Hi, all, I've always been curious about Bjork, and her new one had been discussed here several times lately, so I got Vespertine the other day. I've listened to it several times, and so far, um, I don't get it. It kinda reminds me (this is where I fear the flames) of Jane Siberry and/or Ricky Lee Jones *after* they'd kinda lost control of their stuff.
I like a challenge -- hence my Joni-love -- but when I got RLJ's Ghostyhead, and when I got JS's When I Was a Boy, I said, "Oh-oh, someone's losing control." WIWAB at least had a few good songs, but "Sweet Incarnadine", which is a 7-minute abbreviation of a much longer improvisation, whoa, somebody get some reins. I used to *love* rlj and js, and I'd liked what I'd heard of Bjork in the past, but Vespertine almost puts me to sleep, and... I don't know, somehow Joni can experiment and get away with it (imho) but I don't think rlj and js and now Bjork have succeeded with too much freedom of structure. Another example is David Sylvan, who's out there, but still (last I checked -- Dead Bees on a Cake -- don't know how recent that is) under some structural control. Don't mean to trash other's taste -- please don't think that -- it's quite possible that I'm just not up to the challenges presented by these records, or they're just not to my taste. Nothing wrong with that. :-) hugs and away to a nap! (having a bad day with neuropathy, can barely sit up or open a bottle or can today) Walt
