After cathartic statements like Homogenic, the role of Selma in Dancer in the Dark, and the film's somber companion piece, Selmasongs, it's not surprising that Björk's first album in four years is less emotionally wrenching. But Vespertine isn't so much a departure from her previous work as a culmination of the musical distance she's traveled; within songs like the subtly sensual "Hidden Place" and "Undo" are traces of Debut and Post's gentle loveliness, as well as Homogenic and Selmasongs' reflective, searching moments. Described by Björk as "about being on your own in your house with your laptop and whispering for a year and just writing a very peaceful song that tiptoes," Vespertine's vocals seldom rise above a whisper, the rhythms mimic heartbeats and breathing, and a pristine, music-box delicacy unites the album into a deceptively fragile, hypnotic whole. Even relatively immediate, accessible songs such as "It's Not Up to You," "Pagan Poetry," and "Unison" share a spacious serenity with the album's quietest moments. Indeed, the most intimate songs are among the most varied, from the seductively alien "Cocoon" to the dark, obsessive "An Echo, A Stain" to the fairy tale-like instrumental "Frosti." The beauty of Vespertine's subtlety may be lost on Björk fans demanding another leap like the one she made between Post and Homogenic, but like the rest of the album, its innovations are intimate and intricate. Collaborators like Matmos -- who, along with their own A Chance to Cut Is a Chance to Cure, appear on two of 2001's best works -- contribute appropriately restrained beats crafted from shuffled cards, cracking ice, and the snap-crackle-pop of Rice Krispies; harpist Zeena Parkins' melodic and rhythmic playing adds to the postmodernly angelic air. An album singing the praises of peace and quiet, Vespertine isn't merely lovely; it proves that in Björk's hands, intimacy can be just as compelling as louder emotions.
Every now and then I go through fazes, one week I'll be Morrissey obsessed, another weekit'll be Lloyd Cole. This week it's Bjorks turn, I've been a keen fan since her Sugarcube days. I found this remix of Pagan Poetry online and it's sort of kick started my latest re-discovery...
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Bjork is for people who like Bjork just like Rock is for people who like Rock. You can't really define her music and so you either like it or you don't.For those of you leaning towards the like, I'd like to recommend her album Vespertine (it's her 4th if I'm not mistaken), if you don't own it by now. A friend defined it well: It's Bjork with a harp, a choir, a symphony and elctronics. It's my f...
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I know I've been hearing and loving her songs for a while now,but I can't really remember why I finally decided to buy her Telegram cd. It was probably spurred on by some random person that I thought was cool,and wanted to be just like them but ah well,who cares. Bjork has literaly been the only artist who's been able to put me in a totally different physical atmosphere which was totally unexpe...
More >
I know I've been hearing and loving her songs for a while now,but I can't really remember why I finally decided to buy her Telegram cd. It was probably spurred on by some random person that I thought was cool,and wanted to be just like them but ah well,who cares. Bjork has literaly been the only artist who's been able to put me in a totally different physical atmosphere which was totally unexpe...
More >
Bjork is for people who like Bjork just like Rock is for people who like Rock. You can't really define her music and so you either like it or you don't.For those of you leaning towards the like, I'd like to recommend her album Vespertine (it's her 4th if I'm not mistaken), if you don't own it by now. A friend defined it well: It's Bjork with a harp, a choir, a symphony and elctronics. It's my f...
More >
Every now and then I go through fazes, one week I'll be Morrissey obsessed, another weekit'll be Lloyd Cole. This week it's Bjorks turn, I've been a keen fan since her Sugarcube days. I found this remix of Pagan Poetry online and it's sort of kick started my latest re-discovery...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Hidden Place |
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| 2 Cocoon |
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| 3 It's Not Up to You |
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| 4 Undo |
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| 5 Pagan Poetry |
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| 6 Frosti |
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| 7 Aurora |
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| 8 An Echo, A Stain |
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| 9 Sun in My Mouth |
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| 10 Heirloom |
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| 11 Harm of Will |
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| 12 Unison |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Vespertine")
