 | Tracklist:
1. Army Of Me
2. Hyper-ballad
3. The Modern Things
4. It's Oh So Quiet
5. Enjoy
6. You've Been Flirting Again
7. Isobel
8. Possibly Maybe
9. I Miss You
10. Cover Me
11. Headphones
| Ranking: #43 for 1995 | |
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On 14 Lists
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1 of 2 thought this review was well written
*This album is #373 on the Rolling Stone top 500 Albums
Bio: After four albums fronting the Sugarcubes, Bjork debuted as a solo artist with the aptly titled "Debut". A brilliant album in my opinion, it introduces Bjork's strange brand of electronic alternative pop. She not only has an amazingly unique voice and stunning musical ability, she is very much a performer and entertainer. Her music videos and live performances are bizarre to say the least. But, enough of that, you all know who Bjork is, so let's get to the review!
Tracklist:
1) Army Of Me - This song uses fading synth against a militant drum to create a sort of post-apocalyptic power trip. Dark and intense, this song crushes the "Icelandic Fairy" stereotype Bjork received after her first album. This is a good song, but she doesn't show off her vocals. B.
2) Hyper-ballad - After the last song this seems very bare-bones; quiet consistent drums and soft synth. This makes the listener concentrate closer on the lyrics. While "Army Of Me" had a more forceful message, I find this to be a lot more powerful. Towards the end drums, snyth, and strings build up and really suck you into this beautiful song. The lyrics are simple but intense, and fit wonderfully with the music. A.
3) The Modern Things - What a fun idea for a song! All of technology waiting in a mountain to come out and take over. There is also some Icelandic (I assume) vocalization in this song, and it sounds really nice even though I have no idea what they mean. This song also features some of that awesome Bjork screaming/wailing; just overall a great song for vocals. A+.
4) It's Oh So Quiet - A cover of a classic song; she does a nice job with it too. Still, she didn't really change the format much if you've heard the original. Fun, but in the world of Bjork, there's better. C+.
5) Enjoy - Now the dark stuff comes back, with those militant drums and repetitive synth. But this song is different, no doubt about it. The vocals on this song are far more interesting than Army Of Me. They sound kind of weirdly recorded (muffled and echo-y at times), which adds a sort of spooky element. There's a lot of yowling, which is always good. Cooler instrumentation in this one, IMO. She worked with Tricky here, if you care about that. A-.
6) You've Been Flirting Again - Wow, way to take it down from spooky intensity back to softness. This has no drums, just strings. There are 5 different lines of lyrics to this, along with some ooo-ing. Pretty, but not really my style. In fact, I usually skip it. C+.
7) Isobel - Now we go to a cool jungle beat, with appropriate lyrics. Bjork really knows how to take you where she wants to go, and she takes you to a strange forest with the beat and her words. This song is intenese but not really dark, it gives you the feeling of going deeper into the forest as you go on. Very well done, I have no complaints on this one. A+.
8) Possibly Maybe - Starting off softer again, but this one takes a different route. Creepy instrumentalization on this, and great vocals. I like the lyrics too, about the exhaustion, pain, intensity, and danger of love. The chorus sounds kind of lovey-dovey on it's own, but the verse is intense and somewhat violent. Spooky. I love it. A+.
9) I Miss You - First of all, I have to tell you that there is a video for this made by the guy who draws Ren and Stimpy. Check it out. Anyway, this song in itself is only okay in my book. Cool drums, but the synth is really kinda lame. The lyrics get a little repetative, but she does some really cool singing on this one, so that makes up for it. Plus, there's a really cool breakdown with drums and yowling Bjork. The trumpets, when they come in, are awesome too. B, maybe B+.
10) Cover Me - Harpsichord? Why not! I like the lyrics in this, but this song is a little too bare for me. Cool sound effects create a spooky little enviroment, but the lack of drums bothers me. Not that I feel drums are really appropriate in this song, what with the sort of whispered vocals and all, but...I miss drums! This is another song I skip usually. B-.
11) Headphones - She sings way too quietly for most of this song, and it bothers me. It's a slower song, setting you in what feels like an underground ice cave. Some interesting vocal experimentation towards the end saves it, and I like the lyrics, but this is still not as strong as most of the album. Awesome Icelandic in there too. C.
Rating: 4.5/5, this is a very good album, even the points I considered weak are really more matters of personal taste. If you liked Debut, the softer parts of this album probably appeal to you, if you liked Homogenic, then you probably will like the more upbeat parts. Overall, a really gorgeous album, and the fact that she keeps it varied just proves there's not a standard formula to her work...she's a true artist.
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I'v been interested in hearing some of Bjork's stuff is this a good place to start?
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Great review. I've been listening to some Bjork lately. She's an incredible musician, and I'd like to get more albums.
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Good review...this is my second favorite Björk album. I pretty much agree with all your comments. "Isobel" is an amazing song...I always see "You've Been Flirting Again" as an intro to the song.
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Is the genre electronic, or is the name of the album Post (electronic), somehow?
The only song I've heard from this album is Army of Me, I think. It's alright, though I didn't enjoy it as much as many of the songs on Vespertine.
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Good review, I'm not too into Bjork but I may try to listen to her again.
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Name of the album is Post, and I think it is a great first album of hers to get. It has a wider variety of songs than Debut. Don't buy Vespertine and Homogenic right away, they are too good and you'll be spoiled! Get Post first, see how awesome it is, and get those albums later and be totally blown away. I really don't reccomend Selmasongs either. Go for Post.
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I've already got Vespertine.
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Good review for a classic album. I got to see the Sugarcubes in 1988 with PIL. Unfortunately, she had shaved her head for the tour. I was bummed.
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I was listening to "Possibly Maybe" today and I knew it sounded familiar... It's the song VH-1 uses when advertising "Insomniac Music Theater".
Great album, too.
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I bought this album. I wish I wouldn't have.
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I don't have this album but Possibly Maybe is an incredible song :thumb:
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Nice review :thumb:
I think the songs on the cd is great... however, they're not as powerful as the ones on Vespertine. And the cd don't feel like a complete one.. the songs are so individual. But that doesn't mean they're nothing more than marvelous.
8/10 IMO. Nonetheless, It's a classic too.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
It's a really wonderful album, but Debut is by far her best. The cd sort of fades into boringness with the last two tracks, but the other ones hold my attention completely.
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not my prefered brand of listening to say the least. good review though
| | | Album Rating: 5
Amazing. Her first masterpiece.
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I really want this
| | | Album Rating: 4
Really great album, maybe I'll even raise my rating with a couple listens.
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Best Bjork album?
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I really like the music from what I've heard, only the voice  doesn't really do it for me.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This s a great album, and this is a very good track-by-track.
I like Possibly Maybe, but I'd probably give it a B+. I think it seems to drag on a bit too long, and it just keeps going. And Headphones sounds god on headphones, with its minimal beats. A-
Digging: Tiny Vipers - Life on Earth | | | |
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