Bjork

Homogenic
$18.98
I don't love everything Bjork does, but I love that she does everything. Here is a great example of what an artist can do when she's left alone. And her music is truly a work of art. One never thinks of Bjork as a female artist - she's a creative force and one of the best musical visionaries of all time. I consider this her best work because she covers every conceivable emotion. She apologizes for nothing, demanding from her objects of affection to man up or hit the road. 'Immature' is the best advice ever, while 'All is Full of Love' wonderfully suggests we stop expecting love from 'the sources you've poured yours'. Bjork just wants us to get out of the box, take the plunge, and not be afraid to admit life can and does go on.

Volta
$19.98
I am a long term Bjork fan - and for the record, I still am. I love her more commercial stuff and I also love her more experimental stuff (DR9 is - mostly - an exception to this). Bjork has time and again proved herself to make thoughtful and inspiring music that is both beautiful and arty. Her albums seemed to get better with each release: I love Debut, but Post took it to another level. Homogenic was an instant favourite. It is one of the only albums I would give a full 10 out of 10 to (every track perfect, no filler). It took me a while, but I now adore Vespertine - it is a masterpiece beyond description that continues to get better (10 out of 10? Almost!). Medulla is still growing on me. With every listen, it shows potential for being a classic.

But Volta? I am still waiting to like it. It is obviously commercial and experimental, but I feel like I must have missed a memo that went out to all her fans. It is my car CD (again) this week. I am trying to like it - I really want to - but I just don't get it. I am confused. Is it too all over the place? Too meandering? Too boring in places? Is it the horns? Is it Antony? Is it the length of the songs? (Dull Flame is obviously both of these last two. It has an awesome ending though, just takes too long to get there). I can cope with Timbaland. That stuff is ok. And... Declare Independence blows my mind.

But that's it. Will I eventually like it? I hope so. Until then it remains the one (non-soundtrack) album in my Bjork collection that didn't meet expectations. I will keep trying. I haven't lost hope. Not yet.

Debut
$18.98
No one sounded like this little Icelandic chanteuse with the captivating voice, and strange but tuneful melodies, when she left the Sugarcubes and ventured on with this enchanting solo album... One minute churning out irresistible dance anthems like 'Big Time Sensuality' and 'Violently Happy', and next dropping the beat to a silently addictive 'Venus As A Boy', and then haunting us with her arresting wails on 'Human Behavior' ... disturbingly sweet

Med���lla
$18.98
If you have no idea who Bjork is, then listen to her album's Debut and Homogenic. These will introduce you to her world.... She is not easy to describe, but most people say that she is in the pop/dance/avant garde area. With that being said, Bjork also likes to experiment in each and every one of her albums. With Medulla, the whole CD is an experiment. Not that it's a bad thing. If you are a true fan of Bjork, (like me) then you will love this album. On the other hand, if you are a casual listener, you will probably get lost from the first song. In any event, Bjork can sing, and I do mean SING. On top of that, in every album she writes most of her music, arranges the instruments, produces her music, and is not afraid to go all out. How many artist's can do all of that nowadays?! (Very few.) Which is why I LOVE Bjork. An original artist, ALWAYS.