Life's Too Good

great album, deeply concerning anatomy on the cover though

Pretty solid late 80's alt rock. I listened to the 11 track version. It's short enough I played it 4 or 5 times. Musically I enjoyed it a lot. Vocally I never pick this type of singer to listen to anymore.

Turns out not only do I like Björk , but I like Björk even when I at first don't know it's Björk.

Dit album wilde ik al eerder eens luisteren en een paar dagen geleden werd ik er door Spotify op getipt. Tja, of The Beatles uitluisteren in opdracht van de 1001 of iets anders luisteren. Die keuze is snel gemaakt. Dus vandaag luister ik het album voor de tweede maal in korte tijd. En dat gaat eigenlijk prima. Het album toont soms duidelijk de tijd waarin het gemaakt is, soms kiest het voor meer sfeer, en soms voor een soort duitse synthpop klank. Om Björk kan je niet heen. Maar eerlijk gezegd heeft haar excentrieke zang nooit meer zo goed bij de rest gepakt. Al met al is het een unieke beleving, maar op de een of andere manier toch erg toegankelijk. 4,5 ster

so far the only album u should ACTUALLY listen to before u die imo

Another happy surprise from the project, thank you! I had never heard of this group, and was intrigued to learn that it was Bjork's launch pad into stardom. However, I wasn't expecting much from the album based on many of the reviews I read. By the end of the first track though, I knew this one was going to be a keeper. Yes, it's a little weird to hear all those icelandic accents, but it's great to hear what Bjork can do as part of a group. I think her vocals are amazing on this album, and as for comparison with the B52s, I rate this album far more favourably than anything I have heard from them.

Enjoyed it. Bjork in a bad is good

Gonna form a cover band called The Splendas

First listen to a fantastic album.

"Birthday" alone makes this a special album. The rest of the tracks congeal with it to form a quirky, funny, scary, and danceable record. I liked this one even before I started listening to College Radio. And now, almost four decades later, it's still fresh as a daisy. Extra half-star for the album art's color scheme, which makes it easy to spot in a large record, CD, or tape collection. Another half-star for the surprising connection between the Sugarcubes and Chumbawumba. Look it up.

Fourth best Icelandic band after Sólstafir, Misþyrming, and Svartidauði. Super creative & unique post punk/pop. 4.5/5.0: Excellent

I LOVE this LOVE this so much!! Bork’s voice is magical and blows me away every time I hear it. This album is fun and upbeat and full of life and so so interesting.

Very cool to hear Bjork before her solo stuff! I enjoyed this album :) :)

Has the best Sugarcubes song…Birthday.

So fun!

Iceland's best!

+5 Geggjuð plata. +1 fyrir Íslenskt +1 fyrir Björk +1 fyrir Deus = 8/5.

Þessi plata er alltaf geggjuð. Sykurmolarnir voru svo góð hljómsveit og með sinn einstaka stíl. Auðvitað mikið Björk að þakka, en hin eru bara svo góð líka, trommuleikur Sigtryggs, gítarinn hjá Þór og kaflarnir hans Einars Arnar. Birthday besta lag íslenskra flytjenda.

Really good!

oh this is funnnnn :D weird and delightful

I'm mildly familiar with them -- I know ONE song, called Birthday or something and I don't listen much, but I remember this being a group ft. Bjork I think? PS I got into Berkeley today. God I am so happy!!! Anyways, I am not joking when I say this is one of the most unique and awesome sounding albums I've ever heard. it's pretty incredible. Her voice is so unique. I assume this is Bjork -- I've never actually listened to much of her, but she's pretty incredible. It sort of reminds me of the Slits, her sort of uneasy voice, but with a stronger, clearer, more beautiful tone. It is so powerful and yet so vulnerable. These are sounds I may have never heard before. They are so interesting and so perfect. I'm really loving it a lot. This might be an instant 5 for me. Maybe I'm just in a really great mood, but this is genuinely some really good music and the sort of thing that I signed up for 1001 albums for. It's great.

In the 25 years I’ve known about The Sugarcubes, this was my first time listening to the entire album, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a great mix of alternative and new wave with some post-punk elements throughout, plus some fun jangly guitars. Björk is the lead vocalist, while Einar Örn takes on more of a spoken-word, commentary-style role. Björk is an artist who has done amazing work but has also lost me at times—but on this album, she was absolutely amazing.

One of my all time favorites! "I once met him It really surprised me He put me in a bath tub Made me squeeky clean Really clean"

Takes me back. LOVE!

Misread this as the Sugababes so I was pleasantly surprised to hear Bjork singing. I liked this a lot more than her later solo stuff; good combination of weirdness and enjoyability

Classic Björk!

Might be the craziest sounding album I’ve ever heard. Fascinating and catchy AF. I never knew Björk had a band before she went solo.

What a vibe 5/5 will be listening again

Honestly I really liked this album! I'm giving it 5 stars. the art is kinda funny lol. Bjork has a soft spot in my heart.

Ended up loving this

Such a unique sound and an interesting album. "Birthday" is the standout track but most are quite good as well. I definitely think that I will listen to this one again.

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

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.

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.

Pure joy.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

My first thought was this sounded kind of like B-52s, but then I kept listening and realized "wait a minute no, that's *definitely* Björk singing!" Keeping up the trend of preferring her early work, I liked this one a lot.

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.

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.

Pure joy

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

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

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

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.

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.

Stone cold classic

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!

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.

incheresting

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.

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....

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

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

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

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

This album was exactly what I’d expect from a group called The SugarCubes. It was upbeat, fun, and even though it’s from the 80s, it didn’t really have that typical 80s sound to it. Birthday sounded almost like a Bjork song to me. I thought it was really cool. The guitar in Delicious demon was pretty good, and I’m glad it was front and centre in the mix. Coldsweat had similar great vibes! I got to shout out the male vocalist too, he has his moments too. In blue eyed pop, I thought he was great. The female vocalist was nice doing the background vocals. Sick for toys being slightly heavier was great! I don’t usually like sexualized songs, but I did quite enjoy Fucking in rhythm and sorrow. Apart from having a rad name, take my petrol darling was a fun way to end things. 3.5/5 ⭐️ 180/1089

Very much of it's time.

The songs are delightfully offbeat and full of surprises, including a young Bjork.

I didn't know about Björk's first band. What can I said? I loved it! I had to stop at some point to look for the vocalist because I thought she was doing a *great* björk impression...

Bon… Blue Eyed Pop super

Man are the sexual overtones on this whole album creepy. But Bjork is SO much better with a band. I remember my friend had this when we were in high school. We analyzed how truly freaky Birthday and Deus were even then. But… yeah maybe there’s not much to do in Iceland with all the cold except come up with new ways to scare people with sex. And I really dig the punkish vibe. Really don’t dig the future Bjork. 4 Boolean: True

There's obviously a lot of comparisons here to the B-52s. But for me, someone who knows exactly one song by the B-52s (you know the one) it reminded me of The Cranberries, more than anything! Interesting and spacey guitar work, relatively simple song structures, a lead singer with a soaring, beautiful voice. Reminds me a bit of The Pixies too, for similar reasons. It makes total sense that Bjork found major success after this, her voice steals the show pretty much every time.

Wow! I forgot how much better Bjork sounds with. band behind her! Great work and for those with pre-existing issues with the Icelandic Queen, give this a try.

Awesome! Sounds like a mix of Siouxsie and the Banshees and the B-52s. 4 stars

Pre-solo Bjork, but it's still good regardless. 4.5 bumped down to 4.

More guitars and noisy than I thought it'd be. Björk's voice is just heaven...and the guy's is too honestly. its cool post punk i really enjoyed it a lot.

this was actually surprisingly good

didn't know this was bjork's band, was pleasantly surprised to hear her

Björk is not for everyone but she is the star of the show here. This is great fun. Bonkers at times, but enjoyable. Much more of a post-punk feel than Björk's later work.

I forgot

291 A pleasant surprise, I’ve always struggled to get into Bjork as a solo act but really enjoyed this. Highlights Delicious Demon Cold Sweat Deus

7/10 I liked it more than I thought I would - it's no secret I don't like Bjork all that much. However, here her vocals make sense and really add to the music. Not as angular and obtuse as it may have been - they allow melodies and fun and pop to flourish One downside is where the bloke sings - kind of like where your mum makes you let your brother have an equal turn, even though he's a bit crap and everyone knows it would be best to leave it to the real talent

Enjoyed it

Overall: 8/10 I love Björk and she seems to be having so much fun on this album. The entire album is a blast to listen to, and it's one of the weirder ones lyrically. Fav Song: F***ing in Rhythm & Sorrow

All these years of Bjork being present in my life and I've never listened to a Sugarcubes album. It was generally quite solid and inventive. Not sure I'd go back to anything besides Birthday which was a 120 Minutes classic, but that's alright. Rounding up just for that one.

Never got too into Bjork's solo career, but I really enjoyed this.

Betra en ég hélt. Skil alveg af hverju Björk komst á kortið með þessari plötu. Skemmtilegt!

Haha, that 2nd top reviewer went on a fun journey. This album is also a very fun journey in a delightfully weird way, much like the Icelandic people in my limited experience.

Sweet!!!

Still sounds as fresh as it did when it was released. The songs on this album have echoes of post punk, indie pop, jazz, B52's, Talking heads etc, but it still sounds very much nothing like Icelandic pop music by The Sugarcubes.

Bjork was always a sensational vocalist, and hearing her with this band was a neat way to experience her singing. I just did not dig the male vocalist nearly as much, especially when he did more spoken word interludes. I can see why it's on the list though, if only for more Bjork. Really liked Traitor, Birthday and Coldsweat the most.

I've been extremely curious ever since I heard about this band as to how Björk's voice would fit in an alternative rock context, and it turns out, it fits very well! This is some excellently written alt-rock music, elevated by the ethereal strangeness of Björk's voice.

Lulled into a false sense of security, thinking this was finally the gateway album to get me into Björk. Then the final four tracks happened, culminating in the dude going feral for the last moments of the record?! The meaning of it goes over my head, a fact I accept as the 7 prior tracks are absolute heat through and through. I'd be willing to warm up to it down the line! That's something I haven't felt for any other Björk project to date! Standouts: Traitor • Motorcrash • Birthday • Delicious Demon • Cold Sweat • Blue Eyed Pop

I adored this but it is missing something to be a 5. However, I could see myself listening again and again and it turning into one. Love how Bjork uses her voice on this and I think I actually prefer her with the rock backing.

The high points of this for me is when Björk sings lead and the Sugarcubes sound like an Icelandic Cocteau Twins.

This is an interesting album, and my enjoyment of it really seems to depend on my mood. Some listens click more than others, so overall I’d call it pretty hit or miss. Through it all, though, Björk absolutely shines and is the main reason the whole thing works as well as it does.

Du rock avec une voix féminine donc un peu mieux que d'habitude quand même

imagine being in a band with Bjork and thinking "you know, I could sing a few lead parts. maybe the album should open with me, actually". your friends are going to tease you about that for life, right? I used to think I was merely a casual Bjork enjoyer & then a couple years ago heard the Icelandic version of Birthday. now I think there's a convincing case Bjork is the greatest vocalist in human history. the English version isn't quite as good, and the rest of this album doesn't get to those heights. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)

Every time Bjork’s not singing, all the other characters should be asking, “Where’s Bjork?”

This is friggin awesome. I love the Icelandic. The entire album has a time and place, but gosh, does it do it perfectly.

Pretty good. I hate to give it a 3 but 4 seems a little high idk. Upon a 2nd listening it's dedicated a 4/5

Like a shiny ball of platinum covered in sparkles (yes, I think I just described a disco ball) this album is unapologetically 80s. I loved hearing baby Bjork!

I know it's unlikely, but my god it'd be fun to see Björk go back to her roots in post-punk and wild out like this. It's funny to think the queen of dance torch songs rose from this wild Icelandic supergroup destined for implosion. This is some great shit even if it is a little too wild for its own good sometimes.

For en overraskelse! Elsker denne versjonen av Bjørk. Dette er plate jeg skal høre mye på. Mulig jeg kommer tilbake etterhvert og oppjusterer karakteren.

Friskt og gøy. Bjørk har en utrolig fin stemme, bare synd ho elske å lage pissmusikk. Birthday og Fucking in Rhythm and Sorrow e begge 10/10. Trekk for Sick for Toys🤢

Weird 80’s pop rock! I don’t think it’s essential listening but it was certainly more enjoyable, coherent and shorter than yesterday’s album of Bitches Brew. Lead singer has a great voice that reminded me of the Kate Bush/Bjork school of singing. *edit* ok so this just IS Bjork so I guess I fucking nailed that

I mean what is there to say? Birthday? GOD!!! Horrifying lyrics!!! these lyrics are so strange and weird. In the words of Cameron Winter, Oh là là La voix de Björk!!

bjork is one of the greatest vocalists of All Time dude. the other guy needs to have some goddamn respect and SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! birthday is great. deus is great. fucking in rhythm and sorrow is great (and the first sugarcubes song i ever heard, when barrett played it on the working week).

YES! YES!!! YES!!!!!! FUCK YES!!!!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!!! FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! unfortunately to the hood bitches i do like bjoink. unfortunately to the alt bitches i also like the other sugarcubes. im slut for dream pop. first three tracks are an all time run. tracks 6-8 get p damn close. 4.1-4.5. (related but unrelated) blue eyed pop (to quote that one kenan joke during the high school theater sketch) sounds like bragging. (actually related) i unfortunately do love a "this is the hook - bsod" ass track. cowboy isn't technically on the original tracklist but i'm having so much fucking fun i Have to highlight it.

love bjork, love this one

There was probably a time when someone would say ‘The Sugarcubes’ and I assumed they were deliberately mocking ‘The Sugababes’ by saying it wrong. Anyway, I’ve come to learn this is where we got our first taste of Björk so I have been looking forward to this one, and it didn’t disappoint - not a lot to say other than I really enjoyed and will return.

Life's Too Good is tons of whimsical, slightly queasy fun. I wouldn't say The Sugarcubes were especially weird, but they *were* extremely quirky. And there *is* a difference. Caroliner are weird, They Might Be Giants are quirky. This has pop songwriting, playful irreverence, eclectic points of influence, and some punk ethos at the heart of it, quirky fits nicely. Also, very importantly, this has Bjork, who sounds remarkably similar to how she sounds on her later solo records (as opposed to her earlier solo records, they *are* out there). This also has something slightly dreamy about it, which may be the source of the aforementioned queasiness. The sound of this album is pretty raw, all things considered, so some dream pop-isms slipping in just kind of distort things. It's like the album is being viewed through a funhouse mirror. This effect is particularly pronounced on the single Birthday, which couples a subtle moodiness with Bjork's *very* distinct vocals and some "melty" production. Honestly, aside from a couple under-developed moments, this is a really solid tracklist too. Life's Too Good carries it's distinct tone and sound for the entirety of it's brisk runtime. The result is a very enjoyable album and a worthwhile entry into Bjork's *very* high achieving discography.

I’m not keen at all on Björk as a solo artist but this was quite a good listen. Wish she would’ve stuck to this

Surprisingly good!

Almost 5, but then the last few got too weird. High 4s though, bunch of bangers

Bjork-infused late 80s jangle pop punk. I like it!

Very cool, birthday is a great song. Strong but if byork's catalogue.

I just love baby bjork. I don’t like that people say they’re like the icelandic b-42s bc I hate the b-42s and the sugarcubes have the sauce. but it’s fine. the best song is birthday by far. ten out of ten song

As someone with very little Bjork knowledge, this was a treat. I need to learn more

Man, I love Bjork's vocals on this album. Reminds me a lot of the Cocteau Twins' vocals, that style is so infectious. What a great surprise this one was.

I have this album in my CD collection and I forgot how much I like it! It's kinda wacky but rocks in some great ways.

For something that wasn't meant to be taken seriously, this is super rockin', and I love how totally weird it is. Very cool to hear what Bjork was doing before she went solo too. So fun!

I have had Birthday on my playlists for years and its a great track. Not really delved deeper than this. Enjoyed the album - especially on repeat playings. When they are new wave / gothy like on Birthday its great - but it has a bad tendency to go all B52 - especially when the guy sings / shouts. I hate the B52's.

Icelandic versions were sorta odd

Its great, I thought this album was more recent

this was so fun!! the songs are all so crazy and interesting and evocative. some of them reminded me a lot of the B52s which is so funny because I don't think I would've connected Bjork to them in a million years. And despite that, I could also hear so clearly Bjork's quintessential style in its nascent state here, especially in her vocals and the more experimental sensibilities rhythmically. Fav tracks: Motorcrash; Coldsweat; Blue Eyed Pop

5 brilliant albums in a row RGP ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ - will we ever see this many ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s again?

I’m a pretty big Björk fan but have never listened to this which I now immensely regret. This is very different from her solo catalog but still amazing.

Would rate a 3.5 and round up. They’re like Icelandic B-52s.

A bit too "New Wave" for me, but I appreciate the originality

7.27/10

Chaotic fun

Such an odd band. They still sound pretty 'out there' all these years later. Although Bjork famously (and wonderfully) lends her loopiness to proceedings, the male vocals score equally highly on the barking mad scale. I think Motorcrash was the first thing I heard by them as a teenager in the 80s, whilst searching for new, unusual music that most people were unaware of. I discovered them around the same time I heard Stump (who most certainly won't be appearing on this list, more's the pity) and I still think they sound great together. I kind of forced myself to like The Sugarcubes as I knew they were the latest indie darlings and I thought that dropping them into conversation would propel me socially into a new and exciting league of interesting, like-minded people. Unfortunately, I didn't really know anyone to have conversations with at the time so it's nice to be able to express my appreciation of them now. Fancy a pint?

When I was in the early stages of listening to what I called Indie (when I think it acutally meant independent) and was stretching my wings to listen to a wide range of music outside of the top 40, Sugarcubes were one of those... what the fuck?? bands which is perhaps why they are on this list? I haven't listened to them for decades and it has held up well. Being older and much less wiser it still has a certain "huh?" about it and I love it. More "indie rock" perhaps than the art thing they or at least Bjork morphed into but it bears up well. I am sure there was a B-side that had one or more of Jesus & Mary Chain on it which sealed the deal of cool for me. Still no idea what they are going on about. But that's fine.

A dark comedic take on life being too good on the surface. In jangley new-wave. With Björk. I mean it tracks, right?

I mean I didn't love it but I didn't find it mediocre, it was pretty enjoyable, but I dunno

So awesome

This is Bjork goofing off?! Not meant to be taken seriously?! Wow. That's nuts cuz this is really art punk rock. Can you imagine what Bjork can do when she takes it seriously?

It makes me want a yogurt real bad

(33:05, 11 tracks, debut, 1988) Icelandic alternative rock Sugarcubes and “Life’s Too Good” were both intentional "sugary" puns on an ironic push back against the nihilism of post-punk, pop “sugar” and Life’s Too Good. 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. An unexpected success, especially to lead singer Björk, who would launch a successful solo career in 1993. Veterans of Reykjavík's early 1980s rock culture, the band took elements of the post-punk sound intending to create a humorous take on pop music's optimism. Poppy punk infused ‘bouncy’ fun dark cynicism sexy album is my best description. Basically a lot of B52s influence (same dynamic between male and female singers, playful fun) with and Icelandic twist, like if B52 were willing to sing about chilld abuse and naked men commiting suicide 'in your flat'. I first thought "this chick sounds a lot like Bjork, then I looked up the album and found it this chick IS Bjork.) Didn’t think I’d like it but I do. I’m not going to say it’s genre defining but it certainly led to an awareness of Icelandic (and other small nation, ~500k) rock. After the leading single "Birthday" brought The Sugarcubes, especially lead singer Björk, unexpectedly attention of the British music press. Across the following months, the band reluctantly appeared on the covers of the United Kingdom's most prominent pop magazines and experienced "massive hype" which generated a wave of interest from the press and the public. Despite offers by major labels like Warner Bros. and PolyGram, none of these labels were willing to give the Sugarcubes complete creative control, so the band decided to record the album themselves and release it on One Little Indian. "Coldsweat" and "Deus" were issued as singles prior to the album's release at the same time Jesus and Mary Chain's remix of "Birthday" (subtitled the "Christmas Mix") was released as a single in August 1988. 1.) "Traitor" opening track centers on a narrative of extreme punctuality and inevitable fate. The lyrics, primarily delivered by Einar Örn Benediktsson with backing vocals from Björk, explore the irony of a person whose life is defined by being on time, yet who ultimately "fails" at the most critical moment. The narrator claims their "punctuality is well known," but predicts that when a revolution occurs, they will be late and consequently "shot as a traitor". The character expresses a lack of regret, stating "I regret nothing. It was worth it". This suggests a deliberate choice to live without a "timepiece" or "hourglass," prioritizing freedom and the present moment over rigid adherence to societal or political schedules. The final verses describe the narrator "tied to the pillar" and "blindfold at sunrise," hearing the drums of the executioners. There is a sense of peace in this ending, as the narrator smiles knowing they will not see the sunrise, having finally escaped the constraints of time. Notable for its Icelandic version titled "I Want..." (Ég vil...), which carries the same lyrical themes of being late for the revolution and facing execution. 2.) "Motorcrash" followed as the album's final single, a surreal, avant-garde track that explores voyeurism, trauma, and the loss of innocence. The song is told from the perspective of a girl on a bicycle who observes a "proper," "bloody" motorcrash. Einar Örn’s spoken-word sections suggest the girl is not as innocent as she looks, noting her "increased interest" in crashes after getting her bicycle. This implies a fetishistic or morbid curiosity—sometimes compared to J.G. Ballard’s novel Crash. Björk sings about rescuing a mother from the wreckage, taking her home, and "nursing her gently" with milk and biscuits. This highlights a bizarre contrast between the horrific violence of the accident and the domestic, almost childlike care provided afterward. The lyrics conclude with a clandestine act where the witness and the mother "disguise" themselves to return the mother home, further complicating the story with elements of secrecy and hiding. "Cartoonish" Post-Punk: Critics describe the song as "DayGlo horns and rubberneck-y musical-theater," using upbeat, frantic music to mask darker lyrical content. The Sugarcubes often described themselves as a "joke band" or an experiment in "bad taste," using nonsensical or provocative stories to challenge pop music norms. 3.) “Birthday" widely regarded as The Sugarcubes' most famous and controversial track. While it sounds like a whimsical, dream-pop song, its lyrics describe the complex, ambiguous relationship between a five-year-old girl and an older man. Björk has stated the song explores how children can be "erotically influenced" by their surroundings—including older men, trees, or materials—without anything physical actually occurring. Rather than a literal narrative of abuse, Björk intended to capture the "strong feeling" and "unconscious sensuality" of childhood. She wanted to show that anything can affect a child intensely before they have a framework for sexual expression. The lyrics were inspired by Björk's own childhood experiences in Iceland, where she felt more "harmony" with nature and eccentric neighbors than with the "chaotic" adult world. The girl's only friend is a man who lives next door. He is familiar enough with her to know how many freckles she has. The two engage in surreal activities like "smoking cigars," "lying in the bathtub," and the man sewing a bird into her "knickers". Much of the song describes the girl's eccentric hobbies, such as collecting fly wings in a jar or threading worms on a string, emphasizing her role as an imaginative loner. Because of its themes, the song is frequently described as both "beautiful" and "thoroughly disturbing". Critics often compare its thematic intent to Nabokov’s Lolita, noting it probes fundamental human desires through the lens of a child who does not perceive the "interest" of others as perverse 4.) "Delicious Demon" is a high-energy, surrealist track , like much of the band's work, the lyrics are intentionally cryptic and playful, blending mundane imagery with philosophical or nonsensical twists. The song suggests that a person who rejects societal norms or hierarchies—someone who "beats a rock with a stick" instead of following traditional paths—becomes this "delicious demon". This figure is portrayed as someone who remains unbothered while others are "on their knees" or "losing their heads". The lyrics describe a person who "becomes a priest, at least a delicious demon," suggesting a thin or non-existent line between religious sanctity and demonic rebellion. A recurring theme is the relationship between people and resources: "Two men need one money / But one money needs no man". The "delicious demon" appears to be the exception to these cycles of need and dependency. The band's philosophy was rooted in "bad taste" and the idea that "good taste... is the enemy of creativity". The "hee-haw" vocalizations and eccentric delivery by Einar Örn and Björk reinforce the song as a celebratory embrace of the strange. Critics describe the song as a "fun, soaring, colorful romp" that mixes elements of post-punk, jazz, and folk. It is often compared to the work of Devo or The B-52s due to its eccentric energy and dual-vocal interplay. 5.) "Mama," is a visceral and eccentric exploration of maternal longing (a lot of talk about breasts), physical security, and primal comfort. Björk has noted this track as one of her personal favorites from her time with the band. The song begins with the narrator watching a woman walk down the street "with grace". She is described as "big and pretty," projecting a sense of joyful strength and confidence. The lyrics express a deep yearning for a "huge and loving" maternal figure to "crawl upon and cling to". This reflects a search for total security, with the narrator stating, "You can't be safer can't be more secure / Than with a breast in each palm". The song links the comfort of the mother figure to both birth and death, with the line, "That's the way I was born / And that's the way I want to die". This highlights a desire to return to a state of primal, unconditional care. Fans often interpret the song as Björk admiring the maternal strength she either craved in her own upbringing or hoped to embody herself one day. The track is characterized by its breathy, gasping vocals and a "pounding eccentricity" that matches its visceral lyrical content. Critics describe it as "haunting," "demanding," and "precocious," standing out for its raw, rhythmic intensity compared to the band's more pop-oriented hits. 6.) "Coldsweat" explores raw, visceral desire and primal physical sensations. The song is widely interpreted as a depiction of "broiling sensuality" and "threatening sexuality". It uses blunt, animalistic metaphors to describe physical attraction and the act of satisfaction. The lyrics feature striking, almost anatomical metaphors, such as "hot meat," "metallic blood," and "open sweat". This creates a sense of rawness, stripping human connection down to its most basic biological and instinctive level. A recurring line, "I will not finish till I'm fully satisfied," reinforces the theme of relentless, singular focus on physical fulfillment. The term "coldsweat" typically refers to perspiration induced by fear or anxiety rather than heat. In the context of the song, it suggests a state of high-tension arousal that borders on discomfort or overwhelming intensity. The Sugarcubes later reworked the track with a "Western-influenced" sound and renamed it "Hot Meat" for their second album, Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! (1989). This title change further emphasizes the song's focus on the physical body as an object of desire. 7. "Blue Eyed Pop" is widely considered the initial manifesto of The Sugarcubes. It serves as a satirical commentary on the nature of pop music, the music industry, and the band's own unique place within it. The song was created to make fun of mainstream pop music and what the band called the "Abba-ness" of the industry. It uses a "darkly danceable" rhythm to mock the perceived superficiality of chart-topping hits. In Icelandic, the phrase "blue-eyed" (bláeygur) means being gullible or naive. The title refers to the naive ambition of Icelandic musicians through the decades who believed they could easily break into the global market. The lyrics contrast a "consumer dream" of 1950s U.S. pop culture (hot dogs, twisting) with a wilder, more primal Northern European reality described through metaphors like "tigers dancing" in a hot disco. On a more literal level, the song captures the high-energy anticipation of preparing for a night out in Reykjavík—the thrill of the unknown and the "pure ecstasy" of the moment. The phrase became so synonymous with the Icelandic music scene that "Blue Eyed Pop" was used as the title for Dr. Gunni's definitive book on the history of popular music in Iceland. 8. Deus (Latin for "God") the third single, is a surrealist exploration of divinity, disbelief, and intimate absurdity. The song famously opens with the declaration, "Deus does not exist. But if he does, he lives above me". It playfully challenges traditional religious belief by imagining a God that the narrator only "notices" if he happens to be real. Rather than an abstract or holy figure, God is portrayed with strangely specific, human-like features. Einar Örn describes meeting him and discovering he isn't "white and fluffy" but instead has "sideburns and a quiff" (brushed back hair). The lyrics describe God as a figure who wants to reach and touch the narrator, using eerie physical metaphors like "marzipan fingers" and "marble hands". There is a recurring theme of purity, with God putting the narrator in a bathtub to make them "squeaky clean". The bridge contains a philosophical core: "To create a universe, you must taste the forbidden fruit". This suggests that creation—whether divine or artistic—requires a departure from innocence or a violation of rules. The song is a prime example of the band's "childlike logic," mixing Björk’s melodic, high-pitched chirping with Einar’s eccentric spoken-word interjections 9.) Sick for Toys "Sick for Toys" is a frantic, jazz-inflected track that explores addiction, fixation, and the loss of self-control. While the title sounds innocent, "toys" serves as a metaphor for obsessive desires or potentially substance abuse. The lyrics describe a "disease" or a "hunger" that cannot be satisfied. The narrator describes a state of "pining" and being "feverish," where the obsession becomes so overwhelming that it "eats up" their personality. The recurring line "I want some more" emphasizes an insatiable need. The song is noted for its chaotic, discordant brass and a frantic tempo that mirrors the agitation of a "sick" or "addicted" mind. Björk’s vocals often shift from melodic pleas to stressed, rhythmic barks, emphasizing the desperation of the lyrics. 10.) "Fucking in Rhythm & Sorrow" is an upbeat, skiffle-influenced that presents a surreal and darkly comic encounter with despair and suicidal ideation. Despite its explicit title, the song is less about sex and more about the absurdity of human distress and the necessity of finding power within pain. The lyrics describe a divorced woman returning home to find a naked man in her flat. He is in a state of "existential agony," hurting himself and eventually climbing onto the roof. Rather than reacting with fear or judgment, the woman tries to calm the man down with a bizarrely mundane offering: "naked man, naked man calm down / I'll give you some strawberry cake". This highlights the band’s signature "childlike logic" when facing serious adult problems. The central message of the song is contained in the chorus: "You should use the pain and sorrow / To fill you up with power / Life's both sweet and sour". It encourages the listener to transform negative emotions into a source of energy rather than letting them lead to apathy or destruction. 11.) Take Some Petrol Darling final, hidden track a short, avant-garde piece that serves as a surrealist, nihilistic coda to the record. The core Icelandic lyric, "Taktu bensín elskan / Það er allt bannað hvort sem er" translates to "Take some petrol, darling / Everything is forbidden anyway". This reflects the band's "Bad Taste" philosophy—a rebellious embrace of things that are dangerous, nonsensical, or in "poor taste" because societal rules feel arbitrary. The lyrics mention the "barometer falling into yellow sand," suggesting a sense of atmospheric pressure and an approaching, strange storm. The song is often viewed as a "joke" or an "afterthought," appearing after nearly 20 seconds of silence following the final listed track. It reinforces the band's reputation for being "king clowns" and "tricksters" who didn't take the traditional structures of a rock album seriously. Like many of their tracks, the meaning is less about a linear story and more about a mood of playful anarchy. The suggestion to "take some petrol" is an absurd, impractical command that fits the band's persona of elfin, unpredictable subversion. On the original vinyl and CD releases, the track was not listed on the sleeve. Tthe Icelandic art collective Smekkleysa (Bad Taste) t gave birth to their rebellious "Life's Too Good" Philosophy. The album's title and overall theme—that even in the face of "sorrow" and "sour" moments. Paul White of Me Company designed the artwork for Life's Too Good. The figures depicted in the artwork are derivations of a signature he had which consisted of a character "made up of just a face, legs and a [cock and pussy]” White stuck to using flat-color backgrounds; this discipline was born out of the need to keep printing costs as low as possible, and had previously been followed for the sleeve designs of the "Birthday" and "Coldsweat" singles. The album was issued in various color schemes, including green, yellow, blue and pink. Life's Too Good was released to largely positive reviews, receiving acclaim from the British and American press. Steven Wells gave the album an unconventional score of fifty out of ten, awarding ten points each for "cheekiness", "naughtiness", "sexiness", "silliness" and "scariness". Life's Too Good is credited as the first Icelandic album "of its breed" to have a worldwide impact. The singular universe that is the Icelandic music scene, the album "[generated] a larger interest towards the country’s popular and alternative music scenes alike." Rising international acts such as Savages and Florence and the Machine. Nowadays it’s cited as an important cult classic. The album helped in regarding the Sugarcubes as "the biggest rock band to emerge from Iceland." Favorite tracks: Birthday and Delicious Demon All tracks are written by the Sugarcubes. 1. "Traitor" 3:08 2. "Motorcrash" 2:23 3. "Birthday" 3:59 4. "Delicious Demon" 2:43 5. "Mama" 2:56 6. "Coldsweat" 3:15 7. "Blue Eyed Pop" 2:38 8. "Deus" 4:07 9. "Sick for Toys" 3:15 10. "Fucking in Rhythm & Sorrow" 3:14 11. "Take Some Petrol Darling" (hidden track) 1:27 Total length: 33:05 Life's Too Good – US CD bonus tracks No. Title Length 12. "Cowboy" 3:27 13. "I Want..." 2:55 14. "Dragon" (Icelandic) 3:07 15. "Cat" (Icelandic) 2:56 16. "Coldsweat" (Remix) 3:42 17. "Deus" (Remix) 6:03 Total length: 54:52 The Sugarcubes Björk Guðmundsdóttir – vocals, keyboard Einar Örn Benediktsson – vocals, trumpet Þór Eldon – guitar Bragi Ólafsson – bass Sigtryggur Baldursson – drums

Went into this completely blind, unfamiliar with the band or their music. The opening track snuck up on me and drove steadily upward. I was thinking "I like the female singer's vocals," and then on track 2, "Wait a minute!" I appreciate that Icelandic musicians are on this list. Unlike other albums from past decades, this one held up better to my 2026 ears. So much of it is what you'd expect, with many of the musical conventions of this time and genre present. The composition, relentless drums, the cheesy monologuing thing, it's mostly unsurprising. Except there's Bjork shouting about "delicious demons" over cowbell, and it's clear no one is supposed to be taking this seriously. I love a good satire. It's a fun listen.

Great album. Also, never try running to Björk. It'll feel like you're in slow motion.

Enjoyed it. 3.5 rounded up

C'était vraiment très bien ! Je ne savais pas que Björk était dans un groupe avant sa carrière solo ! En tout cas, The Sugarcubes est un groupe plein d'un humour, qui fait de la musique pleine d'énergie. Vraiment rafraîchissant !

I liked this album a lot. Really odd and weird but in a fun, well executed way.

kinda reminds me of a mix of the cure and the cranberries and I'm really into it

I remember seeing them on SNL in '88 and wondering WTF I had just watched/heard. I consistently forget how great the bass is on Birthday.

It's a nice enough 80s pop album, the most distinguishing aspect being Bjork's vocals.

I had no idea what I was getting into with this album and with the very first song I almost just stopped but I'm so glad I finished until the end. This is a great album. My rating of it just continued to increase the further I got into it so a solid four stars with this one, like see myself going back to this again and again. I never really listened to Bjork before but I'm so glad that I have now. Good stuff. Four stars.

Nie jestem obiektywna, bo kocham głos Bjork, ale to jest naprawdę dobra płyta. Dość nowatorska, nowoczesna, ciekawa. Po prostu inna. No i ten wokal. Powinni go butelkować. 8/10

I'm becoming quite a Bjork fan! A pretty good album

Loved it, Bjork’s killer vocals combined really nicely with the more traditional post punk monotone of the male vocalist, the songs were varied and constantly interesting. Great album

Beautiful weirdness. 4.5

Punk Bjork, call her Pjork

Debut album. Alt Rock / Post Punk. The Post Punk band that had Bjork as the lead singer before she went solo. As such this album is the suitably bonkers journey you'd expect. The album is short, sharp and great fun. A really good album. Birthday is a brilliant track. Bjork is an absolute treasure.

It's the first time I have listened to Björk's pre-solo work and I liked this album a lot, it's more dream pop and also more accessible than her solo work. I liked its general atmosphere and that it didn't overstay its welcome with barely 34 minutes.

The Sugarcubes are genuinely a super underrated band. I get it, their music is completely overshadowed by Björk's solo career, which is indisputably leagues ahead. But this is still a really solid post-punk record. You still have Björk on lead vocals, and some really dynamic, fun, and unique instrumentation. It manages to blend the typical 80s post-punk with a much more quirky sound which leaves this album being a genuinely really unique experience. The almost Cure like guitar playing sounds weirdly good mixed in with a much more light hearted vibe, and the lyrics are also great fun to read along to. I'll admit, this is nowhere near as good or as groundbreaking as most of Björk's solo material, but just taking this album for what it is, I still absolutely love it and think it deserves way more attention than it gets.

Well that was odd. Reminiscent of B52 but just so European. Folksy/Rockabilly/Punk elements. Not bad...just odd

Oh my god and Jesus as well… always happy to listen to Björk doing. Well. Whatever it is she’s doing

3.5

3.5/5

I dig it! 7/10

Enjoyed this little beauty, I bought “Birthday as. 7” single” when it came out, loved the 1980s alternative dance stuff

I really enjoyed this, it was so much fun to hear early Björk. At times I could have done without the male singer; his parts were either humorous or incredibly annoying with no in between. The music was very fun and unique.

super weird kind of new wave band, kind of alt rocky. Interesting hearing bjork with this kind of instrumentation

I like this more than some of Bjork's solo albums. This thing is much more conventionally alt rock, or punk and it's easy to see why Bjork was able to blast onto the scene. She stands out as the most interesting part of the music. The songwriting and instrumentation is quality and Bjork brings it to life. This is a fabulous debut.

You know something is a treat when there's like 18 genres attached to it

Just as delightfully bonkers as it was almost 40 years ago(!?!)

Bjork arrived fully formed

This record has some serious peaks that caught me off guard. The good moments are genuinely excellent and stand out from the rest of the pack. It feels like a foundational indie textbook with a few wild chapters thrown in. There is a specific kind of charm in how unpolished it feels at times. A very respectable listen that lands right in the sweet spot. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Motorcrash - Birthday - Deus - Fucking in Rhythm & Sorrow

THIS IS MY FIRST GIG, IN IRELAND AAAAAAAAAAAAA Top notch album, I liked how Bjork has the ability to sing normally.

Heh. Luulin että tää on sitä ysärin tyttöpoppia, niin kävi ihan rehelliset Mietaat kun eka biisi alkoi. Sitten tajusin että sehän olikin Sugarbabes ja tää oli se Björkin pändi. Tosi paljon parempaa omaan korvaan kun Björkin soolotuotanto! En siis ikinä ollut kuullut yhtään biisiä tältä bändiltä aikaisemmin. Ihan kivaa vaihtoehtomusaa, ja varmastikin tulee palattua tähän vielä myöhemmin! Mukavasti keskenään erilaisia biisejä, niin pysyy mielenkiinto korkealla. Motorcrashista tuli jotenkin tosi vahvasti tässäkin setissä jo ollut Paul Simonin Graceland-levy mieleen.

Sugar cubes- so cool to hear Bjork in such a different context. She’s so good- this was fun to listen to. I could do without the spoken word yelling guy. I was thinking I was definitely gonna give a 5 until Cowboy, it lost me a bit there.

This was a fun listen. Apparently this wasnt intended to be taken seriously and but it was so successful that they made several followup records and it kickstarted bjorks whole career. I had never heard of this band or album before

This is so much work for a joke. But I love the idea. The opening song is brilliant and I love she wants new toys. Good for them.

It had late 70s/ early 80s art rock vibes and I enjoyed it

This was alright. Wasn’t like every song was my favorite, but I enjoyed the listen. Young Björk fronting the band, it’s very interesting. I definitely see why Birthday is the song people glom onto.

Björk

post punk sound with otherworldly vocal stylings of bjork. this was amazing. highlights: “birthday” “mama” “coldsweat”

Really great album! Gives really strong Cure vibes, and Bjork's vocals are absolutely powerful and ethereal. As someone who only knows a bit of her work, I'm excited to get more into it.

Odd, silly, fun. I expected nothing less. Probably wouldn't seek it out for my collection, but I enjoyed listening.

I liked it. Slightly more rock oriented than I thought it would be. Overall good record

I have always struggled to define what Bjork's style is. With the Sugarcubes it is a little bit easier to define. The feel of this album is a mixture of cool/hip punk. The Sugarcubes don't sound like they are going to spit on you. But Einar Om Benediktsson's vocals are, in places, quite in your face. And as you would expect, Bjork's vocals are wailing and mildly unhinged sounding. There is some off kilter violin and some very The Cure sounding bass in Birthday. Motorcrash and F***ing in rhythm & sorrow have a decidedly rockabilly feel. But I think that I enjoyed Deus the most from this album. Because I like the idea that God, with sideburns and a quiff. might put me in a bath and clean me, really clean. (3.659)

Люблю Бьорк

eu adorei!! fresh & dark ao mesmo tempo, afinal de contas life's both sweet and sour. super jovem. eu amo as apresentações da björk no início da carreira mas não imaginava que esse álbum fosse tão legal, achei uma jóia post-punk. no skips, nenhuma me irritou. favs: motorcrash e delicious demon

it's not my cup of tea, mas adoro como esse álbum se equilibra (e às vezes se desequilibra) entre um pós-punk orientado a guitarra e o new wave, meio b-52s-meio art-pop. birthday é O ponto alto, mas tem outras músicas interessantes. sobretudo, amo o efeito que ele gerou (bjork como estrela mundial e islândia se tornando uma potência da música alternativa)

Really love this version of Bjork

Pretty good, still

I think this album is fun. I like the vocalist and I think the style is cool. It’s kinda like upbeat indie/alternative rock. I think the instrumentals are pretty cool and I like the dreamy background vocals.

Never heard before— weird album. I loved it.

When I was 19 I worked at a local record store. The employees would put their names in to get free swag - including albums and cassettes. I was fortunate to get this cassette. I fell in love with Bjork’s voice and quirkiness. I typically like very rhythmic and predictable tempos. This album is not that but Bjorks vocals are so good and mesmerizing it didn’t matter. I know this group put out another couple of albums, but it was not until her solo works that she took the limelight by the coconuts.

Icelandic alternative, Bjork, B52s Delicious demon Birthday Deus icelandic

This is very cool - Björk is just awesome

This is their best lp. Birthday is especially special with its postpunky guitar and Bjorkisms.

I loved this album as a teen. Of course I loved Bjork first, then discovered the Sugar Cubes record crate digging at a vinyl fair. Holds up! Rating this classic 4/5. Wish I still owned that vinyl…download will have to do.

hmm ich glaube ich mag Björk einfach nicht so gerne, zu exaltiert arty, trotzdem gut und sofort erkennt man sie als einzigartig... c

Familiar with this since ‘89

Hell yeah! Early Björk, just as weird as later Björk, super fun and indie coolness.

Straight up Björking it

This is the first I’ve ever listened to anything from Bjork. Turns out I liked it.

Good stuff. Interesting.

Man, maybe I just love Bjork, but this was pretty fun.

I liked this more than all of the Björk albums I've had so far. It is experimental, but it also sounds like a more typical alternative rock album of the time. It's short and has some nice songs on it, I quite like Motorcrash on here. Short and fun album. I normally don't enjoy Björks voice, but here it takes a bit more background to the other instruments.

Quirky, fun, with some edge. Björk is a star. It’s fun to see what came before her solo debut and the origins of it all!

This is quite good. I had heard of The Sugar Cubes as "the band Bjork used to be in," but I had never listened to them. Musically, it made me think of Midnight Oil, while there was enough sonic variety to keep it interesting. And it turns out that I do actually like Bjork, beyond just the-concept-of-Bjork, in the right musical setting. On an album like this, I could listen to her howl and scream all day. It's just lovely.

4/5 - If I could just make one mixtape, Birthday would be on it. I love that song. Bjork's howling is otherworldly and her range makes my head spin. I could do with far less of the guy singer on this album who sounds like Icelandic Fred Schnieder to me, but the songwriting is different and the rhythms are really cool. I far prefer the post-punk sounds here than the more experimental things Bjork did later. Fun album; definitely worthy of the list.

Too long but fun listening

ok not great

Always happy to have Björk in my ears.

Didn’t know Bjork had a band before going solo. But to be fair I never really heard much Bjork before this listening project. Sounds just like her. Quirky but good

Bold and original. A fun listen. Birthday is a highlight. Love Björk’s vocals…her voice is just an absolutely unique instrument.

Liked this.

Very good album.

The Good: We get sugar cubes! The Bad: They aren’t good for our health… The Ugly: Too many sugar cubes and life is anything but too good… Bjork… should there be double dots above the O? She is an interesting character for sure. What is more interesting is that I can’t stand her, but here she isn’t getting on my nerves… So, yeah, I saw the sugarcubes, I wanted to go on a diet, as I did not feel like adding some Bjork to my daily diet… but then I listened and I found myself nodding along to the music… to the point where I know that I will want to listen to this again at some point in the future… 4*

Omg Bjork? Music history drop. One song in love already.

I have this record as a special edition. First time for me hearing Bjork. It is a fun record and showcases Bjork's voice and the quirkyness of the music of the Sugarcubes.

I didn't know that Björk was in a band before her solo career, but I'm happy to learn about them now. This is awesome. The Sugarcubes are like if Björk sang in The B-52's. She’s got a B-52's-esque energy on lead vocals: a willingness to get wild and freaky in the name of rock 'n' roll. The band has a post-punk style with jagged riffs and deep bass lines, but they have some playful moments too. And the drums are nonstop energy, driving the music's momentum. Definitely worth more listens.

Really surprised by the creepy vibes and undertones of the lyrics on this album, which on the surface appeared to be an upbeat 80's pop-punk music based on the album art, band name, song titles, and instrumentation. The satire played on pop music lands well and Bjork's vocals are impressive - it's easy to see how she became famous after this introduction.

I love Bjork so I'm super excited to see this pop up today. I know I've heard this before but it's been ages. Always fun to revisit something you know you used to like after years. Overall I feel like this is a slightly poppier version of early Bjork; which I suppose is exactly what this is. Her vocals are unmistakable and I love that. She has such an interesting style and it's clear that her hands were all over the production of this album. The rest of the music is just sort of filling in the background, the vocals are clearly the highlight. I still like this album, but if I were to choose, I would just go with Bjork's solo stuff instead. If I ever came across this in the record shop I would totally buy it. 4/5

Birthday!

Great pick

I don't really like Bjork solo but this is pretty good post wave stuff

Nothing is as good as the first song

No vabbè sembra troppo la voce di bjork. È letteralmente bjork. Devo dire che mi è piaciuto, del resto combo new wave + bjork era difficile fare male.

7/10 Favourite: Birthday Least Favourite: Delicious Demon

I thought I had this album, but it turns out I've been listening to the greatest hits compilation all these years. This is a great debut, with a lot of unique songwriting and great energy from Bjork. I love drumming on it as well. The downsides for me are the somewhat annoying male vocalist who talk-sings from time to time, and the too-bright 80s style production. Both of those date the album somewhat, but there's still enough great songs on here to make up a memorable album. 8/10

Just like Bjork. Way better than I think it should be.

Het is onmiskenbaar 80s, het is onmiskenbaar postpunk en het is onmiskenbaar (deels) Bjork. Genoeg ingredienten om dit helemaal kut te vinden. Maar ik vond dit wel een lekker albumpje eigenlijk. Het heeft een 80s sfeer met zeker wel drumcomputers, wat gekke geluidjes en een licht doorgedraaide zangeres, maar het schurkt ook al tegen de 90s aan. Het lijkt, ondanks dat het ietwat gedateerd is, al een modernere variant van de 80s sound. Ook Bjorks solodebuut kon ik wel waarderen, met 4 sterren. Later zou Bjork pas echt artsy fartsy worden en haak ik definitief af (voor zover ik uberhaupt aangehaakt was). Maar ik heb me hier goed mee vermaakt. Laten we de 3,5 ster weer eens afronden naar boven.

La verdad es que me gustó bastante

If I was the male vocalist for the Sugarcubes I would say, "why don't you go ahead and sing everything, Björk, so that I don't sound like a fucking fool." Nobody else like her, epitomized by the combination of grit and sweetness and range (within the span of three seconds) in the chorus to birthday.

Fun album

05.10.25 #11 Favourite tracks: Come on, Feel the ILLINOISE; CHICAGO; The tallest man. Rate: 8/10 I really enjoyed listening to this album. great songs

Definitely an original sounding band/album - which is really nice to hear. Bjork’s vocals are certainly a standout here, but the album’s songs are solid as well. Overall, very good listen.

Remind me of the value brand The Cranberries

Really enjoyable.

Bjork origin story

450/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

Best Track - "Birthday"

Merci pour ça les islandais à 2 doigts d'atteindre le valhalla. Instruments on point, voix originale et très agréable une super découverte, on sent bien la rébellion

yipee

The weirder the better, and this was pretty darn weird.

this slaps!! absolutely love björk’s voice. fave songs: traitor, mama, coldsweat ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"It's a lot of isolated people, who know how to control and operate electricity. They sneak a listen to American radio, and they get what's going on in Europe as well, and they kind of misunderstand it in a very beautiful way." Björk's description of the Icelandic music scene to Conan O'Brien, is a perfect description of the sound that The Sugarcubes introduced to the world. This album was very much an introduction to the Icelandic music scene. But, more than anything else, it was an introduction to Björk. The album, while not originally intended to be taken seriously, blends Krautrock, post-punk, electro and pop into something that sounded very fresh at the time. But it's mostly the fevered energy levels that hold all of this together. You can't listen to these songs without imagining Björk skipping (literally) around the stage, while the other band members switch between guitars, synths, brass and megaphones. Some of the more pretentious spoken-word heavy, Krautrock-inspired, post punk pieces haven't aged as well as other songs on the album ("Delicious Demon" and "Sick for Toys" I'm glaring in your direction). But, the songs that focus more on Björk, and her incredible, alien vocals, more than make up for it. It might seem obvious to jump on "Birthday" and "Deus", but it's hard to listen to this album and not concentrate solely on the massive talents of Björk. "Birthday" still holds up as an amazing piece of music. The instrumentation works so well to augment the absolutely mind-blowing vocal gymnastics that Björk unleashes on our ears. I still don't think there's a single voice in music that could come close to Björk's, both in ability and uniqueness. A fantastic album, with some flaws, but an important moment in music history, when the world was introduced to the beautiful misunderstandings of the Icelandic music scene, and more importantly, to the artistic brilliance of the crazy little pixie with the gigantic voice that we all know and love as Björk.

Fun and thoughtfully constructed, and Bjork gives it all on vocals as always. She’s definitely the standout performance. This manages to marry ideas from New Wave, pop, and post-rock in a way that doesn’t feel forced. It’s a good record. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.

Fun new wave pop with some dreamy shimmer and post punk angularity to go with the bouncy bass - the mix is cure, siouxsie & cocteau twins combined with devo & talking heads. Synthesizes a lot of 80s sounds and presages a ton of 90s alt rock style. What a voice! A spectacular range from guttural lows and shattering highs within moments.

Without 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦’𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥, the Icelandic music scene with bands like Sigur Rós, múm, or Of Monsters and Men might never have made it past Reykjavík’s record shops. Björk Guðmundsdóttir had already cut her first solo album in 1977 at the age of eleven (a collector’s holy grail today) and played in bands like Tappi Tíkarrass and Kukl, but this is where her voice truly exploded onto the international stage. The Sugarcubes sound like nothing else: jagged post-punk colliding with eccentric pop, half naïve, half unhinged. 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘺 drips with surreal innocence, 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩 turns a grisly accident into gleeful absurdity, and 𝘔𝘢𝘮𝘢 is both tender and unsettling. Einar Örn’s half-shouted, half-spoken vocals are chaotic, sometimes maddening, but they give the record its crooked charm. Weird, playful, and unforgettable, 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦’𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 is a debut that made Iceland more than just volcanoes and geysers — it put Reykjavík’s weirdness on the world map. The press only wanted Björk, but the chaos was the whole point.

This list has been trying to get Björk into me like some terrible tasting medicine and I’ve resisted at every turn. Finally, THIS worked - take Björk with Sugar Cubes. A great groove, a sense of humor, some sarcasm. I wish that more 80s music sounded like this. Original track list is just the first 11 tracks FWIW.

I was curious to hear pre-Bjork Bjork. Her vocals are pretty insane. The overall music is different, but not so different as to be a challenge to listen to.

Bjork cooks. I wasn't familiar with her early work, but this is pretty nice. I liked it.

I love you Björk!! This is a cool album.

Bjork is altijd cool en the Sugarcubes zijn sowieso underrated! 3.5

I love weird and kooky rock like this. I really enjoyed this one. More than the solo Bjork album I’ve heard so far.

The only thing I don't like about this album or this band is all the voices that are not Bjork. Fantastic and fun album otherwise

I mean, I guess bjork had to be in a band at some point prior to the becoming bjork we know? I almost wish, in addition to the more experimental stuff she'd made, that she'd kept on with this kind of weirdo Icelandic pop-punk?

Quirky fun, my introduction to Bjork. Hit that weird late 80s niche of Pop/Alt/Art

Never listened to Bjork, but she’s got some pipes.

81/1001. Although Björk at some point was a sort of a goddess a la Kate Bush for me, I never digged too deep to her earlier production. Well Gling-glo yes and some sugarcubes, but they were not so interesting. Listening to Sugacubes debut arises mixed feelings: on the other hand it is energetic, on the other the music isn't too innovative. Björk's singing is an instrument on it's own, the comes Einar with his crappy output. I don't know if they wanted to create an unmatched pair for a reason, but that's what we hear. Our perhaps they all were to good friends to tell him not to sing. Or most likely just so punk that they wanted to have the shitty output and poor mixing as part of rhe show. Well it is raw and rough, and somehow part of the attraction of it - otherwise it sounds more dated than late 80's in general. But come on, looking back: the band was angry that all the media focused on Björk - well what the fuck else is there to focus on? 3 stars +1 for the supernova called Björk. Btw. i've performed on stage while Björk was in the audience at the Reykjavík city theatre (as a host, not as a musician). God damn you crazy s.l.a.t.u.r. people, or perhaps thanks for not telling me beforehand. I love you all.

This was like a surprisingly good opening act when you showed up to see another band.

Add this to the category of albums that make me jealous of friend groups. Of course Bjork came from such a talented, weird, fun crew. I like the B-52's comparison. From the album's wiki: "a humorous take on pop music's optimism" -- I never really understand when bands do satire. Like MGMT's origins. I can appreciate artists (and people in general) that don't take themselves too seriously.. but there's always a question of knowing what's a goof and what they actually care about? Is it an attempt to keep listeners at arms length? I didn't go to art school. Having heard this album before today and before reading the wiki, ultimately I just interpret it all simply as a group of folks with a wide range of expression, both fun loving but also convicted and feeling deeply. No doubt Bjork brings a level of passion and feeling like no other. I wish everyone was able to leverage their instrument as handily. Overall I like this album. Undeniably unique. Blue Eyed Pop is my jam. 3.5

Experimental, cheeky, and pulsing with a post-punk undercurrent, The Sugarcubes stick to the jubilant thesis statement of their infectiously authentic debut.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever guessed that Björk started off as the vocalist of a post-punk band. Now that I heard it, it surprisingly works very well. Her vocal style somehow works with the post-punk backdrop. I kept seeing comparisons to the B-52s in the reviews and I definitely see it. They even have their own weird male vocalist too. Thought there’s a little more edge to these guys. My only critique is that some of this got a little too weird for me, especially Sick for Toys. Besides that, this very much feels like a beta version of a Björk album before her big break. Crazy that this is how it started for her. Favorite track: Birthday Other hits: Motorcrash, Delicious Demon, Coldsweat, Blue Eyed Pop, Deus, Fucking in Rhythm & Sorrow

Альбом, очень интересный! Я до этого не знал про The Sugarcubes, и слабо был знаком с творчеством великой Бьорк, НО МНЕ ПОНРАВИЛСЯ ЭТОТ АЛЬБОМ!!! Он очень хорошо звучит и очень красиво!!! Вокал Бьорк очень красив! Инструментальная часть тоже восхетительна!!! Альбом меня не сильно зацепил, но и равнодушным не оставил!!! Очень понравились песни: Blue Eyed Pop, Deus, Sick For Toys

Fun listen! Bjork!

this isnt what i was expecting after reading bjork was the vocalist. enjoyed the vocals from her but the dudes vocals threw me off a bit. the songs were interesting and didnt drag on like a lot of post punk tends to do

I'm a big Bjork fan, but for some reason I don't think I've ever listened to the Sugarcubes for some reason. First reaction is it's fully fledged Bjork vocals with more traditional guitar and drums, which is pretty frickin awesome. Birthday is a particular highlight for Bjork's vocals. There are some mis-steps that prevent me giving it a 5 though. Unfortunately the tracks lead by the male vocalist didn't really work for me - they give B-52 vibes. Maybe I'm just having a hard time thinking of them as anything other than "Bjork's former band".

I remember being in Reykjavík and passing the local Icelandic Punk Museum as I was walking. Unfortunately, I wasn't staying in the city for very long and didn't have enough time to make a stop there. A real shame; the next time I come across a local music museum, I won't make the same mistake again! Anyway, this is some pretty fine post-punk. Brilliant and snappy, with fantastic vocals from Björk's end. I had a pretty visceral reaction to some of her more electronic-oriented solo work when I first heard it some years back, but hearing her voice accompanied by a musical style that gives her so much room for expression (and that I like!) makes me very intrigued about her other projects. Check this one out (regardless of your familiarity with her music) if you like the genre; it's well worth a listen either way.

Overall good. It had a lot of interesting stuff going on.

I can’t say I was ever the biggest Bjork fan but really liked this. The sound of the songs was good enough that the grating sound of her vocals wasn’t too much. In fact the sound of her voice even complemented a lot of these songs. Maybe tailed off slightly on a couple of tracks towards the end but overall a very enjoyable listen. Good enough to revisit at some point.

Not what I'd expect from bjork's 1st album/band, but surprisingly catchy & fun.

4/5

did everyone else know that bjork rose to fame in an alternative band in the 80s besides me?? i had absolutely no idea until the vocals kicked in and i went HUH!??! this album petered out a little bit and got weird at the end but overall, i quite enjoyed it. what a fun surprise! the essence of 1001 albums!

i had NO idea bjork was in bands prior to her solo career, so this album was a very cool discovery. the new wave/alt rock sound is so unlike what i'm familar with from her solo career, and i really enjoyed listening to this a few times. favorites: traitor, motorcrash, birthday, delicious demon

19/06/2025 It wasn't too bad actually. It's nice to see where Björk originated from.

Meget cool, anderledes end jeg forventede

Synes den her plade er så pissecool, det er bare virkelig solid underlig post-punk. Det er fed kontekst for resten af Björks karriere.

4.0 - Very Good

Wow! The Sugarcubes came roaring out of Iceland with a sound so infectious and arty—like a better B-52s—and a stunner of a lead singer in young Bjork. I missed this at the time but am loving it. 4.5 stars on first listen

Dad- 8 Mom- 7 Mike- NA Lori- 6.5 Michael- 7 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 7.13

Surprisingly good, wailing is way better than Donna in the dead

I found this album to be pretty interesting. Lots of good energy, a little chaotic, strong sound. I dig this.

It's like Bjork meets punk or metal rather than indie dance pop. I quite liked it but i could see why the most successful member of this band was bjork her vocals are the most notable part

Delightfully weird. Bjork is a force, and a voice. Einar Örn is hilarious as co-vocalist. Not the sort of thing I'm going to put on often, but it's too strange and fun to rate lower than four stars.

crazy, mysterious and surreal icelandic new wave rock... dance music. this album is notably for introducing bjork to the world; she was the lead vocalist for this band before doing a solo career. it's pretty decent 80s new wave. to the surprise of nobody, bjork's breathy and ethereal singing style compliments this album very well all the way through. not every song is a winner, but the songs that are good, they're great. words can't understate how talented she is, give me more of her singing and less of the spoken word narration from eythor arnalds.

7/10…80er alternative

It was good but it was 2 notes away from stumbling into B52's love shack

Some parts are quite ahead of their time, like some the more 'dream pop' elements, which sound a bit like the Sundays. It is quite obviously overshadowed by Björk's next 4-5 albums, which are quite a lot more groundbreaking than this, but that's not to understate this at all. The singing is quite interesting, with the other dude doing some kind of talking-narrative stuff, which is quite interesting and very creative, as I guess there were no creative boundaries for a band from Iceland, they were going to be seen as 'weird' from the outset, and I think that the do lean into it a bit. The guitars and stuff are cool, there's also a bit of early electronic stuff on here as well. Favourite songs: Traitor, Birthday, motorcrash, delicious Demon, blue eyed pop, Deus, F**king in rhythm and sorrow (They censored not me) Overall around 7/10

80s Bjork Lots of fun.

I like the sugar cubes. Nice groove ang bjorks voice fits in nice

I don’t even make an effort to understand the words Bjork is saying. Are they English? Icelandic? Going off of sound and vibes only they are pretty good. The rest of the band is pretty good too and this is a fun album. Favorite songs were Motorcrash, Birthday, Coldsweat, and F***ing In Rhythm & Sorrow.

First album this time around. 83/100. Some good guitar and bass lines and liked Bjork’s voice. Would listen again. Good start!

This as i can see from the comments is a divisive album. I finally am in the group that loves the album. Didn't take too long to realize that Bjork is on this one, and I think she made this one shine. And I'm really glad I could also recognize the similarity to B-52s. I don't think that this is any worse than them. I loved the themes, the instrument sounds and of course the Icelandic girlie's voice on this one. I want to listen again in the future for sure

Bjork in a pop band equals a lot of fun

I remember The Sugarcubes. I bought their second album at the time when you had to buy physical media to find out if liked something. My conclusion was that they were weird, the female singer was good but there was a a funny sounding man that kept popping up and doing weird “raps”. My opinion now is pretty much the same. But I enjoyed it more as a quirky little offshoot. The band are pretty good with a strange dissonance. But it makes Björk (for it was she) would go off and do her own thing.

The B-52s but Icelandic

I love it, it’s like if Björk was in the B52s.

I refuse to believe that Björk hasn't always been just Björk and nothing else. The truth they don't want you to know: Björk has never played in any band, especially not in The Sugarcubes (ridiculous fake name.) Björk is an alien.

I knew Bjork had a band called the Sugarcubes before her solo work but I never tried to find the album to listen. I now realize my mistake.

Despite being a huge Björk fan, I'd never really gone back to listen to her work as part of The Sugarcubes, so this was a welcome push to do just that. Clearly I've been missing out as this was a fantastic record - musically quite different to Björk's solo work but her distinctive voice makes it feel familiar. I had a great time with this and suspect I'll be listening to it a lot over the next few weeks.