Björk

Björk: Greatest Hits DVD

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Editor's Review:

This collection of 21 videos spans the last 10 years of Björk’s career, and proves that the sprightly, pixie-esque former Sugarcubes singer from Iceland is far more than just a singer and songwriter. The writer or co-writer of the majority of these videos, Björk is one hell of a video artist, employing ideas of humanity in nature, fate, sexuality, power, the video age, irony and everyday life; all presented in clever scenarios and acutely matched to each accompanying tune, each different and special in its own way.
From the video masterpiece that marked the beginning of Björk’s solo career, “Human Behavior,” to the most recent epic work of visual art, “Nature Is Ancient,” it’s obvious Björk approaches each video with a specific concept or idea in mind. In “Violently Happy,” beautiful people in a padded cell mutilate dolls and their own hair with scissors; the chorus of the song “Joga” refers to emotional landscape, a reference complemented in the video by sweeping altitude shots of various remote and richly descriptive landscapes. This DVD includes, of course, the classic Spike Jonze-directed “It’s Oh So Quiet,” and a real standout, the video for “I Miss You,” drawn and directed by Ren & Stimpy mastermind John Kricfalusi. It features the classically themed, slightly twisted and uniquely John K. characters interacting with a live Björk and a sexy cartoon Björk — just two of many sides to this multi-faceted rock icon. This DVD release is the first in a wave of music and video from Björk, who will put out eight DVDs and a four-CD, one-DVD box set before the end of August.

– Max Sidman
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Record Label One Little Indian Records

Released June 2003

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Björk

Bio[+]

Leaving no stone unturned, Icelandic chanteuse Björk Gudmundsdottir has lead a varied and extensive artistic career. She would probably scoff at the word career. Born in 1965 in Reykjavik, Iceland, and growing up in an artistic communal-style household, Björk’s exposure to the arts began practically at birth. She was enrolled at music school by the age of five, where she studied piano, flute and voice. The seeds of her now vast discography were planted at the age of 11 when she recorded her eponymous debut album. After playing in experimental, edgy punk-tinged bands (such as Tappi Tikarrass and Kurl), she formed The Sugarcubes with then-husband Thor Eldon. The group’s debut album, Life’s Too Good (1988) spawned the hit single “Birthday.” After several albums, the group disbanded in 1992. Her solo career began shortly thereafter, releasing Debut in ’93, Post in ’95, Homogenic in ’97 and Vespertine in 2001, among others. Bjork also starred in the modern day musical Dancer In The Dark in 2000. Her unique, cuddly/caustic vocals are like none other.

– Maurice S. Teilmann (November 2002)