track is gorgeous. The song is echoey - almost like a big empty house at night, if that makes any sense. I think you have to hear it to understand.

Track 9) Sun in my mouth. I don't particularly like this track, as I think it sounds a bit boring with harp and music box used again. The track does include strings and bells too, but the main accompaniment is harp and music box. Nice, but not very imaginative.

Track 10) Heirloom. This song begins with a jolly beat, almost like bongos - the two pitch of drum sounds. The song is nice, but again, I don't really like it. There is no real structure to the song - its kind of like one tune stretched and overused.

Track 11) Harm of will. This is nice, beginning with a string orchestra, with Bjork singing a vague tune. Again, there is no real structure to the song. On the other hand, it is effective enough without a verse-chorus form. The song climaxes to a lovely sound of Bjork and choir, bells and strings. Lovely

Track 12) Unison. This song reminds me of the circus - the waltzy type beat to the song and the instruments chosen which are quite difficult to identify. Not a real favourite, but nice.

If you buy any CD this week, make it Vespertine. It is by far the best chill-out album you could possibly want, and I find it's the best cure for a stressful day.

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