Homogenic (Digipak+Poster)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Headline-grabbing personal upheavals turn into introspective surges on Homogenic, the third album by Icelandic singer Björk. Driven inward after a bizarre year accented by a much publicized mail bomb, airport cat fight and brawl between ex-lovers Tricky and Goldie, Björk gets lost in a wash of strings and minimalist techno patterns on her latest outing. The eccentricity and stylistic schizophrenia of Debut and Post have been cast away in favor of darker, more sublime edginess. Filled with songs about paranoia, heartbreak, and lost faith, Homogenic not only showcases more mature themes, but a more uniform mood. Notch that up to Björk's decision to produce the album herself. Aside from a few nominal collaborations with Mark Bell of obscure techno outfit LFO and the Icelandic String Octet, this is the purest representation of the artist's vision. Little did we know that such a quirky personality would have such a bleak world view. Homogenic is almost too heavy to take in sitting, and songs, like the grating "Pluto," are downright unlistenable. But there are moments of inspiration that burn through the dark clouds, particularly on the contemplative "Joga" and the uplifting "Bachelorette." --Aidin Vaziri --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Album Details
Same Details as the Limited Digipack Format, Except Not Limited and Packaged in a Jewel Box. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Hunter
Joga
Unravel
Bachelorette
All Neon Like
5 Years
Immature
Alarm Call
Pluto
All Is Full Of Love

Amazon.com

Headline-grabbing personal upheavals turn into introspective surges on Homogenic, the third album by Icelandic singer Björk. Driven inward after a bizarre year accented by a much publicized mail bomb, airport cat fight and brawl between ex-lovers Tricky and Goldie, Björk gets lost in a wash of strings and minimalist techno patterns on her latest outing. The eccentricity and stylistic schizophrenia of Debut and Post have been cast away in favor of darker, more sublime edginess. Filled with songs about paranoia, heartbreak, and lost faith, Homogenic not only showcases more mature themes, but a more uniform mood. Notch that up to Björk's decision to produce the album herself. Aside from a few nominal collaborations with Mark Bell of obscure techno outfit LFO and the Icelandic String Octet, this is the purest representation of the artist's vision. Little did we know that such a quirky personality would have such a bleak world view. Homogenic is almost too heavy to take in sitting, and songs, like the grating "Pluto," are downright unlistenable. But there are moments of inspiration that burn through the dark clouds, particularly on the contemplative "Joga" and the uplifting "Bachelorette." --Aidin Vaziri

Album Details

Same Details as the Limited Digipack Format, Except Not Limited and Packaged in a Jewel Box.

Customer Reviews:

Still Bjork's most dignified and accomplished record.......2007-05-21

I recently picked up a copy of Volta, and while her most recent album is, as usual, lovely, quirky, and challenging all at once, its finest moments only sent me back to Homogenic, where Bjork increasingly seems to have been both entirely herself-- she pronounces "luminous" as "lumin-KNEE-us" on "All Neon Like"-- and forced into becoming something else, something representative, aggressive, and expansive (her voice even dwarfs the sweeping violins on "Joga"), a metamorphosis that appears to have been rather painful but resulted in one heck of a record. Even the non-singles here are deeply impressive in their musical spareness and emotional, poetic sharpness; particular favorites of mine are the assured "5 Years," where a rough snow-stomping beat occasionally transforms into a snickering background to Bjork's semi-amused, semi-frustrated charge that her lover "just can't handle love," and "Immature," where she accuses herself of laziness for thinking anyone could "replace the missing elements in me." This kind of unforgiving directness was lost on the pretty harps and crystalline complexities of Vespertine and the more universalized Medulla and Volta.

Bjork's Homogenic character, of course, can very definitely handle love, and her principal point seems to be that the life of caring for others, of vulnerable trusting, isn't soft or easy; it takes as much and more energy as rage or willed isolation. Heavy stuff for a pop record, and these austere soundscapes make much of the meanderings on her other releases seem insubstantial. Listen to the appropriately hellish middle of "Pluto," where an unrelenting machine-gun beat meets Bjork's fuzzed-out groaning, which she manages to cap off with a careless scream, that song concluding to meet the underappreciated glacial slowness of the album version of "All is Full of Love." Bjork lifted herself up (into a a state of emergence in the truest sense) and outdid herself on this record, and I'm glad I can quickly wheel back my iPod from "V" to "H" to hear Bjork on this fantastic release.

Don't Let the Cover Scare You.......2007-05-19

I'm the kid who also wrote the review "What We Call a Masterpiece" for Bjork's Vespertine, so go read that too if you want to! ^^

I remember when I was 5 or so and seeing the album for the first time. I was scared to death! I knew who Bjork was throughout my life, and sought refference from people around me that she was creepy and crazed. But I let my own instincts tell me the truth. So I turned to Bjork's Homogenic. The album which scared the hell out of me when I was 5.

Homogenic is such a great album. It's one of my favourite CD's by her. It's a brilliant collection of songs, and the start to Bjork's serious zone. People were actually shocked when she changed her image of the cute, quirky self to a more serious look. Which defines her not only daring, but everchanging.

The album starts off with Hunter, great beats. I'm a alternative dude so of course I like this song. Joga is a good song, the lush strings, the volcanic beats, just brilliant. Also what defined her as an innovator in electrionic music. Bacherlorette, 5 Years, and Immature. Songs showing her breakups, the agressiveness in these songs are obviously shown, and they are just great. Unravled and All is Full of Love are beautiful love songs, even though the version of All is Full of Love on the album isn't as great as the video version.

It's odd, Bjork tells us a story of lust, lost, love, and fearlessness all in one CD. It's a great CD, but not as great as Vespertine.

Alarm Call.......2007-05-06

The whole world knows Bjork for being that crazy lady who attacked an interviewer, having worn a swan dress to a awards show and apparently being completely alien to this world. Although I agree her voice is eiree I wouldn't quite describe it as alien. After all she does sound very Icelandic. After two brilliant albums that shook musical boundaries Bjork returned with her true masterpiece "Homogenic". One thing always puzzles me about this album. Why didn't it sell? The production is flawless, the songs are Bjork's most dramatic (and that's saying something) and it leaves a strong impression after being listened to. Though the songs are a bit odder than on 1995's "Post" or her "Debut", they aren't so far out to alienate fans.

The album starts off with one of Bjork's most important songs, "Hunter". The production and delivery of this song are truly original. The electronic beat is incredibly catchy and different and Bjork sings in a more focused way than usual. The string arangements blend perfectly with the electronic beats and the lyrics are effective. The dreamy "Joga" is another true masterpiece. Bjork's voice amplifies all her emotions into this song. "Bachelorette" similarly is a dramatic moving piece with an epic feel. The album progresses through sadness to complete anger as shown on "Pluto", arguably Bjork's angriest songs. Some call this song unlistenable but I think it provides some much needed anger into the album. It is quite similar in style to "Declare Independence" from "Volta". "5 Years" is another angry song that becomes better with each listen. This song is nothing short of genius. The albums climax "All Is Full Of Love" takes us back to a much calmer Bjork, as though she vented all her anger out through the album. The song symbolises rebirth and is a beautiful way of ending the album. This song also gives us a continuation to the album after it "Vespertine".

The album holds together, almost as a concept album. It shows us a side to Bjork which isn't present in any of her other albums. This apparently is the album where Bjork reverted back into her shell, however, I feel this is her most important album to date. Although some of Bjork's albums take a lot of time to get used to ("Debut", "Vespertine"), this one grabs you on first listen and won't let you go. This is a masterpiece.

Download: "Hunter", "Joga", "Bachelorette", "All Is Full Of Love".

Bjork's Intense, Homo--and--Genic!.......2007-05-04

Coming into the new world that Bjork is. I was very impressed to find myself with probably one the best CD's that I own in my collection. For years, I have thought that Bjork's music was nothing but weird "stuff". "Stuff" that I never thought was going to be as deep as it is.

I can clearly say that "Homogenic' is not an easy record. It's not easily likeable, and will not suit your ear on the first listen. This off course those not mean that the CD is not worth a listen, it means that this music is so "out there", so experimental, that your ears wont be able to handle it on a first time bases.

"Homogenic" it's the combination of passion, hatred, love and feelings that come from the inside. The album starts of with three lead singles "Hunter", "Joga" and "Bachelorette". Hardcore song. Bjorks roars "I am a hunter/I'm going hunting", claims that she loves to be in "state of emergency" and demonstrate her pain after her hurtful breakdown of her relationship. (I'm a whisper in water/secret for you to hear/you are the one who grows distant/ when I beckon you near.) The record also finishes with the other two highlights "Alarm Call" and "All Is Full Of Love", probably being one of my favorites. Even thought the album might come as intense, it has its up beat songs: "Pluto", "Immature" and "5 Years". Not necessarily upbeat, but definitely have a strong musical arrangements.

It is no question that Bork plays with lyrics, more than ever before. They are more in depth--not that they ever weren't--, more playful and more full of live. In "5 Years" she sings "I'm tired of cowards/that say they want/but they cant handle love/ it's obvious".

It is no question that Bjork plays with instrument. This is no "Post" or "Debut" it is the growth of a musician, no fears, full risks, and passion for music, cause without passion, neither music nor love, like proved in this record, can survive.

Best Bjork Album Ever!!!!.......2007-04-20

I bought this cd when it first came out and I can listen to it today and feel like I am listening to it for the first time. The way they put the music together and her voice is just beautiful. I have never heard anything like before. I think this is her best album ever. I was little disappointed with her lastest cds but that was because I compared it to this one. This cd is a good release. Feel alittle down or stress pop this cd in and let the emotions come out. Let the music take over you. I think every Bjork fan should have this cd. It is a must have!!!!! Oh, I love the cover!!! I think that is the best album cover.

Average customer rating:

Homogenic
Björk
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Post
Debut
Vespertine
Medúlla
Selmasongs

ASIN: B000G75AQ6
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Tracks:

Hunter [CD]
Joga [CD]
Unravel [CD]
Bachelorette [CD]
All Neon Like [CD]
5 Years [CD]
Immature [CD]
Alarm Call [CD]
Pluto [CD]
All Is Full Of Love [CD]

Tracks:

Hunter
Joga
Unravel
Bachelorette
All Neon Like
5 Years
Immature
Alarm Call
Pluto
All Is Full Of Love
Joga [DVD]
Bacelorette [DVD]
Hunter [DVD]
Alarm Call [DVD]
All Is Full Of Love [DVD]

Album Description

1997's stark, experimental Homogenic went Top 40 and displayed the extraordinary range of Björk's artistry. Stand-out tracks careen from the dark opener "Hunter" to the uplifting dance strains of "Alarm Call." DVD side features videos of 5 songs including the clip for "Bachelorette." Deluxe package features the original CD in remastered stereo on Side 1 and on Side 2, the entire album in Advanced Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound plus bonus videos!

Average customer rating:

Magnificent!Outstanding!More than perfect!
An Incredible Live Experience
Great stuff.

Homogenic Live
Björk
Manufacturer: One Little Indian Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Post Live
Vespertine Live
Debut Live
All Is Full of Love
Bjork - Cambridge

ASIN: B00022LIUW
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

Visur Vatnsenda Rosu
Hunter
You've Been Flirting Again
Isobel
All Neon Like
Possibly Maybe
5 Years
Come To Me
Immature
I Go Humble
Bachelorette
Human Behaviour
Pluto
Joga
So Broken
Anchor Song

Product Description

1. Visur Vatnsenda Rósu
2. Hunter
3. You've Been Flirting Again
4. Isobel
5. All Neon Like
6. Possibly Maybe
7. 5 Years
8. Come To Me
9. Immature
10. I Go Humble
11. Bachelorette
12. Human Behaviour
13. Pluto
14. Jóga
15. So Broken
16. Anchor Song

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent!Outstanding!More than perfect!.......2006-01-28

I would give this album 10 stars If I could.I think that Bjork really is a musical genius.This album makes people like me suffer
because I never had the chance and the honor of watching her perform live.I wish this CD could compensate....
Nowadays everybody who sings and records an album is called an "artist" ,while only a minority really creates art.Bjork IS an artist.She doesn't simply organize live performances.She constructs audiences instead.She has that magic ability to actually take the listener wherever she wants.Her live performance is like a life support system that can make your heart beat faster or slower.She is in control.
Homogenic live is an album which should be listened to from the beginning to the end and ,believe me, you will feel the effect.It has a perfect flow , it takes you on an emotional trip.It actually has the structure of an ancient drama.You start with a warm-up ,then you go through fear , mystery , stress , neutral emotions , love , hatred , dissapointment and , finally , the catharsis...
I don't want to analyze every single track because I am not a musical critic.I will only tell you this : I could never ever EVER expect what this album is about.Before buying it (having heard all of her albums) i thought "How the heck could she ever do better?".Man , how wrong I was....

An Incredible Live Experience.......2005-03-19

I received Bjork's "Live Box" as a Christmas present for 2004 and was so excited to finally have my hands on it. I had, after all, wanted to own this box set a few months prior to actually owning it. The four CD's contained within it are live versions of Bjork's first four solo studio albums "Debut," "Post," Homogenic" and "Vespertine." It's taken me quite a while to truly appreciate them all as individual sets, but it's been worth it because it is truly an exceptional piece of music to add to any Bjork fan's collection.

The third album in the collection is "Homogenic Live." This album often reaches dizzying heights of pure excellence and genius with probably no low points. Most of the songs are recorded in different locations around the world on Bjork's world tour of the album in places such as Cambridge, Paris, Washington, Prague, Spain, London, Tourhout, Vienna and Montreux all throughout 1998. Just like with the "Post Live" album, this adds a cultural aspect to the live material you're hearing which is very European and appealing. As well as adding a flavour to the music, this also showcases just how amazing Bjork is live in every different location possible. The album itself has 16 live songs here, which is great value for money. Three of the songs on this album were actually taken from the "Later With Jools Holland" show broadcast in the UK on 29th November 1997.

The album opens with "Visur Vatsenda Rósu," which is a rare Bjork song. There's actually no singing in this instrumental piece, and it serves more as a warm-up for the songs that follow. "Hunter" is up next and is instantly recognisable by the low hum that opens the song. This is a great live version of one of my favourite-ever Bjork songs, because the percussion is stronger than ever before, especially towards the end; you can hear every little minuscule beat that forms that epic arrangement. "You've Been Flirting Again" is not really good live because Bjork sings it in Icelandic (I think) instead of English. However, respect to her for doing this, but I'd have preferred to have heard it in English. "Isobel" is up next and begins brilliantly with the tribal feel that infected the original. This live version is great, but the only flaw with it is that the build-up to the string-section in the chorus is a bit of an anti-climax here. I expected something very epic and dramatic, when in fact it's rather feeble and weak.

"All Neon Like" is really superb live. Bjork brings something to this song live which can't be replicated in the studio. The sounds that open the song are really ominous and the build up to the part where she sings, "And the luminous beam - it feeds you!" is brilliant, it's almost devastating, like the sound you'd expect to hear if somebody stumbled over a dead body. "Possibly Maybe" opens beautifully with its telephone-like intro echoing all around the arena. Bjork's vocals here are very strong working in harmony with the instruments. "5 Years" was always one of my favourite songs from Homogenic, and this version is amazing too. The heavy, crunching beat that pounded in the original is here in all its ferocious splendour as the violins make a great addition by coming in earlier in the song than in the original. "Come To Me" is amazing here live and definitely one of the best live songs I've heard in quite a while. This is one of the few songs from "Debut" to feature on this tour, but it works very well with an unforgettable violin intro which runs for the first minute. It's absolutely beautiful. The three-note beat which made this song so brilliant then starts shining through the strings as they fade out gently.

"Immature" is another great song live because the bouncy percussion of the original is more focused upon here. The structure is very broken down with all these songs, which is what you have to understand and appreciate when hearing Bjork live. The live versions become almost new songs in themselves, but still retain their identity of the album versions. Bjork's vocal-wails in this song are brilliant and I am particularly amused by the part where she goes, "Silly girl, silly girl! So silly! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!" The next song is "I Go Humble" which is that great, rare Bjork song which we first heard on the Post Live album. It also sounds great here, and much better than on the aforementioned live album. "Bachelorette" is the first of three songs to be taken from the Jools Holland show. The epic grandeur of this song is still present and Bjork's vocals add something more than the original did. "Human Behaviour" is brilliant live. The rolling percussion of the original is replicated here which sounds much better than on the live version on the Debut Live album. Bjork's personality also shines through in the way she stretches the vocals of the original by singing, "They're terribly, TERRIBLY MOODY! Ha-ha!" It's great. That voice just transcends anything!

"Pluto" is probably the most frantic Bjork song of her entire career. Many people would agree, and that hardcore style is not repeated in the live version. This is perhaps for the best as hearing the original in full live could cause some serious damage to the eardrums! The addition of violins in this live version is amazing, though, adding something different as always - it also changes the mood of the song and makes it more dramatic, if that were possible. "Jóga" is the second song to be taken from the Jools Holland show and is not really one of my favourites. I mean it's great live but the violins and organs have replaced the volcanic eruption sounds which made the original so amazing. "So Broken" is also from the same show and has a brilliant Spanish feel to it. This is a rare Bjork song which hasn't even been performed many times, and was a song intended for Homogenic but left off because I guess it wasn't up to the standard of the other 10 songs. It's still a great song though. The album closes with "Anchor Song," which is like the most popular live song that Bjork sings! She always seems to sing this song live, and I hate the original. The live version isn't bad however.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Homogenic Live is one of those rare treats for music lovers. I bet fans of Eminem or Nelly would love for them to bring out live albums, but they won't because their music isn't up to the genius-level of Bjork's! To see them live is basically just a replica of their albums, except you have thousands of mindless, screaming girls in the background. Bjork deconstructs her music especially for a live setting, which works amazingly. She's a genius. Never forget it. This album is probably the best of the four live albums that she's released, or is a tie with Vespertine Live. Either way you should own them both.

Great stuff. .......2004-08-08

I picked this up at random a few weeks ago; seeing as I really like Homogenic and was really curious about how Bjork sounded live. Wow. I had no idea how awesome this CD would be. Pretty much every Bjork song I went crazy over on the albums is here in its full glory; "5 Years" has never sounded so powerful, nor has "You've Been Flirting Again/Isobel." Plus, there's some cool stuff that isn't on any of her studio albums, such as "I Go Humble," "So Broken," and the violin intro. Trust me, if you can only get one Bjork album, make it this one. Even if you're already a pretty big fan, you'll find something to like about this. I'm really impressed with the whole "live" series, just judging from this CD. Who knows; maybe I'll check out Post and Vespertine live too. Bjork rules for releasing not one, but four live albums.

Average customer rating:

Worth the Extra Cost for Björk Fans and Others
Homogenic

Homogenic

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004U8TK
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Tracks:

Hunter
Joga
Unravel
Bachelorette
All Neon Like
5 Years
Immature
Alarm Call
Pluto
All Is Full Of Love
Joga
Sod Off
Immature (Bjorks Version)
So Broken
Nature Is Ancient
Joga (Alec Empire Mix)

Album Description

Japanese edition of her 1997 album with six bonus tracks: 'Joga' (Howie B Mix), 'Sod Off', 'Immature' (Bjork's Version), 'So Broken', 'Nature Is Ancient' and 'Joga' (Alec Empire Remix). 16 tracks total. A Mother/ Polydor release.

Customer Reviews:

Worth the Extra Cost for Björk Fans and Others.......2001-04-09

_Homogenic_ stands out as one of the landmark albums of the 1990's, a triumph by Björk of musical depth and lyrical strength. But as this review pertains only to the Japanese release of the album, the focal question should be, are the extra tracks worth buying this release over the American release, or perhaps in addition to it, assuming one already owns the American release?

The answer is a resounding yes. Dismissing the largely redundant remix of "Jòga" by Howie B., each bonus track is worthy of the _Homogenic_ name. Alec Empire's remix of "Jòga" elevates the bass and percussion of the original song to a panicky yet pleasing level, while Björk's own a capella remix of "Immature" lends a subtle simplicity to the track that meshes well with the minimalist yet powerful lyrics. While two of the three new songs, "Sod Off" and "Nature is Ancient," border on the coy and thus seem slightly out of place on the album, "So Broken" harkens back to the powerful intimacy displayed on previous tracks in the "main" album, and elevates the "expanded" album to required purchasing on its own. With its morose flamenco guitar backdrop and Björk's haunting delivery of painfully tragic verse, "So Broken" proves the depth of Björk's ability to deconstruct the more intricate and layered sound found on the other tracks, and still create an unforgettable, utterly heart-rendering song.

For Björk's most devout fans, this purchase is a no-brainer. But even for those who don't follow Björk so closely, or even those who are new to her most unique style of music, the extra tracks on this release merit purchase above, or in conjunction with, the American release. Björk is music's best kept secret, and it's time she gets let out of the bag.

Homogenic.......2000-07-06

This disc is very scary. It is very special in this bore musicworld. Pops' dead.