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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Her first album following the break-up of the Sugarcubes, Debut is Icelandic trickster Björk's statement of purpose: bringing curious experimentalism to the dance floor and putting her startling, expressive voice front and centre. Her perspective is a little alien--it's no accident that the first song talks about "getting close to a human"--but her levelling of genre distinctions has some wonderful results, especially the eroticised easy-listening reggae sway of "Venus As a Boy". Paired with producer Nellee Hooper (of Soul II Soul), she comes up with a series of invitingly artificial settings for her pipes, built from late-night beats and peculiar timbres, and sings like she's overwhelmed with joy from all her senses. --Douglas Wolk
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I had been avoiding Bjork's music over the years, fearing her eccentricity, her weirdness, I'd always felt she was a 'human alien'. It was until a few months ago, while I was looking for cassettes to buy on a record store, I found Debut.
And I thought to myself 'Why not pick up this one?'. So I did [though reluctantly].
Before I bought this album , I had known some of the titles. And I was frightened. You know titles like 'Violently Happy' or 'The Anchor Song' used to freak me out [silly, I know]. But that day, I decided to let go of my fear and give this record a try.
And when I bought it..I realised that I was completely wong!
This record, along with Post and Homogenic, ranks up to be one of the best records ever released.
And what surprised me more is that the lyrics, are actually relatable.
The lyrics aren't as 'outer-spacey' or as 'larger than life' than I thought.
Like on 'Come to Me', 'Aeroplane' and 'One Day'. The lyrics are talking about love, about feeling affection, desire, longing for a loved one or 'Crying' and 'Violently Happy' which are about feeling lost and longing towards someone you deeply care about.
So I was blown away.
Let's not forget songs like 'Human Behaviour' with its jungl-ish sound, hard-hitting percussion beat and spicy guitar sounds near the end of the song, it's just breath-taking. And the lyrics are also genius: "If you ever get close to a human/A human behaviour/Be ready, be ready to get confused/There's definitely, definitely no logic/In human behaviour"... Simply a classic.
'Venus as a Boy' and 'Big Time Sensuality' are talking about sexuality and attraction [most notably the former]. Whereas 'There's More to Life than This' can simply be a dance anthem, with its ecstatic beat.
'Like Someone in Love', a cover of an old jazz tune, is performed incredibly and beautifully by Bjork. Only with the accompaniment of harp, Bjork's voice soars low then high, with such emotion and heartfeltness, which makes this song so beautiful, dreamy and hypnotic.
'The Anchor Song', a short song about Bjork's life in Iceland. Here, Bjork is only accompanied by a group of brass players..and it makes this song so unique and reflective...it really captures the sense of loneliness, the solitude of the sea.
And then 'Play Dead' closes the record. Although I believe The Anchor Song would close the album better, this is a great song. Starts by Bjork screaming to the peak of the song, it's just breathtaking.
All that being said, this is absolutely a creative, artsy, innovative record that will surely impress you. It might take some getting used to... but this record is only a beginning of a ride of a Musical Genius,an ever-changing, groundbreaking artist named Bjork. Enjoy!
And I thought to myself 'Why not pick up this one?'. So I did [though reluctantly].
Before I bought this album , I had known some of the titles. And I was frightened. You know titles like 'Violently Happy' or 'The Anchor Song' used to freak me out [silly, I know]. But that day, I decided to let go of my fear and give this record a try.
And when I bought it..I realised that I was completely wong!
This record, along with Post and Homogenic, ranks up to be one of the best records ever released.
And what surprised me more is that the lyrics, are actually relatable.
The lyrics aren't as 'outer-spacey' or as 'larger than life' than I thought.
Like on 'Come to Me', 'Aeroplane' and 'One Day'. The lyrics are talking about love, about feeling affection, desire, longing for a loved one or 'Crying' and 'Violently Happy' which are about feeling lost and longing towards someone you deeply care about.
So I was blown away.
Let's not forget songs like 'Human Behaviour' with its jungl-ish sound, hard-hitting percussion beat and spicy guitar sounds near the end of the song, it's just breath-taking. And the lyrics are also genius: "If you ever get close to a human/A human behaviour/Be ready, be ready to get confused/There's definitely, definitely no logic/In human behaviour"... Simply a classic.
'Venus as a Boy' and 'Big Time Sensuality' are talking about sexuality and attraction [most notably the former]. Whereas 'There's More to Life than This' can simply be a dance anthem, with its ecstatic beat.
'Like Someone in Love', a cover of an old jazz tune, is performed incredibly and beautifully by Bjork. Only with the accompaniment of harp, Bjork's voice soars low then high, with such emotion and heartfeltness, which makes this song so beautiful, dreamy and hypnotic.
'The Anchor Song', a short song about Bjork's life in Iceland. Here, Bjork is only accompanied by a group of brass players..and it makes this song so unique and reflective...it really captures the sense of loneliness, the solitude of the sea.
And then 'Play Dead' closes the record. Although I believe The Anchor Song would close the album better, this is a great song. Starts by Bjork screaming to the peak of the song, it's just breathtaking.
All that being said, this is absolutely a creative, artsy, innovative record that will surely impress you. It might take some getting used to... but this record is only a beginning of a ride of a Musical Genius,an ever-changing, groundbreaking artist named Bjork. Enjoy!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The article below is mistaken. This album is far from nonsense bland pop! Although her later work is perhaps more obviously produced and more expense has been given to samples, the apparent rawness of Debut always leave a sparkle of freshness and youth. The sound is dancy, poppy, brooding at times but there is always her stunning vocals mixed with passion and her lightness and depth of being shine through. An excellent album for chilling out, thinking, getting high - her career was not born here in humble beginnings, she just allows us to see her for what she is.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bjork does seem to be one of those performers which is either loved or hated. For many years I couldn't seem to get on with her sound until getting her 'greatest hits' album a couple of years ago. I figured it's going cheap why not pick it up and have a listen. I have to admit that the remixes on the 'greatest hits' album are more to my liking than some of the original album material, but I can't argue with pop perfection such as 'Human Behaviour', 'Venus As A Boy' and 'Big Time Sensuality'. Other highlights here are 'The Anchor Song' with its weird honking horn arrangement and 'Play Dead' with that incredible widescreen sound. If you know about Bjork then this review is superfluous, if like me you are a recent convert looking to dip your toe in the water I can't think of a better place to begin than her debut solo album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
zero points for Scandinavia
This singer got a 5 star review for her latest release,hence the purchase. Thin reedy voice sings her own compositions mostly meaningless, also tuneless. Hardly Mama Mia. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Daniel Defoe
It was okay
i have trouble writteing 20 words on one item, it is either good or not..change it amazon!! It was okay, not really what i expected, not the seller fault.
Published 8 months ago by Bee
Career Best
This economically titled album is the commercial and artistic highpoint of Bjork's career. Full of great songs and a variety of styles that highlight her unique voice and words. Read more
Published 16 months ago by L. C. Warne
Voilently Hooked
Bjork is that mad-woman who performs songs that are either incomprehensible or just wierd. Or so I tought until I found this album while staying in a holiday apartment in Beer (E... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jonny
bjork re- vivited
I first had this album many moons ago when it was first released onto audio cassette. It sounds just as good today with a mix of strange vocal styles , icelandic folk music and... Read more
Published 23 months ago by P. calvert
Bjorks' Debut is the best debut!
i have always loved this artist but it is only until recently that i decided to purchase some of her albums...in order that is! Read more
Published on 8 April 2009 by S. J. Pinder
Should have listened alot sooner than this!
I have been a fan of Bjork for many years and regarded her as one of the most amazing and original singers in the whole music world. Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2008 by Bundi School
Mostly very good
I found this album to be very pleasant, although I didnt favour all the songs on it. Violently Happy, Crying, Human Behaviour, Venus as a Boy and Big Time Sensuality are great... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by Mr. C. E. Jesson
A true classic
A fascinating album which stamped Bjork's unique character, compositional, lyrical, and melodic sense all over it. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2007 by Mindpower
every home should have one!
being the first main stream album to be heard by the masses from bjork many wondered whom she was but few forgot her, debut is one of those albums that every one should have much... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2007 by t bone
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