Homogenic - Bjork

Advantages: Everything about this album and the girl!
Disadvantages: Impossible to match this standard again in future

...satisfied but far exceeded when Homogenic was released after another two long years of waiting (release date September 22nd 1997). The Album First of all I have to admit that I expected something mysterious and sensational with Bjork’s next album. When I found it in a music store I immediately and entirely knew that it was done! I not even asked for test hearing a couple of tracks but rushed home, made sure to be alone and uninterrupted for ...
...new and finally matured, finished Bjork. After she finally discharged herself from the influence of any co-producer as with the first two albums, this evolution of an artist manifested in the most dramatic metamorphosis you could ever imagine. The cover and booklet artwork is the first shocking thing you realize: there she is, crafted as an ice-cold, china doll, wired throughout the entire artwork with grape wire of futuristic sorts. The first impression ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful strings,moving lyrics
Disadvantages: Bjorks peculiar grasp of English can be a problem

...the experiences of the world, Homogenic details both a woman grown, and someone who recognises there is far more to learn. The opening track on the album (Hunter) where she tells us of her need to learn more about the world, her need to get more out of life than she has so far, and her inability to control the forces around her (“ I thought I could organise freedom – how Scandinavian of me?!”) here is a woman who realises that even though everything ...
...gained, it is still not enough and that there is more out there if she has the bravery to go find it. (If travel is searching, and home what’s been found – I’m the hunter, I’m going hunting…) She moves onto Jago and Bachelorette, these two songs both detail her past. Jago dealing with her naiveté and Bachelorette the more literal journey of her rise to her current position. Both songs have the typical simplicity of emotion, yet complexity of the ... Read review

Advantages: Musically consistent with direction and quality
Disadvantages: Darker and less commercial than previous material

With a substantial amount of this album produced and written by Bjork herself, 'Homogenic' sees Iceland's illustrious singer take a greater control of her musical direction. Whereas the previous albums 'Debut' and 'Post' consisted of a host of collaborators experimenting with Bjork's musical diversity, this album is more of a solo effort, and although several collaborators do appear (Mark Bell, Guy Sigsworth, Howie B), Bjork remains very much centre ...
...more personal than her previous efforts, and it displays a musical direction and maturity which has been missing from her earlier work. The album is lyrically challenging (on 'Hunter' she contends: "I'm going hunting, I'm the hunter"; "I dare you to take me on" on '5 Years'), poetic ("I'm a fountain of blood in the shape of a girl" on 'Bachelorette') and romantic ("All is full of love, all around you" on the closing 'All Is Full Of Love'). With ... Read review

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"Homogenic" is the third album from Icelandic princess Bjork and her best yet. Her unique style and voice is maintained here and on many of the tracks is taken to a new level. The numerous string arrangements throughout the album are what gives it its edge, icy and powerful they sweep the listener away into a world of the artists own making. The tracks are at times dark but, because of Bjork's voice, at the same time appear utterly harmless. The ...
...and majestic however I'd have to say my favourite is "Pluto", an electronic blizzard during which Bjork's voice screams loud enough to burst eardrums. With music rivalled only by the beauty and originality of the videos which accompany them Bjork is an artist always ahead of her time and incomparable to anyone else. ... Read review

Advantages: The music, the production
Disadvantages: It has to end!

...album is an absolute stunner. Homogenic is her third album and definitely her best so far - unlike her first two albums, Debut and Post, there is a consistency across the tracks in terms of style and musical arrangement and production which makes this album coalesce into a majestic piece of work. This album is also darker, musically and lyrically, than her previous albums, which is no bad thing. Bjork's voice is as spine-tingling as ever - her vocal ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic unique style unrivalled in popular music
Disadvantages: One of her early albums (4th out of 10 thus far)

...BJORK - "HOMOGENIC" CD - £10.99 … It can bought cheaper on the usual on-line music stores and auction sites. Pay no more than £5.99 This Icelandic beauty (Remember now people, it's skin deep … the lyrics this lady pens radiates a definite inner beauty … despite her rather wild external behaviour and looks!) Bjork does not follow conventional styles, and her appeal is her utter uniqueness in terms of singing style, but also the fabulous sounds she makes during songs, which quite clearly are not meant to be words. Some people can't abide her, but I think she is a genius. Bjork studied classical music as a child, and that is very evident in her music, which blends orchestral music with more modern contemporary pop and electronica music, along with a very unique singing style. Bjork formed an Icelandic band in the mid 80's called... Read review

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Advantages: Innovative, musically accomplished, emotional; a perfect accompaniment to the film
Disadvantages: It's Bjork - so if you hate her you'll probably hate this

...the movie, this is essential; this is really what the movie was about: musicals; emotion; dreams; the songs. The album embodies everything I liked about the film, and along with Homogenic, is Bjork's finest work to date. The orchestral arrangements are huge and epic, and the whole listening experience is extremely moving, touching and leaves you thinking for days.... Read review

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Advantages: A beautiful and varied album
Disadvantages: An acquired taste

..., it is an abstract song that is very difficult to describe. Very mellow, it seems to have no structure what so ever, and seems to have been freestyled by her in the studio. However, it seems fitting that the climax should be so dreamy, as this sums up the tone of the album. 'Post' is a classic album that hasn't dated in the slightest, despite being 7 years old. Whilst Bjork may not be to the taste of everyone, it is more commercial than subsequent efforts 'Homogenic' and 'Vespertine' and is a good place to start for anyone wanting to get into Bjork. As far as comparisons go, I'd say that the album was as good as 'Debut', although I'd have to choose 'Homogenic' as my favourite Bjork album. Even so, I think that 'Post' is worth the investment of a few pounds, as it really is a modern gem. The videos of 'Army Of Me', 'I Miss You', 'It's Oh So... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful