https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2239/2274382599_6faabc449b.jpg
Warmthness! Glow in the dark threads!
MAIN POLL
Send me your ballot of up to 30 top tracks and no fewer than 10. I don't know if that's more or less than usual, but in my experience, people who are into Björk tend to be really into Björk.
APPETIZER POLLS
Albums: Rank up to 5 of your top Björk albums/comps/EPs.Remixes: Rank up to 5 of your top remixes. (By the way, tracks in the main poll will just be counted as tracks, so if for instance you choose the Phunk You remix of "Alarm Call" on your main ballot, it'll just be counted toward "Alarm Call.")Music Videos: Rank up to 5 of your top videos. Sugarcubes: Rank up to 5 of your favorite Sugarcubes tracks.(NOTE: Indicate if ballots are ranked or unranked; even the sidebar polls.)
Send ballots to ephender at-sign gmail dot com. Order ballots from highest (#1) to lowest, and include your username
Voting closes at midnight April 27, 2018, or within a few hours or days thereafter.
― "Minneapolis" (barf) (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 02:00 (five years ago) link
the movie you wanted to see about us? Jia shooting a series of long takes of our listening to Homogenic in a dark room.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 9 April 2018 02:07 (five years ago) link
I've already shot half that movie.
― "Minneapolis" (barf) (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 02:09 (five years ago) link
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGG
― Tim F, Monday, 9 April 2018 02:13 (five years ago) link
Why don't Sugarcubes tracks count among the regular Bjork tracks? Not challenging your rules, just wondering.
Also, Bjork stole my shirt.
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Monday, 9 April 2018 03:26 (five years ago) link
Dang, just one Sugarcubes track? I am very excited for this poll tho
― Vinnie, Monday, 9 April 2018 11:04 (five years ago) link
Agreed.
― "Minneapolis" (barf) (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 12:41 (five years ago) link
What I already have listed in my tallying spreadsheet. A list of "nominations," if you will:
107 Steps5 YearsAeroplaneAlarm CallAll is Full of LoveAll Neon LikeAmbergris MarchAmphibianAn Echo, A StainAncestorsAntarctic ReturnArisen My SensesArmy of MeAtlanticAtom DanceAuroraBacheloretteBatabidBathBig Time SensualityBlack LakeBlissing MeBody MemoryCetaceaCharleneClaimstakerCocoonCome To MeCosmogonyCourtshipCover MeCryingCrystallineCvaldaDark MatterDeclare IndependenceDesired ConstellationDomesticaEarth IntrudersEnjoyFamilyFeatures CreaturesFoot SoldierFrostiFuture ForeverGenerous PalmstrokeGlóraGratitudeHarm of WillHeadphonesHeirloomHidden PlaceHistory of TouchesHollowHolographic EntrypointHopeHuman BehaviorHunterHunter VesselHyper-balladI Go HumbleI Miss YouI Remember YouI See Who You AreImmatureIn the MusicalsInnocenceIsobelIt's in Our HandsIt's Not Up To YouIt's Oh So QuietI've Seen It AllJógaKarvelKomiðLike Someone in LoveLilithLionsongLosssMiðvikudagsMoonMother HeroicMouth MantraMouth's CradleMutual CoreMy JuvenileMy Snare/Nature is AncientMy SpineNáttúraNew WorldNorthNotgetNu Flyver AntonOceaniaÖll BirtanOne DayOoopsOverturePagan PoetryParadisiaPearlPetrolatumPlay DeadPleasure is All MinePlutoPneumoniaPossibly MaybeQuicksandSacrificeSaintScaryScatterheartShimenawaShow Me ForgivenessSíðasta ÉgSo BrokenSod OffSolsticeSonnets/Unrealities XIStígðu MigStonemilkerStormSubmarineSue MeSun in My MouthSweet IntuitionSweet Sweet IntuitionTabula RasaTakkTetralógiaThe Anchor SongThe Boho DanceThe Comet SongThe Dull Flame of DesireThe GateThe Modern ThingsThere's More to Life Than ThisThunderboltTriumph of the HeartUndoUnisonUnravelUtopiaVenus as a BoyVerandiVertebræ by VertebræVessel ShimenawaViolently HappyVirusVísur Vatnsenda-RósuVökuróWanderlustWhere is the LineWho Is ItYou've Been Flirting Again
― "Minneapolis" (barf) (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 12:56 (five years ago) link
― Tim F, Monday, April 9, 2018 2:13 AM (ten hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 9 April 2018 13:07 (five years ago) link
Great thread
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Monday, 9 April 2018 13:18 (five years ago) link
a state of ePOLLgency
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 9 April 2018 13:21 (five years ago) link
pollta
― lowercase (eric), Monday, 9 April 2018 13:23 (five years ago) link
pollst
― lowercase (eric), Monday, 9 April 2018 13:24 (five years ago) link
BIG POLL SENSUALITY
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 9 April 2018 13:45 (five years ago) link
POLL is full of love
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 13:55 (five years ago) link
(Pole is full of love?)
Hyperballot
― jmm, Monday, 9 April 2018 13:56 (five years ago) link
thank you for doing this poll, I am going to listen to her in depth for the first time. I've listened before & love Vespertine & (to a lesser degree) Homogenic but I think it's time to go hard, to go deep, to enjoy cock as it were.
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 9 April 2018 14:01 (five years ago) link
A+ xp
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 9 April 2018 14:01 (five years ago) link
^
― lowercase (eric), Monday, 9 April 2018 14:04 (five years ago) link
also fuckin same xp to euler
venus as a poll
― mookieproof, Monday, 9 April 2018 14:33 (five years ago) link
It's POLL So Quiet
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 14:39 (five years ago) link
Oh! One I actually want to get involved in.
― chap, Monday, 9 April 2018 15:04 (five years ago) link
i got so obsessed with bjork in high school and college that i never listen to her anymore so i think i'm going to participate in this poll if only for the prospect of me getting excited about her again
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:36 (five years ago) link
Can we include telegram and remixes? The plaid remix of all is full of love is dope
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:39 (five years ago) link
Sorry just read initial post -overly tired
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:43 (five years ago) link
Yesss Brad please be on board!
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:46 (five years ago) link
I expect participation from every single gaylxor.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:49 (five years ago) link
(That was not directed in response to anyone in particular, for the record.)
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:50 (five years ago) link
Can we vote for tracks from this?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Bjork%2C1977%2CFront.jpg
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:54 (five years ago) link
Surely, and Gling-glo too.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 15:59 (five years ago) link
And maybe whatever's on Family Tree.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 17:10 (five years ago) link
So remixes no, but guest lead vocals on other artists' tracks yes?
― chap, Monday, 9 April 2018 17:12 (five years ago) link
Sure.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 17:12 (five years ago) link
I also burned out on Bjork and haven't cared since 2004, although I've given the last two albums a dutiful listen.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 9 April 2018 17:13 (five years ago) link
I fear that my own ballot will be almost exclusively pulled from two albums from the 90s, though my #1 might actually be something far more current.
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Monday, 9 April 2018 17:23 (five years ago) link
excited to dive back into her catalogue and to give proper attention to stuff that's eluded me (mostly Medulla, the one that was an app, and the Debut, somehow)
― stormzy daniels (voodoo chili), Monday, 9 April 2018 17:24 (five years ago) link
Play dead is essential from the debut. Not sure why it’s left off some editions
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Monday, 9 April 2018 17:28 (five years ago) link
It will def be a struggle for me not to include every last track from one specific '90s album, but I think I'll manage.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 17:34 (five years ago) link
super excited for this, her first four albums are all classic.
Play Dead was a bonus track on reissues of Debut, it was originally recorded for The Young Americans soundtrack. it is completely essential though yeah
― ufo, Monday, 9 April 2018 19:27 (five years ago) link
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 9 April 2018 20:01 (five years ago) link
so versions on the live albums also count as the regular track?
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 9 April 2018 20:09 (five years ago) link
The vespertine live DVD is incredible
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Monday, 9 April 2018 20:14 (five years ago) link
Which live version of which song?
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 9 April 2018 20:38 (five years ago) link
girl i don't know yet there are so many!!!
xp this guy I met in Philly several years ago and stayed in touch with just mailed me some stuff he was getting rid of and when I opened it this morning it wound up being 5 BJORK DVDS, one of which is Vespertine live!
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 9 April 2018 20:41 (five years ago) link
Wait
Only three albums?
So it's like Homogenic by a country mile, Post somewhere behind that, and then the only suspense is whether Vespertine or Debut makes #3, and zero votes for everything else?
Not speaking ill of the rest of her catalogue
But I think consensus on Björk's "finest albums" is such that you might open up the ballot to five albums, or up to ten or something
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Monday, 9 April 2018 21:37 (five years ago) link
yeah 5 albums would give much more interesting results
― ufo, Monday, 9 April 2018 21:41 (five years ago) link
I'm sending five w/e
I feel like I have different ears for different eras of Bjork, I adore shit like "Hollow" and "An Echo, A Stain" but don't know where to place them amongst all the poppy fun stuff
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Monday, 9 April 2018 21:48 (five years ago) link
I have no idea how I'm going to rank most of the second half of Vespertine because I love it as a suite all flowing together but as individual tracks I have no idea
― ufo, Monday, 9 April 2018 21:56 (five years ago) link
have been planning on revisiting to the whole discography before voting, but so far I can't stop listening to Venus as a Boy
― Dan S, Monday, 9 April 2018 22:01 (five years ago) link
*revisiting the...
― Dan S, Monday, 9 April 2018 22:02 (five years ago) link
FGTI bringing it, just saying
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 9 April 2018 22:24 (five years ago) link
I'm looking forward to this. But...any chance of >1 Sugarcubes selection per ballot? :)
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 02:30 (five years ago) link
I’m fine with however much enthusiasm people want to offer in their ballots. I’ve as of yet received only one ballot, so for the side polls, let’s say up to five on all three.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 02:35 (five years ago) link
Good call imo, I think both albums and Sugarcubes will have a more interesting list with 5 votes
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 10 April 2018 12:57 (five years ago) link
no side poll for music videos?
― stormzy daniels (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 17:17 (five years ago) link
Aw, nice to see this in the list:
Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu
― Michael Jones, Tuesday, 10 April 2018 17:27 (five years ago) link
x/p jeez, I hadn't even thought of that! Going to get a mod to amend the first post to include that too.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 17:33 (five years ago) link
sweet. soooo many good ones to choose from.
― stormzy daniels (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 17:43 (five years ago) link
Drawing Restraint #9 - fair game?
― change display name (Jordan), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 18:18 (five years ago) link
Man
The past 24 hours has been mostly me realizing that Biophilia might be one of the best albums ever made, and maybe her best album (if I were to divest myself of my teenage attachment to her early stuff)
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 18:22 (five years ago) link
whoa
i have to admit i did not take well to biophilia the first time around, but i will give it another good shot
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 10 April 2018 18:24 (five years ago) link
i love that kind of overnight mindblown experience though, there's nothing like it
Conceptually I can't think of a more daring and overwrought album-- an instrument built for every song!-- sonically it's so diverse and interesting, there's never a wasted moment-- and like, I've always thought that Bjork had been dividing her time between "traditional pop songs" and "chamber music hybridism" for her entire career, and this entire album of successful no-holds-barred 'art song' just really blows my mind that it exists
She literally had simultaneously booked a recording studio, a 3D-film production house, an team to make the app, and people building the instruments-- that album essentially bankrupted her and it was entirely worth it imo
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 18:26 (five years ago) link
Like if you remove the experience of listening to it from the context of "this woman recorded 'Joga'", let go of your desire for hooks or fun or whatever you got from those early albums, then it is completely, completely insane that it exists
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 18:28 (five years ago) link
If I were to pick one single post-Vespertine album, I pick Biophilia.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 18:43 (five years ago) link
Eric, forgive me if this is a dumb question but are the main poll tracks supposed to be ordered by favourite? That's tough
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 18:49 (five years ago) link
They don't have to be. If you want to just submit 30 unranked titles, that's fine too.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 19:11 (five years ago) link
thanks Eric
Got really excited doing the tracks, here's my 30
Come To MePlay DeadEnjoyHyper-balladPossibly MaybeIsobelImmatureMy Snare/Nature is AncientPagan PoetryUndoPleasure is all mineSo BrokenSod OffStonemilkerTabula RasaTriumph of the heartWhere is the lineUnisonvenus as a boywanderlustwho is itit's in our handsyou've been flirting againjogaunravelbachelorette5 yearshidden placescaryone day
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 20:11 (five years ago) link
my pref for possibly maybe is the telegram version
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 20:12 (five years ago) link
(In general, I think it's bad form to reveal ballots before the results are announced.)
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 20:25 (five years ago) link
Alright fair enough
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 20:33 (five years ago) link
I voted but I realized that I too have not given Biophilia due consideration, will definitely give that a listen.
― change display name (Jordan), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 20:40 (five years ago) link
i'm gonna listen to biophilia with fgti's post in the back of my head at some point this week
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 21:29 (five years ago) link
someone has a list of her b-sides/rarities? i have all the albums (except Medulla for some reasons) but don't know where to turn to get the remaining stuff.
― Van Horn Street, Tuesday, 10 April 2018 22:17 (five years ago) link
All of my mouth was kissing himNow, into the air, I am missing himIs this excess texting a blessing?Two music nerds obsessing
He reminds me of the love in meI'm celebrating on a vibrancySending each other MP3sFalling in love to a song
― Van Horn Street, Tuesday, 10 April 2018 22:26 (five years ago) link
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 21:29 (fifty-six minutes ago)
Ditto. Which reminds me, for the remix side-poll consideration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vEjKrP6tOs
― etc, Tuesday, 10 April 2018 22:29 (five years ago) link
She tripped me up slightly as we both made our way to the same one-stall unisex loo in a tiny Indian restaurant in West London a coupla years back. She got there first.
― piscesx, Tuesday, 10 April 2018 22:42 (five years ago) link
Van Horn Street - Wikipedia has a useful page for this - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_recorded_by_Bj%C3%B6rk
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 22:50 (five years ago) link
every single underworld remix of "human behavior" is the best thing i've ever heard
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 23:21 (five years ago) link
I haven't listened to Utopia yet :/ I gotta do that tomorrow
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Tuesday, 10 April 2018 23:28 (five years ago) link
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Tuesday, April 10, 2018 6:50 PM (two hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Fantastic thanks!
― Van Horn Street, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 01:50 (five years ago) link
Hyperballad is probably my favourite music video ever
I listened through all her B-sides yesterday and Domestica is the real highlight. Sweet Sweet Intuition is pretty good too
― ufo, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 04:04 (five years ago) link
i always find "one day" surprisingly narcotic when i hear it. it's easy to forget but it's so good
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 05:17 (five years ago) link
it's more of a standout album track i guessbut "come to me" is one of the very best tracks on debut. i always thought it would have been an amazing single and it's fun to imagine what the debut-era video would have been like
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 05:25 (five years ago) link
I just saw the video for Bachelorette for the first time, not impressed with that, smothers an amazing song in half-baked high concept ideas and fluffs the intro too. Typical Gondry. Best video IMO is All Is Full Of Love, now that's how you match song with visuals.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 07:34 (five years ago) link
it's fun to imagine what the debut-era video would have been like
definitely. it'll be high on my song ballot
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 08:58 (five years ago) link
imo, "One Day" -> "Aeroplane" -> "Come To Me" packages together three gorgeous-but-similar-in-tone songs and weakens the impact of them individually
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 12:26 (five years ago) link
fyi this is a great source for her remixes, grouped by era
http://www.youtube.com/user/BjorkDisography/playlists
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 13:45 (five years ago) link
b-sides too, it's p comprehensive
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 13:47 (five years ago) link
oh I also made this which afaict is a comprehensive list of all b-sides thru Vespertine
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlHmB5haapzRYVDJ30_ONRAd1_mrKbUCs
anyone who sleeps on her b-sides is canceled
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 13:49 (five years ago) link
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Wednesday, April 11, 2018 5:26 AM (two hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i disagree this is my favorite sequence in the album
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 14:51 (five years ago) link
"aeroplane" is so hissing of summer lawns that i can't really think of it as similar in tone. maybe in tempo
― flamenco drop (BradNelson),
this ^^^
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 14:57 (five years ago) link
"Come to Me" was for years my favorite Bjork hyperballad.
When I was thirteen and Bjork was my favourite artist in the world "Come To Me" totally changed my life.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:07 (five years ago) link
Also I don't really feel like those 3 tunes are terribly similar.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:08 (five years ago) link
I think the second half of Debut does suffer, at least on initial listens, from being flatter and less whiplash-careening than the first half. It took many many listens for “One Day” and “Come To Me” to clear spaces around themselves. When they did, they became favorites; it just took some time amid the chaos. Which is the context I’ve always interpreted the lyrics to “One Day,” fwiw.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:11 (five years ago) link
Only discovered by chance the other day just how much the vocals on 'Headphones' sound like 'Earthbeat' from Return Of The Giant Slits.
― piscesx, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:11 (five years ago) link
I'd been a huge fan of the 3rd and final Sugarcubes album, but aside from a coupla tracks i didn't think much of Debut in the end. Saw the '93 tour though, it wasn't too well-attended iirc. Funny enough Oasis did their first ever gig after signing to Creation just a few blocks away at the same time. I had no expectations for Post because ultimately Debut kinda let me down. I was flat out astonished when i heard it. It was one of those albums that seemed to take everybody by surprise; just a total leap up in.. everything! I recall not long after its release, Ed from Radiohead saying they were trying deliberately to rip off Possibly Maybe on one of the songs from The Bends, i forget which. I still have a lot of affection for it, it's equal to Vespertine in my 'faves'
― piscesx, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:22 (five years ago) link
i thought i could organize feelingshow ILMian of me
― vermicious kid (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:24 (five years ago) link
does anyone know what the story is behind the Howie B mix of All Is Full Of Love being the one to make the album
― ufo, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:25 (five years ago) link
It's got some lovey songs, but some of the production and arrangements on Debut sound dated in a way that her other 90s output doesn't (eg that horrible synth guitar or whatever it is at the very end of the otherwise wonderful Human Behaviour).
― chap, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:29 (five years ago) link
pfft "dated"
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:29 (five years ago) link
I'd like to point out Carcass' bonkers remix of Isobel. Kind of horrible and misfiring, but I'm glad it exists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiPMAqEo2gE
― chap, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:33 (five years ago) link
Quickest way to start a fight with me in a Bjork thread, btw.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:41 (five years ago) link
a mostly disintegrated version of that song is the only way to close homogenic imo
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:47 (five years ago) link
i see few agree
I'm just curious, wikipedia says it was swapped in last minute so I'm assuming there's more to the story than that? I'd complet
the album version is good, and works very well as a closer, but the single version is really incredible. after rediscovering the single version today (I'd completely forgotten about it somehow) I'm going to have to see how it compares in context of the album
― ufo, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:49 (five years ago) link
Yeah I would agree that version works best for the album. But if I want to listen to it as a song in isolation I'll go for the single mix every time.
xpost
― chap, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:51 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlWC664ItaU
on the subject of alternate versions, it's very surprising to me that this is what Who Is It came out of.
― ufo, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 15:54 (five years ago) link
Honestly, I just don't think the single version matches the song's mise-en-sound as well as the album mix.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:00 (five years ago) link
(for AIFOL, I mean)
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:01 (five years ago) link
Brad and Eric otm re aifoL
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:08 (five years ago) link
i don't want to f up the b-sides. i am a rookie when it comes to bjork b-sides. are there some obvious ones i should check out first?
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:10 (five years ago) link
actually i'll just put on stevie d's playlist and give it the old college try myself
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:11 (five years ago) link
The 33 1/3 monograph on Homogenic didn't say a whole lot extra on the song's swap for Howie B's version other than, yeah, it's a more appropriate way to close out the album and emerge from the other side of "Pluto."
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:13 (five years ago) link
I'm really partial to...
ScarySod OffSíðasta ÉgGenerous Palmstroke
Lots of "s" sounds, evidently.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:17 (five years ago) link
karl-
visur vatnsenda-rosusod offso brokenmy snare/nature is ancientgenerous palmstrokeverandimother heroicdomesticascarythe boho danceyoga w/ Trickyyou only live twice
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:18 (five years ago) link
can we please keep "dated" as a pejorative out of this thread?
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:18 (five years ago) link
I am fine with what she's been doing with her albums throughout her career, but the dropoff in how many B-sides she releases is the real disappointment of her last 15 years as an artist.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:18 (five years ago) link
ty ross = eric h!
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:19 (five years ago) link
i meant +
I meant to ask about that 33 1/3. Worth reading?
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:19 (five years ago) link
I thought the Sugarcubes (at the time) were arch as fuck except for "Hit" and "Birthday" so Debut was ideal for blowing me away. I have a memory of returning from a road trip with friends in August 1993 and turning on the college station and hearing that whirring drum program and thinking, whoa, what the fuck have I missed the last five days?
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:20 (five years ago) link
Eric yeah it’s weird she dropped off in the bsides department. She still seems fairly committed to remixes like the biophilia remix album (excellent Herbert mix on there). Most recently forest swords did a staggering ambient version of stonemilker
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:37 (five years ago) link
xxp it was a great beach read for me, and brought me back to what it felt like for me as a listener when Homogenic was the newest development in her career
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:42 (five years ago) link
you at the beach?
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 16:56 (five years ago) link
B-sides: “Charlene” and “I Go Humble”, the two Isobel b-sided, are phenomenal .
― Tim F, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 19:19 (five years ago) link
I don't fuck with All Is Full Of Love, sry, and I remember when friends were like "oh but the PLAID remix, oh but the VIDEO version" and no no no thank you so much!
But I'm in the "Homogenic is flawed" camp-- four perfect songs ("Hunter", "Joga", "Unravel", "Pluto")-- four un-extraordinary songs marred by weird/bad lyrics, when the-wonderful-obliqueness-of-non-English-as-a-first-language-individuals-writing-lyrics-in-English collides with infantilism and/or cuteness then I get the hives ("All Neon Like", "Five Years", "Alarm Call", "Immature")--
--a song I'm surprised became a single because it feels long and has that "if you forget my name / you will go astray / like a killer whale / trapped in a bay" garbage that is Desiree levels of "ghost / most / toast" embarrassment-- yes I know it's Sjon and not Bjork herself-- and I don't like the piano bass-line either-- this is "Isobel"'s annoyingly precocious younger brother who demands that you listen to him recite the times-tables before dessert--
--and then All Is Full of Love. I don't know why it doesn't work for me.
The A-side of "Debut" is the best. "Human Behaviour"'s insane vocal entrance, completely divorced from the tuning of the timpani, some of the best new-spins-on-what-is-considered-lyrics without the cutesiness: "but oh to be involved in the exchange / of human emotion / is ever so ever so satisfying" and my Virgo heart stops and says "yes, Bjork, this is indeed true, you are singing truths"-- again, "his wicked / sense of humour / suggests / exciting sex" she is half songwriter half docent-at-the-Natural-History-Museum
There is so much interesting shit going on harmonically on those four songs, none of the songs feel complete as a result, they satisfying but also create hunger for repeat listens-- and then Big Time Sensuality is just a mission statement
I adore every song on Debut except "Violently Happy" ("...because I love you?" that is not a good rejoinder)
And Post is perfect, "The Modern Things" is the weakest track and it's still fucking amazing
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:29 (five years ago) link
I remember picking "Homogenic" up the day it came out and showing my friends the cover art and Paul said "is that good art? I don't think it is. I think it's bad."
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:31 (five years ago) link
"but oh to be involved in the exchange / of human emotion / is ever so ever so satisfying"
I still must remind myself every other day that this is true.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:34 (five years ago) link
5 years is so good tho - the distorted percussion and the strings are tops
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:34 (five years ago) link
Well, agreed that "Bachelorette" is inferior to "Isobel," at any rate.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:41 (five years ago) link
Not because of its lyrics, in any case. My upbringing has all but ensured that I don't really hear lyrics most of the time.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:43 (five years ago) link
"five years" always reminds me of marching band bc the opening synth sound resembles the pitch control function on metronomes
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:46 (five years ago) link
Which is probably connected to why I've never really been able to get into "Human Behavior." It sounds wrong to my ears the same way Shep Pettibone sounds wrong to Dan P's.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:47 (five years ago) link
Oh, the production is wonderful across the board on those Homogenic songs
But Bjork coming over to weave a cocoon that will feed me with a luminous beam? "I dare you to take me on / I dare you to show me your palms", "you can't handle love / you can't handle love, it's obvious / you can't handle"? "I'm no fucking Buddhist / but this is enlightenment"?
I actually like "Immature"'s lyrics I don't know why I called it un-extraordinary
I mean I know it's maybe weird and shit of me as a consumer to get all "these lyrics aren't good" with an artist I adore but like... this is widely considered to be a Perfect Record in many camps, and I don't quite j'accuse but I definitely suspect that a weakness for pixie-faced-women-from-other-countries-with-adorable-accents-who-talk-about-the-men-who-live-inside-TV-sets is a contributing factor to the acceptance of clunker after clunker after clunker
Sorry btw it's always my favourite musicians that I am most critical of, I love what you've done with the place, now let me tell you what I really think
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 20:53 (five years ago) link
Bachelorette is amazing and you are all crazy
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:02 (five years ago) link
inside every young pair of pantsis a fountain(a fountain)IN THE SHAAPE OF A GIIIRLL
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:06 (five years ago) link
Five Years is one of my favorite beats ever.
Love the tango-esque piano bassline on Bachelorette, glad I don't care about lyrics much.
― change display name (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:06 (five years ago) link
I like how “The Modern Things” and “Immature” serve the same function on their respective albums: the most overlooked and secretly-best songs.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:10 (five years ago) link
hmm "The Modern Things" was my go-to after burning out on "Army of Me."
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:12 (five years ago) link
I suppose “Crying” is the equivalent on Debut - a track no one ever talks about (but no one singles out for specific criticism either) which is a perfect precis of the album’s intentions and charms.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:17 (five years ago) link
Def true in the case of “Crying”
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:18 (five years ago) link
“crying” is def on my ballot until i listen to all of the other albums and have a nervous breakdown over my ballot
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:39 (five years ago) link
otoh "Big Time Sensuality" left me cold at the time but hearing remixes at the club months later unleashed it
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:41 (five years ago) link
oh! My review of Post published in the college paper was my first ever
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 21:42 (five years ago) link
One dayI found a book buried deep within the groundI opened the book and to my surpriseThere was a forestI went into the forestAnd there I found a book buried deep within the groundInside that book there was another bookOne dayI found a forest buried deep within a bookI went into the book and to my surpriseI found a book buried deep within the ground
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 22:55 (five years ago) link
For your consideration: "Cocoon"
― geoffreyess, Thursday, 12 April 2018 03:38 (five years ago) link
^that’s probably my no 1
― Euchrid Eucrow (sciatica), Thursday, 12 April 2018 03:44 (five years ago) link
Cocoon is a lovely song but it's totally overshadowed by the songs around it. It was such a weird song to see performed on Top Of The Pops. Not exactly one to get the crowd going and some reason, it only lasted a minute and a half.
― kitchen person, Thursday, 12 April 2018 03:47 (five years ago) link
Of course it's on YouTube https://youtu.be/jMRY2cy45ms
― kitchen person, Thursday, 12 April 2018 03:48 (five years ago) link
Cocoon slid inside my list at #2, we faded back into sleephood, when I awoke a second time, with my list, gorgeousness, it was still at #2
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 12 April 2018 06:02 (five years ago) link
I mean I know we all know right but it’s just challops to say that Hyper-Ballad isn’t the best song of the 90s and in the top 10 of all time right
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 12 April 2018 06:09 (five years ago) link
It’s hard to communicate now how inspiring Homogenic was to me as a teenager. At the time it seemed like there was I other pop star marrying the influence of aphex twin and IDM with stirring melodies and vocals. Shame aphex took the piss out of Bjork on “funny little man”
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Thursday, 12 April 2018 06:30 (five years ago) link
No other I mean **
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Thursday, 12 April 2018 06:31 (five years ago) link
Is "funny little man" taking the piss out of bjork? Heard it many times and it's never occurred to me.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 12 April 2018 06:41 (five years ago) link
i heard that once but it's unsubstantiated (probably bullshit tbf)
just read bjork and aphex communicate regularly and share music via email which is cool
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Thursday, 12 April 2018 07:30 (five years ago) link
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, April 12, 2018 6:02 AM (two hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
<3 Cocoon definitely maybe my number 1.
I for one am looking forward to immersing myself in all of her work yet again for this fine purpose. 'tis the time, 'tis the season.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 12 April 2018 08:36 (five years ago) link
I love himI love himI love himI love him
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 April 2018 11:57 (five years ago) link
xp yes, third winter
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 12 April 2018 12:12 (five years ago) link
I want to stump for the version of "Anchor Song" as performed live with the Brodsky Quartet as perhaps her most amazing vocal performance. Compare it with the album version from just a few years prior, and her total mastery or her voice is incredible. I've listened to this performance hundreds of times over the (many) years, and it still causes my hair to literally stand on end every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgiI2gm-RIs
― Soundslike, Thursday, 12 April 2018 12:46 (five years ago) link
It is a great performance, attached to a song that just has never sunk its anchor into my turtleheart.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 12 April 2018 13:11 (five years ago) link
Going back to Medulla for the first time in many years I’m not finding much to love, which is a bummer because that was a reliably intense album length experience for a couple years after it came out. Even if it still had the same impact I don’t know how I’d pick which tracks to vote for.
Biophilia on the other hand is still gorgeous, I love how warm and cozy it sounds, it’s almost as intimate for me as Vespertine. Another one I almost always listen to as an album but Virus, Moon and Hollow are all going to be on my ballot, probably a few others as well.
― Euchrid Eucrow (sciatica), Thursday, 12 April 2018 15:51 (five years ago) link
One of my earliest musical experience was watching the Army of Me video over and over on a quicktime disc with my father.
Still rather confused about the the ape dentist.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 12 April 2018 20:48 (five years ago) link
'Medulla' has ascended over the years to being virually tied with 'Post' as my second-favorite Bjork album. It's probably still top 3 for the 2000s.
Despite being known for it's "experimental" gimmick of being all-vocal-based, it's really the last album of hers were she fused her interests in repetition and mood and concept with her huge melodic talents (as both songwriter and performer). Her music since has seemingly abandoned "song," sometimes with fascinating results, often with somewhat muddled or tedious results, and rarely with the emotional range and impact of earlier work.
I still admire and respect Bjork's work and will always give a listen, but I don't know if she'll ever produce work that moves me (emotionally or physically) like 'Medulla' again.
― Soundslike, Thursday, 12 April 2018 21:04 (five years ago) link
Lots of Medulla on my ballot
― change display name (Jordan), Thursday, 12 April 2018 23:06 (five years ago) link
The medulla doc is great. Lovely to see Patton and rza
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Thursday, 12 April 2018 23:39 (five years ago) link
Not sure anything from Medulla is gonna make my ballot except Who Is It, which will be really high
― stormzy daniels (voodoo chili), Thursday, 12 April 2018 23:44 (five years ago) link
some days i think triumph of a heart is amazing, and sometimes i hear the beatbox at the beginning and can't bear to listen to it
― Karl Malone, Thursday, 12 April 2018 23:50 (five years ago) link
I love the curveball of ending with the super upbeat happy pop song with rhythmic "meows" : )
― Soundslike, Friday, 13 April 2018 00:13 (five years ago) link
The video version of triumph is a lot different
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 00:34 (five years ago) link
yeah, wow! i hadn't seen that before, thanks!
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 00:59 (five years ago) link
medulla was my favorite bjork album for a while
feel oddly like this time around it's gonna be vespertine
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 04:14 (five years ago) link
i am definitely voting for "the modern things"
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 04:26 (five years ago) link
the only thing i'd change about Post is to remove It's Oh So Quiet. i'm not a fan but even if i was, it doesn't fit on the album at all
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 04:32 (five years ago) link
i'm gonna guess i'm like the billionth person to say that but hey
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 04:33 (five years ago) link
i think the first björk song i ever heard was "headphones." bc it was on the mission: impossible soundtrack
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 04:34 (five years ago) link
headphones will be on my ballot, and also i have not heard the M:I sound track but if it has room for headphones it must be occasionally good?
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 04:36 (five years ago) link
it also had pulp’s “i spy” on it so yes! uneven overall tho
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 04:58 (five years ago) link
I wonder how songs from Volta will fare. It wasn't very well received but there is some gems on it.
― Van Horn Street, Friday, 13 April 2018 05:10 (five years ago) link
Good tour for Volta but felt like a case of trying to course correct her more esoteric records with a return to pop - and not quite hitting the mark. Wanderlust is fantastic tho. Earth intruders also is arrangement wise very similar to the Africa track on Wendy Carlos ‘ beauty and the beat.
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 05:15 (five years ago) link
Always have love for its oh so quiet as that song and human behaviour were in heavy rotation on muchmusic and the push I needed to dig further
― Droni Mitchell (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 05:18 (five years ago) link
I've never gotten into Medulla apart from Who Is It, the acappella gimmick doesn't do it any favours and just makes the songs feel skeletal. it's generally Bjork in a much more abstract mode too which isn't something I care for that much
Volta is worse though, it's not really a 'return to pop' songwriting-wise (except for Earth Intruders i guess) just a return to the eclecticism of Post rather than a focused sound like the previous three albums had
― ufo, Friday, 13 April 2018 05:21 (five years ago) link
i could see it 'it's so quiet as part of an EP or separate video or something, but in the context of Post it always comes across as an advertisement in the middle of an album. i have friends who love it i just have to skip it
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 05:24 (five years ago) link
imo it would be a good candidate for the 90s CD hidden bonus track trick
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 05:25 (five years ago) link
I don't mind it being on Post, maybe because it's an eclectic album and "I Miss You" also has some of the same kooky vibe to me. "Alarm Call" on Homogenic is more out-of-place for me
― Vinnie, Friday, 13 April 2018 08:44 (five years ago) link
Medulla has always been one of my favourites, it felt at the time very much like a companion piece to/mirror of Vespertine. I'm working my way backwards through all the albums and am up to Volta this morning, it's sounding lot better than I remembered although Dull Flame of Desire is a bit of a snooze. I also really enjoyed playing Biophilia last night and I've realised that there are a dozen or so locks for my ballot but beyond that I honestly have no idea what I'll end up voting for.
― Gavin, Leeds, Friday, 13 April 2018 09:11 (five years ago) link
Medulla stands up well! I listened to it and Vespertine a lot in transit in the early '00s, but at some point filed it away in my memory as Vespertine's austere and ugly sequel. I hadn't gone back to it for some years. But it might be her fun-est record of the 21st century, and all the grunting and whinnying makes sense right now. Some of the short interludes probably don't amount to much in isolation but it works well as an album, and there's still at least four tracks I could happily isolate for a tracks ballot.
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:15 (five years ago) link
Medulla sounds great - the pleasure is all mine has some nice bass - for a record that uses primarily the voice (whether raw or transposed to electronics/keyboards) it covers the audio spectrum well.
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:17 (five years ago) link
in submitting my ballot i realize i neglected to vote for many of my favourite bjork tracks which is indicative of how quality Bjork's catalogue is
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:18 (five years ago) link
listen i am probably not going to vote for "hyperballad" which makes me feel real bad but it is not a song i am excited about at this point in my life, even though it's the most awesome song in the world
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:22 (five years ago) link
well brad if it's the most awesome song in the world.... ;-)
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:23 (five years ago) link
"Hyper-ballad" is, in fact, awesome, and it may still somehow miss my ballot.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:40 (five years ago) link
I’m voting for The Modern Things as well, love the drum sound
― Euchrid Eucrow (sciatica), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:43 (five years ago) link
i've been giving the b-sides a listen but tbh a lot of them just drift by. i have the same feeling with biophilia. i just can't focus. i honestly think that at some other point in my life i will hear them differently.
"charlene", on the other hand, jumped right out at me. i hadn't heard it before! i don't think it's my new #1 bjork song track or anything but it would have fit right into Post. i love how Post sounds, especially on the languid. she sounds so effortlessly perfect and comfortable in it, too, like she could do it in her sleep. i suspect she probably could have too, which is part of why her 2000s experiments were so courageous, i think.
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 16:21 (five years ago) link
enjoying the live version of 'i go humble', too
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 16:28 (five years ago) link
this rocks my world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn6_aPmvuiA
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 16:30 (five years ago) link
matmos <3
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 16:35 (five years ago) link
they fucking NAILED it
fuck yeah! when they walk through snow/ice to make the percussion to "aurora" - that is so cool!
zeena parks also rules school, don't believe she's the current harpist on tour (hasn't been confirmed if it's sarah hopkins or bjork herself)
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 16:38 (five years ago) link
i get weirdly teary watching things like that, somehow just imagining how it must feel to be part of something so momentous and good as it's actually happening
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 16:38 (five years ago) link
otfm
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 16:39 (five years ago) link
Wonderful version. I'd get teary eyed too if I could for fucking once (...).
That lead me to Zeena Parkins' solo stuff, which is obviously as amazing as you can imagine.
(OT but I miss dr3w around here)
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 13 April 2018 16:40 (five years ago) link
me too
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 16:40 (five years ago) link
me too:
a) tearsb) zeenac) dr3wd) all o/t above
? :)
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 13 April 2018 16:41 (five years ago) link
Wow, watching the Triumph of a Heart video for the first time and it really IS different!
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 16:41 (five years ago) link
tears: already there! but a memory, nowzeena: i don't know anything about her own music! but now i want to. the harp is a lovely instrument and i want to hear moredr3w: me too :)
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 16:52 (five years ago) link
<3
Try and find Zeena Parkins & Ikue Mori's 'Phantom Orchard' album. Blows me away.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 13 April 2018 17:05 (five years ago) link
Medulla doc is on youtube btw. I hope Rahzel is living a happy life, he's so good. The Tanya Tagaq part is great too.
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 17:33 (five years ago) link
Omg @ recording a full batucada group on the all-vocal album only to decide that no, it should still be an all-vocal album. Maybe she had to go to Brazil for a concert or something anyway?
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 17:43 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVwuEUpjcNo
one of the all time remixes
i think time will be kind to the reception of Vulnicura and Utopia - Vulnicura has some of her finest string arrangements to date and returns to the beat palette that made Homogenic so engaging. While it was sad to hear she disbanded that tour for mental health reasons (break-up) Utopia is the victory lap; meeting someone new, feeling sparks and letting the past be the past. Utopia is also her most vivid sound world, it's like an electric blanket
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 17:51 (five years ago) link
i'd like to thank Eric again for this thread, which renewed my interest in Bjork who is a living legend imo
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 17:54 (five years ago) link
The version of Oceania near the end of the doc with the crazy (midi?) piano is interesting too
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:02 (five years ago) link
Oh I see:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcSZG3bmE7c
(although the doc version has beats + piano and it's even better)
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:05 (five years ago) link
xps You're welcome, but engaging in shared love for Bjork, the pleasure is all mine.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:07 (five years ago) link
Batucada version was released! Ok, I'll stop liveblogging my descent into Bjork b-sides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xj1y3PsT9o
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:15 (five years ago) link
yeah thanks Eric! I tried to make a ballot the other day and basically gave up, but I've been enjoying reading the thread and listening to Björk for the first time in a while. I put on Selmasongs yesterday, which I hadn't played since the unfortunate day in 2001 that I saw Dancer in the Dark, and it was nice to re-realize there are some good songs on it despite LVT.
― rob, Friday, 13 April 2018 18:15 (five years ago) link
The high note at 2:30...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRAd8nFmIiU
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:20 (five years ago) link
Every time I feel myself getting too down on Medulla, I remember it has "Mouth's Cradle," "Who Is It," "Triumph of a Heart," and "Desired Constellatioh" and really that's enough.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:21 (five years ago) link
Damn that bit crushed harp on Desired constellation rules
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:25 (five years ago) link
oof, that all is full of love clip, here i go again. i need to just sit down and watch a full show
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 18:26 (five years ago) link
desired constellation will be on my ballot, as well as triumph of a heart
― Karl Malone, Friday, 13 April 2018 18:27 (five years ago) link
Of all the albums I'm most curious to see how 'Vulnicura' is doing on here. It's such a fantastic, understated record. Reception seemed to veer towards "oh a Björk break-up album nbd" a lot, but man is it classic.
Medulla will be the tough nut to crack for me, diving in deep for this poll.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:32 (five years ago) link
I just did my ruthless first pass on tracks to isolate my favorite-est of favorites. It's 24 songs long, leaving me only 6 slots for the roughly 40 or so garden-variety favorites.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:32 (five years ago) link
Reception seemed to veer towards "oh a Björk break-up album nbd"
from where i was sitting at the time it was a very big deal!
i was only really capable of listening to it once but i’m looking forward to hearing it again
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:36 (five years ago) link
Some of her b-sides like Scary, So Broken and Domestica are probably in my top 20. As usual her performances are tight but So Broken and Joga on Jools Holland are so so good. I wouldn’t like to be the band following those ones.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:40 (five years ago) link
I lost interest after the brave, challenging, unlistenable Medulla, although the Von Trier soundtrack caused the first chink in my armor. I've given every album at least two spins, though. I look forward most to re-listening to Vulnicura
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:46 (five years ago) link
brave, challenging, unlistenable Medulla
medulla has so many hooks, what did you listen to
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:50 (five years ago) link
"Triumph of the Heart" I can still hum, don't remember a thing about the rest. It's been fourteen (!) years.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:50 (five years ago) link
"who is it" one of her most indelible choruses
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:52 (five years ago) link
gonna listen while I work out this afternoon
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:54 (five years ago) link
I've been doing a good job today of convincing myself that Medulla is actually my favorite Bjork album
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 19:01 (five years ago) link
Drawing restraint 9 is where the rot set in
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 19:09 (five years ago) link
this is good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC4RTMsb8bA
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 13 April 2018 19:31 (five years ago) link
Back to Biophilia and 'Mutual Core' is blowing my mind rn
― change display name (Jordan), Friday, 13 April 2018 19:52 (five years ago) link
brave, challenging, unlistenable Medullamedulla has so many hooks, what did you listen to― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, April 13, 2018 6:50 PM (one hour ago)
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, April 13, 2018 6:50 PM (one hour ago)
Seriously! 'Medulla' is her last pop record, with like melodies and beats and lyrics with meter that follows those beats. It's her last (successful) song record.
Did you hear the record or just read some bad reviews? ; )
― Soundslike, Friday, 13 April 2018 19:56 (five years ago) link
HOW CAN I IGNORETHIS IS SEX WITHOUT TOUCHING
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 20:03 (five years ago) link
I'm very curious about the songwriting/production arrangements on this album. Apparently "Army of Me" and "The Modern Things" were initially recorded before Debut, but they sound very much "of a piece" (if anything on this album can be described in those terms) with the other electronic tracks sonically, sort of sitting halfway between the Nellee co-productions and "Enjoy". The production credits suggest that maybe Bjork built the bones of those songs with Graham Massey and then retouched them with Nellee Hooper?The funny thing is that songwriting-wise there's nothing like those two tracks on Debut, and the other Nellee co-productions on Post ("Hyper-Ballad", "Isobel", "Possibly Maybe"), which I think Bjork wrote by herself, all follow Debut's relatively more conventional song template (the album's "Violently Happy", "Aeroplane" and "Venus As A Boy" respectively, perhaps).So it's almost as if what changed when Bjork collaborated was not so much the production sound as the songwriting approach, though in this case it's more the collaborator sparking something out of Bjork that was there, given there's no way you could conceive of (say) "The Modern Things" as the product of any other musician.― Tim F, Monday, 21 November 2016 11:47 AM (one year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
The funny thing is that songwriting-wise there's nothing like those two tracks on Debut, and the other Nellee co-productions on Post ("Hyper-Ballad", "Isobel", "Possibly Maybe"), which I think Bjork wrote by herself, all follow Debut's relatively more conventional song template (the album's "Violently Happy", "Aeroplane" and "Venus As A Boy" respectively, perhaps).
So it's almost as if what changed when Bjork collaborated was not so much the production sound as the songwriting approach, though in this case it's more the collaborator sparking something out of Bjork that was there, given there's no way you could conceive of (say) "The Modern Things" as the product of any other musician.
― Tim F, Monday, 21 November 2016 11:47 AM (one year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Was listening to Post last night and thinking this again.
And to be clear I would never attribute primary responsibility for the sound or style of her work to anyone else. But I guess since throughout the 90s it felt like Bjork was always riding the crest of an advancing wave of modern pop sound design, it's fascinating to me to consider the sound of that work in its broader context - like the way the buoyancy and swing of "Come To Me" feels like the culmination of a sound that started with the early Soul II Soul singles, or how "Play Dead" so precisely presaged (and, I suspect, directly inspired) the sound of Depeche Mode's Ultra some four years later.
― Tim F, Friday, 13 April 2018 22:54 (five years ago) link
ike the way the buoyancy and swing of "Come To Me" feels like the culmination of a sound that started with the early Soul II Soul singles
This explains some of the ambivalence up thread, and it might also have something to do with how old one was when Bjork released Debut. With Hooper I was conscious of the Massive Attack and Soul II Soul background, therefore those things sounded like a culmination; to others they're the blah-est tracks.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 13 April 2018 23:18 (five years ago) link
oh, i just realized that i associate "bachelorette" with this amv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrLq6daOp9Q
this same thing happened during the smashing pumpkins poll lol
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 23:22 (five years ago) link
also holy shit i still love this song
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 13 April 2018 23:23 (five years ago) link
Triumph of a Heart is really grating to me for some reason, the melody just does not work for me at all.
― ufo, Saturday, 14 April 2018 00:28 (five years ago) link
i realize that i actually like the beatboxing on that track, except for one of the voices - the one that moves much faster than the others, at a high pitch. that particular mouth grates, for me. really like the rest of it.
― Karl Malone, Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:25 (five years ago) link
watching the video, you see how personal of a process that might have been, to record the different components of that beat. and you can almost imagine them not having the heart to tell the guy who does the high pitched fast moving part to just be quiet. it was too awkward, so they just let him keep doing it i guess.
― Karl Malone, Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:26 (five years ago) link
Today is the day I discovered the Motorbass Remix of “Isobel”.
― Tim F, Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:29 (five years ago) link
Also
This explains some of the ambivalence up thread, and it might also have something to do with how old one was when Bjork released Debut. With Hooper I was conscious of the Massive Attack and Soul II Soul background, therefore those things sounded like a culmination; to others they're the blah-est tracks.― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 13 April 2018 23:18 (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 13 April 2018 23:18 (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I think this is correct. I got on board in 1995 and while Poat sounded more up-to-date than Debut, the difference didn’t seem substantial (it actually seems like a wider gulf now than it did then - sonic trends moved so fast in the 90s that it wasn’t obvious then just how remarkable the velocity was - now the idea that things could change so radically in just 2 years seems remarkable). Whereas if you jumped on board with Homogenic the production choices on Debut might seem very safe or classicist.
― Tim F, Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:33 (five years ago) link
Sorry for the double post
I was like 9 years old when I first heard a Bjork song. It was in the Now that’s what I call music #2 compilation and the song was “it’s oh so quiet”. My cousin and me thought it was the weirdest song ever.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Saturday, 14 April 2018 06:29 (five years ago) link
Volta is very much her Varèse album, isn't it? The larger instrumental ensembles are back but I'd forgotten that it's nearly all brass and percussion. Saving the strings for Vulnicura, it turns out...
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Saturday, 14 April 2018 07:43 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnRhxOx_Cw4
holy shit
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Sunday, 15 April 2018 15:33 (five years ago) link
dope brad
i think you can make a case for "it's oh so quiet" being a gateway bjork track for the ardent and casual fan alike, i remember working at a&b sound and people would buy Post with like red hot chili peppers, not to judge that band but i'm saying it appealed to everyone
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Sunday, 15 April 2018 16:51 (five years ago) link
it was the first bjork I heard. I remember my teacher in junior school one day getting all excited "did you guys see buh-jork on top of the pops last night?!"
― ogmor, Sunday, 15 April 2018 19:35 (five years ago) link
I definitely heard/saw Bjork via some of the Debut videos first, but "It's Oh So Quiet" was the first thing by her that I remember enjoying. I'm in the process of watching all of the official music videos available on her YouTube channel, and I can't imagine anything topping this for sheer exuberant joy (though "Big Time Sensuality" comes close).
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Sunday, 15 April 2018 21:40 (five years ago) link
Stonemilker is really incredible, I think it's going to make my top 10
― ufo, Sunday, 15 April 2018 22:27 (five years ago) link
30 tracks was impossible. I'll send 30. . . but personally, I didn't fall to anything I don't like more than 99.9% of contemporary/contemporaneous music until well after #50. And if I did it again at another time, anything between 20 and 40 would probably wind up in a different order.
Reinforced what I already thought, which is that 'Medulla' is basically right there with 'Post'. In terms of tracks, I actually ended up with 11 from 'Medulla' in my top 50. I wish others heard in it what I do--her last great stab at song/melody/beats before focusing mainly on texture/abstraction/instrumentation. But I am already prepared for the likelihood that at best one or two tracks will sneak into the bottom of the ILM top 30.
The thing I hadn't realized before this exercise is that while 'Vespertine' hasn't held up for me over the years like other albums, the b-sides from that era are maybe her best--I've got as many b-sides as album tracks from 'Vespertine'.
For post-Medulla work, sadly, 'Volta' remains as repellent to me as ever--while I dig some of the thought process and the instrumentation, I just find the whole thing disjointed, and while "song-based" totally unengaging as songs and as a song-sequence. 'Biophilia' remains the lovely little trifle I remember it as, not at all unappealing but basically minor. 'Vulnicura' is stronger as a whole than anything since 'Medulla' (and is the only later album to place multiple tracks in my top 30) but it's still most interesting as a sort of "older person looking back and arguing with her early art" than as a work unto itself, for me--while nevertheless being her first emotionally engaging work in a long time. I found a couple tracks from 'Utopia' that manage to actually stand apart enough to be noticed, but the sum total of the album remains fascinating wallpaper.
― Soundslike, Sunday, 15 April 2018 22:29 (five years ago) link
I didn't fall to anything I don't like more than 99.9% of contemporary/contemporaneous music until well after #50.
Same.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Sunday, 15 April 2018 22:58 (five years ago) link
"older person looking back and arguing with her early art" ... while nevertheless being her first emotionally engaging work in a long time.
OTM. Especially glad to have revisited Vulnicura this week.
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Monday, 16 April 2018 09:37 (five years ago) link
It's so incredibly early yet in balloting, but for the record, the current #2 track is an amazing surprise.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 16 April 2018 16:14 (five years ago) link
My guess is Who Is It but that’s such a perfect song
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Monday, 16 April 2018 19:35 (five years ago) link
jesus christ the vespertine b-sides
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 02:29 (five years ago) link
"generous palmstroke" AND "verandi"
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 02:30 (five years ago) link
so I've warmed to Medulla.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 02:30 (five years ago) link
I liked it at the time, and sold it during the great CD purge of 2015. Kind of regretting that now, or at least I very well might be once I give it a fresh listen.
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 02:32 (five years ago) link
"domestica" AND "amphibian," this is ridiculous
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 02:42 (five years ago) link
Brad! "Generous Palmstroke" is purest Nelsonlania.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 02:44 (five years ago) link
Fans of Medulla might enjoy this one:
https://youtu.be/NDVMtnaB28E
Won the pulitzer prize. Some parts of it are really impressive.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 15:28 (five years ago) link
^ Thanks for posting. Björk herself is a huge fan, she's mentioned Shaw in interviews and I think even put "Partita" on one of her DJ mixes.
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 16:42 (five years ago) link
That's really great Moka.
― Gavin, Leeds, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 17:45 (five years ago) link
my ballot is shaping up to be so bjork normcore :-/
i am trawling her post-vespertine work, and several will definitely make my list...but probably near the bottom. it's really difficult to pierce the top-tier of debut-vespertine tracks, at least for me. i have a hard time putting anything above even my current 3rd or 4th favorite track off of homogenic or post.
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:19 (five years ago) link
post-vespertine worker, by this i mean her work after vespertine
the top-tier of debut-vespertine tracksand by that i meant tracks spanning from debut through vespertine
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:20 (five years ago) link
I hear you but.. there's nothing actually wrong with that route?
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:21 (five years ago) link
my ballot is v weird so far but i'm not sure i'm going to have room for anything after medulla myself
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:21 (five years ago) link
one album i'm surprisingly short on is selmasongs. that was my bjork JAM back in the day, i guess just because my car only had a tape deck and selmasongs was on one side, the bends was on the other. so i listened to it roughly a million times. but revisiting it after all this time, i only have "i've seen it all" on my ballot (near the bottom, probably). "new world" used to be so triumphant sounding and amazing to me...i don't know why, but it doesn't inspire the same feeling in me anymore. perhaps because i'm no longer 17 years old
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:22 (five years ago) link
for sure! i guess i was just hoping to find some gems i had neglected, some new top-tier favorite bjork song that i hadn't given enough time to before. i still haven't made it back to vulnicura in my re-listen binge, so there's still hope though. :)
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:23 (five years ago) link
yeah my ballot's at 25 songs rn and that's without having figured out where the big singles from homogenic sit in it. after that i may be done lol
xxp
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:23 (five years ago) link
new top-tier favorite bjork song that i hadn't given enough time to before
i found these, but they were b-sides: "karvel," "domestica," etc.
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:24 (five years ago) link
yes! "charlene" and "i go humble" fit into that category for me too!
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:27 (five years ago) link
I surprised myself by finding room for a track from every studio album (minus the 1977 one)
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:28 (five years ago) link
that's my ambition
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:43 (five years ago) link
I don't have anything on my list from Volta or Utopia at the moment.
My biggest discovery from listening back to her albums over the last week has been how much I love Medulla. I've always liked it, but it's really hit me this week. Three songs from it will probably make my list at this point.
― kitchen person, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:56 (five years ago) link
i listened to medulla this morning and it fuckin rocks! even the most abstract vocal clusters are sold by the songcraft
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 18:58 (five years ago) link
My other big discovery doing this process is that there is not a song on Vespertine called Crabcraft. When I sent my rough draft to my brother (who also posts on here) he said he'd never heard of a song with that title by her. After he looked it up, turns out that song is actually called Heirloom and Crabcraft is the song she sampled for it. Apparently when I imported all my CDs on to iTunes 11 years ago, that's what the song came up as. I do have the album on vinyl but I'm so used to seeing it on iTunes as that, I thought that was the title. Looking at Lastfm it looks like that happened to a lot of people.
― kitchen person, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:01 (five years ago) link
underrated instrumental jam from Drawing Restraint #9: Ambergris March
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:10 (five years ago) link
i'm not voting for it but speaking of underrated instrumental jams, how unreal is "batabid"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_drj3ybpTl8
on second thought maybe i am voting for it
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:11 (five years ago) link
love it when a youtube comment nails it:
quinn thereaux2 months agowater level music
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:12 (five years ago) link
so correct
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:13 (five years ago) link
(btw just want to add that i'm really loving this bjork binge for this poll. it's been a while since i've listened to her 4+ hours a day, and her music has helped make a very stressful week so much better than it would be otherwise)
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:15 (five years ago) link
same here. björk is so good and i’m sorry i forgot
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:16 (five years ago) link
i think her work deserves some kind of comprehensive bowiesongs-esque blog
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:29 (five years ago) link
the later bjork albums (like the last two) don't have as many hits per ratio as the earlier ones do, but the peaks are fairly high - tabula rasa (utopia) and stonemilker are up there with his best work,
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:32 (five years ago) link
her * my god
i'm halfway done my top 30!
i managed to cut 100+ songs to 65!
― challops trap house (Will M.), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:34 (five years ago) link
and i still havent cut a single song off of homogenic this is hard
― challops trap house (Will M.), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:35 (five years ago) link
i'm right here with both of you. this poll reminded me that she's probably--no, not probably, definitely--top 5 all time for me.
― challops trap house (Will M.), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:38 (five years ago) link
She’s up there with peej for me
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:46 (five years ago) link
one album i'm surprisingly short on is selmasongs. that was my bjork JAM back in the day, i guess just because my car only had a tape deck and selmasongs was on one side, the bends was on the other. so i listened to it roughly a million times. but revisiting it after all this time, i only have "i've seen it all" on my ballot (near the bottom, probably). "new world" used to be so triumphant sounding and amazing to me...i don't know why, but it doesn't inspire the same feeling in me anymore. perhaps because i'm no longer 17 years old― Karl Malone, Tuesday, April 17, 2018 6:22 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, April 17, 2018 6:22 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Scatterheart was always my favourite from Selmasongs so I'm hoping I can make room for that on my ballot. As it stands I've got at least one track from each of the studio albums and am seriously considering including Storm from Drawing Restraint 9, that song is really something.
― Gavin, Leeds, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:48 (five years ago) link
My ballot is 98 percent finalized and somehow has two songs from Utopia on it.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 19:53 (five years ago) link
It might not make my ballot, but one song I find really interesting to think about is "Sweet Intuition", in that it makes me imagine a kind of alternate history where her music went down a different path.
For all that Bjork's music grew progressively more abstract over the course of her career, there's actually a trend away from what in my head I'm calling "compression" - like, listen to Homogenic and "Pluto" aside while there are obviously beats there's not much in the way of loops - typically the melodies are these shimmering (frequently string-based) expanses which the beats then underpin (or trample over). And that kind of remains her approach thereafter though if/when I listen to Volta again there might be some exceptions to that.
"Sweet Intuition" meanwhile is all these compressed fidgety interlocking synth loops creating asymmetric rhythms (no surprises it's a Black Dog production), out of which Bjork tries to make a song.
It's much more of an obvious b-side than "Charlene" or "I Go Humble" or "Karvel", but if we all went back to 1995 and you asked me "which of Bjork's most recent tracks sounds like the beginning of her next chapter" I might put forward this track and say "Bjork's next album should be like the abstract far side of Insides' Euphoria."
― Tim F, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 20:08 (five years ago) link
Selmasongs is the only older album I can't approach without anything like dread; that's where the disappointment first struck.
"Sweet Intuition" is on my ballot.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 20:28 (five years ago) link
i've listened to her 4+ hours a day
These admissions amaze me, and I don't mean it in a condescending way – I've never done that with any musician!
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 20:29 (five years ago) link
"new world" used to be so triumphant sounding and amazing to me...i don't know why, but it doesn't inspire the same feeling in me anymore. perhaps because i'm no longer 17 years old
wow i had the exact same experience as karl here
ts: "overture" vs. "the next to last song" vs. "new world"
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 20:36 (five years ago) link
^^ actually "the next to last song" is a real rough listen even without the visual so i don't recommend anyone try to take sides there
are you talking about "107 Steps"?
in revisiting Selmasongs for the first time in a decade and a half, I'm with Gavin: "Scatterheart" is the best track. surprisingly I ended up liking "In the Musicals" second most. No need to dread listening, Alfred, it's basically a one-off EP side project--it's not terrible, but it is a bit of a mess
― rob, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 20:51 (five years ago) link
i'm not, though "the next to last song" is in the scene immediately after it in the film (it has the same melody as "new world" and "overture")
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 20:54 (five years ago) link
do NOT listen to it if you haven't seen dancer in the dark
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 20:55 (five years ago) link
lol the reason I hadn't listened to Selmasongs since 2001 is that I saw and loathed/resented DITD. Anyway, I know what you're talking about now
― rob, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:01 (five years ago) link
i loved ditd but i'll never watch it again!
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:03 (five years ago) link
:)
here's an element of ditd that isn't unpleasantly seared into my brain: does someone else sing Thom Yorke's part in the film, do they use him as playback singer, or is that part just not in the film version?
― rob, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:09 (five years ago) link
the actor (David Morse) sings it
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:11 (five years ago) link
version of "scatterheart" in the film is also radically different in that multiple characters sing it
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:12 (five years ago) link
karl it's actually peter stormare...
many of the songs/arrangements from the film are so different than the album that they can be separated IMO
My theory on why the newer bjork stuff isn't as memorable as she's deviated so far from melodies for years now that i find the ones i do end up liking are more melodic in nature.
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:15 (five years ago) link
For the sake of the poll, I'll combine votes for, say, "Scatterheart" with "Smith & Wesson."
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:17 (five years ago) link
peter stormare
oh that's right! thanks. it has been a loooong time since i've seen it as well
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:20 (five years ago) link
One of the top five closest times to breaking up with my BF of 18 years was immediately after we watched DITD in the cinema.
― Tim F, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:21 (five years ago) link
haha I can definitely imagine that. Reminds me a bit of when a long-distance girlfriend came for a visit and on our last night together, we went to see Naked without knowing anything about it
― rob, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:29 (five years ago) link
o hi thread, I will try to vote in this!
― sleeve, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 21:39 (five years ago) link
i have never seen ditd (but i do really like selmasongs) -- just never found the right time when i felt like being emotionally destroyed by a movie
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 23:20 (five years ago) link
I'm not a fan of the film, but it was fun watching some of the more doltish film critics (like Richard Roeper) try to figure out what to do with it at the time.
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Tuesday, 17 April 2018 23:32 (five years ago) link
volta is still kind of a bummer
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 20:41 (five years ago) link
volta is still my dreadlisten
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 20:46 (five years ago) link
Truthfully, it has about as songs I like as Medulla, but I rarely ever cue it up and I frequently visit Medulla.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 20:47 (five years ago) link
as i recall, volta kind of careens between loud, crunchy arrangements which demand attention (and then let you down) and softer passages, sometimes all in the same song. i usually choose music to suit my mood at the moment, and i'm just never in whatever mood that is.
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 20:50 (five years ago) link
the ten-years-late timbo collabs are still depressing imo
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 20:51 (five years ago) link
Yes. As much as I don't personally love the Anohni tracks, they are still evidence of a forward-thinking artist blazing her own trail.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 20:54 (five years ago) link
Ballot almost ready to send. 13 tracks from Vespertine/b-sides, several from Biophilia, the rest from the 90s. Voted for almost all the 90s singles.
I’d love to be able to point out some unappreciated obscurity here but instead I just want as many people to vote for Aurora as possible, my number 2. This video doesn’t make the greatest case for it, honestly I have no idea why this was filmed, but I love it anyway.
https://youtu.be/i1LPN8e7ubg
― sciatica, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 21:28 (five years ago) link
Aurora will definitely be high on my ballot, the highlight of Vespertine for me.
― Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 21:37 (five years ago) link
I thought I would be including more of the 90s stuff when I re-listened to those albums
but I'm still drawn to the later denser music – in particular Vespertine, Vulnicura, Utopia
haven't finalized anything yet
― Dan S, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 21:45 (five years ago) link
"wanderlust" is pretty great tbf
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 22:00 (five years ago) link
ok, i take it back a little, the middle section of volta ("i see who you are" -> "vertebrae by vertebrae" -> "pneumonia") is pretty good
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 22:22 (five years ago) link
those three may be my favorites from that album
― Dan S, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 22:25 (five years ago) link
my mind is still grappling with the rest of biophilia (hot take: actually better than volta!) but i’m 100 percent voting for “virus”
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 23:54 (five years ago) link
Biophilia remains the only one of the 'main' (post-Sugarcubes non-soundtrack) LPs to be unrepresented in my likely top 30. Part of me feels I should try harder...
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Thursday, 19 April 2018 00:08 (five years ago) link
I love Crystalline, Virus, Dark Matter, Sacrifice, Hollow, Cosmogony
― Dan S, Thursday, 19 April 2018 00:20 (five years ago) link
i think, stonemilker, black lake, and the gate will be my only votes from her last two albums
― Karl Malone, Thursday, 19 April 2018 00:26 (five years ago) link
biophilia works better than the other later lps for me because of how it’s recorded, spare and close and intimate-sounding for the most part
Dan’s list is almost exactly what I voted for!
― sciatica, Thursday, 19 April 2018 00:27 (five years ago) link
I love the gameleste sound of biophilia
xp re: the last two albumsthose all are all-time, but I think there are several others from those albums that are also great: Mouth Mantra, History of Touches, Family, Atom Dance, Quicksand, Blissing Me, Arisen My Senses, Tabula Rasa, and especially The Saint, and most of all, Future Forever
― Dan S, Thursday, 19 April 2018 00:39 (five years ago) link
Karl's list = 3/4 of my selections from the last two albums, plus another from Dan's list.
Will give Biophilia another shot. It's definitely been disadvantaged by being strictly a Spotify thing for me. Been carting around CDs of most of the rest in recent weeks!!!
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Thursday, 19 April 2018 00:54 (five years ago) link
Mutual Core is the highlight from Biophilia for me. as an album I certainly prefer it to Utopia and Volta at least (maybe Medulla too) but it feels the most like what I would imagine a 'late period Bjork album' would sound like if I hadn't actually listened to any of them - similar sound palette to Vespertine and Homogenic but sparser and songs that aren't as strong. the computer controlled instruments are an interesting concept but in practice they can sound overly rigid?
― ufo, Thursday, 19 April 2018 04:51 (five years ago) link
If you’re having trouble cracking Biophilia id recommend the bastards remix album. Hudson Mohawke remix of virus knocks it out of the park and Herbert’s is solid as usual.
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 04:53 (five years ago) link
*listens to “cosmogony” twice* you know actually biophilia is fucking awesome
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 05:27 (five years ago) link
Agree with everything here. Biophilia is better than Volta, I'm 100 percent voting for "Virus," and I'm still grappling with the album. Without a doubt my favorite post-Vespertine.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 13:06 (five years ago) link
Bjork + MAW + EW&F =
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNq7EetdCAE
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 13:07 (five years ago) link
Hooray for so many people coming around on Biophilia, an album I ranked above Homogenic not because I'm challopsy but because Biophilia set impossibly high expectations of its creator and she very nearly lived up to all of them
Interestingly enough the lowest point for me on Biophilia is the repetitiousness and "hookiness" of the chorus of "Cosmogony"-- itself a gorgeous song in execution and sentiment-- but just that in an album that avoids obvious points of entry in favour of a more obscurantist compositional approach, "Cosmogony" in the context of the rest of the album sounds saccharine and non-adventurous. The way the choir falls at the end of "Cosmogony" into my favourite part of the record, Dark Matter -> Hollow -> Virus, that fall gives me the impression of Björk lovingly folding up and putting in storage an old method of songwriting before adventuring out into new territory
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:10 (five years ago) link
The way the choir falls at the end of "Cosmogony" into my favourite part of the record, Dark Matter -> Hollow -> Virus, that fall gives me the impression of Björk lovingly folding up and putting in storage an old method of songwriting before adventuring out into new territory
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:24 (five years ago) link
At this point, I may end up slotting 4 or 5 songs from Biophilia.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:25 (five years ago) link
I am enjoying going through the process of listening to the discography, as generally I will listen to a new Bjork album quite a bit then permanently shelve it by the next year. There's so much good stuff post-Vespertine that I'd completely forgotten about.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:30 (five years ago) link
I love seeing this belated realisation that Biophilia is actually pretty good, it felt like I was the only one who liked it at the time!
Not sure if I should vote in this since I have this weird thing with Bjork in that I like three of her albums a lot and the rest I don't really care for.
― obnoxious pun (ultros ultros-ghali), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:35 (five years ago) link
As long as Biophilia is one of them, vote away!
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:38 (five years ago) link
the ilx biophilia thread is extremely depressing
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:41 (five years ago) link
Album that I am coming to realise is probably my favourite: VespertineAlbum that I am coming to realise I don't really like that much: Post
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:46 (five years ago) link
i haven't been in the right mood for vespertine all month, idk why
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:51 (five years ago) link
Yeah I’m not big on post - too inconsistent style wise, prefer telegram - challop perhaps.
Aurora rules and I neglected to vote for it. Thread makes me want to relisten to biophilia which arrived at a time when I cared little about Bjork and the app seemed distracting
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:51 (five years ago) link
prefer telegram - challop perhaps
kinda yeah it is, i think, those aren't even her best remixes from the post era
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:52 (five years ago) link
Killer versions of possibly maybe and cover me tho
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:54 (five years ago) link
the dillinja "cover me" is v good yes
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 14:56 (five years ago) link
I think of Post vs. Homogenic sort of the same way Stevie Wonder referred to Talking Book vs. Innervisions. The former, in each case, is a collection of great songs that maybe doesn't quite hang together as an album.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:01 (five years ago) link
Post is good but doesn't really hang together as an album and only Hyperballad really reaches the peaks of Vespertine and Homogenic
― ufo, Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:06 (five years ago) link
i don't think that's true at all
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:08 (five years ago) link
album has "possibly maybe" and "isobel" on it ffs
What you might be missing about "Post" is that you have to put it into the context of her career. When you listen to it now, it might sound scattered, but when it came out, it suggested 11 different and distinct possible future directions for her. Much of the thrill of listening to it was anticipating her next move, hearing so many different possibilities on display
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:27 (five years ago) link
I mean, "Homogenic" was titled as such almost as a reaction to "Post"'s eclecticism. Eclecticism looks good on a Bjork album imo! Vespertine's best moments imo ("Cocoon", "An Echo, A Stain") are the songs that diverge from the album's thesis
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:28 (five years ago) link
i think that's still possible to hear now, or at least that's the vibe i accessed when i put it on immediately after debut xp
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:29 (five years ago) link
singular bjork (debut) becomes multibjork (post) becomes hypercompressed multibjork (homogenic)
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:31 (five years ago) link
fgti is otm but i still prefer the consistency of homogenic or vespertine, then and now
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:31 (five years ago) link
Biophilia is better than Volta
Yep even though it's not represented in what I voted for, this has been my big realization from this thread, and I've enjoyed discovering Biophilia.
Gonna listen to this today (Vespertine b-sides):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-whnnJ6WKRA
― change display name (Jordan), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:34 (five years ago) link
Debut is also hugely eclectic. I just feel like Post is a few amazing tracks and the rest are not exactly filler, but just not up to the standard of the LPs before and after.Vespertine and Volta are the LPs I missed at the time (aside from the singles) and now sound wonderful and fresh.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:39 (five years ago) link
I think Talking Book similarly intended to carry on with Music of My Mind's sense of boundless possibility/eclecticism.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:40 (five years ago) link
volta was such a huge disappointment. caught the tour and she was on fire though, declare independence was way more of a rave-up live and she was doing cool stuff with tech and kaos pad like devices at the time. wanderlust in my top bjork songs ever tho
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:41 (five years ago) link
Debut begins eclectic, and then starts to sound stylistically monothematic-- I said so upthread-- "The Anchor Song" appears like whaaat? after a run of relaxing-in-a-hotel-lobby songs
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:41 (five years ago) link
I hate "Declare Independence" as much as I hate "My Girls"-- corny individualism masquerading as romance
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:42 (five years ago) link
dunno, declare independence at least sounded fun, unlike the rest of volta which is laboured af - i mean drawing restraint 9 came before it which is basically trash
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:43 (five years ago) link
Or in Bjork's case, protest song
In the wake of a financial crisis in which Iceland milked millions of dollars from German, English and Dutch small businesses (via IceSave) to essentially finance their own zero-emission geothermal paradise, with a Range Rover in every driveway, a song by an woman from that blessed country of 350k people claiming that we should all declare independence from our respective states and make our own flags really made me wanna take a literal shit on a physical copy of that album
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:44 (five years ago) link
Uh sorry, when I dislike a song I really kind of pull no punches
I love Bjork she rules
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:45 (five years ago) link
passion makes this place great so i'm all for it bud
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:46 (five years ago) link
The main problem with "Declare Independence" is that it's not "Pluto." At all.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:47 (five years ago) link
Declare Independence has very corny lyrics but it's easily the standout of Volta anyway.
― ufo, Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:50 (five years ago) link
my response to lyrical approach on volta is, like, “oh, ok, REALLY?” for almost the whole thing
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:50 (five years ago) link
still vividly remember staggering up to a coffeeshop counter in disbelief upon first hearing "Pluto"
"is this.... Bjork??"
― sleeve, Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:50 (five years ago) link
biophilia’s clunky sjon lyrics about cells dividing were a real relief
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:51 (five years ago) link
the song on volta about terrorism is clumsy
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:55 (five years ago) link
Haven't been paying attention to the lyrics on Volta, just the instrumentation. Declare Independence is perhaps the worst track on there.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:55 (five years ago) link
the lowest point for me on volta is "innocence" which sounds like a track timbo and danja couldn't even get onto loose
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:58 (five years ago) link
innocence sounds dated on arrival
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:59 (five years ago) link
this is wonderful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viX7tcKXehY
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:01 (five years ago) link
What really sold me on this song was Lotic dropping the instrumental in his Boiler Room mix, it sounded insane in that context
― change display name (Jordan), Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:11 (five years ago) link
I love Timbaland's production on "Earth Intruders" and "Innocence" but feel the songs are too weak for me to want to listen to them. I had no songs from "Volta" on my ballot. When it came out I found myself wanting to like it, to defend it, but happily, subsequent albums made me realize that it was a misstep in her latter-day arc and that I can safely forget about it
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:15 (five years ago) link
i feel like one of the ideas on volta (homogenic but horns instead of strings) is really good, but when combined with the other way less good ideas it just makes for a really confused and confusing record
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:17 (five years ago) link
it wasn't a bad idea but none of the tracks that went for that really live up to the idea, like Wanderlust is just tedious.
― ufo, Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:22 (five years ago) link
It was cool to see an all-female brass band in full costume on that tour, and the reworkings of non-Volta tracks was great
In fact, any reworking of a catalog track with "this year's touring lineup" is always a highlight for me, she could really just put together a tour with all new instrumentation and no new album and it'd be prob her best-ever tour
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:27 (five years ago) link
i love Bjork but i'm not voting, more interested in the rollout to dig into the decent chunk of her career that I didn't follow closely.
our son is a fan of Bjork ever since we were in line at the Amoeba buy counter and a woman in front of us who was selling her son's CD collection at his request noticed him staring at the cover of Volta which was on top of the box, and she asked him, "Would you like this CD?" We listened to it in the car and he was amazed. He also really likes this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFTliOnoNSk
― omar little, Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:32 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ao5Sd6BCK4
this is a nice rework - harpischord version of Aurora in Icelandic, according to comments her daughter is in the choir too
― ufo, Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:37 (five years ago) link
Does anyone rep for the Dirty Projectors collab?
(I enjoy it)
― change display name (Jordan), Thursday, 19 April 2018 16:49 (five years ago) link
ok Vespertine b-sides are amazing
― change display name (Jordan), Thursday, 19 April 2018 17:21 (five years ago) link
yes they are
― sleeve, Thursday, 19 April 2018 17:24 (five years ago) link
Foot soldier! Mother heroic
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Thursday, 19 April 2018 17:44 (five years ago) link
The Bjork/DPs collab features some of my favourite DPs songs ("Beautiful Mother" i.e.) but despite the largeness of Bjork's name on the record I don't think of it as a particularly Bjork-y album
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Thursday, 19 April 2018 18:13 (five years ago) link
True, I think I remember reading that Longstreth wrote it (with her in mind)
― change display name (Jordan), Thursday, 19 April 2018 18:23 (five years ago) link
vespertine shares a dynamic with radiohead's amnesiac for me, in that 1) both records might be my favorites by their respective artists 2) the songs that didn't make each record are better than many of the songs that did
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 18:45 (five years ago) link
"Kinetic" and "Worrywort" were the best Radiohead ever did at trying to make a Bjork track. Better than anything on 'Kid A' or 'Amnesiac'.
― Soundslike, Thursday, 19 April 2018 19:53 (five years ago) link
I'm so here for Björk singing "Aurora" in her living room backed by bored schoolchildren while reading the lyrics from a piece of paper, and then curtsying at the end.
No, seriously, I love it. I wish she sung in Icelandic more often on her albums. BTW that's Jónas Sen on harpsichord and Ólöf Arnalds on koto.
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Thursday, 19 April 2018 21:13 (five years ago) link
so much bjork that I love but all these opinions are exhausting
― ogmor, Thursday, 19 April 2018 21:55 (five years ago) link
lol
― Dan S, Thursday, 19 April 2018 22:15 (five years ago) link
well opinion THIS: a bjork supercut with all the different times and ways she has sung "e-mo-tion-al"
― Karl Malone, Thursday, 19 April 2018 22:18 (five years ago) link
Vulnicura really is a bookend to Vespertine, isn’t it? A kind of negative refraction. Listening to them in close proximity makes that clearer to me
Utopia feels like the most shrouded of all of her albums, with the middle section almost completely submerged, but it is also maybe the most compelling for me, the one I most want to revisit
I think the relative inaccessibility of those two albums has made them underrated, but they are both really beautiful
― Dan S, Thursday, 19 April 2018 22:33 (five years ago) link
It definitely is. Both are about the same lover (Barney), and I'm in awe at how she managed to make Vulnicura the 'anti-Vespertine', yet sonically and thematically staying as close to the spring of ecstacy that Vespertine was as possible. It is a refraction, yet also something entirely new, something of its own. Vulnicura feels gravely underrated, but I guess we'll soon see if that is indeed so. I for one rate it far higher than Volta and Medulla (Biophilia is another story all together tbh)
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 19 April 2018 22:48 (five years ago) link
i'm... largely baffled by utopia, i assume a second listen will help?
i do like that the front cover looks like amphibian bjork is handing me a weird flute, i assume for some kind of journey
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 22:52 (five years ago) link
for a place to start, the last couple of songs of Utopia kind of emerge from the mist. Future Forever I think is one of the best ever Bjork tracks
― Dan S, Thursday, 19 April 2018 23:13 (five years ago) link
i think i'm gonna vote for "black lake" it's pretty abyssal
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 19 April 2018 23:31 (five years ago) link
i was listening to some of my contenders on random, and "black lake" sounded so full and wide
― Karl Malone, Thursday, 19 April 2018 23:38 (five years ago) link
god vulnicura is really good
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 20 April 2018 00:19 (five years ago) link
the empty space on that record is so consuming, which makes the instrumentation and especially her voice perpetually feel like they're willfully exerting themselves
― lowercase (eric), Friday, 20 April 2018 00:28 (five years ago) link
also i love the anohni feature
― lowercase (eric), Friday, 20 April 2018 00:29 (five years ago) link
Utopia is still totally impenetrable to me, the first two and last two tracks are the only ones I can get remotely into but they still feel very meandering
― ufo, Friday, 20 April 2018 01:21 (five years ago) link
oh wait but “arisen my senses” is amazing. it’s like björk’s sade song
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 20 April 2018 02:37 (five years ago) link
I know it's a new fan fave, and I keep waiting for it to open up for me, but it just hasn't.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 20 April 2018 02:38 (five years ago) link
Ballot sent! Was definitely in danger of overthinking it if I took any longer...
― Gavin, Leeds, Friday, 20 April 2018 09:48 (five years ago) link
I really love the consistency and the progression of her album covers. All with her face and all without words.
https://i.imgur.com/T52DavH.jpg
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 20 April 2018 11:24 (five years ago) link
Medulla does have the title on it actually - the necklace. I think Post, Vespertine and Biophilia have my favourite covers
― ufo, Friday, 20 April 2018 11:34 (five years ago) link
Ha weird
I never knew what the Biophilia cover looked like until this moment
― nevertheless, he stopped (flamboyant goon tie included), Friday, 20 April 2018 11:52 (five years ago) link
How many ballots so far, you ask? Eight, the answer.
Don't make me wait 5 years!
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 20 April 2018 14:20 (five years ago) link
hey I got a whole week, I haven't even started listening!
― sleeve, Friday, 20 April 2018 14:21 (five years ago) link
Same as Sleeve! You'll probably get mine a minute before (or after) the deadline, as per usual.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 20 April 2018 14:22 (five years ago) link
i'll send mine now! i was gonna try to do remixes but there's just too much!
― challops trap house (Will M.), Friday, 20 April 2018 14:41 (five years ago) link
i'll definitely have one as well, just deciding on the order!
― Karl Malone, Friday, 20 April 2018 15:36 (five years ago) link
I am 20 tracks right now without delving into the post-millennial era (where my relationship with Björk gets iffy).
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Friday, 20 April 2018 15:41 (five years ago) link
Think I should send in my ballot too. I wanted to relisten to stuff I'm less familiar with but I think no matter how many listens I give Biophilia, nothing on there is ever gonna click with me. Did find a few new excellent B-sides in researching for this poll though
― Vinnie, Friday, 20 April 2018 16:25 (five years ago) link
"oceania" is like the patient zero of björk videos where she just wears weird shit on her face/head in roomfuls of cgi
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 20 April 2018 17:44 (five years ago) link
I like "Earth Intruders"!
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 20 April 2018 17:46 (five years ago) link
(apropos of nothing except some nay-saying above)
"Earth Intruders" is B+ Bjork, to use an Alfred-ism
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 20 April 2018 18:00 (five years ago) link
also as mentioned earth intruders liberally cribs a section of wendy carlos 'c'est afrique'
utopia is a great record. it's one you can live in, staunchly enviornmental/atmospheric.
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 20 April 2018 20:46 (five years ago) link
I love environmental/atmospheric records. But for some reason it's the almost-song-but-not-ness of 'Utopia' that keeps me outside looking in. It could portentially be amazing if Bjork wanted to do instrumental-textural-ambient-etc. records, though her voice would be missed. But when she sings without meter and melody, with sort of auto-Bjork-isms that hint at previous melodies without cohering into melody--it just fundamentally fruatrates me. I feel like the track she did for the closong credits of 'Being John Malkovic' presaged that strand that has made up half her work post-Medulla.
― Soundslike, Friday, 20 April 2018 20:52 (five years ago) link
^I definitely can see this point of view. It is sort of an environmental/atmospheric record, but not quite. I think it functions as mood music for me - my favorite kind of music! Every time I listen it feels slightly different
― Dan S, Friday, 20 April 2018 21:21 (five years ago) link
just read Ross's post, I guess what I meant in mine by 'environmental/atmospheric' was more 'ambient', but I like his description.
― Dan S, Friday, 20 April 2018 21:27 (five years ago) link
third attempt with utopia and "arisen my senses" is going on my ballot, it makes me believe i have synesthesia
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 20 April 2018 22:14 (five years ago) link
successive blushes each a different color
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 20 April 2018 22:15 (five years ago) link
it really is a beautiful introduction
― Dan S, Friday, 20 April 2018 22:31 (five years ago) link
first track on utopia barges out the gate, big and bold, love it.
tabula rasa almost brings me to tears
cheers to Dan
oh wow soundslike the track from BJM amphibian is seriously fucking amazing. i hate to say the weakest link on her new records is her voice, ever dove-tailing into the ether, rarely to coalesce into some meaningful melody.
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Friday, 20 April 2018 22:32 (five years ago) link
“amphibian” is maybe the best björk song
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 20 April 2018 22:50 (five years ago) link
Holy tuck is it good
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Saturday, 21 April 2018 00:40 (five years ago) link
― sleeve, Friday, April 20, 2018 9:21 AM (ten hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
same, fam
― 21st savagery fox (m bison), Saturday, 21 April 2018 00:54 (five years ago) link
Now "Future Forever" insists on reminding me of its loveliness just to make things difficult. There are far too many casually excellent Björk songs. I have to confess that while I have most of the records on hand and am pro-Björk in principle, I wasn't initially sure I could name 30 tracks I really truly care about at this stage. Boy is my face red!
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Saturday, 21 April 2018 01:19 (five years ago) link
every time i'm about to give up on utopia "tabula rasa" starts and i'm mesmerized until the end. "saint" and "future forever" in particular
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Saturday, 21 April 2018 15:29 (five years ago) link
ballot sent
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Saturday, 21 April 2018 16:06 (five years ago) link
lmao i want to change things already, is it possible to resubmit
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Saturday, 21 April 2018 16:44 (five years ago) link
i am finally in the right mood for vespertine! and it is the best album in the world
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Saturday, 21 April 2018 16:54 (five years ago) link
Absolutely accepting revisions until the poll closes. Especially if they involve additions of “Its Not Up To You.”
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:33 (five years ago) link
hmmmmmmMMMMM
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:35 (five years ago) link
it's great how i'm obsessed with biophilia now
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:48 (five years ago) link
i already liked vespertine quite a bit before this poll, but it's risen up into my top tier, now. Hidden Place through Aurora is such a sustained, strong start to an album, it's ridiculous.
― Karl Malone, Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:54 (five years ago) link
“An echo, a stain” is a gear shift, but it too is an astonishment.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:57 (five years ago) link
it is a perfect album start to finish
― 21st savagery fox (m bison), Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:58 (five years ago) link
relistening for the first time in a while, i honestly can't tell if the chorus melody of "unison" is interpolating something or just sounds so classic that i forgot it came from a bjork song
― lowercase (eric), Saturday, 21 April 2018 20:23 (five years ago) link
not that bjork doesn't have classic melodies but like, in the "this has been around for centuries" kinda way
Vespertine feels like a pivot moment for me, you can see both everything she has done up to that point and everything she will do afterwards - although of course you could also make a case for 'Homogenic' or 'Medulla' in that regard.
IIRC "Sun In My Mouth" is the first time a song on one of her albums feels really unstructured (rather than apparently so but not - e.g. "Headphones" or "All Is Full Of Love").
Without checking, I get the sense that every album thereafter devoted a larger and larger proportion to that approach, although arguably Utopia turns the corner on that. (this is not to say the albums necessarily get worse and worse - i.e. the worst songs on Volta are certainly "structured").
― Tim F, Saturday, 21 April 2018 23:58 (five years ago) link
I dunno, "Sun in my Mouth" feels pretty solid to me.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Sunday, 22 April 2018 01:00 (five years ago) link
Compared to much of what follows, sure.
― Tim F, Sunday, 22 April 2018 01:29 (five years ago) link
I get the point, it doesn’t seem like there is single repeated melodic phrase on Sun in my Mouth.
every track on Vespertine feels like a classic, it really is an amazing album
― Dan S, Sunday, 22 April 2018 01:37 (five years ago) link
Hey brad, Tabula rasa is great
Like something off the score of Hitchcock’s vertigo
disarming
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Sunday, 22 April 2018 02:17 (five years ago) link
Tabula Rasa is definitely one of the best Bjork songs
― Dan S, Sunday, 22 April 2018 02:51 (five years ago) link
I may end up shortlisting this on my remix ballot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RJe4j6J4vU
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Sunday, 22 April 2018 18:58 (five years ago) link
I don't know if that "remix" is working for me, but a Bjork Erykah collaboration could be amazing...
― Soundslike, Sunday, 22 April 2018 19:32 (five years ago) link
Mostly I dig the way the "Play Dead" strings work off the chorus from "Cleva."
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Sunday, 22 April 2018 20:01 (five years ago) link
listening to Utopia again. Strikes me as a culmination of her musical career; body memory and courtship both feature beatboxing similar to Medulla, and the massed choir on body memory is a lot like Vespertine. Record would it nicely as a companion to sea of honey by Kate Bush, both records feature a pagan reverence for nature. To those who haven't warmed up to Utopia, what makes the record hard for you to crack? It is fairly unyielding in its experimentation and rarely throws the listener any easy ways out. I'm finding it easier to appreciate than love
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Sunday, 22 April 2018 22:04 (five years ago) link
arisen my senses is one of her best openers period, and Losss bangs hard
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Sunday, 22 April 2018 22:05 (five years ago) link
It's the vocals and the sameness that keep me out--were it either more melodic or more instrumental, and about half as long, I would probably love 'Utopia'. As it is, it's neither song nor textural in a satisfying way. I also don't see it as a culmination personally, because songform, rhythm, variety--all have such huge roles in her work, besides the texture and melding of organic and electronic that 'Utopia' seems focused on. There's no way in which it seems "experimental" to be, which is in itself neither good nor bad. I love the sounds of it at any given moment, but it doesn't pull me along. To be honest, I haven't managed a front-to-back listen yet. I don't dislike it the way I viscerally disliked 'Volta.' I like it in theory. I just find it sadly a bit tedious in practice--but I keep trying.
― Soundslike, Sunday, 22 April 2018 23:46 (five years ago) link
I agree it is way too long, i had to stop at track 7 cuz it felt like a slog
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Monday, 23 April 2018 00:35 (five years ago) link
Yeah, "Arisen My Senses" is excellent, but after that, I feel as lost as I was with Biophilia
― Vinnie, Monday, 23 April 2018 05:26 (five years ago) link
Excited to submit my ballot! Love the bookends of her solo career as it stands right now. Vespertine was a huge disappointment to me at the time and returning to it now I feel largely the same. Felt dispassionate and "ornate". Like she lost her spunk.
After cross referencing her bio, I just realized I just don't like much of her work that she released while married to Matthew Barney. Huh.
― octobeard, Monday, 23 April 2018 06:04 (five years ago) link
(they were married from 2000-2013)
― octobeard, Monday, 23 April 2018 06:05 (five years ago) link
Speaking of post-Barney matters, any love out there for "Notget"? Text search suggests no-one's said anything about it. The swelling strings and clickety clack makes for a particularly strong Homogenic Revisited sort of vibe methinks. Pleasingly so.
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Monday, 23 April 2018 06:43 (five years ago) link
Notget/Atom Dance/Mouth Mantra is the section of Vulnicura I find totally dense and impenetrable
― ufo, Monday, 23 April 2018 08:33 (five years ago) link
"Atom Dance" is one of my favourites from Vulnicura, but I think that both "Notget" and "Mouth Mantra" worked better either in strings-only arrangements or live (e.g. check out the insane Haxan Cloak version that they played live: https://soundcloud.com/bjork/mouth-mantra-the-haxan-cloak-mix-1 ). The album tracks seem to pull into many different directions at once but don't necessarily arrive at any of them.
I also absolutely adore the strings-only version of "Notget" with viola organista. It's even more dramatic and over the top when it's stripped off of Arca's beats.
https://open.spotify.com/track/38pPYrmO3HHipP5wX7qhre?si=RcrdZJ1rQkC1Ctj4Fyp50Q
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Monday, 23 April 2018 10:23 (five years ago) link
I've just finished listening to everything and wanted to highlight some of the non-LP tracks I loved
Atlantic (from Human Behaviour single)Glora (from Big Time Sensuality single)Sweet Intuition (from Army of Me single)Karvel (from I Miss You single)I Go Humble (from Isobel single)Oxygen (Evelyn Glennie featuring Björk)Sod Off (from Joga single)Foot Soldier (from Hidden Place single)Domestica (from Pagan Poetry single)Batabid (from Pagan Poetry single)It's In Our Hands (from Greatest Hits)Trance (from To Lee, With Love, Nick ost)Náttúra (single, 2008)Flétta (Antony and the Johnsons featuring Björk)
Also wanted to say that the Greatest Hits from 2002 is possibly my favourite greatest hits compilation from anyone, the tracks are so well-chosen and well-sequenced, I'm considering voting for it as my #5 album, possibly.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Monday, 23 April 2018 11:10 (five years ago) link
"Domestica" was one of the best new finds for me, as a result of this poll
― Vinnie, Monday, 23 April 2018 15:34 (five years ago) link
I have a bunch of the B-sides but they don't have titles and it's driving me crazy, I may even post soundcloud samples to ID or something
― sleeve, Monday, 23 April 2018 15:41 (five years ago) link
lol wtf is the version of "alarm call" they used for the music video
― Tim F, Monday, 23 April 2018 15:52 (five years ago) link
I ... kind of prefer it to the album version? *doesn't duck*
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 23 April 2018 15:54 (five years ago) link
oh hey eric i sent my ballot then i sent a small edit to my ballot a few hours later i think, hope that's ok!
― challops trap house (Will M.), Monday, 23 April 2018 18:07 (five years ago) link
No problem! Also, I haven't responded to everyone's emails yet, but I am up to date on entering them into my spreadsheet.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 23 April 2018 18:32 (five years ago) link
black lake really has a beautiful melody doesn't it
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Monday, 23 April 2018 21:14 (five years ago) link
For all that “Black Lake” is reputed to be the dense, impenetrable, harrowing heart of Vulnicura, I find it easily the most approachable track on that album.
― Tim F, Monday, 23 April 2018 21:24 (five years ago) link
I'm very much a casual Bjork fan, I've only really experienced her through her dancefloor oriented songs and remixes in the 90s/00s and the singles. But I've been playing all the album tracks on shuffle for the past few days and it's been a very, very entertaining journey.
― Siegbran, Monday, 23 April 2018 21:26 (five years ago) link
“family” is way more qualified to be the dense, impenetrable, harrowing heart (and even then said heart is full of empty space so the bass can shudder through it)
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 23 April 2018 21:28 (five years ago) link
Listening to Life’s Too Good for the first time in ages, and it’s easy to see how/why “Birthday” hit the UK indie community like a bomb. It really feels simultaneously sui generis and like it presages several years of dream-pop, The Sundays and baggy simultaneously.
The Jesus and Mary Chain remixes really underscore that point (at least vis a vis dream-pop) actually.
Funny how the rest of that album, which is very enjoyable, never quite feels like it rearticulates and reconfigures its stylistic coordinates (The Fall, The Cure, the first Happy Mondays album, the Hoodoo Gurus?) so radically.
― Tim F, Monday, 23 April 2018 21:29 (five years ago) link
Agreed re “Family”.
black lake is long and it's repetitive, but that melody is so primal. it feels like an ancient prayer or lamentation along the lines of kol nidrei
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Monday, 23 April 2018 21:34 (five years ago) link
Notget very narrowly missed my ballot. Great song
― octobeard, Monday, 23 April 2018 21:36 (five years ago) link
For whatever reason Vulnicura only gets bogged down for me at "Atom Dance". Before that I point, I seem be drawn forward in anticipation of the next moment I know will move me to the verge of tears. ("Stonemilker" and "Black Lake" are particularly reliable on this front.)
I really didn't grasp that this album was quite so good before this poll. It's probably something like #3 for me now. Though alternating with the strings-only/live versions, as recommended above, is an excellent idea.
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Monday, 23 April 2018 22:54 (five years ago) link
I vastly prefer Vulnicura to utopia. Way more emotionally and texturally accessible
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Monday, 23 April 2018 23:00 (five years ago) link
agreed. i briefly considered posting utopia in lj's "stuff that sounds like l'rain" thread (though i didn't bc i don't have an accurate memory of what l'rain sounds like)
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 23 April 2018 23:48 (five years ago) link
it's been really hard for me to pick 30 tracks
― Dan S, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 00:48 (five years ago) link
I *wish* 'Utopia' sounded like L'Rain, or Spellling, or Serpentwithfeet, or FKA Twigs, or even solo Arca...
― Soundslike, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 04:01 (five years ago) link
It’s somewhat frustrating to me how little the beats coalesce on utopia. It’s like insect scattershot beats with no direction. I think my biggest problem with the record is how Bjork rarely makes it easy for the listener. Sure she has avant- grade inclinations but I never listened to Bjork for a pure experimental experience personally. It was always the push and pull of pop and the esoteric
― after party for the apocalypse (Ross), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 04:24 (five years ago) link
yeah agreed completely Ross.
Family is one track on Vulnicura that only really opened up to me recently, really fantastic and I wish I'd made room on my ballot for it now
― ufo, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 04:44 (five years ago) link
just in case anyone else missed it, i'm glad i saw this before submitting my music videos ballot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM80F_J-QHE
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 12:02 (five years ago) link
hey eric h, can we do mixed ballots for tracks? i feel pretty confident in my ability to pick 10 favorites but not in my ability to rank all 30 tracks
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 14:53 (five years ago) link
That's fine. Just indicate which part is ranked and which isn't.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 14:54 (five years ago) link
thanks
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 14:55 (five years ago) link
it's just from the wikipedia entry on vespertine, but i thought this was really interesting:
Björk decided to use instruments whose sound would not be compromised when downloaded from sites such as Napster.[16] She explained:I use micro-beats, a lot of whispery vocals, which I think sound amazing when they're downloaded because of the secrecy of the medium. The only acoustic instruments I would use would be those that sound good after they've been downloaded, so the harp, the music box, celeste and clavichord. They're plucky sounds. [...] And the strings [...] ended up being more panoramic textures in the background. It's all about being in a little house, on your own. [...] The strings would be like white mountains outside.[16]
I use micro-beats, a lot of whispery vocals, which I think sound amazing when they're downloaded because of the secrecy of the medium. The only acoustic instruments I would use would be those that sound good after they've been downloaded, so the harp, the music box, celeste and clavichord. They're plucky sounds. [...] And the strings [...] ended up being more panoramic textures in the background. It's all about being in a little house, on your own. [...] The strings would be like white mountains outside.[16]
i always love to read how artists work within constraints, especially those that are partly self-imposed. she knew that anything she released would be listened to millions of adoring obsessive fans on headphones, an experience she clearly connects with (like on the song ... "headphones"). but she gravitated toward sounds that would also still sound good after being compressed down to a mp3! and not just any mp3, but a typical turn of the millienium mp3, so probably like 96 or 128 kbps. i love it
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 15:26 (five years ago) link
ok, finally voted! that was a ridiculous ballot. really, most of the top 20 is pretty interchangeable for me. sometimes i'm having a post kind of day, sometimes it's a vespertine kind of day (those are nice). i can't believe a song like "big time sensuality" didn't even make it, but that's how solid her catalog is. <3
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 16:10 (five years ago) link
Shameful confession: Vespertine still does nothing for me.
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 16:11 (five years ago) link
*gasp* i'm probably gonna vote Vespertine as my #1 album.
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 16:23 (five years ago) link
possibly because i've mostly been listening on earbuds (good insight, karl)
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 16:24 (five years ago) link
eric was right, i should've voted for "it's not up to you"
how do i masterthe perfect day
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 16:24 (five years ago) link
There's still time imo.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 16:28 (five years ago) link
the triumph of a heartthe triumph of the hearta triumph of the hearta triumph of a heart
― Karl Malone, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 16:28 (five years ago) link
Also, I can't say there's a Bjork album that does nothing for me. A couple of them antagonize me, but I'm certainly not neutral on a single one of them.
hope it's not too late to rep for these three remixes, all (as far as I know) only on whitelabels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88HqorPJDWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoP6Ro_41tI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psr9vd9lGiQ
― Siegbran, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 17:17 (five years ago) link
I have now tallied 14 ballots. Still a lot of people I know who are Bjork fanatics who haven't weighed in yet!
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 20:26 (five years ago) link
Oh, and here's where I ask if there's someone out there who feels like designing a tile template for the reveal thread?
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 20:27 (five years ago) link
“Pagan Poetry” isn’t just one of Bjork’s very best songs, it’s also the last time (with the possible exception of the chorus to “Mutual Core”) where I think “no one else could do with this melody what Bjork does”. There are strong melodies later (though fewer than before of course) and there are some amazing vocal runs, but the two don’t tend to be so mutually reinforcing thereafter.
Like, the way she leans into the first word of the chorus so aggressively, like she’s pushing though something painful to get to something beautiful - who else could pull it off? Who would dare try to cover it?
c.f. the “pop” songs on Medulla, where typically Bjork feels like she’s actually backgrounding her lead vocal more than usual even if she’s delivering a memorable chorus line - if not in terms of volume or prominence, then in terms of style and flair - as if dominating the track like she would have previously kind of defeats the purpose of the whole exercise.
Conversely the big vocal moments later on rarely combine with indelible melodies.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 06:00 (five years ago) link
Well these Greek guys tried to cover it:
https://youtu.be/DSfXZ5rkCNQ
― Siegbran, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 06:28 (five years ago) link
Just tallied the most idiosyncratic ballot so far. Up to 15.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 16:22 (five years ago) link
Hopefully it’ll make up for my bound-to-be-boring one.
― Dangleballs and the Ballerina (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 17:13 (five years ago) link
great post, tim f
when you talk about her "vocal runs" and "big vocal moments" as something distinct from the melodies, do you mean just in terms of loudness and prominence in the song, or technical virtuosity, or something else?
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 17:29 (five years ago) link
"Like, the way she leans into the first word of the chorus [of Pagan Poetry] so aggressively, like she’s pushing though something painful to get to something beautiful"
so otm. this ballot was painful to put together. i put pagan poetry below two other vespertine songs! (but how are you going to put any above "Undo"... so agonizing)
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 17:31 (five years ago) link
Undo is the best, it's true
― sleeve, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 17:34 (five years ago) link
Pagan Poetry and Undo are my two favorites from Vespertine also. For me it feels like the album comes to a peak with those two.
some days I think Pagan Poetry is the best thing she has ever done
― Dan S, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 17:36 (five years ago) link
Pagan Poetry and Undo are my two favorites from Vespertine also
i think i agree with this too, but i had a ~moment~ with Unison as i was wrapping up my ballot and ended up putting it above Pagan Poetry as well.
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 17:39 (five years ago) link
Cocoon my fave by far. Sun In My Mouth is fantastic, too, feels underrated (if that is at all possible for anything on Vespertine)
I still need to sift through the b-sides before I vote. Any pointers? A yt playlist, or a collection of sorts?
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 17:58 (five years ago) link
stevie d had some good resources:
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, April 11, 2018 9:45 AM (two weeks ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, April 11, 2018 9:47 AM (two weeks ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)),
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:01 (five years ago) link
and camaraderie at arms length also had a nice selection, i thought:
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:02 (five years ago) link
Ohh blessig u KM <3
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:04 (five years ago) link
no prob! just bumping some posts upthread, they did all the work :)
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:07 (five years ago) link
https://78.media.tumblr.com/53bccd6850c11d881502052c50df9085/tumblr_ojz9wenAM91rpduwho1_500.gif
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:08 (five years ago) link
always include “verandi” in a björk b-side selection imo
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:33 (five years ago) link
*takes note*
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:35 (five years ago) link
"karvel" and "i go humble" are both perfect
homogenic b-sides were sensibly b-sides
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 18:45 (five years ago) link
(even though they are enjoyable)
There are some real hidden gems among those three Sugarcubes albums. Right now, I'm Hungry is my new jam.
― Marty8501 (Marty Innerlogic), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:05 (five years ago) link
“when you talk about her "vocal runs" and "big vocal moments" as something distinct from the melodies, do you mean just in terms of loudness and prominence in the song, or technical virtuosity, or something else?“
I guess I meant the sense in which the songs act as vehicle for the expression of Bjork’s voice as an instrument for its own ends, rather than (or in addition to) Bjork’s voice being a vehicle for the delivery of the song.
In the context of her earlier work this is most clear in the way Bjork would tend to sing around the melody, filling her songs with all these delightful vocal curlicues - like in “Big Time Sensuality”, it’s difficult to say whether the snippet of singing from about 2:45 to 3:00 is part of the “song” in any sense divorced from Bjork herself, but it’s one of the best moments in the song; those curlicues tending to be the pinnacle of intensity, the moment when the singer’s irrepressible sense of lust or excitement or anger or wonder or sheer intensity would bubble up and kind of spill over or across the confines of song-structure.
As her songwriting has grown less structured, the distinction between song and curlicue has grown murkier - “show me emotional respect, ah-respect, ah-respect” is the most memorable refrain in “Stonemilker” and the kind of moment it’s difficult to imagine another singer infusing with such power, but on a Debut song that would have been a scat around the main refrain rather than the refrain itself.
It’d be interesting to trace out those developments in her songwriting and song performance more carefully - one reason I love “The Modern Things” so much is the sense in which it was the first time one of the songs on her albums simply adopted the thought-experiment of “let’s make the curlicues the entire point of the song”. But I also think Bjork’s singing style exists in an elastic relationship to song-structure, and if the songwriting becomes too diffuse it can tend to dilute the push-pull intensity of the singing, the sense in which Bjork is giving voice to some kind of radical excess.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:12 (five years ago) link
yes, really well said
― Dan S, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:23 (five years ago) link
There are some real hidden gems among those three Sugarcubes albums.
and the B-sides, and the 10" remix of "Deus"
― sleeve, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:35 (five years ago) link
As her songwriting has grown less structured, the distinction between song and curlicue has grown murkier
this is true, but it also made me think about how much i enjoy the moments in the later albums where you can separate out these aspects of her songwriting into distinct sections (for instance "mutual core" = curlicues in the verses assemble into the song in the chorus)
there's also a pronounced tendency in her later work to circle around a single melody for five minutes ("blissing me") and i don't know if i'd classify it as either song or curlicue (so, murky as you said)
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:39 (five years ago) link
Yes, and those are two of her best later songs in large part for those reasons.
“Blissing Me” reminds me of Vashti Bunyan both vocally and musically.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:45 (five years ago) link
God, "Blissing Me" is an oasis on that album.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:47 (five years ago) link
it's such a lovely song
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 19:48 (five years ago) link
I think there's a definite analogous path to Bjork's career as there was to Joni Mitchell's, and right now we're at 'Mingus'. Which maybe means soon Bjork's going to do interesting song-form music again soon that will be following trends rather than laying foundations--but it'll still be interesting. And then in a few years we'll get "back to basics" Bjork (or maybe that was 'Vulnicura'). FWIW, I've come to love almost all of Mitchell's ouevre even though none of it ever matched the heights of 'Blue', so I'm hoping I'll dig 'Utopia' one day...
― Soundslike, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 22:47 (five years ago) link
Which maybe means soon Bjork's going to do interesting song-form music again soon that will be following trends rather than laying foundations
great description of volta
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 25 April 2018 22:50 (five years ago) link
not sure which if any Volta tracks I'm going to vote for, but the video for Wanderlust is all-time great I think
― Dan S, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 23:34 (five years ago) link
agreed, i couldn't fit it into my top five but it's a gorgeous video
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 26 April 2018 12:51 (five years ago) link
It's my 2nd place vote for vids.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 26 April 2018 12:52 (five years ago) link
finishing up my ballot, will send tomorrow
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Thursday, 26 April 2018 14:14 (five years ago) link
^^^ me too
― sleeve, Thursday, 26 April 2018 14:45 (five years ago) link
really enjoying the lyrics on Utopia today, googling love in this fucking mist, etc.
― geoffreyess, Thursday, 26 April 2018 20:48 (five years ago) link
lol i nearly stopped the record when i got to that one
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 26 April 2018 21:10 (five years ago) link
love the lyrics to Features Creatures. it's also a track on Utopia that stands out to me musically
― Dan S, Thursday, 26 April 2018 21:37 (five years ago) link
I'd generally rather not hear the word "googling" on an album but I make an exception for Bjork.
― geoffreyess, Thursday, 26 April 2018 21:46 (five years ago) link
I should be able to get my ballot in tonight (Australia time).
Going through the albums this past fortnight, I think Utopia is my favourite after Vespertine.
In an odd way, for reasons that make it sound like the opposite to how it is described by most people. With the exception of a few cases (stuff like “Body Memory”) it feels like a very composed and thoughtfully pretty record to me, and the key stretches - the first three tracks, the middle double-hit of “Courtship” (almost a pop song) and “Losss”, parts of the final lap - are actually really accessible and focused.
I know that people were down on “The Gate” as a first single but I love it, it sounds so hushed and reverent, like it’s being transmitted from an ancient, sacred grotto.
Also woodwinds are such a good look for her, and their continual presence kind of connects the album with the sound of early tracks like “Atlantic”, it feels like coming full circle.
― Tim F, Thursday, 26 April 2018 21:59 (five years ago) link
Mine is coming later tonight. I was hoping to discover some later period stuff that i might include, but nope. Get ready for a ballot that’s 90% 90s.
― incel elgort (cryptosicko), Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:15 (five years ago) link
― Tim F, Thursday, April 26, 2018 2:59 PM (seventeen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
otm
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:17 (five years ago) link
also every stretch you mention kinda acted as a different portal into the record every time i listened to it. like at first i was spellbound by "arisen my senses" and "blissing me" and then progressively got confused, then on second listen "courtship" seemed to snap everything into focus, third listen "saint" and "future forever" really got to me, etc.
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:20 (five years ago) link
thoughtfully pretty
also i'm gonna use this as a justification for my sade comparison
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:21 (five years ago) link
Will send my ballot tomorrow night, I am spending way too much time on it.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:22 (five years ago) link
You guys are so right about the woodwinds; also, the flute was her first instrument, so this album is basically her coming full circle.
And in a way "Arisen My Senses", "Losss" and "Future Forever" were for me the first three entrypoints into the album so I very much agree with the 'portals' idea! I think she even mentioned the album being a triad in some interview.
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:24 (five years ago) link
ugh every bjork record is amazing except for volta
i did not expect to feel this way
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:26 (five years ago) link
(I meant "triptych", not "triad", forgive my tired, non-English brain.)
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:27 (five years ago) link
just sent my ballot
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Thursday, 26 April 2018 22:36 (five years ago) link
i surprised myself with my number one, to be honest
sent
― sleeve, Thursday, 26 April 2018 23:01 (five years ago) link
Voted!
― incel elgort (cryptosicko), Friday, 27 April 2018 01:34 (five years ago) link
Hope soundslike is right about a back to basics Bjork album. At this point it would be more Avant garde if she did a stylistic shift towards pop form
― done and dusted (Ross), Friday, 27 April 2018 05:37 (five years ago) link
Perhaps what is most poignant about Volta is hat you can hear in it the seeds of a great album she could have made, but most of those seeds (“Vertebrae By Vertebrae”, “Pneumonia”) are archetypal album tracks. So “Wanderlust” is basically all by itself as this widescreen emotional alternative reality horns + mechanical beats Bjork album.
― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2018 07:55 (five years ago) link
I don’t know that a return to pop form could be considered “avant garde”, unless we redefine the phrase to mean a deviation from recent past practice.
I do think Bjork could concentrate on exploring simpler and more repetitive arrangement structures quite effectively, especially if using percusso-melodic instrument sounds. “Moon” on Biophilia comes to mind as a good example. I suspect that there’s not much more possibility to wring out of Arca’s messy beats.
It occurred to me the other day that she would sound amazing over the kind of simple piano and keyboard patterns you get on Nils Frahm’s Spaces - I suppose the result might be a bit like The Cocteau Twins’ “Alice”.
― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2018 08:06 (five years ago) link
(I prob mistook the date? Am voting today)
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 27 April 2018 09:43 (five years ago) link
Think it's end of tonight?
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 27 April 2018 10:10 (five years ago) link
Yes, end of tonight, but if some ballots show up overnight, I won't reject them.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 12:49 (five years ago) link
Or overnight Saturday into Sunday.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 12:50 (five years ago) link
tim i definitely mean it as a deviation from past practice -
it's predictable at this point that bjork will release uncompromising experimental works, would be a nice surprise if she flipped the script
― done and dusted (Ross), Friday, 27 April 2018 12:53 (five years ago) link
Duets album with Celine Dion.
― Siegbran, Friday, 27 April 2018 12:56 (five years ago) link
I'm here for that.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 13:01 (five years ago) link
22 ballots in. But you won't notice, til after 5 years.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 15:58 (five years ago) link
i will be shocked if this poll ends up getting less ballots than the SP one
― ufo, Friday, 27 April 2018 16:03 (five years ago) link
I won't be. It's ILM.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 16:03 (five years ago) link
Also, a lot of radio silence from so many of the gays I'd counted on.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 16:04 (five years ago) link
Would have figured ILM to be more about Björk than SP (I voted in both).
― incel elgort (cryptosicko), Friday, 27 April 2018 16:08 (five years ago) link
Wish I had the ability to tag, say, Stevie D or lex, et al.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 16:09 (five years ago) link
Not having too many pangs of regret about my ballot but that will almost definitely change when the results roll out...
― Gavin, Leeds, Friday, 27 April 2018 16:44 (five years ago) link
Just voted. I imagine all the gays are agonizing over their ballots til the last minute like I did?
― geoffreyess, Friday, 27 April 2018 17:40 (five years ago) link
I certainly hope so.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 17:59 (five years ago) link
have you sent confirmation emails at all? just want to be sure mine went through
― ufo, Friday, 27 April 2018 18:24 (five years ago) link
I haven't yet, unless I had a question about the ballot.
Here's who I've received ballots from, outside of myself...
flamboyant goon tie includedJordanRossˈʌglɪɪst preɪtechnopolisLeRooLeRooGavin, LeedsWill M. VinnieBradNelsonIsmael KlataoctobeardKarl Malonesbahnhofkitchen personMarty 8501Nag! Nag! Nag!Voodoo ChilisleevecryptosickoSoundslikegeoffreyess
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 18:27 (five years ago) link
Ballot sent.
― Siegbran, Friday, 27 April 2018 18:29 (five years ago) link
xp obviously I'm not sure if all those usernames are accurate; some are just me guessing
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 18:33 (five years ago) link
I sent a ballot yesterday, 3:45 CST. Can resend if you don't have it.
― !Alicia!, Friday, 27 April 2018 18:35 (five years ago) link
Will M. and Vinnie should be on separate lines.
ufo and Alicia, not sure I got ballots from either of you.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 18:36 (five years ago) link
Nevermind, found them. Gmail is acting really weird. I'll make sure to send everyone who I've counted a confirmation before closing the poll this weekend.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 18:38 (five years ago) link
I just resent one with a few changes. Thanks
― ufo, Friday, 27 April 2018 18:39 (five years ago) link
No worries! I'm glad you found it. I think Gmail is implementing some new stuff this week. My account's been a little odd too.
― !Alicia!, Friday, 27 April 2018 18:41 (five years ago) link
― sciatica, Friday, 27 April 2018 18:42 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWoEITAoYE8
the live version of It's In Our Hands is so great, much more intense than the studio version
― ufo, Friday, 27 April 2018 18:42 (five years ago) link
Got sciatica's too.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 19:04 (five years ago) link
I love everything about that 2002 Royal Opera House concert.
― !Alicia!, Friday, 27 April 2018 19:10 (five years ago) link
I will vote today but only for the songs that posted lots of signs outside my house.
― 21st savagery fox (m bison), Friday, 27 April 2018 19:29 (five years ago) link
voted!
― Dan S, Friday, 27 April 2018 19:40 (five years ago) link
excited for the results!
― octobeard, Friday, 27 April 2018 20:31 (five years ago) link
They're not up to you. (Oh wait, they are!)
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 27 April 2018 20:43 (five years ago) link
ah fuck it resubmitting my ballot to include one song
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 27 April 2018 20:49 (five years ago) link
― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2018 21:41 (five years ago) link
Couldn't believe the immense quality of the songs in my 31 - 60 bracket.
Also discovering the Speedy J Remix of "Human Behaviour" at the very final furlong made me question all decisions of ranking, hierarchy, taste etc.
― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2018 21:42 (five years ago) link
Voted! Could have done a top 60 too.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 27 April 2018 21:46 (five years ago) link
― Tim F, Friday, April 27, 2018 2:42 PM (nine minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
fuqq stop the presses
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 27 April 2018 21:52 (five years ago) link
couldn't bring myself to vote -- probably would be heavily weighted toward debut-vespertine anyway -- but am very keen to see ppl's suggestions, especially remixes
― mookieproof, Friday, 27 April 2018 21:53 (five years ago) link
xp lol
― Dan S, Friday, 27 April 2018 21:53 (five years ago) link
Whittling SP down to 25 was easy. Bjork was impossible to get to 50--guess it helps to have more than 2 good albums ; p
Bjork poll almost seems like it should be done like "you have 100 points, allocate them however you like, to as few or as many tracks as you want"--too hard to actually rank tracks.
― Soundslike, Friday, 27 April 2018 21:57 (five years ago) link
ha just remembering how much stuff i would need to listen to again to make an informed ballot and im out
― 21st savagery fox (m bison), Friday, 27 April 2018 22:51 (five years ago) link
send an uninformed ballot
― 808s & Deep States (voodoo chili), Friday, 27 April 2018 23:04 (five years ago) link
choosing 5 remixes was really hard guys
― octobeard, Friday, 27 April 2018 23:17 (five years ago) link
Yeah even picking the best 5 drum & bass mixes is difficult.
― Siegbran, Friday, 27 April 2018 23:25 (five years ago) link
man yall are going to be mad when its literally all of vespertine in the top 11
― 21st savagery fox (m bison), Friday, 27 April 2018 23:27 (five years ago) link
I’m putting a dj mix with 20-odd remixes together, when’s the best time to publish that, before during or after the rollout?
― Siegbran, Friday, 27 April 2018 23:28 (five years ago) link
xp no, hard to be mad about almost anything placing in this poll!
didn't vote for remixes because it was just too much, but looking forward to what everyone thinks are the best
― Dan S, Friday, 27 April 2018 23:31 (five years ago) link
Only track I would put on of hers these days would be Venus as a boy
― calstars, Saturday, 28 April 2018 00:27 (five years ago) link
all right sent mine
― 21st savagery fox (m bison), Saturday, 28 April 2018 00:29 (five years ago) link
really really love Venus as a Boy
― Dan S, Saturday, 28 April 2018 00:44 (five years ago) link
all the different ways to cook an egg!
― Dan S, Saturday, 28 April 2018 00:51 (five years ago) link
I am counting 31 ballots at this point. I haven't done the confirmation emails yet though, so I guess this is my way of saying that the polls remain open likely through at least tomorrow and possibly maybe gloomy Sunday.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Saturday, 28 April 2018 02:23 (five years ago) link
Just sent mine in. I haven't spent enough time with the post-Volta albums to really evaluate what their best tracks are (and each of these albums required multiple sittings to get through in its entirety, partly due to late-night listening), but I included a token track from each anyway. I am kind of Björked-out now. Looking forward to the rollout nonetheless!
― eatandoph (Neue Jesse Schule), Saturday, 28 April 2018 08:38 (five years ago) link
Don't wait up for me guys, summat came up :( Looking forward to the results!
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 28 April 2018 12:05 (five years ago) link
I just re-read my ballot -- I wanted to check if I wanted to change anything in it since I sent it pretty early and impulsively -- but I'm quite happy with it. I tend to listen to Bjork pretty regularly around each new album's release so I guess most of my favourites are pretty set in stone now. The only riddle were the Utopia tracks but for now I'm happy with their positions (yes, there's more than one).
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Saturday, 28 April 2018 12:13 (five years ago) link
Also, this remix by Olivier Alary is my favourite rework of any of her tracks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0_CvqQpG3M
He went on to work with her on "Desired Constellation".
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Saturday, 28 April 2018 12:33 (five years ago) link
I think I ended up with 3 Utopia tracks myself. Most of the main albums contributed at least 3 tracks, and a lot of 90s tracks were displaced (eg. Debut era singles didn't figure at all in the end) by stuff I didn't fully appreciate three weeks ago. I'm much better informed now, and more of a fan overall.
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Saturday, 28 April 2018 13:40 (five years ago) link
These are the 32 ballots I've received and counted. If your name/username/something that looks familiar to you isn't below, I don't currently believe I have your ballot. There's still time!
Eric H.flamboyant goon tie includedJordanRossˈʌglɪɪst preɪtechnopolisLeRooLeRooGavin, LeedsWill M.VinnieBradNelsonIsmael KlataoctobeardKarl Malonesbahnhofkitchen personMarty 8501Nag! Nag! Nag!Voodoo ChilisleevecryptosickoSoundslikegeoffreyessSiegbranufo!Alicia!sciaticaDan STim FCamaraderiem bisoneatandoph
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Saturday, 28 April 2018 14:45 (five years ago) link
Ballot prepared - just need to go somewhere I can access email, will then submit :)
― Jeff W, Sunday, 29 April 2018 12:49 (five years ago) link
Up to 34. I know a 35th is coming in by day's end.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Sunday, 29 April 2018 18:54 (five years ago) link
I have not kept u w this at all but I want to let you all know that this is prob one of the top 5 things that she recorded
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU_nI4DO7iM
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 29 April 2018 19:41 (five years ago) link
Great song to listen to while discussing and thinking about incels: Army of Me by Björk.
― Van Horn Street, Sunday, 29 April 2018 20:48 (five years ago) link
Ha that was meant for the masculinity thread in ILE.
Best use of the "When The Levee Breaks" beat? I'd go with "Army of Me". . .
― Soundslike, Sunday, 29 April 2018 21:01 (five years ago) link
Can I still send a ballot? Been super busy but mught have some free time tomorrow if it’s not closed yet.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Monday, 30 April 2018 05:54 (five years ago) link
Same. Returned from conference.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 30 April 2018 11:46 (five years ago) link
Yes and yes. Not ready to supply the results just yet
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 30 April 2018 12:09 (five years ago) link
If that's the case I'll throw one together in four hours <3
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 30 April 2018 12:35 (five years ago) link
Whenever my partner walks our dog in the early morning, our cat cries and cries while they’re out, almost non-stop. It’s really annoying. We’ve figured out that the he’s crying because he misses our dog. And now whenever this happens I get ‘Hyperballad’ stuck in my head, every time.
― Karl Malone, Monday, 30 April 2018 13:54 (five years ago) link
omg
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 30 April 2018 13:56 (five years ago) link
*live from Kitchen Island*...so I can feel meowierTo be safe up here with you...
― Karl Malone, Monday, 30 April 2018 14:02 (five years ago) link
Also the whole first verse is very much about Ralph because he’s constantly knocking shit off our countertops (like car-parts, bottles, and cutlery). Ok, I’ll stop talking about my cat now but trust me it’s good
― Karl Malone, Monday, 30 April 2018 14:05 (five years ago) link
If I get ballots from Le Bateau Ivre, Alfred and Moka, that'll bring the total to 39. Just shy of Smashing Pumpkins' 40.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 30 April 2018 18:33 (five years ago) link
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 30 April 2018 19:10 (five years ago) link
Cant believe that Smashing Pumpkins got 40 votes when they only have two good songs (Disarm and Bullet With Butterfly Wings, obviously)
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Monday, 30 April 2018 19:50 (five years ago) link
Y'all would've loved Emily Mackay's paper I heard at MoPOP this weekend:
"From ingenue to strap-on dildo: Björk’s adventures in gender"
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 30 April 2018 19:50 (five years ago) link
Ooh! I’m halfway through her book on Homogenic, but nothing about dildos yet!
― incel elgort (cryptosicko), Monday, 30 April 2018 20:31 (five years ago) link
Now just waiting on Moka's ballot. (And any other lurkers. Especially if they vote for my favorites.)
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 1 May 2018 18:15 (five years ago) link
Did you receive my ballot ok, Eric? Just checking. All your favorites are on it, I'm sure.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 1 May 2018 19:58 (five years ago) link
I did receive it, thank you!
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 1 May 2018 20:01 (five years ago) link
Updated list of ballots counted. If your name/username isn't below, then I don't believe I received your ballot.
Eric H.flamboyant goon tie includedJordanRossˈʌglɪɪst preɪtechnopolisLeRooLeRooGavin, LeedsWill M.VinnieBradNelsonIsmael KlataoctobeardKarl Malonesbahnhofkitchen personMarty 8501Nag! Nag! Nag!Voodoo ChilisleevecryptosickoSoundslikegeoffreyessSiegbranufo!Alicia!sciaticaDan STim FCamaraderiem bisonNeue Jesse SchuleVan Horn StreetJeff WetcStevie DLe Bateau IvreAlfred Soto
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Tuesday, 1 May 2018 20:03 (five years ago) link
Thanks! <3
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 1 May 2018 20:16 (five years ago) link
thank you!!
― Van Horn Street, Tuesday, 1 May 2018 20:23 (five years ago) link
ok well as you've left it open this long I've sent in a ballot !
― ogmor, Tuesday, 1 May 2018 21:24 (five years ago) link
Phew didn’t have time to go through the last albums but ballot finally sent
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Tuesday, 1 May 2018 21:37 (five years ago) link
It wouldn't be the same without you Moka <3
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 1 May 2018 22:06 (five years ago) link
Has anyone posted this yet? h/t to BradNelsonhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/bvdom/permalink/613012339032202/
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 01:22 (five years ago) link
^^^ my favorite video on the internet
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 01:25 (five years ago) link
― Dan S, Wednesday, 2 May 2018 01:36 (five years ago) link
Mika’s ballot in plus one more, bringing the total to 40! With that I’ll unofficially close balloting.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 12:02 (five years ago) link
40 ballots, that's impressive!
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 12:10 (five years ago) link
I'm violently happy with the turnout.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 12:59 (five years ago) link
Can't wait for the results and to see individual ballots!
― ˈʌglɪɪst preɪ, Wednesday, 2 May 2018 13:18 (five years ago) link
How many ballots do ILX polls typically get? I don't think I've participated in one in years
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 14:22 (five years ago) link
low of around 20, high of around 50 iirc
― sleeve, Wednesday, 2 May 2018 14:23 (five years ago) link
I ran Stevie Wonder and it got something like 30 ballots.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 15:58 (five years ago) link
Madonna poll, which I still consider the gold standard, had 57 ballots.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 16:07 (five years ago) link
lol i think that was the last one i did
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 16:16 (five years ago) link
Madonna poll was immense – much the best yet.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 16:26 (five years ago) link
Totally; I can't really think of many other artists who have such an immense career catalogue.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 16:28 (five years ago) link
OK, so I still need to verify everyone's ballot as being accurate in my spreadsheet. I expect results can start next week.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 19:42 (five years ago) link
if "Karvel" and "Domestica" doesn't place I'm deleting ILX.
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 20:02 (five years ago) link
Domestica is in my top 10 so hopefully there’s more of us.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 20:35 (five years ago) link
Forgot about Karvel goddamit. That one is amazing.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 20:36 (five years ago) link
What’s the thread title going to be? Venus as a Poll / My love is a Poll / Poll is full of love / something else?
― Tim F, Wednesday, 2 May 2018 21:23 (five years ago) link
'Ilxor Behaviour' would be a refreshing 'poll'-less title.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 21:25 (five years ago) link
I definitely think the opening post could quote liberally from “Human Behaviour”: you better be ready to get confused / there’s definitely definitely definitely no logic / but oh to get involved in the exchange...
― Tim F, Wednesday, 2 May 2018 21:40 (five years ago) link
'Hyperballot' was an another excellent early suggestion.
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 21:57 (five years ago) link
^^^^^ yes
― Tim F, Wednesday, 2 May 2018 21:58 (five years ago) link
It should be Hyperballot, yes.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 2 May 2018 22:03 (five years ago) link
"there’s definitely definitely definitely no logic" is what I hum when I read every single ILM poll results thread tbh
― Jeff W, Thursday, 3 May 2018 12:38 (five years ago) link
I'm fond of "Hyperballot." Tho I like saying "poll is full of love" out loud.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 3 May 2018 16:09 (five years ago) link
Hyper-ballad will be number 1 too so
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 3 May 2018 16:13 (five years ago) link
It it really such a consensus choice? It was my #21.
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 3 May 2018 16:27 (five years ago) link
i cried watching the “hyperballad” video last week lol
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 3 May 2018 16:28 (five years ago) link
Were you thinking about Karl's cat?
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 3 May 2018 16:33 (five years ago) link
lmao
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 3 May 2018 16:36 (five years ago) link
It’s the winner in past bjork singles polls so maybe?
BJORK SINGLES POLL (debut-vespertine)
Bjork singles
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 3 May 2018 17:48 (five years ago) link
🤐
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Thursday, 3 May 2018 17:53 (five years ago) link
Weird how Bachelorette is a favorite over Joga, I don’t think it’s even in my top 5 for Homogenic.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 3 May 2018 17:53 (five years ago) link
If there was ever a consensus pick to make me happy it’s easily Hyper-Ballad.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:06 (five years ago) link
unravel is my fave bjork song ever fuiud
"our love in a ball of yarn"
― done and dusted (Ross), Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:09 (five years ago) link
this ballot roll out makes me nervous i've neglected a genius bjork track just cuz there's so many
― done and dusted (Ross), Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:12 (five years ago) link
I love Bachelorette but also agree with this.
― Gavin, Leeds, Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:18 (five years ago) link
― done and dusted (Ross), Thursday, May 3, 2018 2:12 PM (sixteen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I started my ballot with the notion that she has about 60 songs that deserved a mention.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:30 (five years ago) link
― done and dusted (Ross), Thursday, May 3, 2018 1:12 PM (seventeen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
don't worry, you have.`
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:31 (five years ago) link
― done and dusted (Ross), Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:36 (five years ago) link
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/may/03/big-time-sensuality-bjork-ballet-rave-puts-san-francisco-under-its-spell-unbound-festival
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 3 May 2018 18:45 (five years ago) link
I'm sure I could find 30 Björk songs to put in front of Hyperballad. Post is also one of my least favorite albums in her career (and yet it's still rather good).Anyway I missed this poll so I won't have to lose mental energy over ranking her songs.Some that would feature in my ballot would definitely include: Human Behaviour, Venus as a Boy, The Anchor Song, Army of Me, Isobel, Joga, Unravel, All Neon Like, Immature, All is Full of Love (single), Hidden Place, Cocoon, It's not Up to You, Undo, Pagan Poetry, Sun in my mouth, Heirloom, Unison, Vokuro, Who is it, Desired Constellation, Ancestors, Mouth's Cradle, Triumph of the Heart, Earth Intruders, I see who you are, Vertebrae by Vertebrae, Not Get, Atom Dance, Utopia. + Play Dead, A Generous Palmstroke (live with the harpist), Charlene. And to nominate one remix: Crystalline by Current value.Well, I think it's already over 30. I think at the moment my official favoritest Björk song is still Hidden Place.
― Nabozo, Friday, 4 May 2018 08:24 (five years ago) link
and if the poll organizer wants to include my late unranked ballot (I know ilm is nice like that sometimes), I substract The Anchor Song, Army of Me and Unison back to make it 30 exactly (not counting the current value remix either).
― Nabozo, Friday, 4 May 2018 08:30 (five years ago) link
and since I'm at it: 1) Homogenic 2) Vespertine 3) Medulla 4) Debut 5) Volta (6) Vulnicura 7) Post 8) Utopia 9) Biophilia)
― Nabozo, Friday, 4 May 2018 08:33 (five years ago) link
and to make it 4, I've gone through the thread and haven't seen the remix I mentioned, and maybe it's not too known, crank it up because it slayshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruIj7glvxwA(to pair with that beat-drop facebook video... what was that btw)
― Nabozo, Friday, 4 May 2018 08:48 (five years ago) link
Nabozo, if you can put that in the form of an email, I'll let your ballot slip in. I'm not revealing until next week.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 4 May 2018 12:39 (five years ago) link
Alternatively, if you just want me to count all 30 of those as "unranked," I can do that too.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 4 May 2018 12:52 (five years ago) link
Nevermind, I saw you indicated "unranked." Will add you to the mix.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 4 May 2018 13:09 (five years ago) link
Thank you ! Robot french kisses to you.
― Nabozo, Friday, 4 May 2018 13:43 (five years ago) link
By the way, my most recent listen to Volta was not unpleasant.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Friday, 4 May 2018 14:35 (five years ago) link
I was reading a similar poll on another site from a few years back and they were very keen on Volta overall. I had never heard it before last month, was very keen at first but went off it a bit, only one track was in my final ballot
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 4 May 2018 14:54 (five years ago) link
We got a word for Eric. Mensch
― Tosser full of secrets (Ross), Friday, 4 May 2018 15:44 (five years ago) link
for some reason i was just listening to hyperballad while i was looking at the song title Bela Lugosi's Dead and... am I crazy that i am kinda hearing one in the other? I mean JUST the intro tho
― challops trap house (Will M.), Friday, 4 May 2018 19:25 (five years ago) link
Waiting for the poll results and listening to a tracks that never really stuck with me. And coming across "Foot Soldier," I'm thinking that's one of the first examples of a Bjork track that vocally is entirely made up of the the "auto-Bjork-isms" phenomenon that mars a lot of her later work. No meter, no rhyme, mostly stock melodic phrasings (swooping from a low to higher note repeatedly), etc. It's weird, because the b-sides of that era are otherwise some of her more melodically compelling work (i.e. "Generous Palmstroke," "Domestica," etc.)?
For comparison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fztSz0Y1I9U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYjyaEABkt0
― Soundslike, Sunday, 6 May 2018 19:07 (five years ago) link
Fuck I’m watching the Greatest Hits DVD for the first time and I’ve seen like less than half of these before, I wish I did this a week ago
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 7 May 2018 03:41 (five years ago) link
i watched that dvd so many times in high school
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 7 May 2018 04:01 (five years ago) link
Reveal starts today with the sidebar polls.
― Uppercase (Eric H.), Monday, 7 May 2018 12:13 (five years ago) link
violently happy!
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 7 May 2018 12:50 (five years ago) link
HYPERBALLOT: ILM Artist Poll #88 -- Björk Resultsness
― nourish nourish your turtleheart (Eric H.), Monday, 7 May 2018 13:17 (five years ago) link