Bjork: Biophilia - Album Review

Bjork
Biophilia
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

bi·o·phil·i·a: (n.) An appreciation of life and the living world.

Bjork's latest album is a collaboration with Apple, providing iPad apps for each of the album's 10 tracks. As I don't own an iPad, I can only react to the music as is. Whether or not the apps provide better illumination is not really my concern, as I am sure Bjork wants the music to stand on its own. So I am going under the assumption that the apps only enhance the songs rather than make it essential to get the songs' full impact. Biophilia is not likely, at this point, to change any one's opinion of Bjork, it's a Bjork album, pure and simple, drawing more from her Vespertine and Medulla periods. Mostly hushed and quiet, laying a foundation for Bjork's war cry vocals, the tracks are generally beatless, choosing to use unique instrumentation such as her combination gamelon and celeste, giving the record an Asian feel to it. And true to the name of the album, Biophilia is awash with nature imagery, drawing comparison between love and natural processes. While this could have down turned into a laughable new age screed, Bjork wisely keeps things, mostly, in check, and draws interesting parallels and connections.

Biophilia works best when Bjork pushes the envelope on the music. The fascinating "Thunderbolt" begins with plaintive organ drones, combining choir backing vocals along with blasts of analog synths and muted beats. The lyrics comparing love's spark with a lightning strike.



First single "Crystalline" merges gamelan with shuffling beats, until it all descends into a frenzied drill n bass coda.



Perhaps the loveliest song is the gorgeous "Virus," which could easily fit snugly on Vespertine, with its pitter-patter beats and music box instrumentation. Love again is compared to a virus attacking a cell, the host unable to withstand the battle.

Virus. Björk. Biophilia. by Daniele Zambelli

"Mutual Core," a track produced by 16 Bit, is another droning organ opener that adds burbling electronics, exploding with Bjork's siren vocals and a dense, industrial clatter of programmed beats.



"Sacrifice" follows a similar theme, opening with hymn like gamelan, then releasing Bjork's furiously strident vocal over buzzing percussion.



Unfortunately, the middle of the album hits a snag with a trio of songs that suck all the momentum out of the record. "Cosmonogy" continues Bjork's obsession with horns and strings and angelic choirs, that tips over the line into schmaltzy Disney territory. "Dark Matter" is a droning, almost atonal piece, that is akin to the backing soundtrack for Dark Shadows. While "Hollow" even takes it to the next level, working in a circus Calliope motif throughout the track, which just grates on one's nerves.



Biophilia has some amazing tracks on it, and I appreciate how Bjork tries to always take risks with her music. Unfortunately, there is a bit of stagnancy with the album, as it draws too many comparisons with other periods of her music. But, being Bjork, she is only doing what she wants, and those that want to follow can, or choose not to. Bjork has a special place in my heart, so I will always follow her, but I am still waiting for her next classic album. Neither Medulla, Volta, and now Biophilia are anywhere near the apex of Vespertine, Post, and Homogenic. I guess I am just going to have to wait a little while longer.

Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.