The Official Björk Thread

explodingbird · #1 24th November 2006, 08:04 PM

Here's a name many of you may recognize as well, for better or for worse. Björk Guðmundsdóttir (yes, she really does have a last name - Guðmundur's daughter, basically), an Icelandic singer with a penchant for unusual fashions, yelping and wailing and screaming and growling in her songs, and very strange, quirky, and artistic videos.

But I think most of you may know her for that swan dress, or when she beat the ever-loving stuffing out of a reporter in Thailand or saying "Welcome to Bangkok!" (In her defense, she was stressed out.)

So, any fans? Any interested? Anyone willing to discuss the enigma that is Björk?

**Cyria** · #2 24th November 2006, 08:15 PM

The swan dress was brilliant. Some celebs wear hideous dresses at awards shows (Lara Flynn Boyle looking like Gollum in a pink tutu at the Globes, Gwyneth Paltrow's goth Heidi look at the Oscars) but the swan was so Björk, it was crazy without being pathetic.

I like Debut and Vespertine, but I'm not a huge fan. I do admire her for being so creative, though.

Just checked wiki: it says she's working with Timbaland who describes the new material as hip-hop.

bondingo · #3 24th November 2006, 08:31 PM

I absolutely adore Björk. I own all of her albums, three of her singles, and of course she's my set at the moment. I'd probably have to say that Vespertine is my favorite album, and my favorite songs are Bachelorette, Joga, Oceania, and Unison. She's just so unique, and I love that about her (which is funny, because I thought she was just crazy the first time I heard her music).

waltz#2 · #4 24th November 2006, 09:18 PM

I love Björk! I only have her Greatest Hits album but I'd love to get another sometime. I first heard her when the "It's oh so quiet" video started airing on VH1 and MTV. I thought she had the worst voice ever! But a few years ago I ended up listening to Joga on-line and instead of focusing on her voice, I just listened to what she was saying. Does that make sense? ^^;

Anyway, I like both her lyrics and her voice now. My favourite songs are Hyperballad, Bachelorette, and Pagan Poetry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyria

Just checked wiki: it says she's working with Timbaland who describes the new material as hip-hop.

I'm hoping in this case wiki is wrong. I can't imagine that sounding good.

Mad_Cactuar · #5 25th November 2006, 04:04 AM

It's confirmed, she has been working with Timbaland for the past year. Many interviews have appeared with Timbaland who really loved working with her and seems to be in love with Bjork's voice.

I LOVE HER.

Only got Vespertine and Medulla, but Homogenic is godly I must buy. She's one of those artistes that I can't listen to whenever I want. I have to be in a certain mood to appreciate her stuff, much like Tori Amos stuff.

waltz#2 · #6 25th November 2006, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Cactuar

It's confirmed, she has been working with Timbaland for the past year. Many interviews have appeared with Timbaland who really loved working with her and seems to be in love with Bjork's voice.

Are there any clips or previews of her new material available?

JimmyKoria · #7 29th November 2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Cactuar

It's confirmed, she has been working with Timbaland for the past year. Many interviews have appeared with Timbaland who really loved working with her and seems to be in love with Bjork's voice.

When you hear bjork you don't think "guitars" you think "strings" or "synthisizer". Bjork has always been kind of edged more towards r&b/jazz (I wouldnt say her beats are pop because they've never been bubble gum) I think even Thom Yorke said this and it's kind of evedent in her early stuff, say Human Behavior and Possibly Maybe. I think her and Timberland would work good together (but it's odd because most artist go to Timberland to boost their career, I think I'd rather see Bjork and Missy Elliot work together). I think bjork is really brave though, I mean who thinks of Bjork and Timberland together?

bondingo · #8 29th November 2006, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyKoria

BTW: did you add me on myspace? Sorry for the offtopicnesses

I hadn't, but I just sent you one

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyKoria

I think bjork is really brave though, I mean who thinks of Bjork and Timberland together?

That's like when Utada worked with him on Exodus. I was hesitant at first, but it turned out to be a pretty great album, at least in my opinion. Who knows? It may turn out to be incredible.

Mad_Cactuar · #9 25th November 2006, 06:56 AM

Not a single one.

criminal · #10 25th November 2006, 02:24 PM

Björk is high up in the "best people the universe has seen" list with Ayumi. I've heard Vespertine and Homogenic and they're both great albums. You don't need a second listen to be convinced of the sheer amazingness, I can tell you that from my own experience.
And isn't it ironic how Björk did a remix of "Oceania" with Kelis (which I'd like to hear) and you also made the Official Kelis Thread, explodingbird!

extepan · #11 26th November 2006, 09:27 AM

i really like bjork. her music is so radically different compared to any other artist. her videos are visually appealing as well. she is a real cutting edge musician!

my favourites:
bachelorette
joga
pagan poetry

extepan · #12 26th November 2006, 09:28 AM

This is a review I wrote for her video collection, Volumen

This is a collection of videos that Bjork has made during her career up to 1999.

I must say this is a very impressive collection. I have only seen a couple of her videos before I bought this disc, but those videos I have seen already impressed me enough to want to own them forever.

Each video is different and creative in its own way. This is particularly so for the videos from the album 'Homogenic'. The video for 'Hunter' has beautifully computer generated images. 'Bachelorette' has a captivating story shown on a stage. 'Hunter' again has great special effects that is almost unsurpassed by any other videos.

Most video collections are released to make money. I would say this video collection exists to be an art form.

bondingo · #13 27th November 2006, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extepan

This is a review I wrote for her video collection, Volumen

What's funny is how they release the Greatest Hits video collection after, including the videos from Vespertine. And now, Medulla's videos are on a separate DVD as well, which is chaos. I just want them ALL together.

JimmyKoria · #14 27th November 2006, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bondingo

What's funny is how they release the Greatest Hits video collection after, including the videos from Vespertine. And now, Medulla's videos are on a separate DVD as well, which is chaos. I just want them ALL together.

Weren't they released at seperate times? I thinkt here is a version with all the videos on it anyway.

Bjork is one of those great artist. It sucks that a lot of people come off as "I love Bjork I'm unique" :[

bondingo · #15 27th November 2006, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyKoria

Weren't they released at seperate times?

Yeah, they were. I'm pretty sure that Greatest Hits' Videos was released alongside the actual Greatest Hits album, and Medulla Videos along with that album. I just mean that it's annoying that you have to keep buying new video collections after you purchase what was (at the time of purchase) the newest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyKoria

I thinkt here is a version with all the videos on it anyway.

Then I totally need to find that

JimmyKoria · #16 29th November 2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bondingo

Yeah, they were. I'm pretty sure that Greatest Hits' Videos was released alongside the actual Greatest Hits album, and Medulla Videos along with that album. I just mean that it's annoying that you have to keep buying new video collections after you purchase what was (at the time of purchase) the newest.

Then I totally need to find that

Check out her website :] it should be on there. It might not be super cheap though.

BTW: did you add me on myspace? Sorry for the offtopicnesses

alt.total-loser · #17 26th November 2006, 09:32 AM

Björk is one funkay (and awesome) woman. So original.

Ayashi · #18 26th November 2006, 10:29 AM

My favourite songs are Play dead and Joga.

Mad_Cactuar · #19 27th November 2006, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extepan

'Bachelorette' has a captivating story shown on a stage.

I agree, it was just surreal and beautiful and touching all rolled up. It's my Bjork favourite video and song.

paperbag · #20 28th November 2006, 05:03 AM

I've actually heard about Bjork since forever and I wondered what all the hype was about her. The first song I heard was "Human Behavior" and the rest was history! She is just a creative genius just...out there! She's like in another planet! lol But that's what I like about her. How she can create such haunting and beautiful music. And that voice! So powerful! I stumbled upon a documentary about her a few months ago and watching it made me more apreciative about her work.

Here it is if anyone is interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm2NKyb0gbk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1PY2WgZJCI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ensGC9cOcOE