Albums by this artist

Vespertine (2001)

Homogenic (1997)

Post (1995)

Björk

Homogenic

---

» MARVIN LIN | STAFF WRITER

Björk Homogenic Elektra, 1997 RiYL: Tricky. Massive Attack, Radiohead

While many musicians work tirelessly throughout their entire careers to try to nudge the envelope of rock music, Bjork makes looking into the future seem easy. Despite the Icelandic crooner's apparent child-like innocence, she is an experienced musical prodigy who has broken new ground with each of her solo albums, experimenting with everything from multi-rhythmic percussion to a unique lyrical beauty.

After hearing 1995's excellent Post, one might have jumped to the premature conclusion that Bjork had released her best work and wouldn't be able to top the critically acclaimed album. But this would be as big a blunder as assuming The Beatles had reached their creative climax during the Rubber Soul period. Yes, the music on Post marked an incredible leap forward, but Bjork proved her ability to go even further with 1997's Homogenic.

Homogenic's journey begins with the painfully beautiful "Hunter." Suffocated beats bounce from speaker to speaker as the song begins to unfold. Layers of synths wash over the song, which ends on a complex programmed drumbeat. The stutter-step of "Alarm Call" features enough catchy elements to make it the album's only "radio-friendly" song, but the heart of the Homogenic pumps within the distorted beats of "All Neon Like." Bjork's lyrical brilliance also shines brightest on this song: "The cocoon surrounds you / embraces all / so you can sleep foetus-style." The album ends on an optimistic note with the exquisite ballad "All Is Full of Love."

Is Homogenic the start of a new genre in music? No. But Bjork has managed to create something so refreshingly unique that trying to categorize and label the music is rather dubious. It is easier to think of Homogenic as a touchstone from which to explore new directions in music. And with it, Bjork has given us a new reason to be optimistic about the future.

MARVIN LIN |