Homogenic

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Homogenic
Homogenic cover
Studio album by Björk
Released 23 September 1997
Recorded El Cortijo Studios, Spain
August 1996–August 1997
Genre Electronica, ambient, trip hop, techno, IDM, alternative rock
Length 43:58
Label One Little Indian
Elektra Records
Polydor Records
Producer Björk
Mark Bell
Guy Sigsworth
Howie B
Professional reviews
Björk chronology
Telegram
(1997)		 Homogenic
(1997)		 Selmasongs
(2000)
Singles from Homogenic
  1. "Jóga"
    Released: September 1997
  2. "Bachelorette"
    Released: December 1997
  3. "Hunter"
    Released: March 1998
  4. "Alarm Call"
    Released: October 1998
  5. "All Is Full of Love"
    Released: June 1999

Homogenic is the fourth album by Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician Björk, released on 23 September 1997 by One Little Indian and Elektra Records. It was written in collaboration with producer Mark Bell of LFO. It has sold over 1.7 million copies worldwide. It peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart. It was also nominated for Best Alternative Album at the 1998 Grammy Awards while "Bachelorette" was nominated for Best Music Video. The album was re-released in 2006 as a DualDisc including new DTS 96/24 5.1-channel surround sound mixes. The DualDisc also formed part of the (____surrounded): box set.

Contents

[edit] Album concept

Björk continually describes Homogenic as an extension of her personal feelings. In interviews, she called the album her "most me yet"[1] and "emotionally confrontational."[2] Claiming that there are no surprises on Homogenic,[1] Björk wanted to make a minimalist album with few tools: a string orchestra, vocals, and synthetic beats.[3] She has revealed that the album's name stems from the fact that all of the tracks are relatively similar[4] and did not realise that "homogenic" is not actually an English word, referencing English as her second language.[4] In an interview for Oor, Björk said:[5]

“ I wanted to make it an honest record. Me, here, myself, at home. I asked myself if there is such a thing as Icelandic techno, and how it could sound. Well, in Iceland, everything revolves around nature, 24 hours a day. Earthquakes, snowstorms, rain, ice, volcanic eruptions, geysers... Very elementary and uncontrollable. But at the other hand, Iceland is incredibly modern; everything is hi-tech. The number of people owning a computer is as high as nowhere else in the world. That contradiction is also on Homogenic. The electronic beats are the rhythm, the heartbeat. The violins create the old-fashioned atmosphere, the colouring. Homogenic is Iceland, my native country, my home. ”

[edit] Track listing

All tracks by Björk and Mark Bell, unless otherwise noted.

  1. "Hunter" – 4:15
  2. "Jóga" (Björk/Sjón) – 5:05
  3. "Unravel" (Björk/Guy Sigsworth) – 3:17
  4. "Bachelorette" (Björk/Sjón) – 5:16
  5. "All Neon Like" – 5:53
  6. "5 Years" – 4:29
  7. "Immature" – 3:06
  8. "Alarm Call" – 4:19
  9. "Pluto" – 3:19
  10. "All Is Full of Love" – 4:32

[edit] Japanese special edition

  1. "Jóga" (Howie B. Main Mix) – 5:00
  2. "Sod Off" – 2:54
  3. "Immature" (Björk's version) – 2:48
  4. "So Broken" – 5:59
  5. "Nature Is Ancient" – 3:39
  6. "Jóga" (Alec Empire Remix) – 8:44

On the Spanish edition a second CD with "So Broken" was included.

[edit] Critical reception

Homogenic was extremely well received by critics and the general public alike. All Music Guide's Heather Phares gave the record a perfect five-out-of-five star rating, citing it as more emotionally deep than any of her previous work and a "seamless fusion of chilly strings, stuttering, abstract beats, and unique touches like an accordion and glass harmonica."[6] Writing a review of the album for Pitchfork Media, a website known for its harsh reviews, Ryan Schrieber graded Homogenic as an extremely rare 9.9-out-of-10, boldly claiming that Björk has started to re-define what music actually is rather than its sound.[7] Like most critics, Rolling Stone praised the juxtaposition and contradiction of live strings and synthesised beats, eventually naming it one of the boldest albums of 1997.[8]

[edit] Samples

[edit] Charts and certifications

Country Peak position Certification Sales
Australia 6 Gold 35,000
Austria 5
Canada 20 Gold 50,000+ [9]
Finland 10
France 2 2x Platinum 556,500+
Norway 3
Sweden 5
Switzerland 13
UK 4 Gold 100,000+
U.S. 28 Gold 500,000+ [10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Homogenic being the most "her" yet Homogenic official site Retrieved 2008-01-27
  2. ^ Homogenic vs Vespertine Homogenic official site Retrieved 2008-01-27
  3. ^ Little toys Homogenic official site Retrieved 2008-01-27
  4. ^ a b The title "Homogenic" Homogenic official site Retrieved 2008-01-27
  5. ^ Icelandic techno Homogenic official site Retrieved 2008-01-27
  6. ^ Homogenic All Music Guide Retrieved 2008-01-27
  7. ^ Record reviews - Homogenic Pitchfork Media 2008-01-27
  8. ^ Bjork - Homogenic Rolling Stone Retrieved 2008-01-28
  9. ^ Homogenic charts CRIA Retrieved 2007-09-16
  10. ^ RIAA

[edit] External links

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Björk
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Björk · Debut · Post · Homogenic · Vespertine · Medúlla · Volta
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