Name: Vespertine by Björk
Brand: Björk
SKU: 603497941797
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.5 (84 reviews)

ALBUM

After cathartic statements like Homogenic, the role of Selma in Dancer in the Dark, and the film's somber companion piece, Selmasongs, it's not surprising that Björk's first album in four years is less emotionally wrenching. But Vespertine isn't so much a departure from her previous work as a culmination of the musical distance she's traveled; within songs like the subtly sensual "Hidden Place" and "Undo" are traces of Debut and Post's gentle loveliness, as well as Homogenic and Selmasongs' reflective, searching moments. Described by Björk as "about being on your own in your house with your laptop and whispering for a year and just writing a very peaceful song that tiptoes," Vespertine's vocals seldom rise above a whisper, the rhythms mimic heartbeats and breathing, and a pristine, music-box delicacy unites the album into a deceptively fragile, hypnotic whole. Even relatively immediate, accessible songs such as "It's Not Up to You," "Pagan Poetry," and "Unison" share a spacious serenity with the album's quietest moments. Indeed, the most intimate songs are among the most varied, from the seductively alien "Cocoon" to the dark, obsessive "An Echo, a Stain" to the fairy tale-like instrumental "Frosti." The beauty of Vespertine's subtlety may be lost on Björk fans demanding another leap like the one she made between Post and Homogenic, but like the rest of the album, its innovations are intimate and intricate. Collaborators like Matmos -- who, along with their own A Chance to Cut Is a Chance to Cure, appear on two of 2001's best works -- contribute appropriately restrained beats crafted from shuffled cards, cracking ice, and the snap-crackle-pop of Rice Krispies; harpist Zeena Parkins' melodic and rhythmic playing adds to the postmodernly angelic air. An album singing the praises of peace and quiet, Vespertine isn't merely lovely; it proves that in Björk's hands, intimacy can be just as compelling as louder emotions. [Universal issued a Hybrid SACD edition in 2006.] ~ Heather Phares

1. Hidden Place

by Björk

Composer: Bjork
Mark Bell
Guys Sigsworth; Composer
Orchestra: Vince Mendoza; Ensemble
Producer: Bjork; Production

2. Cocoon

by Björk

Orchestra: Vince Mendoza; Ensemble
Composer: Bjork
Thomas Knak; Composer
Producer: Bjork
Thomas Knak; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Stuart Green; Other

3. It's Not up to You

by Björk

Composer: Bjork; Composer
Harp: Caryl Thomas
Zeena Parkins; Performer
Strings Arrangement: Vince Mendoza; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production

4. Undo

by Björk

Composer: Björk
Thomas Knak; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Vince Mendoza; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Programmer: Thomas Knak; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Zeena Parkins; Other

5. Pagan Poetry

by Björk

Composer: Bjork; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Programmer: Jake Davies
Bjork
Marius De Vries; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Zeena Parkins
Bjork; Other

6. Frosti

by Björk

Composer: Bjork; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Bjork; Other

7. Aurora

by Björk

Harp: Zeena Parkins; Performer
Composer: Bjork; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Programmer: Damian Taylor
Jake Davies
Matmos
Bjork; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Bjork; Other

8. An Echo a Stain

by Björk

Harp: Zeena Parkins; Performer
Composer: Bjork
Guy Sigsworth; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Vince Mendoza; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Programmer: Marius De Vries
Guy Sigsworth
Matmos
Damian Taylor; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Zeena Parkins
Vince Mendoza; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Guy Sigsworth; Other

9. Sun in My Mouth

by Björk

Harp: Zeena Parkins; Performer
Composer: Bjork
Guy Sigsworth; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Vince Mendoza; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Programmer: Valgeir Sigurdsson
Bjork; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Vince Mendoza
Zeena Parkins; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Bjork
Guy Sigsworth; Other

10. Heirloom

by Björk

Composer: Bjork
Martin Console; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Vince Mendoza; Composer
Producer: Bjork
Martin Console; Production
Programmer: Martin Console; Production

11. Harm of Will

by Björk

Composer: Bjork
Guy Sigsworth
Harmony Korine; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Vince Mendoza
Bjork; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Guy Sigsworth; Other

12. Unison

by Björk

Harp: Zeena Parkins; Performer
Composer: Bjork; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Vince Mendoza; Composer
Producer: Bjork; Production
Programmer: Guy Sigsworth
Valgeir Sigurdsson
Matthew Herbert
Bjork
Damian Taylor
Matmos; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Oval; Other

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Vespertine

1. Hidden Place

2. Cocoon

3. It's Not up to You

4. Undo

5. Pagan Poetry

6. Frosti

7. Aurora

8. An Echo a Stain

9. Sun in My Mouth

10. Heirloom

11. Harm of Will

12. Unison

Technical Specifications

Vespertine

Product information

Release options

1. Hidden Place

2. Cocoon

3. It's Not up to You

4. Undo

5. Pagan Poetry

6. Frosti

7. Aurora

8. An Echo a Stain

9. Sun in My Mouth

10. Heirloom

11. Harm of Will

12. Unison

Technical Specifications