This is the soundtrack to the recent Palm D'or
winning film Dancer in the Dark, in which Björk also took the lead
role (Selma), after initially signing up to make only the soundtrack. Not
strictly speaking a solo effort as there are collaborations with Lars Von
Trier the films director and most notably Thom Yorke (Radiohead) on "I've
Seen It All". Their voices work well together, but they both have
such a range to the voices that this was never in doubt. The understated
control of Thom Yorke makes this track slightly reminiscent of the '98
Nick Cave/Kylie collaboration. The madcap side to her nature, with which
Björk is needlessly stereotyped, does make a small appearance in the
onomatopoeic start to "Cvalda", but this quickly builds in a different
direction around her powerful vocals, alongside which Catherine Devenue.
The intriguing "107 Steps" may well have Sesame Streets Count suing for
plagiarism as Björk counts her way from 1 to 107, but the orchestration
and the life in her voice makes even this enjoyable. Björks love and
fascination with string arrangements is here in abundance, but on New World,
Björk at her best, and its instrumental twin the films overture, she
tackles a full brass ensemble like the most pit hardened colliery band
leader and accompanies it with the awe inspiring vocals that only she can
produce. Unfortunately the much Internet rumored Sound of Music cover versions
don't appear on the album. Maybe they will some day, maybe they don't exist.
The sound of the album is most closely related to her previous solo project
HOMOGENIC, but as always Björk has developed since that release. While
the brevity of the album may leave you wanting more, the new solo album
is some way off, so until then this makes a highly enjoyable stopgap.
GARETH GETVOLDSEN (8)
Bjork: www.bjork.com