Life's Too Good

no bjork slander in this house

First track - had Bjork heard this before recording Big Time Sensually? Holy shit. Just glanced at the album notes and these guys are Icelandic. So yes, Bjork had definitely heard this before recording Big Time Sensuality. Second track is also strongly Bjorkish in vocal vibe. I mean, the music isn't, but the vocals sure are. Hah. Reading the notes more, the lead singer IS Bjork! What a journey of discovery! The album is great. Can really see the evolution of Bjork as a singer and artist. I wonder if the rest of the band have gone on to other stuff?

It's Icelandic B-52s with Björk at the helm. Not what I would call a good time. Best track: Birthday

I bought this record ON CASSETTE as a young teen after reading a review in Thrasher magazine. At the time, I would never have predicted Björk would become a world-wide sensation. Instead, it was just a great college radio record from an obscure Icelandic band I read about in a magazine. None of their other records quite hit like this one for me and it still sounds fresh, sweet and a little creepy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The vocals were very unique and I liked the icelandic. Many different styles of song and ya, good stuff.

Wow. Didn’t know what I was getting myself into. The album art sets the mood and they never back down. Once I found my bearings after motor crash I really loved this one. Similar feel to B52s but edgier, stronger delivery and more energy. Incredible lead female vocals on birthday, delicious demon, mama then great duet chemistry in sick for toys and delicious demon. Great rock/new wave instrumentals. No bad songs really.

I instantly took to the Sugarcubes as soon as I heard them, and bought this album when it first came out. Birthday is an instant classic. Peter regularly drops 'Birthday' into the set when we are DJing together, and it still pops , 35 years later. My mate Tim and I saw them at Selinas at the Coogee Bay Hotel in 1990. I remember that Bjork was great and compelling, but that Einar was equally annoying. This record is weird and naughty and funny and scary and funky and dark and rude. It certainly has precedents (B52s, Birthday Party, Gang of Four, etc.), but when you look at them all in a list like, it is a pretty oddball mix, and could never be accused of being a copy of any of them. They really understand pop, but the way the tunes are constructed is compelling and unique. It was pretty clear from the beginning that Bjork was a vital creative voice (both literally and figuratively). They complained at the time that media attention focused mostly on her, instead of the band, but she really is the star of this album. And history has gone on to prove what a star and great artist she is. Her approach is always fresh and surprising, and you could hear that from this, her first international appearance. This album is still fresh and surprising to me. Bjork is still the star, and Einar is still annoying (in a good way, like Fred in the B52s). Five star, classic.

I sing a lot when listening to music. I have a particular love for singing along with Bjork. It think it is the S and T sounds. I've loved this album for about 30 years and it still hits all the right markers. It marks the beginning of Bjork's best decade of music making. Life's too good.

My brain was a bit like a fluorescent bulb on a bitterly cold day. —Hmmm…The Sugarcubes…I think that I have heard that name before. —Ok, it’s some quirky music. Fun. That female vocalist sounds like someone I have heard before. —Oh, I know, that sounds like Björk. Interesting. —Wow, it’s incredible how much like Bjö…oh, right, never mind…

Amazing album! About the time I was listening to Birthday I realized I was listening to something special. The female vocalist is on fire! Wailing, shrieking, crooning, growling... she sounds like a more-talented Blondie. Definitely at 80s sounding album btw. Looked them up, turns out this is Bjork! This is the best I've heard her. Great lyrics on this album. The include a song about god not existing, so they've got my approval. Definitely a 4.5. The only thing holding it down is the male "vocalist" who can't sing. Cut that fucker out and we've got a 5 star album. I downloaded this album it was so good though.

Bjork is so much better when with The Sugarcubes. They seem to keep her in line, and she sings in the correct places along with the tune. I prefer the style of music too.

I had no idea Bjork was in a weird post-punk band before going solo. This album kinda rules.

There is a naked person in my flat!

not my cup of tea

Absolutely fantastic. Probably my favorite new album in doing this.

Brilliant. 5/5

Hello. It is Christmas time and I am sitting here by my TV. I've been watching it very much lately because I'm on holiday. You shouldn't let poets lie to you.

Insanely good, insanely fun, insanely bonkers.

Like others have said, the Sugarcubes are very much in the same vein as the B-52s. It’s interesting hearing Bjork in this context as this music is less experimental than her solo work, though it still has an edge. Overall a very good post-punk album.

B52's meets Talking heads

It was very much fun to experience the album that brought the Sugarcubes, Iceland, and Björk to the attention of the world.

Loved this. I'm somewhat familiar with Bjork, but wasn't sure what to expect with this. I enjoyed Bjork's vocals more than the weird German-sounding fella, but I will definitely listen to this again and check out the other Sugar Cubes albums. 4 stars.

I'm back in. Life's Too Good is fun and varied. Energy and bjork's quirky singing bring it all together. OK, Dragon is a curveball, but overall, an enjoyable alt pop album.

Today's review is presented by a special guest, my lovely and talented wife! In her words: "Please don't ever make me have to listen to that again."

I imagine a lot of peope come to this hoping to find a lost Bjork album. While her unique voice and contributions are clear, it's better to think of this as a post-punk album by separate band. Anyone who followed the Sugarcubes back in the late 80s must have felt like they discovered something very special.

A wonderful album! I saw them in Houston on their first American tour. I remember Bjork messing up a note while singing and making a face. Her voice was so singular. They had an unusual to me at the time stage set up with the drummer off to one side. I also saw Sigur Rós on their first American tour, and when I went to Iceland, people were impressed that I knew about them so early.

cool

A+++ all round good time. Bjork’s old band holds up!

Years ago I spotted this album in the collections of friends cooler than me. I never heard any of it that I was aware of. When I read that Björk was a lead singer in this band I wasn’t reassured even though there are some Björk works I have very much enjoyed… What I didn’t expect was how much this would sound like The B-52’s! Who’d have thought Björk could be bizarro Kate Pierson, or Einar Örn Benediktsson bizarro Fred Schneider?! This was a lot more fun than I expected, with catchy songs often taking somewhat absurd turns. Good stuff!

Fantastic. Really enjoyed revisiting this one. Innovative, full of energy. Bjork is a one-off and I love her!

yowl and gibber, rock and roll

As much as I like Bjork's solo work, this indie pop is a better match for her fiery vocals. An absolute treasure.

love anything with bjork

I loved this. A wild ride. So many great quirky tunes. 4.8/5

Best Song: Birthday. I cannot remember the last time a vocal performance struck me like this. To cover the range - not just of actual notes but of emotions - that she covers in this song is unbelievable. Worst Song: Blue Eyed Pop. This feels like it could be a B-52s song. Give me more Björk. Overall: This is my first exposure to Björk and it is fucking revelatory. I'd heard of her as being a controversial vocalist, and I don't know if she jumps the vocal shark at some point later in her career, but this is incredible. Literally the only downsides of this album are when the male vocalist inserts himself with some random nonsense. Dude, get out of the way. You're blocking Björk.

NAHHHHHH I WAS LITERALLY GOING TO LISTEN TO THIS WHEN I CAME HOME ANYWAY WHAT THE SUS AHQHJQBNAJIOQOSJSHSBHHSHSHSHHSHS I ONLY FOUND OUT IT WAS ON THE LIST YESTERDAY WHAT A COINCIDENCE OH MY LORD AHJQIJWHWNSNNSJSSJSJJSJS The first song is pretty good and I love the harmonica! Björk's vocals are fantastic (as per usual)! 'Motorcrash' is really good and the chorus is well-performed. Definite 5/5. Excellent soft/alternative rock music. 'Birthday' is pretty good but, despite being the most famous, is not the best. 'Deus' reminds me of 'Venus as a Boy' -- the lyrics more so than the music. Björk is better than Einar, the other lead vocalist. Best songs: 'Motorcrash', 'Delicious Demon', 'Mama', 'Deus'.

Surprisingly good.

It's weird in a good way. The combination of male and female vocals works well, which does not happen often. Also, they have a cat, a pony, and a dragon in one album - what's not to like?

Very good album

I could not help but dance to every song on this album. It's upbeat and fun grooves, mixed with Bjork's sensational vocals, creates such an optimistic listening experience. I can't imagine listening to this and not feeling lighthearted and happy. Though "Cowboy" made me laugh and "Dragon" was a little scary, I enjoyed every moment of this album.

Birthday is an amazing song. This album helped spawn the career of the lead singer who wears a swan dress sometimes.

Weird, interesting and really good

I was surprised I liked this as much as I did. Bjork is not usually my cup of tea really. This clangy new wave style is also not usually my favourite haha. On today’s record, I sometimes feel like Bjork is a bit like the 2000s Janis Joplin (Joplin was undeniably ‘better’). Her singing isn’t for everyone but goddamn can she belt it, and she’s so expressive - no fucking autotune on this one haha she is /all OVER the place/ in terms of pitch and timing (no protools grid either haha) and goes from that quivery-totally-out-of-tune pure-emotion noise-delivery to rock-solid-in-tune-in-time every once in a while just for a surprise. I bet she was a riot live in those days. This whole record’s aesthetic is sounding a bit B-52’s to me also

Pre-90s Bjoerk. Not too bad, probably better after a few listens.

Would be a lot better if the bloke could shut the fuck up and let Björk sing. Anyway I've got no idea why this is on the list but Post and Homogenic are not. Post is a bit messy but contains one of the best songs of all time with Hyper ballad while Homogenic is one of the most influential albums of the 90s. There is plenty of mediocre slop (including this album tbh) on the list that I'd happily remove in favour of one of those two.

It's kind fo refreshing to hear Bjork without the overworked vocals that lead nowhere that characterise her solo work, only her standard phrasing is still only vaguely interesting. I'm pleased to say that while she's barely emotive, the rhythms are more than barely funky, and plenty playful. An exercise class in quirkiness rather than an elite level performance of it.

Like a sub standard b-52s. Also byorks singing is fucking annoying. Neil young levels of annoying.

I bought this when it came out, loved it, and still do. I know people complain about Einar's voice "ruining" it, but for me it's an essential part of the Sugarcubes experience.

I jumped on the Sugarcubes as soon as I heard Bjork's vocals, luckily got to see them live in 1990 on their only Australian tour. Fun gig and a great band. Bjork of course would go onto greater things but even here it was evident what a talent she is, doing things with her voice I'd never heard before. Sugarcubes were a proper band though, not just a vehicle for her brand of weird, and the songs here are great.

Such an amazing album. Still holds up, and still hard to classify. and of course young Bjork is amazing.

I love Björk... her voice and quirkiness. I have listened to the Sugar Cubes before and love the mix of pop, punk, and techno. This is a fun album.

Mikið er þetta góð plata. Lögin misskemmtileg svo sem, en alltaf töff, margslungin og fjörug, og þau bestu eru algjörlega frábær. Og svo eru þetta svaka næs grúv. Einar Örn eldist líka vel, tengi 0 við þau sem láta hann fara í taugarnar á sér.

This is a 5 star album because Bjork. The band is pretty average and will be soon left behind. Bjork is already a star 10/10 Yes, Birthday is all it's hyped up to be

I'd been bewitched by 'Birthday' the previous year, and bought this album the week of release. I was delighted by it then, and it still delights me today. In May 1988, I saw The Sugarcubes live on the tour for this album, and was able to get the autographs of all five of them afterwards (the joys of being a teenager). I can see now why people are making comparisons to The B-52s. Never any doubt what score I was going to give this one.

The quintessential album for the weird girl outside of the punk show who shyly smoked alone between sets, not talking to anyone but constantly making awkward eye contact with everyone, playing Pokemon Crystal on an old translucent Game Boy Color, who then went inside and jumped on stage with a bunch of boys who each played with different bands earlier in the night, and then proceeded to play the best set of the whole night. (It’s me, I’m the weird girl who did this shit at 20, but also, not actually, because I’m not fucking Björk.) For a post-punk piss take on pop music, this album is incredibly fun, catchy, and accessible while never feeling overbearingly obnoxious, yet Life’s Too Good always retains that good ol’ tongue-in-cheek irony of post-punk. A couple tracks do come close to being annoying, but that’s when the joke of it all saves it. Oh yeah, and motherfuckin’ BJÖRK does the vocals and sounds perfect!!! Lord knows why I’ve glanced past this album all these years, because it’s totally up my alley.

5/5 album for me, what an impact this had on music, especial Icelandic music and for Bjork in particular. My infant also absolutely adored it.

Tbh this is the first time i really liked music with björk in it nothing against her its just not quite my taste but this was amazing i will deffinetely listen a lot more to this album

Vivant et irrévérencieux, un parfait contre-point à la voix de Björk, tantôt angélique, tantôt scream queen

YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!! Wore this cassette to shit, I played it so much. Easily one of the best records of all time. Never get tired of it.

I admittedly only knew Birthday by The Sugarcubes going into this and I worried it was maybe their only good song. I was so wrong. This album is great. Björk is a very hit or miss artist. You either love her style or hate it. My favorite part of any Björk song is when she growls. The growls pull you out of her pristine vocals and let you know there is a lion inside this woman. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and almost wish Björk had never gone solo because Einar does a great job on vocals too. They seemed to have a good chemistry. Maybe someday they will collaborate musically again.

This just sounds like such a fun album to make. Always brings a smile to my face

Stone cold classic

Great classic pop punk album. It’s fun to listen and hear the seeds of what Bjork would do later.

I love this so much, it's so out there and you can see why Bjork had to go her own way. Just so much fun. Faves: Birthday, Deus, Take Some Petrol Darling

Fresh, energetic, driving, complete album, showcasing yet harnessing Bjork's wonderful quirkiness ...I LOVED it

Really fantastic. Refreshing balance between Bjork’s sparkly outbursts and the bands almost dull post punk influenced indie music

Put me in a great mood. Definitely going to listen to this one again! Thank you Bjork and I presume the others also contributed

This was 16th album and the first one I really know, which I find interesting since I know a lot of the albums on the 1001-list. Life's Too Good is a classic album from the 80s and from a time before Björk became famous in the whole world. I grew up with this album and personally, I like the Sugarcubes albums better than what Björk did later. Can recommend it to anyone - a real gem.

Incredible! Wonderful! Beautiful!

There's just something about the way Björk sings "THIS IS HOT MEAT"

really cool album. part of my journey in this project is being exposed to bjork, whom i had only heard of beforehand. i had no idea she was even in a band before her solo career, so this was a terrific surprise. she is a great singer and has a quality to her voice that i am finding i adore. this album is less avant-garde than her solo output, but that doesn't mean i like it less. really great late 80s alternative album with great vocals on top. it really is the best of both worlds for me - a singer i am finding i like a lot singing a genre of music i find i adore a lot.

Pure joy.

Pipes! Base! Drums! This album has it all.

I *love* Bjork, and pretty much anything she has done. This is great fun, as well as an interesting view of the early work of a wonderful artist.

That's two brilliant and unexpected albums in a row after months of slogging through awful dad rock and jazz. And it's Bjork, showing us how she is and has always been a force to be reckoned with in music. This is fresh and exciting to my ears, even as parts haven't aged well. This is another example of why I persist with this list. And disliking Bjork is big NPC energy. I'm onto you.

incheresting

Björk the screaming sparring angel. So playful and Acid drenched... A fascinating warm and merry band of revellers twirling the skirts of reality - bluegrass and freeform meets dervish singers..... I also liked her on 808 State....

Really enjoyed this. Bjork is such a force here. Birthday is a real showpiece, just stunning.

An absolute delight. Quirky and funny but seriously good. I want to listen to this a lot.

Damn this was really good. I was always interested in listening to more of Bjork. And this was a delightful surprise. I didn't even know she was in this band. Great listen to. Made me want to check out more for sure.

I've never heard her sing before. Damn I was missing out. I can see why there was so much love for Birthday.

80s poppy rock, some songs were great

Funky Icelandic rock

Bjork’s first band and that’s all I really know to be honest and from the first track (traitor) you can tell this thing is wired with male spoken word vocals backed by Bjork’s beautiful screaming. The rest of the of the album does mostly tone down after though. I think her singing is definitely not something that appeals to everyone that hears it but I’ve really enjoyed it, I also think that while she obviously goes in a more experimental pop direction Bjork’s music is quite grounded in the formalities of rock music so to hear her in a rock band was cool. If I had to call out specific best tracks on the album they would probably be: traitor, delicious demon, mama, coldsweat and deus! But honestly, I like all of the tracks especially when they get weird 4/5!

Odmah sam rekao da mi se album cover ne sviđa. Čitajući o albumu, općenito jer mi je glas bio nekako poznat, i gle vraga, Björk je na albumu, to je njen bend prije nego što je ošla u solo vode. Interesting, interesting indeed! Album nije imao baš neki najbolji opener, ali što je kasnije išlo - razvezale su se pertle i krenula je dobra glazba ispadati iz zvučnika (ignorirajući nekad muški glas jer većinom nema baš šta posebno za reći, a Björk je ukrala show, odlična.)

Fun, Bjork before the extreme arty experimentation. Includes the wonderful Birthday and I really like the music and groove of Blue eyed pop even if it a complete ironic send-up.

I wonder what a mix of this would sound like if you removed Einar's shouty vocals?

La loquita ya venía haciendo de las suyas desde entonces.

This is extremely up my alley, it's some weird upbeat alternative rock stuff with Bjork singing.

It's so jarring hearing Bjork singing in something that isn't hyperpop, but it still goes hard

Björk's singing just got my heart. This album is so strange, upbeat, so many different things going on, very good.

Peel of the high gloss layers of 80's rock and you'll find Björk! A women I'd prostrate myself before and pledge my undying devotion if only she'd song sweetly in my ear.

Gooder

great one, fast and straight to the point. very enjoyable

Yeah

Wel degelijk, maar vrouwenstemmen blijven niet helemaal mijn ding.

Has this uncomfortable vibe of two strangers next to you on the bus talking out loud about the most specific pornographic stuff. Great album though

Caught me off guard. Really enjoyed this.

Great album!

Icelandic pop perfection