Björk - Homogenic

By the late '90s, Björk's playful, unique world view and singular voice became as confining as they were defining. With its surprising starkness and darkness, 1997's Homogenic shatters her "Icelandic pixie" image. Possibly inspired by her failed relationship with drum'n'bass kingpin Goldie, Björk sheds her more precious aspects, displaying more emotional depth than even her best previous work indicated. Her collaborators -- LFO's Mark Bell, Mark "Spike" Stent, and Post contributor Howie B -- help make this album not only her emotionally bravest work, but her most sonically adventurous as well. A seamless fusion of chilly strings (courtesy of the Icelandic String Octet), stuttering, abstract beats, and unique touches like accordion and glass harmonica, Homogenic alternates between dark, uncompromising songs such as the icy opener, "Hunter," and more soothing fare like the gently percolating "All Neon Like." The noisy, four-on-the-floor catharsis of "Pluto" and the raw vocals and abstract beats of "5 Years" and "Immature" reveal surprising amounts of anger, pain, and strength in the face of heartache. "I dare you to take me on," Björk challenges her lover in "5 Years," and wonders on "Immature," "How could I be so immature/To think he would replace/The missing elements in me?" "Bachelorette," a sweeping, brooding cousin to Post's "Isobel," is possibly Homogenic's saddest, most beautiful moment, giving filmic grandeur to a stormy relationship. Björk lets a little hope shine through on "Jòga," a moving song dedicated to her homeland and her best friend, and the reassuring finale, "All Is Full of Love." "Alarm Call"'s uplifting dance-pop seems out of place with the rest of the album, but as its title implies, Homogenic is her most holistic work. While it might not represent every side of Björk's music, Homogenic displays some of her most impressive heights. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alasdair Alloy Harmonica Alasdair Malloy Harmonica (Glass) Alexander McQueen Art Direction Ben Cruft Violin Bill Hawkes Viola Björk Producer, Arranger, Keyboards Chris Laurence Bass Danny Brown Mixing Assistant Danny Joe Brown Band Programming, Assistant Deodato Orchestration, Transcription, Arranger Frank Ricotti Drums (Snare) Gavyn Wright Violin George Robertson Viola Guy Sigsworth Producer, Keyboards, Pipe Organ, Clavichord Helen Liebmann Cello Helen Tunstall Harp Howie B Programming, Producer, Mixing Hrund Hardardottir Viola Isobel Griffiths Orchestra Contractor James Loughrey Assistant, Mixing Assistant Jason Groucott Assistant, Mixing Assistant Jason Westbrook Mixing Assistant, Assistant Jeff Bryant Horn Jeffrey Bryant Horn Jim McLeod Violin John Tunnell Cello Jon R. Ornolfsson Cello Katy England Stylist Kirsten Cowie Mixing Assistant, Assistant Maciej Rakowski Violin Marius de Vries Programming Mark "Spike" Stent Crew, Mixing Mark Bell Keyboards, Producer, Programming, Drum Programming, Crew Mark Berrow Violin Markus Dravs Drum Programming, Programming, Engineer, Producer, Crew Martin Loveday Cello Mike Brittain Bass Mike Thompson Horn Moeidur Anna Sigurdardottir Viola Nick Knight Photography Paul Gardhaim Bass Paul Gardham Bass Paul Kegg Cello Paul Pritchard Bass Paul Walton Mixing Assistant Perry Mason Violin Perry Montague-Mason Violin Peter Lale Viola Peter Oxer Violin Rebecca Storey Assistant, Mixing Assistant Richard Brown Programming Rob Murphy Mixing Assistant, Assistant Roger Chase Viola Roger Garland Violin Russel Polden Mixing Assistant, Assistant Sie Medway-Smith Assistant, Mixing Assistant Sif Tulinius Violin Sigrun Edvaldsdottir Violin Sigurbjorn Bernhardsson Violin Sigurdur Bjarki Gunnarsson Cello Steve Henderson Timbales, Tympani [Timpani] Steve Price Engineer Tony Stanton Copyist Trevor Morais Electronic Drums, Drums Una Sveinbjarnardottir Violin Vaughan Armon Violin Wilfred Gibson Violin Yasuhiro Kobayashi Accordion