Björk - Atopos

[RAMROD 106,602]

The way some people think a good vocal only means the "doremifasolatido the hills are alive with the sounds of music" kind 

The way some people think that kind of vocal will match the sounds Björk is doing 

 

[alsemanche 92,333]

7 hours ago, llemesm said:

She seems to have a nice concept for her albums, and puts a lot of effort especially in the visual part. I love all about the visual part, the cgi, 3D animation, costumes, and videos serving in general. 

Now, that being said, I think she is a terrible vocalist (in the bad way). So sorry to her fans, but I don't think she is vocally skilled, so I guess that's why she puts so much effort in other areas where she is talented. 

Yeah you're right, she's been serving vocals for literally 40+ years but yeah she's not vocally skilled and has to hide it all with those visuals she does  I guess people are going to her Orchestral concerts where it's just her and an orchestra with 0 visuals or spectacle because they wanna listen to the music and ignore her horrid vocals

Björk's roots come from punk and jazz bands and her vocals are heavily influenced by that. Her growls and screams are insane, but she can also do gorgeous vocals and high notes and vocal manipulations live on stage (e.g. the stuff she used to do with It's Oh So Quiet and Anchor Song, I've literally never heard a single vocalist do that ever). She's 30 years into her solo career, and has another decade in the bag of band career, yet her voice is still strong and she can hit high notes easily when she wants live (as she has shown during her orchestral and cornucopia tour where she sang many of her older songs). Her voice isn't 'conventionally' beautiful, but it's stunning once you get out of that conventional box of what sounds good and what doesn't. The way she uses her voice isn't the way a regular vocalist would use it. She's been saying that for ages. She views the human voice as yet another musical instrument that she intergrates within her songs. 

She still sounds great now, especially for someone who's been singing their entire life and is almost 60 AND almost lost their voice at some point because of nodules and surgery. 

The below is a tiny example of her vocal prowess (and it doesn't even include anything from her post-Biophilia eras). 

Notable parts: 1:45, 2:49, 3:25, 4:30, 4:57, 5:10, 6:30, 6:51, 

 

 

[Darcklighter22 2,346]

I've decided to listen to her discography. Just to understand her more. Il obviously start with Homogenic as that's the one everyone points to. 

What's everyone's thoughts on her discography?

On topic tho Atopos is odd but it works and always loved her visuals. 

[swakby 4,100]

16 minutes ago, Darcklighter22 said:

I've decided to listen to her discography. Just to understand her more. Il obviously start with Homogenic as that's the one everyone points to. 

What's everyone's thoughts on her discography?

On topic tho Atopos is odd but it works and always loved her visuals. 

Homogenic is her best imo and one of the best albums I’ve listened to. I would listen to it after Post, though, as Post is more accessible for the regular listener. 
Vulnicura is her 2nd best imo but it’s a very tough listen.

[alsemanche 92,333]

25 minutes ago, Darcklighter22 said:

I've decided to listen to her discography. Just to understand her more. Il obviously start with Homogenic as that's the one everyone points to. 

What's everyone's thoughts on her discography?

On topic tho Atopos is odd but it works and always loved her visuals. 

I always say the same thing to anyone who wants to discover her: listen to her albums chronologically. I know it's tempting to just listen to her most acclaimed and see how that goes, but chronologically, her discography makes the most sense. So start with Debut, then do Post, then do Homogenic. 

[brizoda 3,451]

How I like this remix

And I have it on vinyl

[llemesm 1,305]

14 hours ago, alsemanche said:

Yeah you're right, she's been serving vocals for literally 40+ years but yeah she's not vocally skilled and has to hide it all with those visuals she does  I guess people are going to her Orchestral concerts where it's just her and an orchestra with 0 visuals or spectacle because they wanna listen to the music and ignore her horrid vocals

Björk's roots come from punk and jazz bands and her vocals are heavily influenced by that. Her growls and screams are insane, but she can also do gorgeous vocals and high notes and vocal manipulations live on stage (e.g. the stuff she used to do with It's Oh So Quiet and Anchor Song, I've literally never heard a single vocalist do that ever). She's 30 years into her solo career, and has another decade in the bag of band career, yet her voice is still strong and she can hit high notes easily when she wants live (as she has shown during her orchestral and cornucopia tour where she sang many of her older songs). Her voice isn't 'conventionally' beautiful, but it's stunning once you get out of that conventional box of what sounds good and what doesn't. The way she uses her voice isn't the way a regular vocalist would use it. She's been saying that for ages. She views the human voice as yet another musical instrument that she intergrates within her songs. 

She still sounds great now, especially for someone who's been singing their entire life and is almost 60 AND almost lost their voice at some point because of nodules and surgery. 

The below is a tiny example of her vocal prowess (and it doesn't even include anything from her post-Biophilia eras). 

Notable parts: 1:45, 2:49, 3:25, 4:30, 4:57, 5:10, 6:30, 6:51, 

 

 

thank you!!!

[Butters Stotch 5,364]

No f*cking way there are people here talking sh*t about Björk and questioning her talent  if you don't like it it's ok, but honestly don't embarrass yourself saying she can't sing, write or that her music is bad. Do yourselves a favor and go back to your preferred music without saying dumb things!!! 

[Ms Jenda 25]

On 9/6/2022 at 2:28 PM, Cameltoe Chariot said:

I get what you're saying but this isn't meant to be played in your car

I know your comment is in Bjork's defense and well meaning, but this part stood out to me. I'd say a lot of her music — while experimental — is still great for playing in the car, and even intended for settings like that. Especially Atopos. To some it might sound unconventional, but I don't think that means its any less a pop bop than Bad Romance. Its Bjork's latest conception of a pop bop at least.

I don't mean to sound like I'm finger wagging at you at all, just on a site like this where people already have so many misconceptions and preconceived ideas about Bjork, I get a little worried seeing someone liken her music to an art piece for contemplation. That comparison give her art an impression of inaccessibility or difficulty to understand — some would say pretentiousness. Some of her music is that, but Atopos specifically seems way less pensive.

[Ziggy 11,011]

10 hours ago, Darcklighter22 said:

I've decided to listen to her discography. Just to understand her more. Il obviously start with Homogenic as that's the one everyone points to. 

What's everyone's thoughts on her discography?

On topic tho Atopos is odd but it works and always loved her visuals. 

Debut-Post-Homogenic-Vespertine is basically considered the best 4-run album in pop; each one is legit a 10/10 in their own way. It also does a good job of giving you a general idea into bjork’s aesthetic. Medúlla is after that and a good listen to follow.

 

tbh people say start here or there, but I say just go chronologically. It really does help. I basically chose the album I wanted to listen to first and that I felt pulled to (Vulnicura); then kinda jumped around BUT then I did chronologically for second listens and I was like oh this really makes even more sense lmao

[Ziggy 11,011]

2 hours ago, Ms Jenda said:

I know your comment is in Bjork's defense and well meaning, but this part stood out to me. I'd say a lot of her music — while experimental — is still great for playing in the car, and even intended for settings like that. Especially Atopos. To some it might sound unconventional, but I don't think that means its any less a pop bop than Bad Romance. Its Bjork's latest conception of a pop bop at least.

I don't mean to sound like I'm finger wagging at you at all, just on a site like this where people already have so many misconceptions and preconceived ideas about Bjork, I get a little worried seeing someone liken her music to an art piece for contemplation. That comparison give her art an impression of inaccessibility or difficulty to understand — some would say pretentiousness. Some of her music is that, but Atopos specifically seems way less pensive.

Also you’re just supposed to have fun with Atopos. It’s a rave banger lmao bjork is both more serious and less than you are supposed to take her imo

[Willco 351]

It’s a little jarring and seems a bit too much like hard work to listen to. The visuals are stunning however. 

[Bounty 777]

I like tbh! Been a fan since Medulla so I take everything she does gratefully. It’s definitely on the weird pop side of her discography, very Biophilia and Volta…

I’m excited to hear the rest!

Now for people who are asking how to get into her music, this has helped me get some friends into her work:

[The Fame Monster 4,045]

Me when my Wi-Fi doesn't work and the error message pops up:

"Are these not just excuses not to connect?"

--

Great visuals! I love the energy of the end. Crystalline and Hidden Place still remain my favourite Björk songs. 

[Magic Mike 2,684]

11 minutes ago, The Fame Monster said:

Me when my Wi-Fi doesn't work and the error message pops up:

"Are these not just excuses not to connect?"