Today, Bjork is considered one of the more creative ladies in music. To capitolize on that, she released two "best of" albums last year. The first was a one cd affair with songs which her fans voted on. The second, Family Tree, is a more deluxe affair. It has one full sized cd, the "best of" portion of the set, and five 3" cds.
The greatest hits cd were chosen by Bjork herself. Some of them match up with the fan-chosen stuff. Some of them don't. Twelve songs are featured. Some I recognized, others I didn't. Of course, as a Bjork release, these are all top notch. However, for the people who already own all of Bjork's cds, there is an added incentitive. The five 3" discs. The five cds are split into three categories. The first is "Roots" (discs one and two), the second category is "Beats" (disc three), and the last is "Strings" (four and five).
The first set features older songs. One is a song Bjork composed on a violin at 15 years of age. Others are old The Sugarcubes (Bjork's band before going solo) songs. Of course, the songs feature Bjork's trademark vocals so they don't sound too different from the rest of her stuff. Some of these tracks are rarities, some aren't so much.
The third cd, "Beats", are songs from her first project away from The Sugarcubes. A collaboration with 808 State's Graham Massey and Mark Bell (which lay the foundation for "Debut").
The last set is live with the Brodsky String Quartet. While it innitially sounds cool, it doesn't really sound that much different from the recorded versions. And typical live things, like audience noice and audience interaction are absent, thus eliminating that element of interest. Of course, they're flawlessly executed.
All in all, this is not worth the full $50+ dollars it costs new. However, if you find it used somewhere you might want to consider picking it up. If you are a hardcore Bjork fan, you will want this. If you don't own anything by Bjork yet, this is a good introduction. However, it gets a bit redundant if you already own some of her stuff. She should have added more rarities, more unreleased stuff.
peace.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
thomas, clickMay 06, 2004 at 4:24 pm
2 - Sandra Smallson
Bjork has one good song in her entire body of work. "Play dead" There is another mangeable one "It's oh so quiet" Everything else is just wierd. The only reason she's called creative is because she is as mad as a box of rats. So, she's "creative". She wrote "Bedtime stories". What is shocking is that Madonna did not see that contribution as Bjork's expression of hatred for her..lol. It's okay Bjork claiming to respect her or wearing a T-shirt saying "Madonna is my mother" but actions speak louder than words and offering that song was shocking.
The woman is a nutter which equals "creative" in this world gone bonkers. Without "Play dead" she would have no redeeming quality in my eyes. Just my opinion.
3 - Craig Lyndall
I would tell you to listen to "All is Full of Love." That is one of my favorites.
4 - Sandra Smallson
I am almost certain I have heard every song the woman has as there is a mad Icelandic work colleague who insists on Bjork as background music in his office. Which is unfortunately right next to mine. I made the mistake of complimenting "play dead" and I haven't had peace since. I would play Madonna but he likes her too. I was thinking PJ harvey who he despises but then I can't stand her music either. So, why kill myself just to torture others?!
I will give it a listen though, since you say it's good. Thanks for the tip.
5 - Tom Johnson
I'll second Craig's recommendation. And check out Death Cab For Cutie's cover of it, as well.
But Sandy, wow, "one good song" . . . I can't say I'm surprised, given your usual taste in music. While I won't profess to being a die-hard, I will happily say Post and Homogenic are stunning. Vespertine left me underwhelmed - I know what the reviews say, but I find it boring and depressing. And Debut has some great moments as well, but strays too far into "dance" territory for me. She's arty and obtuse, but she's got a great sense of unusual sounds and melodies that typically counterbalances the weirdness that often pops up in her songs (especially the lyrics.)
6 - darko
only a tasteless person would say bjork is not an extraordinary artist.I've been listening to her music for over ten years,and only thing i can say is she is not boring,wierd.She is a true original in music.How people cant' see that?I wiil love bjork and listen to her music probably 'till the day I die.