Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Her Opus...., 5 Dec 2002
Much like the previous reviewer, I had neglected Bjork for so many (too many) years. I always (naively) considered her eccentricity to verge on self-indulgence. I was wrong. She is simply an artist of immense originality and intensity. With an obvious talent for utilising great producers such as Black Dog and Mark Bell, her vocals and lyrics are probably the most unique around, and to have matched this with some level of popularity is phenomenal. And she gets no better than on Homogenic.The album opens with the hypnotic and twisting rhythms of Hunter; in itself a wonderful song, but more is to come. The deep beauty of Joga and Unravel, and then moves onto her greatest effort: Bachelorette. This is a song without comparison; sweeping strings, intense vocals and pure sublimity. In this movement, she manages to captivate all that is great about music: melody, harmony, rhythm, intensity, beauty. By this, the fourth track, you may feel a little bewildered by it all, but it simply continues, with the downtempo All Neon Like and the melodic pleading of Immature. She ups the tempo and energy somewhat with the funky Alarm Call, which should sound out of place, but as the title of the album suggests, merely heightens the eclectic powers of the album. Finally, she manages to finish on the pure driving and uplifting beauty of All is Full of Love. Simply stunning. As with all Bjork albums, it is perhaps too eclectic, and I have found Pluto to be a little overstated and harsh, but it is still a worthy contribution. Quite simply, this is a perfect album, filled with treasures and sublime production and vocals. Her lyrics constantly astound, and they are no better than here. You cannot neglect this woman.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A daring work of originality and genius!!!!!!, 17 April 2002
By A Customer
For many years I avoided Bjork at all costs. I think it was a combination of her heavily publicised eccentricity and my own personal fear of music that dared to break out from the realms of convention. I'm glad to say that this was all in my uneducated early teens when I went along with the crowds.
Now I listen to a more eclectic set of music with particular interests in underground dance and singer/songwriters. My first experience with Bjork was in the film 'Dancer in the Dark' and I have since collected all her albums. 'Homogenic' has become a particular favourite of mine as I feel it is the most emotionally wrought of all her work. Despite the heavy use of electronic and synthesised instrumentation, the music feels completely naturalistic and lyrical.
It would be hard to name my favourite tracks but I have a particular soft spot for 'Hunter', the first track, which feels so intensely personal that the listener is instantly drawn onto Bjork's wavelength. My other favourite is 'Pluto' which is possibly the most daring and audacious compositions I have heard for a long time. The harsh, electronic noises that are used will not instantly be to all tastes (apart from perhaps Aphex Twin fans). However, trust me you will grow to treasure it, even if you only reserve it for angry days.
Sometimes thrilling, occasionally disturbing, always refreshing, Bjork's third solo studio album is a rewarding and continually surprising work of genius. Miss at your peril!!!!
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still as important four years later....... stunning, 2 Jun 2001
By A Customer
As Homogenic is still one of my most listened albums in 2001, it must have some staying power, especially for someone as fickle as myself.The album, a mix of electronica, strings and industrial rhythms is unique for its genre. The immaculate Joga, through to the harsh techno punk of Pluto, each song is complex, not to be listened but to be explored. Highlights include Joga, 5 years and the simple 6-note-scales-hook of Immature. Ending with all is All is full of love, possibly not as good as the video version, as it does free-fall but still enlightening all the same...... Excellent album - would recommend but take into account that it is quite 'heavy'. But still, an absolute classic..... From the sounds of Bjork's recent New York gig in a church environment, featuring choirs, harps and harpischords, it looks like the next album Vespertine might be almost as excellent.
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