Customer Reviews

Vespertine

5 star:		(286)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

I find it hard to even begin to describe how wonderful this album is, but let me just say that I have never heard anything quite like this, even from Bjork herself. This is not techno, or dance, or big band, or industrial, or anything definable. There are a few hints here and there: Aphex Twin, Radiohead circa Kid A, Brian Eno, but where Radiohead came at the minimalist-techno from a rock-based direction, complete with drums and guitars, Bjork has come to a similar point but from a totally different tradition, that of classical music. The only really helpful benchmarks I can think of are two of her own songs from previous albums: "Possibly Maybe", and "All Is Full of Love", but even those can't begin to express Vespertine. My favourite songs on the album are "It's Not Up to You", possibly the first anthem of the new millenium, "Pagan Poetry", which has a stunning bassline and a chilly, immense power to it, the gorgeous "Aurora", which literally make me break down and cry (which hasn't happened from music for me in years), and "Heirloom", a new kind of pop song, and the closest thing the album has for dance music. This album is the most beautiful thing you will hear all year, and I am tempted to say that it the holy grail of electronic music: the first album to fully merge transcendence and radiance with avant-garde music.

It's always been challenging to classify the work of Icelandic super-star BJork, as she's always come up with something that escapes any previously conceived category tags: if you think of her as a techno artist, maybe you're right for a few songs; but then she morphs altogether, and comes back reborn playing songs such as 'It's oh, so quiet' or 'All neon like.' At that point you stop trying to find a tag for her music, and just take it at face value: as one of the greatest samples of music (and even visual) art that can be found these days.

With "Vespertine," her newest album, the former lead voice of The Sugarcubes, Bjork takes her music to a new level. With five very successful, and progressively more experimental -yet more mature- albums under her belt, and an immersion into the acting terrain with her outstanding performance in 2000 as Selma, in Lars Von Trier's film "Dancer In The Dark" (the film for which her own album "Selmasongs" served as soundtrack), she comes back with a production that is far more peaceful, adult and introspective than her any of her past work.

This time the seat of producer has been taken by long-time BJork collaborator (with Keyboards and Programming) Marius DeVries, and a most eclectic selection of artists have been summoned by BJork making of this album a larger-than-life experience: California based electronica duo Matmos, jazz composer/arranger Vince Mendoza (same from 'Dancer In the Dark'), and harp virtuosa Zeena Parkins, just to name a few. It's very much like those albums from the seventies, such as the first solo efforts of Peter Gabriel, where the lead artist counted on the talents of several session musicians, but still retained the true essence of the creative genius.

Heavenly choirs like the voices of children or mermaids ('Hidden Places,' 'An echo and a stain,' 'Unison'), whispering lyrics (closing section of 'Pagan Poetry'), the sound of harps and strings, and an instrumental track ('Frost') serve as the musical framework to a set of very mature lyrics, to complete the musical spell of "Vespertine."

The entire album is a musical masterpiece, worth listening a thousand times, but my favorite tracks by far are: 'It's not up to you' (an instant hit), 'Pagan Poetry' (reminded me a lot of "Joga", from Homogenic), the groovy 'Heirloom' ("I have a recurrent dream, every time I lose my voice I swallow little glowing lights my mother and son baked for me..."), and the two closing tracks, 'Harm of Will' (with lyrics written by independent film director Harmony Korine) and 'Unison' -two of the most beautiful BJork songs I have ever heard.

What would we do if there weren't people out there like Bjork making the effort to stretch barriers, and set musical goals that reflect who they are and how they've grown as musicians? Well, we'd probably all rot in the stale void that is pop music today. This album is simply beautiful, and beautifully complex. A person is transformed into sound waves. How many people are willing to open themselves up for everyone else to see (everyone else being the entire marketable world)? That is exactly what "Vespertine" does. I'd call it courage, but I'm sure for Bjork, it's just what comes naturally. "Vespertine" is focused on very specific internal ideas (musically and lyrically). As she has said, it's "introverted". It might seem the songs aren't very different from each other considering the similar instrumentation, and consistent theme of love. I think these things are the scenery and setting for the album, and allow for a more in-depth glance inside the individual songs than most albums would allow for. You fall into the songs, get wrapped up in them. There are moments when I listen to this album, and if I'm doing something else while listening, I absolutely have to stop because it's so overwhelming. And while some writers use sparse instrumentation and slow rhythms to create a more sensitive environment, Bjork manages to create simplicity out of complex textures and subtle counterpoint, maintaining interest, and always giving the listener someplace to wander. It is hard to be bored with this album. It's a tight album, it's an effective album. It's just plain great.

Bjork is just an incredible singer who mixes all sorts of ideas together to come up with wonderful melodies and complicated beats with oftentimes strange lyrics. On this album, you get bjork at her best. I didn't think she could ever top homogenic (a previous album) but she managed to. A must have for anyone who loves indie, pop, or electronic music.

Good Lord, listen to this record in bed, in the dark with headphones.

Better than the best acid trip, sex, or vacation you ever had.

What else can I say.

Bjork is a master composer, and uses the tools of the studio and electronic musician, and her superlative skills as a singer to make the most interesting, pleasurable, emotional music I have ever heard in my life.

It took many hearings before it sunk in- listened while driving, walking, working. Then last night I listened in bed- undistracted by anything with the lights out, headphones- an epiphany. A Frontal Lobes Explosion of Delightenment.
(...)

Bjork's latest is filled with etheral melodies, carried on strange electrical beats and pulses. Accompanied by music boxes, a harp, strings and a choir. Scored with wonderful mystical sometimes erotic lyrics. She describes as her most intimate and introverted, in contrast to Homogenic. My favorites from this album are: "Hidden Place", "Pagan Poetry", "Frosti" (an instrumental played on a giant music box!) "Aurora" "An Echo, A Stain", "Unison".

I heard some describe Vespertine as depressing, but I disagree. I think more than one track sends the message to relax, life isn't suppose to a struggle. Evident in "It's not up to you" and "Undo" "If you leave it alone it might just happen" and "You're trying too hard, surrender. Give yourself in. It's not meant to be a strife. It's not meant to be a struggle uphill."

Others cleary are about love, being in love...and that's not depressing!

I asolutely love Hidden Place, the way it starts out with staticy pulses and lush overtones, then with the choir joining in, and clickity-clack of percussion. Very mystical. "I'm so close to tears, And so close to simply calling you up, And simply suggesting, We go to that hidden place....."

Cocoon is well obviously about s-e-x but while the content may make overly-prudish people wince, or make some people think it's pointless... luckily I'm not one of them. Bjork handles it with an aura of almost childlike-innocence, certainly not in a crude way! The whole song is brimming with these wonderful sounding beats, they almost sound like rice-crispies! quietly snapping and crackling...

Pagan Poetry is hard to describe, although it's one of the most lovely. It's starts out with a harp then deep chords as Bjork sings "Pedaling through the dark currents, I find an accurate copy, a blue print, of the pleasure in me" Bjork's voice joins in the background singing "Swirling black lilies totally ripe" Nearing the end the melody suddenly stops and she cries "I love him, I love him, I love him, I love him" the harp restarts and she quietly continues "This time, I'm going to keep me all to myself...but he makes me want to hand myself over!..." It's a rush.

Aurora starts with staticy beats and music box sounds then a lush harp melody as Bjork sings "Threading the glacier head, Looking hard for moments of shine, From twilight to twilight. Heading for sublime"....gorgeous

I find An Echo, A Stain the most perplexing (what's it about?!) I read somewhere Bjork said it was about communication...but that still doesn't explain it for me. But nevertheless I still love the song, even if I don't know what it's about " ...I can't say no to you.....say nothing......freefalling........complete" the whole thing makes me shiver, it's spellbinding.

Sun in my mouth, with the lyrics taken from an e.e. cummings, sung sweetly against a beautiful melody of classical strings. "I will wade out till my thighs are steeped in burning flowers, I will take the sun in my mouth, and leap into the ripe air, alive, with closed eyes" Beautiful!

And I love Unison with it's beautiful strings, rippling undertones and warm crackly beats (It also contains a sample from Oval's album Systemisch)..Bjork sings:

"One hand loves the other, so much on me..."

....Born stubborn me, will always be..
Before you count, 123
I have grown my own private branch, off this tree.
..You gardener you, discipliner domesticly.
I can obey all of your rules, and still be me.
.....I never thought I would compromise.

"I thrive best hermit style, with a beard and a pipe :-)
and a parrot on each side...
...but now I can't do this without you...
...I never thought I would compromise.".

--I think it's so tender and moving.

Vespertine over all, makes me think of winter time when snow is falling and you can quietly watch the glistening snow falling from the warmth and safety of your home, with a mug of hot chocolate. :-) While the songs are quiet not so extroverted as Homogenic, they don't make me drowsy! just content and very peaceful....

I can't wait for the Vespertine tour to be available on dvd!

`Vespertine' is a marvelous piece of artwork. After being absent from the music scene for several years, Bjork hushed not only her voice, but her music as well, to create an album that is beautiful and divine. After the harshness of `Homogenic', she took a different approach. Some fans were disappointed at the change. Others rejoiced and loved it. Still, it is Bjork, and you can always expect to hear something different with every new album.

Without a dance track in sight, `Vespertine' is an organized mess of choral arrangements, gentle static snapping and some of Bjork's most insightful lyrics ever. You could easily lounge around in a bathrobe all day listening to this. All the material here is lush, sensual, warm, inviting and captivating. Bjork lets the music speak for itself; drums are almost non-existent. In general, her vocals are quite impressive. I disagree with several reviewers who stated `Bjork's voice does not fit with this music.' The quality of her voice allows her to sing just about any type of music, as she has demonstrated in the past with songs like `It's Oh So Quiet' and `You've Been Flirting Again'. She has the power to carry a heavy tune but possesses the sensitivity to sing a quiet ballad.

The artistry of this album is superb. There's a significant amount of achievement to be heard here: Bjork composed all the string arrangements and oversaw the choral arrangements. There is a theme for this album, though completely opposite of the aggressive nature of `Homogenic': `Vespertine' is timid and shy, a side of Bjork not often seen. Somehow, the similar sounds heard throughout this album don't ever become bland or boring. Bjork's experience in songwriting and expression is the backbone of this album.

Hidden Place: I first heard this on her greatest hits album, and fell in love with it. It's so haunting and dreamlike! The soaring vocal arrangement is what carries this tune. Right away, with this opening number you realize that Bjork has taken a more delicate approach. This song is fragile. It feels as though if it were sped up or pushed any more, it would snap. Bjork's breathy vocals feel right at home above the rich chords. (6/5) <- this is valid for Bjork

Cocoon: Needless to say, this is a very honest and blunt song, but it's not the least bit harsh. It's almost seductive, and for good reason. In this song, Bjork describes her moments of passion and intimacy with a man. I admire her courage to sing about such a topic, and the echoing low bells are enchanting. She sings very sweetly, with a haunting tone and long vowels. It's rather odd to hear her singing in such a way, compared to her past works. Never has she been so personal about such a subject. The song is beautiful, but almost creepy. (5/5)

It's Not Up To You: The playful plucking and bells are what get my thumbs up here. It seems as though the strings and Bjork's voice are teasing one another. There're several moments of simplistic glory, and I absolutely love the short but gorgeous flute solos. As the chorus begins, Bjork's vocals become very melodic and deep. She sounds very comfortable, expressing emotions I have never heard her sing of before. The added choral voices toward the end are very charming and conclude the song well. (5/5)

Undo: I had to listen to this song about five times before I began to enjoy it. It's very soft (even more so than the previous track) and very delicate. It sounds very much like `Cocoon' with added vocals. Thank goodness the topic is about taking life as it comes at you, and rolling with it. The chords (very reminiscent of `Unravel') are simple but luscious. As the song progresses, it subtly builds from quiet to very vibrant with choral voices and emotional strings. The descending notes make you feel as though you're falling and settling back into a comfort zone. (5/5)

Pagan Poetry: One of the best songs of Bjork's career, this song really is spellbinding. It's one of the few songs on `Vespertine' with any percussion and deep bass sounds. The music box and harp in this song are to be commended! The haunting backing vocals linger on in your head even when they aren't heard audibly. Bjork's emotion is very raw, very real and touching. Her pain is obvious, and I love the portion at the end where she sings high with so much strength behind her voice she sounds as if she herself is going to break. Listening to this song in the dark, you feel haunted. There're so many elements of this song that are near perfection, I couldn't possibly list them all. (6/5)

Frosti: An instrumental track, it makes you think of ballet dancers, Christmas lights, candy, snowflakes and anything else sparkly and pretty. It's a wonderful little addition to such a melodic album, and although it breaks the momentum started by `Pagan Poetry', it is a fantastic opener for the next track. (5/5)

Aurora: After the bells of `Frosti' begin to fade, a light sound of footprints in the snow appears. The music box bells begin once again, and light percussion ticks and a harp round out this tune. There is really nothing too spectacular about this, though it is still beautiful. The chorus is the highlight, as Bjork soars vocally over the arpeggios of the music. I always think of standing on a mountaintop looking up at the stars when I hear this. It's very magical in a way. (4/5)

An Echo, A Stain: The most haunting song of hers, I found this to be extremely entertaining. It's as if you're hanging on for dear life to this one part of you and you can't move. It's very hard to describe the emotions that Bjork brings out of you. The same notes are sustained from the beginning of this piece to the end, and occasionally string tremolos and vocal crescendos tease the listener. The harp scales and percussion ticks are carefully placed to create a piece that is magical and lovely. There's a lot of sadness here. (5/5)

Sun In My Mouth: There aren't many lyrics in this, so Bjork sings them extremely slow and melodic. Again, the music box makes an appearance, with its tender chords and playfulness. Toward the middle of this song, Bjork's vocals are impressive. This is more like an intermission track, as it's quite short and ends on a sudden note. It's enchanting, but not long enough to make a big impression. (4/5)

Heirloom: The meaning of this song is still up in the air. No matter how many times I listen to it, I can't figure it out. The good thing is, the tone of this song is somewhat more upbeat and structured than the last few tracks. It's still mysterious and full of lush chords. I would probably enjoy this song more if I knew what it was about. However, the music is relaxing and the bass is almost jazzy; I can't really describe it. (4/5)

Harm of Will: Obviously, this was written about someone. Regardless of who it is, this song is lovely. Touching and sensitive, it's very poetic and artistic. Some of Bjork's best vocal moments are here, as she sings higher and softer than ever before. Again, delicacy is the key ingredient. With varying tempos throughout this track, Bjork is free to express herself vocally however she wishes. (5/5)

Unison: I truly believe this should have been on Bjork's greatest hits album. At first, it starts out slow (even slower than some of the other tracks here). But as the plucking strings and soft electronic sounds sneak in, you find yourself drowning in Bjork's little world. She combines all the best elements of the album (strings, choral vocals, harp, music box) and creates a very memorable piece. The chorus is absolutely spectacular, and begs to be turned up. Bjork's fragile yet strong vocals compliment the longing of the strings beautifully. I'm always inspired to think about the good things in life when I hear this. Though it's a song about a relationship, I hear a general optimism in it; don't fight, just unite. This is the perfect closing number for `Vespertine'. (6/5)

Bjork does such a wonderful job of showing sensitivity and frailty (and taking you on her emotional journey with her), I felt almost wiped out after the album ended. But it was satisfaction I felt, and not disappointment. This album is unlike any other Bjork album before it! However, it's definitely not for the impatient listener. You have to be in a sedated mood to listen to `Vespertine'; if you aren't, try `Homogenic' or `Post'. All diehard Bjork fans need this album, as no collection is complete without it.

I find it interesting that an album so quiet and sensitive can be so optimistic. Except for `Pagan Poetry' and possibly `An Echo, A Stain', every single song on `Vespertine' is hopeful, and sweet enough to play for children (except Cocoon, of course). This is an album you can relax to; an album that allows you to let your creative mind flourish. You could draw or paint with it playing. It's an inspiration, and should be praised.

Bjork's first non-soundtrack album since HOMOGENIC is positively pastoral compared with that release's experimental electronic textures. Swathed in strings and laced with beautiful choral arrangements, VESPERTINE has more in common with SELMASONGS, echoing that DANCER IN THE DARK soundtrack album's meandering melody lines, while smoothing out and adding an ethereal sheen to the more angular approaches of the singer's previous work.

Here the idiosyncratic Icelander lets loose with her full range of vocal stylings, though even her most innocent, little-girl-lost persona can't hide her steely intelligence. The album-opening "Hidden Place" startswith foreboding electronic rhythms--it's about unspoken or unfulfilled desires, and it's simultaneously exotic-sounding and dripping with melancholy, a mood that persists until the gently cathartic "Undo," with its mantra-like line "It's not meant to be a strife/It's not meant to be a struggle uphill." Though VESPERTINE's textures might ostensibly seem smooth and seamless, beneath the surface Bjork's emotions run raw and exposed, as evidenced by the final naked outburst of "I love him" in the coda to "PaganPoetry." VESPERTINE is Bjork's most mature, fully realized integration of her pastoral Icelandic roots and her contemporary electronica (electronic scamps Matmos are collaborators here) inclinations to date.

This review states why is Vespertine STILL one of my facorite albums 5 years later. A song by song review after the general description.

General description of the spirit of the album :

Vespertine is a cold-as-ice album, calm as a surface of water. No least trace of anger or upbeats. The successful magic of the album is due to three things :
1) The wonderful background vocals never found anywhere else. Choirs thrown together in the support for music.
2) That s Bjork : the sounds and the beats she adds exist only in a head like hers. She s just capable to mix Vivaldi strings with electronics very right and smart.
3) Bjork again : Her voice ! She goes high, she goes low. She uses her chest voice, he header, her wispers. More ? Now the song by song review :

1- Hidden Place : The first single shows the first beats on the album. So Cold and Tender. "Through the beautifulest and warmthest cord of care, your love is sent to me". Poetry and wonderful vocals. A song of mistery hidden inside.

2- Cocoon : Just listen to the first notes, and the butterfly-like sounds in the song. I mean who can think of being so convincing lyrically, musically and vocally ! She just hits very high.

3- It's not up to you : "I can decide what I give, But it s not up to me what i get given" says the song. New sounds as usual. But the choir is showing again, more "dangerously" and more supporting. They re close to the spotlight ! Anyway, it s one of Bjork's favorite songs. Do i need to say more ?

4- Undo : Please do not judge this song quickly. She does miracles in this song. The ambience, the starting and the end are breathtaking. I dare her if she can do it again ! The background vocals, like 2 oceans, and her voice duplicated in the end are perfection. This song is my favorite probably along with the last one.

5- Pagan poetry : erotic like song. But it doesnt get u horny coz it s cold too. One of Bjork's favorite again. U can really feel her singing it from the deepest bottom of her heart.

6- Frosti : a short instrumental on time, coolin down ur ears from the shock you d be in, and smartly introducin the next song.

7- Aurora : the song starts with the sound of steps on snow. A tribute to nature, with all that nature reserves. "Aurora Goddess sparkle, shoot me beyond the suffer, the need is great". Very appealing song when u listen to it for the first time.

8- An echo, a stain : One of the hardest songs on the album. Definitly the most mysterious. She uses strings played on top of notes. The song is really distinctive of the rest of the album. Just hear her saying "an echo, a staaaaiiiin"

9- Sun in my mouth : a wonderful song, that s more like reading an eternal poem. Short and really special.

10- Heirloom : The beats are back. New beats and unique again. She just refuses to use same things twice ! Keeping each song distinctive. Beautiful sounds too. An easy song, talking about a "recurrent dream".

11- Harm of will : PERFECT POETRY ! Highlighting her singing again. Very calm and slow. and romantic.

12- UNISON : Oh my God ! She just adds new sound, then another instrument (the harp is very there in album!), then another. Just the way she will redo her "Undo" trick of adding backing vocals along with her crescendo ! And when the song finishes, do not be ashamed of a tear of your noise (Dont ask me how did it get there!)

Some people might say her english spelling is aweful : well it s like expecting poetry to be like politics chatting ! The album is not easy at all ! very sophisticated ! U might need to turn it twice to start discover what I introduced.

I strongly recommand using the BOOKLET for the LYRICS !

In the end I wish to do some musical recommendations, taken from the spirit of this album :
Under rug swept - Alanis Morissette (another cold album with such lyrics the grave in the heart)
Lara Fabian - Lara Fabian (remember this name, her songs CANNOT be performed BUT by herself. She s essential for ears.)
Boys for Pele - Tori Amos (Rage + coldes pianos give such a wonderful way to throw away ur inside fires)

Bjork has always been known as a true artiste, a quietly brazen singer/singwriter who is ever-so-different from anyone else through her sheer originality and independence from mainstream music. With "Vespertine" she shows another facet to her personality, that of a true romantic. Every song is about love in its most free forms, about intimacy, and in a way about secrets. Each song is like a white flower, delicate at the beginning then blooming into sweet electronica. The whole album is a gorgeous piece of work- I dare you to find a more beautiful song than "Sun in my Mouth." I do not know how anyone could be without this.