Thu Mar 18 2021
5
no bjork slander in this house
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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
1988
- Album Summary
Life's Too Good is the debut studio album by Icelandic alternative rock group The Sugarcubes. It was released in April 1988 by One Little Indian in the UK and Europe and in May 1988 by Elektra Records in the US. The album was an unexpected success and brought international attention for the band, especially to lead singer Björk, who would launch a successful solo career in 1993. Consisting of veterans of Reykjavík's early 1980s rock culture, the band took elements of the post-punk sound that characterized the scene, intending to create a humorous take on pop music's optimism, which is reflected in the album's title. Despite never having intended to be taken seriously, and because of the success of their debut and their contractual obligations, the Sugarcubes went on to release two further studio albums.
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Sat Sep 04 2021
2
It's Icelandic B-52s with Björk at the helm. Not what I would call a good time. Best track: Birthday
Thu Feb 25 2021
4
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The vocals were very unique and I liked the icelandic. Many different styles of song and ya, good stuff.
Thu Jul 01 2021
5
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.
Sat May 29 2021
1
not my cup of tea
Thu Aug 25 2022
5
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?
Thu Feb 17 2022
4
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.
Wed Apr 26 2023
3
There is a naked person in my flat!
Sun Nov 20 2022
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.
Wed Apr 12 2023
5
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.
Fri May 05 2023
5
Brilliant. 5/5
Wed Jun 07 2023
5
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…
Sun Jul 11 2021
4
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.
Wed Jun 09 2021
4
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.
Mon Jun 14 2021
4
I had no idea Bjork was in a weird post-punk band before going solo. This album kinda rules.
Sun Apr 04 2021
4
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.
Mon Jun 07 2021
4
B52's meets Talking heads
Fri Apr 28 2023
4
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.
Wed Jun 07 2023
4
It was very much fun to experience the album that brought the Sugarcubes, Iceland, and Björk to the attention of the world.
Thu Jan 28 2021
3
Pre-90s Bjoerk. Not too bad, probably better after a few listens.
Sun Aug 29 2021
2
Like a sub standard b-52s. Also byorks singing is fucking annoying. Neil young levels of annoying.
Wed Jul 27 2022
2
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.
Thu Oct 15 2020
5
Surprisingly good.
Tue May 04 2021
5
Weird, interesting and really good
Sat May 15 2021
5
A+++ all round good time. Bjork’s old band holds up!
Mon Nov 15 2021
5
Very good album
Wed Dec 01 2021
5
love anything with bjork
Thu Feb 03 2022
5
Fantastic. Really enjoyed revisiting this one. Innovative, full of energy. Bjork is a one-off and I love her!
Fri Feb 04 2022
5
I've never heard her sing before. Damn I was missing out. I can see why there was so much love for Birthday.
Sun Mar 06 2022
5
Really enjoyed this. Bjork is such a force here. Birthday is a real showpiece, just stunning.
Sun Mar 20 2022
5
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.
Mon May 16 2022
5
As much as I like Bjork's solo work, this indie pop is a better match for her fiery vocals. An absolute treasure.
Thu May 19 2022
5
Insanely good, insanely fun, insanely bonkers.
Thu May 26 2022
5
yowl and gibber, rock and roll
Fri Jun 03 2022
5
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.
Fri Oct 14 2022
5
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.
Sun Jan 29 2023
5
Birthday is an amazing song. This album helped spawn the career of the lead singer who wears a swan dress sometimes.
Sun Apr 09 2023
5
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?
Wed Jun 07 2023
5
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!
Wed Jun 07 2023
5
An absolute delight. Quirky and funny but seriously good. I want to listen to this a lot.
Thu Jun 22 2023
5
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'.
Sat Jun 24 2023
5
cool
Sat Jul 08 2023
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.
Tue Jul 18 2023
5
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.
Tue Jul 18 2023
5
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....
Wed Jul 19 2023
5
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.
Fri Jul 09 2021
4
Surprisingly great and entertaining rock album
Thu May 13 2021
4
Good album some great tracks. Different vocals keep it fresh
Wed Jul 21 2021
4
La loquita ya venía haciendo de las suyas desde entonces.
Tue May 11 2021
4
great one, fast and straight to the point. very enjoyable
Fri Jul 09 2021
4
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this unknown alternative rock band has such an identity in their music.
Sat Apr 24 2021
4
Björk band!!
Wed Mar 17 2021
4
Unexpected hit. Bjork's vocals really made the chaos shine. Sounds like a love child between the Cranberries and the B52s.
Wed Jun 02 2021
4
80s poppy rock, some songs were great
Wed Jun 02 2021
4
Funky Icelandic rock
Mon May 10 2021
4
This is extremely up my alley, it's some weird upbeat alternative rock stuff with Bjork singing.
Sat Jul 10 2021
4
Great album!
Wed Jun 23 2021
4
love love love
Tue May 18 2021
4
was very chaotic but i kinda liked it. the band björk was in
Mon Jul 19 2021
4
Great sound
Thu Jul 01 2021
4
now this is my style. i can't get enough of björk's vocals. her voice is so expressive and pairs perfectly with the... for lack of better words, spunky, instrumentals. #1 Birthday #2 Motorcrash #3 Delicious Demon
Sat Jul 31 2021
4
Strange first exposure to Bjork but ok. I love post-punk, and the Sugarcubes do everything right to fill in the checkmarks. It's like if the B-52s went the alt rock route rather than synth-based New Wave route. Bjork's voice sometimes sounds like the Cranberries's lead except Icelandic which is close enough to Irish. Songs are impactful and weird, with my favorites being Birthday and Deus.
Wed Sep 01 2021
4
really not that bad. 4 is a bit of a stretch but 3 is too little. Will check them out more
Sun Oct 10 2021
4
The Sugar Cubes were too early. But considering Björk apparently had a record deal when she was all of 11 years old, maybe they were right on time. This is the album No Doubt wished they could have made. And like Gwen Stefani, Björk was too big of a personality to just front some band. Bigger things like swan suits and Spike Jonze videos awaited her. They key track here is "Birthday", a song I listened to so many times that I'm sure my Spotify algorithm exploded.
Thu Oct 21 2021
4
pretty cool i wish it was longer. love bjorks voice
Thu Oct 28 2021
4
This album has a fun infectiousness. Bjork sounds right at home in front of a post punk band. Delicious Demon is a sleeper hit. That was so fun!
Mon Nov 08 2021
4
What a voice. Bjork is a revelation and the music and songs are great too. 3.75 🌟
Wed Nov 10 2021
4
Björk is on fire.
Thu Nov 18 2021
4
-Pretty cool album. Good number of solid tracks. "Delicious Demon" is definitely my favorite -Pretty good. Not mind blowing, but just generally nice tracks with interesting stuff going on
Fri Nov 19 2021
4
I was about to write a review about how good this sounds by itself but how much it is elevated by the singers performance. Then I realized its Björk so yeah that's suddenly incredibly obvious. This a good one
Fri Nov 26 2021
4
A truly unique take. Interesting to hear a more poppy side of Björk.
Thu Dec 30 2021
4
Bjork heeft zo een toffe stem! Maakt me helemaal vrolijk! Graaf album!
Thu Dec 30 2021
4
Deze vind ik leuk! Ga ik nog wel vaker luisteren.
Thu Jan 20 2022
4
Cool, enjoyed this a lot
Fri Feb 04 2022
4
Really enjoyed. Bizarre and fascinating, loved the mischievous feel and rhythms.
Sun Feb 06 2022
4
Enjoyed this one, different in a good cool edgy way. The Bjork vocals are great
Wed Feb 09 2022
4
Extremely enjoyable. Björk's vocals are incredibly unique.
Thu Feb 10 2022
4
Iso peukku, positiivinen yllättäjä
Mon Feb 14 2022
4
Icelandic Post-Punk Pop, now there is a Genre! wonderful debut by the Sugar Cubes, super high octane post-punk pop and dare I say the introduction to the world of the force of nature that is Bjork! wonderful stuff from the band rightfully on the list. Favourites are "MotorCrash" "Birthday" and "Coldsweat" Rightfully on the list here!
Thu Feb 24 2022
4
I never thought that Björk was actually a member of a band, let alone a post-punk band! Ans she's on fire here, carrying an incredible vocal energy while staying in the post-punk territory. The instrumentals, while generic at some places, are great too. Love the drum beats on some tracks. Overall, with such volcanic vocals and cool instrumentals, this slightly exotic album is equivalent to a little walk in one of my favorite countries.
Fri Feb 25 2022
4
Albums like Life's Too Good are precious because they found great artists at their beginnings... and show all the promise that will be fulfilled lated. Just plain fun, and brilliant at the same time.
Mon Mar 07 2022
4
It has taken me a few days to write a review of this. That is partially procrastination, but there was also a desire to let the album sit for a day or two. This is an album of quite some density. I would have also said of some uniqueness, but the post-punk/goth/indie roots of this are unmistakable. In that regard, it does the job rather finely. Often the album charms in its quirkiness, but of course that word warns of the possiblity for irritation. For me, it avoided that, but I would not battle someone who found it properly flossed their punani. Along with that, I think it just narrowly misses the knock-out blow tthat would make it a full 5-starrer. Maybe another listen would bump it up, but maybe not. Still, great fun.
Sun Mar 20 2022
4
A joy to hear this!
Fri Apr 15 2022
4
What a voice. Bjork is a revelation and the music and songs are great too. 3.75 🌟
Wed Apr 27 2022
4
Nice to see this on the list. I listened to all of Bjork's pre-solo projects a few years ago, and some of them just had novelty/curiosity appeal, but The Sugarcubes are good on their own terms! Nice mixture of post-punk and alt-rock. I remember their next two albums sound more poppy, so this is probably the one to get. Bjork's dynamic vocals are a strong presence - but I would recommend this even to people who aren't fans of her solo stuff. 4*
Sun May 15 2022
4
I was listening to this and thought, "huh, the lead singer is really doing their best Bjork impression." Cue me being surprised to learn that this was the band Bjork was in before she made it big! Listening to Bjork is an experience, and look, realistically not everyone's going to like that experience. I happen to enjoy it a lot. I think her vocals are unique, weird, and strong. So for me this album was totally enjoyable, but I can see why some people are turned off by it.
Thu May 26 2022
4
A 'kids in the dressing up box' of an album, but it just works.
Fri Jun 17 2022
4
Very interesting album. As always, Bjork is perfect. On the drum side, it feels like Neil Peart playing in a post-punk band and it's really cool. Among the other musicians, I feel a strong desire to innovate. However, it looks like a young group whose best is yet to come, with songs just not yet fully developed or compositions not strong enough. It's hard to rate this album. I feel in a good mood: 4 stars.
Fri Jul 08 2022
4
Bjork!
Wed Aug 10 2022
4
I don’t even really fully understand why, but… I really like this album. I know I shouldn’t. It’s just so odd it’s appealing. And I enjoy the music. Birthday is one of my favorite songs. I don’t mean just on the album, I mean favorite songs. Bjork’s vocals bridge ethereal and gutteral and it works for me.
Thu Aug 11 2022
4
The Sugarcubes: great band with a one of a kind incredible lead singer and a sometimes secondary lead singer who wishes he was Frank Black. Rilo Kiley: great band with a one of a kind incredible lead singer and a sometimes secondary lead singer who wishes he was Elliott Smith.
Fri Aug 12 2022
4
Damn fine album. Post-punk meets 80s synth pop. Bjork catches a lot of slack, but like Yoko Ono, her skill is in her range and this album doesn't suffer as a result. This is a revisit-worthy album. 4/5.
Mon Aug 22 2022
4
Obviously Bjork. But also the drumming in this is really fun and exciting. The sense of humor of everyone in the band is notable throughout the album. Listening to the Icelandic lyrics is also fun, despite not understanding any of the words.
Thu Aug 25 2022
4
I really disliked when the guy sang/talked but wow I was really into bjork’s voice, never listened to her before. I can see how she was influenced by that early 80s new wave alt rock female vocal style, but she totally builds on and surpasses it. I don’t usually like this genre but bjonk makes it cool
Thu Aug 25 2022
4
I will become a cowboy 🤠 Cool album with Bjork and some early alt rock sounds
Wed Sep 07 2022
4
Love this. Björk's voice is so unique and the sugar cubes really rocked. Not heard any of these songs before (I think Hit is the only one of theirs I know). Good fun.
Fri Sep 09 2022
4
Icelandic pop perfection
Fri Sep 09 2022
4
Bjork is great as always
Thu Sep 15 2022
4
This is cool glimpse into early Bjork - you can really hear some of the same themes that she returns to for Human Behavior many years later.
Thu Sep 15 2022
4
Caught me off guard. Really enjoyed this.