13 June 2013

13th June - Björk's Post

Artist – Album: Björk - Post
Released:  13th June 1995

Sounds Like: Iceland’s Post-er girl

Why is it that certain parts of the world are so much better at this music thing than others? I mean, for example: Coventry and Leicester are pretty much the same rubbish-y grey cities in the UK, but one gave us splendid ska of The Specials and was the epicentre of the Two Tone movement, whereas the other’s legacy probably ends with Showaddywaddy. Likewise, despite having a population less than that of Luxembourg, Malta or the Bahamas (or even those aforementioned Midlands conurbations), Iceland has had a disproportionate measure of success in making exceptional and original music.

Following hot on the heels of yesterday’s hypnotic and elegant Sigur Rós, today we have their fellow compatriot Björk who happens to be dealing in an entirely different but equally compelling musical realm. Things kick off with the dark electronica of ‘Army of Me’ and it’s abrasive chorus of “if you complain once more, you’ll meet an army of me”, but the real strength of the album is how it flits between styles effortlessly and with little negative impact on the album’s overall quality. Following the menacing, industrial rock of that opener is the delicate electro-pop of ‘Hyperballad’, a gorgeous alternative to the throwaway love song. Just two songs later is the cartoon theatricality of ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’ (annoying and overplayed back in the mid-nineties, energetic and appealing today).

Björk has been one of the most unpredictable and innovative artists in world music for the last 25 years, and each of her eight solo albums have received critical adoration. Other records contain moments of brilliance that surpass anything here (although I do bloody love ‘Hyperballad’) but as a set of songs this is by far her best.

Albumaday... rating: 8/10

1.       Army of Me – 3:54
2.       Hyperballad – 5:21
3.       The Modern Things – 4:10
4.       It’s Oh So Quiet – 3:38
5.       Enjoy – 3:57
6.       You’ve Been Flirting Again – 2:29
7.       Isobel – 5:47
8.       Possibly Maybe – 5:06
9.       I Miss You – 4:03
10.   Cover Me – 2:06
11.   Headphones – 5:40


Also released on the 13th June:
1995: Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill
Also released on the 13th June:
2000: Modest Mouse – The Moon & Antarctica


No comments:

Post a Comment