Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Traitor - pretty cool. I like the backing vocals. Motorcrash - pretty nondescript. Birthday - her voice is unreal on this - love the journey from soft to growl to falsetto. Sounds like a mix between The Corrs and The Cranberries. Very sweet tune. Delicious Demon - love this one. Adorable giggle in the middle. The rest are so-so.
Pretty fun! Not too memorable but I like the lead singer’s voice and the cover
The B-52s but Icelandic
pretty fun! had never heard this band but i enjoyed what i did... hear that is
Can't stand the vocals. The music isn't bad but the wailing and spoken delivery isn't working for me at all. I'm fine not listening to this again, and I can't even hear where this influenced anything.
I love it, it’s like if Björk was in the B52s.
Very bjorky
Has the best Sugarcubes song…Birthday.
"omg this feels exactly like Bjork singing" i said, listening to Bjork.
ugh so twee, and that fucking trumpet
Meh
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 was going to give this a four but I'm just so surprised that I actually like something that Bjork did so I upped it. 😅
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.
So fun!
Easily my favourite sugarcanes album
This album is really weird.
Never been a Björk fan I know this is where she got her Start, but not my jam.
Some songs I enjoyed
4/5
Wasn't expecting this to be that good
Just happened
Very fun album, and nice to hear Björk's early work.
good enough
Iceland's best!
Hey, das war um einiges besser, als ich erwartet habe, schön kurz und macht gute Laune.
Songs with male singer reminds me of B-52s and Talking Heads. Bjork's voice is particularly strong in Birthday and F***ing in Rhythm and Sorrow.
I know everyone else likes this. But, has never been my thing.
Seriously good stuff from a band that was never really intended to be taken seriously. Full of quirky ideas, great rock movement, top notch song writing, utterly positive and partly humorous. This is what propelled Björk to the front. It's ecstatic yet calculated - simply fun to listen. Not the greatest record ever, but still a worthy addition to the list.
I had only heard Björk's solo work before. This is such a different vibe, but quite fun. My favourites were Motorcrash and Birthday.
hate it
Honestly not a terrible album
dit viel zeer goed mee... gelukkig dat Bjork niet in elk nummer zingt... in het midden vond ik het wat zwak, maar begin en einde waren zeer goed...
103/1089 - My first Björk album so far. Pretty good but very washy textures throughout. Would have appreciated more drier staccatto sounds at points.
I quite enjoyed this, especially the Bjork lead tracks
I guess interesting to see where she started. I did find her a lil annoying on some of these tracks though, but it's alright overall. Will I listen to again: 31%
Today’s album sounded like some late 80s alt punk band that laid Bjork vocals over top, and about 85% of it seemed out of sync. This felt like a mashup that didn't work. This was weird and only mildly enjoyable.
This is just different Bjork. Nothing of note here for me.
really happy to have an excuse to listen to this bjork is so cool
'Life's Too Crap' w/ Bjork's shit sandwich of a voice. 0/5
Los van dat het fascinerend is hoe de IJslandse alternative scene tot ontbloeming kwam in de 80s, en hoe cutting edge ze daarna altijd zijn gebleven, is dit niet echt een album waar ik snel op terug zal vallen. De wisselwerking tussen de verschillende leads, met veel spoken word, voelt een beetje als een persiflage van The B-52's. Daar vind ik het vaak speels, hier eerder irritant. Hoogtepunt is absoluut 'Birthday', die met zijn psychedelische tinten zorgt voor een dromerige vibe, en Björk's signature stemgeluid - dat we later in haar illustere carrière nog vaak zouden horen - komt geweldig tot haar recht. Los van wat aandoenlijke jangle pop is het een weinig memorabele luisterervaring. Mede omdat er rond die tijd gewoon té veel goeie indiepop platen uitkwamen kan ik dit niet heel hoog inschalen. 6/10 Highlights: Birthday Motorcrash
Niet alles van Björk is om even blij van te worden. Toch is het solowerk altijd wel erg bijzonder. Haar stem in combinatie met een Indië/alternative band uit deze tijd vind ik eigenlijk toch wel kicken. Er zijn betere platen gemaakt in dit genre, toch vond ik het wel gaaf en zou ik het nog wel eens aanzetten. 7/10 Highlights Birthday
2.5 Weird but I surprisingly enjoyed Bjork's vocals here. The cover sucks tho
I honestly haven’t actually listened to any of Bjork’s work, so I had no idea what to expect from this, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Favourite tracks: Birthday, Delicious Demon, Mama, Blue Eyed Pop, Sick for Toys. F***king in Rhythm & Sorrow, Dragon
This was great. It was a fresh and unique listening experience. It's a great introduction to Bjork and I really enjoyed it.
I like the idea and Biorks vocals, but the pure poppiness runs a little dry after a while.
Noppers. Its not as horrible as some but….
Was good at first, but the final 3 songs were awful.
I can't describe it but it's like if Abba went rock. I dig it
Good one
Very good. Björk is awesome to listen to. A couple of duds on the album but for the most part I enjoyed every song.
not bad, a little more pop than rock?
Bjork, always cool.
Eh.
I wasn’t sure what to expect here and wasn’t all that excited, as there have been a few obscure albums from the 80’s on this list that I couldn’t get into. A couple of songs in I kept thinking “I swear I know this voice,” look it up and lo and behold, it’s Björk! Then Birthday came on, and that’s when I realized why this album is on the list. What a performance she laid down on that track - it’s truly an incredible and evocative vocal spectacle. Björk is the standout talent on the record, but it sounds great and is interesting from beginning to end.
I've often wondered what became of Einar, the spoken word guy the Sugarcubes - he didn't stand a chance once Björk warped the timeline. He served on the Reykjavik city council for a while, so that's good. This was a meteor killing off the dinosaurs at the time, but I hear a lot of Oingo Boingo, Go-Go's, 4AD roster, etc in it now. It has a sweet menace to it, feeling like it was inaccurately translated at some border checkpoint and made all the better for it.
This is a quirky album of rank-and-file post-punk that dropped out of left field — a place called Iceland — at a time when this brand of angular guitars and charging rhythms were no longer in vogue. That's entirely my jam. It features a charismatic and big-piped chanteuse named Bjork, whose lack of vocal restraint sometimes chafes. "Birthday" remains a great song, wholly distinctive in its sound, while other highlights include "Mama," "Blue Eyed Pop" and "Coldsweat." Unfortunately, "Motorcrash," one of the early singles from the album, and "Delicious Demon" are serious duds that suffer from ridiculous lyrics. What is this about taking a bath and being squeaky clean? I'd probably give this an extra half star if I could.
This was cool and fun. I always knew that Bjork was in the Sugarcubes before her solo career, but I never sat down with one of their records before.
There were a few weeks in college when this lp came out that it was my favorite thing ever. Saw them live in 1989 and remember liking the show. A few months later I'd moved on to music I still love today. Hadn't heard this entire record in literally 30 years. I don't feel it's aged well and there's a lot of filler on a record thats only 33 minutes long. But if the 1001 list says you have to listen to the whole lp so that you can experience the wonder that is Birthday, I'm okay with that. Side note: has anyone ever attempted to sing this as a replacement for the traditional Happy Birthday to you? Next birthday party I'm at definitely gets "They're smoking cigaaaaars" to find fellow music nerds.
We all know Birthday. Essentially Bjork's debut to the world. Has there ever been a debut song that has topped that? I don't think so. The 'Bjork growl' is uniquely Bjork. And the opening riff on the song is just [chef's kiss]. Perhaps the downside of the ubiquitousness of that song is that the album as a whole has been overlooked by many (though by no means everyone, given this is the album that put Iceland on the music map). Also, I never noticed the genitalia on the cover before. Heh. Cute.
I guess none of the Sugarcubes’ songs I’ve heard have that man on them; he didn’t help things. I liked that Cat song at the end, though!
didnt know bjork was in that band, probably listening again!
Not really my cup of tea but appreciate it for what it was
+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.
Growing up in Iceland, this album wasn’t ‘alternative’ it was just what the radio played between sheep forecasts and volcano updates.
Post punk, indierock, lidt irreterende vokal
Here she comes, mad old Bjork. Or mad young Bjork, in this case. It's a really large amount of fun, this is, while a lot of it is daft as a brush and - as a result - a little bit grating at times. Still, it's a good listen all round.
I will just memorize this as “early Björk” and move on.
How did I not know that Bjork was in a band? Absolutely brilliant album.
Icelandic happy Mondays
Really good!
oh this is funnnnn :D weird and delightful
Probably needs a few listens
Not for me.
Good album. It helped me realized that I like Bjork better as part of the Sugar Cubes than as a solo artist. That's in spite of the ridiculous Eurovision-style rapping in some songs.
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.
somewhat ornery and vaguely Sonic Youth-esque indie rock. Embarrassed that I didn't immediately recognize Bjork here. kind of feels like a minor work overall
Probably the first time I’ve ever listened to a full album by the band and I quite enjoyed their quirky take on Indie Pop. Something I’m may well revisit
8.5/10
Put this on and started thinking they sounded like some early Cure and then I started thinking, the female lead sounded a lot like Bjork. Well it was Bjork and I had no idea she had this band. It was kinda cool to hear her in such a seemingly light project with some humour. It was an interesting fun listen for sure. 3 stars
Something about this just made me hate it. I think it was on Motorcrash when my jaw literally dropped because I was baffled at what the hell I was listening to. This album is the most European album I’ve ever heard. It’s more European than albums on this list that are sung in French. It’s so bad. I hate it. I don’t know why.
I recognized that that was Björk immediately. I kept waiting for the songs to go somewhere and take that next step, but they never did.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Björk is a generational talent whose vocal presence completely demands your attention so much that you forget there’s a band performing with her. The music is solid here though! Love the horn section on “Motocrash”, love the guitar and drum groove on the following “Birthday”. It all lies somewhere between influence of the Police/Sting, the success of Siouxsie and the Banshees, the vocal dynamics of the B52’s, and just a hint of the advent of whichever wave of ska-rock was happening then. I think my personal favorite in here is “Sucj for Toys”, it’s really fun and I love when a guy who’s second language is English sings/speaks in English on songs (see: all of the white MC’s on 90’s and early 2000’s Eurodance songs). It stays really fun and gets more strange on “F***ing in Rhythm & Sorrow” with that Ballroom Blitz snare drum pattern and crazy story. Come for the Björk & Icelandic band, stay for the cooky fun of it all / 5
Divertido y cortito.
Really enjoyed this
I remember once someone describing this album as electrifying and sort of the kind of thing to lift you right up and I think in this third time I listen to it it's ringing true because I'm feeling pretty bleh right now over personal stuff and just... this album's joyful zaniness is simply infectious, it's hard not to hear Bjork do her Bjork thing over some cool post-punk thing and simply staying in a downer mood, even if it's not the most consistent album in the world is one hell of a fun time so what a better time to listen to it.
In another review I read the term the Icelandic B-52s. I think that's quite fitting. I quite liked the music. But I probably won't listen to it again so soon. 3/5
Love hearing Bjork on this album. Nice surprise.
Bjork, neat! They were pretty good. I'd say 2.5, round up.
Oh yea…
There's a couple of neat songs but not enough to have lasting appeal.
Nope
🎧Whether in a band or solo, Björk is pretty annoying. Favorite tracks: Birthday, Delicious Demon
good album, was fun to listen to
Strange band from the 90’s. Try to copy the B-52’s, not very successful.
"Oh an Icelandic band. Oh this sounds a lot like Bjork. Oh it is Bjork. I guess that makes sense". Kind of fine. Interesting to hear Bjork with some more structured music.
At the end of the day I'm not sure if this is for me, but I might like Björk more in this context. The song Birthday is alright. Most of it though well constructed lost my interest.
Wow. Bjork but good. Huh.
I always forget the Björk had a career before the solo stuff. Good record.
Björk!!
Bjork went on to much better things
Nicht meins, zu disharmonisch
I actually didn't know Björk was in a band prior to her solo work, guess why this album is on the list then! Safe to say she fit in here, as the group embraced the weirdness and non-conformity of post-punk. Can't say I knew too much about the Reykjavik rock scene going into this, but I guess all you really need to listen to is Björk to get the gist.
Pretty rad little record. Björk is fantastic and the second vocalist is a great contrast to her as well. Love the strange subject matter and variation in sound throughout. 8/10
Another 2.75
Enjoyed some songs Standout songs: Birthday Cold Sweat Blue Eyed Pop
Imagine listening to this for the first time in 1988, completely oblivious to the concept of Björk, and then you get hit by the primal vocal sounds on 'Birthday'. Eye-opening and frightening I bet. Life's Too Good is a fun record that is equal parts tribute to and parody of several prominent 80s post punk bands. 'Deus' in particular navigates this duality perfectly. Einar Örn Benediktsson has an interesting pronounciation, but let's be honest, most of the time you are just waiting for him to shut up and hand the mic over to Björk.
There’s (insert genre) and the there’s Icelandic (insert same genre). Post-punk is no exception. Björk’s vocal is, not surprisingly, powerful and easily the most recognizable thing about this album. Whenever Benediktsson takes the wheel, you more or less wait for Björk to reemerge.
Entirely enjoyable.
It’s like the B-52s and the Cranberries had a child and told it that it could grow up to be whatever it wanted to be. So it grew up to be mediocre. The overall sound is alright, but the weird effects on the voices did not do it for me. I would consider giving this another listen, but I don’t think it qualifies as being one of the most important albums of all time that everyone should listen to at some point.
4.5
They were headed for a ranking of 4 until the we go to the flip side.
Bjork's voice is really the shining part of this album. Glad she left and started a solo career.
Terrible. Awful. No good.
This reminded me a lot of the B-52s. Perhaps in some parallel universe they could have switched. Bjork has always been a bit of a challenge for me to listen to. I don't know, she's a little too out there for me. But I dug her voice more than the guy's voice, so... there's that. I can see why she would want to break out from this, as I can't see the songs going far. It was ok, but not amazing. Top songs: "Motorcrash," "Deus (remix", "F***ing in Rhythm and Sorrow"
Can't go higher than average here. There's a bit of Talking Heads weirdness, edginess, and sound here but it's not quite as good. Bjork's vocals are electric, but Einar Orn's are dreadful - every time he sung or spoke I cringed. Sick for Toys had a neat sound but it was almost all Einar. Ugh. Motorcrash and Delicious Demon were my favorite tracks, probably because of how fierce Bjork sounded (and the music matched well in energy). The slower or wispier tracks were more hit and miss for me. Mama and Coldsweat not bad. Still, musically their sound fits right in with the post-punk scene of the 80's and they deserve a mention on this list.
I enjoyed this album more than I enjoy most Bjork solo albums. A lot of very cool tracks and definitely a lot of weirdness - in fact, there were times I described it as "Bizarro World B-52s" (e.g., Delicious Demon, Blue Eyed Pop, Sick for Toys). Considering that the B-52s have their own share of weirdness, that's saying something. Favorite tracks: Motorcrash, Delicious Demon, Mama (occasionally weird lyrics, but cool music), Coldsweat (very cool heavy groove), Blue Eyed Pop, Deus, F'ing in Rhythm & Sorrow (funny rockabilly song). Let's also be sure to give props to Bjork's range - from sweet to growl and back again in the same line. A very unique band and I would definitely revisit.
The sugarcubes can dissolve into obscurity. Some of the instrumentals were decent, but anytime the singing came in, I just wanted to shut it off. I didn't realize Bjork was the singer, but it explains the horrible screeching I was listening to. I'll pass on this one for the rest of time. 2/5
4.5
I was aware of the Sugarcubes, but thought of them as just a footnote in Bjork’s career. Turns out I was wrong - I really enjoyed this.
Actually pretty good. Kind of like having Bjork front The Pretenders. I mean that in a good but still distracting way.
I like the classic rock sound, but I did not really enjoy it much otherwise, especially Sick for Toys, it was kinda annoying. It also felt very long. I think this would make for great background music played live at an outdoor patio or something.
Classic intro to Bjork.
First listen. Ok.
Bjork shines here but the other lads got on my nerves occasionally. Think I would revisit for a couple of songs like Birthday
I've never listened to this album, only the song 'Birthday'. But it's great! I've been missing out. Of course Bjork's voice is exceptional and makes anything sound ethereal and haunting. The album's got a post Punk vibe but somehow is it's own thing completely. Perhaps it's the vocals which give it that edge? It seems somewhat different from a standard post punk/new wave album. The second half sounds kinda b52s, never a bad thing. Definitely will go back to this album.
Hadn't heard this before. Really enjoyed it. Hit in the face with the first track. "Birthday" was probably my favourite. Wish I had the headspace to give this a proper review bc I'm sure there's more to be said about it. But overall, it's a welcome new addition to my Spotify and will get a relisten I'm sure. 3.5
I’m not overly sure what this is doing here? This probably seemed otherworldly and exciting in 1988; when Björk was merely known as the singer from The Sugarcubes as opposed to ‘Björk’, but that is no longer the world we live in. To my ears, this can only be heard as nearly fully-formed ‘Debut’ era Björk singing over purposely wacky post-punk. It’s fine and has some nice moments, but it’s also so clearly only Björk’s presence and voice that make this album in any way memorable or acclaimed. Whilst interesting from the point of view of seeing how Björk developed; why would anyone want to listen to this when ‘Post’ exists? ‘Birthday’ is great, and probably sounded astonishing on release, but I don’t know… ‘Venus as a Boy’ exists. It does everything ‘Birthday’ does, only better, and with a whole host of extra things thrown in. If I’m over focusing on Björk, then it’s because the other Cubes sort of sound rubbish? As a band they’re really heavy handed, have little feel and are kind of just unmemorable and obvious throughout. Nothing demonstrates the unequal talent distribution between The Sugarcubes more than whenever Björk is pushed to the side in order to make way for some useless, heavily accented bald* guy to start shouting wacky slogans. No song is improved by this; its only purpose seemingly to help bring up my recurring thought of; ’Björk is brilliant. If only she could get away from these parping idiots that are holding it back…’ This did lead to the enjoyable thought experiment of what would the alternate universe be like in which the ‘craaazy’ slogan guy got the acclaimed, mega successful art pop career and Björk became a member of the Reykjavík City Council instead. I don’t know. It’s still fairly good. It’s still Björk. It’s just also a bit average, and whenever a song seems to be taking off; here comes the Icelandic Bez in his clown shoes to defecate over everything. Not the best. *Despite not actually being bald; in my mind he looks EXACTLY like the bald guy in Aqua, so he will therefore in my eyes be at least ‘spiritually bald’.
One foot in the 80’s and one foot in the 90’s. Outrageous and mesmerizing
Album 698 of 1001 The Sugarcubes - Life's Too Good (1988) Rating : 3.5 / 5 Fun debut album with Björk on vocals. Nice blend of post-punk, alternative rock, and new wave influences. It has been described as "strange but accessible, silly but genius, and ultimately unfailing from start to finish" and I'm in agreement.
Fun alternative rock!
Pretty good.
Unexpectedly enjoyable. Peppy-depressing-rock-punk hyphenate. Bjork’s vocals are ethereal and raging in turns. Birthday is a highlight
I never would have thought that I would like a record where Björk participated a lot. But now I do. Very cool debut!
Listening to the album: wow this vocalist sounds so much like Björk it’s actually crazy Looking up the band later: oh so it WAS Björk well I guess that shouldn’t be shocking
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.
Efter mängder av plattor med Björk så kommer till slut Sugarcubes. Börjar tro att författaren vill ligga med Björk och kanske till och med få några kottar med henne. Det här är trots allt en ganska bra platta.
I've always been a big fan of Björk, but never actually got round to listening to The Sugarcubes. This is pretty cool, but I'm not as into it as Björk's solo career. Still, amazing voice, and the male vocal works well alongside. Favourite tracks: Birthday, Mama.
Siis miten Islannin vaan kuulee musiikista, ihan vaikka ei tunnistaisi Björkin ääntä… vai johtuiko se ton äijän aksentista. Ja nää sanoituksetkin on kummallisia. Tosiaan pysäytti kuuntelemaan, laulussa äänenkäyttö on tosi taitavaa ja noi miehen höpinät karseita. Muuten yllättävänkin perus kasaripunkrockia.
He voisivat tehdä normaalia poppia jos vain haluaisivat - yeah right. Ei tämäkään ole ihan epäonnistunutta, mutta haluaisin tietää, kenen idea oli maustaa bändin soittoa spoken word -osuuksilla, joissa joku tyyppi puhuu ihan täyttä paskaa. Melodiselta kannalta levyllä on hetkensä.
Terrible in all senses. Instruments sound awful, vocals are meandering and out of tune. Just a waste of time.
Garage band Bjork. Fun, weird. Its Bjork.
weird but in a good way the album has a certain dreamlike quality to it like a fever dream - which i greatly enjoy. i think the female vocalist has a great sounding voice, sounding like she has a lot of fun in what she's doing. very energetic, infectious. and the guy screaming things that seem kind of random just totally fits into the whole image
Bjork wailing a lot but pretty cool unorthodox rock music
Motocrash and Birthday were in rotation during my college years, but I haven’t listen to this one in ages. This is still a solid release.
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"
Meh
ne
It's the B(jork)-52s!
This album for me is similar to Venus in Furs by the Velvet Underground. Not because it sounds like it or is a similar style. But because several of its components are musically what I really do not like, but put together they just work. I have a feeling that the singer is Björk, and that is the major component that I just don't do. But with this music it really does sound right. And it comes across well. It's a good album, and a solid mid range 3 for me.
An apology, a congratulations and a thank you. The apology: Sorry Bjork for never taking you seriously back in the day. The congratulations: Well done Bjork for ditching the band as soon as the 3 album deal was done. The male vocalist was crap, and you totally outshone him on this. The songs were great though, very cool and funky. The standout track is Coldsweat, and not just because the geezer didn’t sing. Birthday also gave me Robert Smith vibes. The thank you: Cheers to the 1,001 list for helping me realise just how great Bjork is. As I said, I dismissed her at the time as was just too weird. Maybe now I’m able to embrace my own inner weird. Her voice is just an incredible instrument, and on the right song is just breathtaking. The solo Bjork stuff and now this one that have cropped up on the list has allowed me to discover what i stupidly dismissed.
I was never a big fan of these when this came out. So I never bought it or listened to it, apart from when my brother was playing it on occasion. Surely that must mean something? But after all this time, it was actually quite good.ill have to give it another play to name any standout tracks, apart from the famous 'Birthday'. But it's worth a 2 for the moment, just for the fact that I haven't listened to this in over 35 years.
other than Birthday, there was nothing on this album that would make me want to listen to it again. It's okay but doesn't sound like a classic to me
7/10 A less artsy, more melodic Bjork? Who knew?
Vocals good. Not pleasant. Too artsy
Always hated The Sugarcubes but when I think about it, I've never really given them a proper listen. This album was at least much better than I thought.
I didn't know bjork was in a band, so that was kind of cool. But, still, not impressed. 2 out of 5.
Important because… early Björk. Lyrics are kinda hilarious. She’s great and the music is interesting. But not sure I’ll listen to the whole album again. Afraid this is a 2. (Downgraded after listening to other albums)
This was a fun novelty album to hear, but I probably won’t be digging too deep into the Sugarcubes. It was all fine, but nothing really jumped out at me as essential listening
sassy!
I have seen multiple reviews refer to this band as the Icelandic B52's and it's super accurate.
I thought that was Bjork
If you were one of those people in 1988 who loved the B-52s but wished they could be weirder, I can see how you would love this. I wasn’t one of those people, but I didn’t hate this.
Weird, but really interesting. Worth another listen.
Fun, picked up in the last few tracks. 3+
I do not like Bjork. That is all.
Takes me back. LOVE!
This was okay. Is heard of them and have listened to a little bjork. I thought i might like it even better but it was still pretty good.
I once ordered a t-shirt from the band Sasquatch's website and it arrived with a return address name "music for pirates". If you are not familiar with Sasquatch, they're a stoner metal band that sound just like something a pirate would like. I mean, If I were about to go pillage, i'd want to be AMPED UP and I can think of no better way to get the adrenaline flowing than by blasting some badass stoner rock. Anyway, it got me thinking, bands do a really good job of aligning with culture. If you're a leather jacket wearing, motorcycle riding, guy- chances are you're a fan of metal. If you're a hippie type, then jam bands are probably your thing. Art resonates with us because we see ourselves in things that are not us. All this to say, I can't figure out who this music is for. Maybe you have to be Icelandic to understand the Sugarcubes, because I don't.
In the tender tapestry of existence, Mentalist Moomin blooms as Björk, a shimmering soul, weaving colours into the fabric of the mundane world, where joy would dwindle like a fading star without her ethereal light. The sugar cubes, those delightful morsels of sound, weaving magic in my heart's tapestry! In the kaleidoscope of my late 80s youth, they were the whimsical whispers that danced through my Walkman’s dreams. In my shimmering sanctuary, a bare spirit descends from the celestial zenith, and like sweet whispers, we feast on the luscious ruby delights of strawberry cake. In my glistening cocoon, a bare essence cascades from the starlit peak, and like tender murmurs, we savour the succulent crimson treasures of strawberry dreams.
Not going to lie, I found it hard to make it all the way through. Most of the songs seem sort of half-baked or immature early songwriter versions.
This was great! I had no idea that Bjork was in a band before she went solo.
This was weird, but it's a type of weird that I really vibe with. Having said that I don't know how often I'll listen to it again.
This was really good! Loved it. Super creative. Total bangers. Good old Bjork
I really liked this. Was interesting to her Bjork in not full Bjork mode and get her vocals with a differing genre.
Birthday clearly the highlight, but overall a good fun album!
Highs and lows - mainly Bjork is the highs and the dude is the lows
yes
Bjork doing Bjork things, my ex-wife loved The Sugarcubes and Bjork so I'd heard this once or twice before, luckily the intervening 15 years hasn't tainted it in my mind. "Birthday" remains the highlight.
## In-Depth Review of *Life's Too Good* by The Sugarcubes The Sugarcubes' debut album, *Life's Too Good*, released in 1988, stands as a landmark in alternative music. The band, hailing from Iceland, crafted a sound that was both playful and chaotic, blending post-punk with pop sensibilities. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while outlining its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *Life's Too Good* are a tapestry of whimsical imagery and dark undertones. Björk's unique vocal delivery contrasts sharply with Einar Örn Benediktsson's spoken-word contributions, creating a dynamic interplay throughout the album. - **Childlike Innocence**: Tracks like "Birthday" encapsulate a sense of childhood wonder intertwined with unsettling themes. The song starts innocently but gradually reveals darker reflections on existence, culminating in the line “Deus does not exist,” which hints at existential musings beneath the surface. - **Surreal Narratives**: Songs such as "Fucking In Rhythm And Sorrow" present surreal stories that juxtapose mundane life with bizarre occurrences. Björk narrates a tale of finding a naked man in her living room, suggesting the absurdity and unpredictability of life. - **Playful Provocations**: The lyrics often challenge societal norms and expectations. For instance, "Motorcrash" presents a mix of humor and tragedy, embodying the band's ethos of questioning good taste while exploring the ludicrous aspects of life. ### ****Music Musically, *Life's Too Good* is an eclectic mix that defies easy categorization. The band's background in various genres allows them to blend elements seamlessly. - **Genre Fusion**: The album incorporates indie pop, punk-funk, and dance music influences. Tracks like "Coldsweat" showcase heavy bass lines and jagged guitar riffs reminiscent of dub-punk bands like Public Image Ltd., while "Mama" leans towards a more melodic pop sound. - **Rhythmic Diversity**: The rhythm section plays a crucial role in creating an engaging listening experience. The varied tempos and time signatures keep the listener on their toes, as seen in the erratic yet catchy arrangements throughout the album. - **Vocal Dynamics**: Björk's ethereal voice is complemented by Einar's eccentric vocal style. Their contrasting approaches—Bjork’s soaring melodies against Einar's erratic spoken-word segments—create a unique sonic landscape that defines the band's identity. ### ****Production The production of *Life's Too Good* captures the raw energy of The Sugarcubes while maintaining a polished finish that enhances its accessibility. - **DIY Aesthetic**: Produced by the band themselves alongside renowned producer Nellee Hooper, the album embraces a lo-fi aesthetic that aligns with its punk roots. The vibrant cover art reflects this ethos, featuring bright colors that symbolize the band's rejection of conventional norms. - **Instrumentation**: The use of unconventional instruments—such as horns and synthesizers—adds depth to the soundscape. This eclectic instrumentation contributes to an atmosphere that is both inviting and disorienting. ### ****Themes Thematically, *Life's Too Good* explores contradictions inherent in human existence—joy versus sorrow, innocence versus experience. - **Existential Reflections**: Many songs grapple with existential themes. For instance, "Deus" contemplates creation and belief through Björk’s whimsical lens while hinting at deeper philosophical questions about existence. - **Juxtaposition of Light and Dark**: The album balances light-heartedness with darker undertones. This duality is evident in tracks like "Sick for Toys," where playful melodies mask unsettling lyrical content about obsession and desire. - **Cultural Commentary**: Through their lyrics and sound, The Sugarcubes critique societal norms and expectations. Their playful yet poignant approach invites listeners to question their perceptions of reality. ### ****Influence *Life's Too Good* has had a lasting impact on both alternative music and pop culture. - **Pioneering Sound**: The album paved the way for future artists who blend genres and embrace eccentricity in their work. Its influence can be seen in subsequent acts that prioritize individuality over conformity. - **Björk’s Legacy**: As Björk transitioned to her solo career, many elements introduced in this album—lyrical depth, vocal experimentation, and genre-blending—became hallmarks of her later work. - **Cultural Significance**: The Sugarcubes emerged during a time when alternative music was often serious and monochromatic. Their colorful approach offered a refreshing contrast that resonated with audiences seeking authenticity and creativity. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros: - **Innovative Sound**: The eclectic mix of genres makes for an engaging listening experience that remains fresh even decades later. - **Lyrical Depth**: The combination of whimsical narratives with darker themes provides layers of meaning that invite repeated listens. - **Unique Vocal Dynamics**: Björk’s ethereal vocals paired with Einar’s eccentric contributions create a distinctive sound that sets the band apart from their contemporaries. #### Cons: - **Einar’s Vocal Style**: Some listeners find Einar’s spoken-word segments grating or disruptive to the overall flow of songs. - **Inconsistent Accessibility**: While innovative, some tracks may feel too avant-garde for mainstream audiences accustomed to conventional pop structures. - **Niche Appeal**: The album’s quirky nature may not resonate with all listeners, potentially limiting its broader appeal compared to more straightforward pop albums. ### Conclusion *Life's Too Good* by The Sugarcubes remains an essential listen for those interested in the evolution of alternative music. Its blend of playful experimentation with profound lyrical themes showcases the band's unique vision and artistic integrity. Despite its quirks and occasional divisive elements, the album stands as a testament to creativity unbound by conventions—a celebration of life's absurdities wrapped in an unforgettable sonic package.
Really interesting, should come back to this, BJORK
4+/5
p601. 1988. 2 stars. Icelandic B-52s, but without the songs or humour. And frankly, Bjork's voice gets really annoying after a while.
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
It’s very informative this process. I learnt about Bjork from Wikipedia hole I just went on. Not for me though. Simpsons: Does Bjork count?
Weird but I enjoyed it.
life was not good when I was listening to this. It was too weird. there is a song on here called motorcrash and it made me think if I were in a car crash right now I wouldn't have to listen to this crap
I didn’t care for it
Yes! Such a brilliant listen. Crazy this is from the 80s when it feels a decade later than that.
Classic Björk!
I think it’s really interesting, it has very whispy vibes. My favorite song was probably ‘Deus’ or ‘Blue Eyed Pop’.
7/10
Somewhat interesting musically. Vocals in no way for me
I'd never heard of The Sugarcubes before, but I was pleasantly surprised. Also interesting to find out Bjork was in the band. Standout track on first listen was: - Delicious Demon
È da 3 per me, niente di speciale ma non orribile
Bjork fronting a punky rock band is cool. Does this list have too much Bjork though? Maybe. It's getting a 4 in any case.
For my first real exposure to Bjork, I enjoyed it for what it is
Björk!
Icelandic rock/pop album. You can hear it's influence on modern stuff it jsut isnt' for me
Love The Sugarcubes. An extra star automatically for being from a mysterious land of lava, ice and rocket strength coffee. Take the mid-80s post-punk indie movement, add some remote barren rock vibes and sprinkle with the elfin delight of Bjork's vocals. Only came to them "later", but what a great album. Maybe not quite the full 5, but will happily listen to again
Sorry, not sorry! I have never been a fan of Bjork, the lead singer. The overall sound is like a mash up of The Cranberries and the B52's which on paper doesn't sound bad. It's the Bjork factor that turns me off but I stuck with it and listened to the entire album.
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
Wildness of spirit Pairs well with fluidity As boundless pop rock
hi bjork
Saved Prior: Birthday Off Rip: Traitor, Motorcrash, Blue Eyed Pop, Deus, F***ing In Rhythm & Sorrow, Cat (Icelandic)* Cutting Edge: None *: deluxe album Overall Notes: Absolutely zero indication that Björk would become an international phenomenon, that being said she does things with her voice that I don't think I've heard on any other serious release. With a lot of these post-punk albums it almost feels like they make good songs in spite of themselves because a couple of the songs on here are near unlistenable but then others are great fun. 3.5 rounded down.
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.
Didn’t care for this. It’s better than Medulla but that’s a low bar. There’s some ok sounding post punk on this but I find Bjork’s voice a bit grating and the bloke isn’t much better.
Had it on in the background whilst pottering around the house. It was fine. More post-punky than I was expecting but nothing really leapt out to me. Not getting a full review as it was very much a background listen
I was like “this sounds like Björk” then I looked up a photo of the band
Descendants of vikings, these people be. Not quite my thing but certainly different.
I'll stick to Bjork's solo work I reckon. Not bad, not good.
Ended up loving this
Bjork isn’t for me. Musically this album is ok. But she’s just a strange lead.
Post punk bjork. Awesome
Bjork is carrying this album so hard and even she can't save it from being a 3.
It was pretty good, I liked the first half more. It reminds me of Oh-OK. Had no idea Bjork was in a band first, very cool Rating: 4.1
This list loves Björk. As do I! But the list’s love is greater than mine. The dude vocals on this album are annoying.
It seems like the list will always follow one Bjork with another in quick succession. This is also very good, and fun to revisit. But list, we can use a Bjork bjreak.
I think that’s a project wrap on Bjork already. One thing I learned: I really like Bjork. Here’s to never listening to her again.
Peppy, dance music. She has a pleasant voice. Backing instruments are good, fully composed. There’s talking on the cuts which rakes me out of the enjoyment. 3.5/5
I really liked this! That being said, I don't think it would have sounded special if it wasn't for Bjork's presence. Her voice elevates this from standard jangly indie rock to something totally different.
Didn't quite do it for me. Some of it was really good most of it was fine.
Early Bjork is great. Nice to hear the roots before her solo career.
I really like Bjork here's her solo work.
Yep, it's Bjork. There is something so distinct about her that I immediately said that she is the singer. Actually it's pretty good, not as good as her solo work but great
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.
Didn’t really get going for me 4/10
I never knew how lovely and interestingly post-punk the Sugarcubes actually were. I enjoyed this!
Knowing Motorcrash and Birthday and other Sugarcubes hirs very well, I had never really listened to this album in full before. It was fantastic. Full of vibrant life and fresh and unique. Very very close to a 5
I’m just not a Bjork guy. It’s the voice and the tone. Even with this, the music is weak. The lyrics are ok but this album does not make a statement other than, give me your money for my fun project. I tried with this one but it really lacks a complete sound. It seems like a demo that accidentally got released.
Bjorne isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but overall I enjoyed most of the album. 3*
Quite liked bits of it where it wasn't too Bjork-y.
Correcto
Very fun album. I may prefer it to Bjork's solo stuff -- this is more structured (which can be good and bad, but mostly good.)
Suuper weird. Overall I found this good but not great. Some of the weirdness didn't coalesce into something I could enjoy. But some of it did! So going for a 4 star.
i adore björk but i cannot deal with einar's vocals i'm so sorry. still a decent album (birthday is ofc the standout) with some fun quirky instrumentation, but i would rather listen to literally anything else björk has been a part of. ~7/10
2.4 2x
There's just something about the way Björk sings "THIS IS HOT MEAT"
Who doesn't love Björk?
Did not really enjoy this album or the group. Would definitely not shoes to listen to this again. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good.
A perfect case study in why bjork needed to go solo
It's frequently outlandish and ridiculous in a good way, and hearing bjork start her music career off so strong is great.
Oof. I can't with all the screeching.
Lovely stuff! 3.8
OK, hear me out...I just listened to this in the bath, straight after listening to Abbey Road, and I could distinctly hear John Lennon singing Björk's parts and Paul McCartney singing Einar. Anyway, I liked this.
Not bad, not great - kind of just making me want to listen to Bjork's albums instead!
Wel okay
I just do not enjoy Einar Örn Benediktsson's voice and I can't get past it. My standouts: Birthday, Coldsweat.
Surprised with how good it was. Normally wouldn’t be my cup of tea but turned out good.
While Bjork's later voicings can easily irritate me, on this and on their next album she and the band are like the fresh-faced new kid on the block: everything is new and intriguing. The music is fairly competent post-punk and with Bjork it soars. My favorite part? Singing in Icelandic.
Such an amazing album. Still holds up, and still hard to classify. and of course young Bjork is amazing.
Oh, the irony! Life’s Too Good? No - but the music ain’t bad.
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.
I liked this more than I thought I would. But... I really didn't like it that much. Bjork has her own approach to music and singing, and she can wail, I'll give her that. I just don't much enjoy it. When she was a bit more subdued (on the first half of the album), I was starting to have a change of heart about that, but as things progressed, the reality set in. Oh well... I did appreciate the off-kilter writing/arranging sensibilities of the band.
I somehow never heard this before today. I knew of it. I'm sure I must have heard Birthday at some point, but not the rest of it. I dug it. The male singer not so much, though at times he brought a certain B-52s energy to the proceedings. But Bjork. Damn. What a powerhouse.
Really enjoyed this. Forgot how much I love Birthday.
Solid 3
Didn't love the sound overall but "F***ing in Rhythm and Sorrow" was solid.
Twas ok
It caught me in the wrong mood.
Pretty great. Had a real mid-90s feel even though they recorded it in the late 80s. Visionaries.
Didn't full grab me but it had its moments
Ahh Bjork is so powerful. This had a bit too much proggy vagueness to really sink in for me but even then she just lifts it. And she's bratty here! Three and a half. Fave track: Birthday
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.
80s. Forgettable.
Okay, album. Didn't enjoy it much.
Bjork was so sensational, I think intriguingly different in her vocal style. I never knew the Sugarcubes, but from what I gather this was an early colab just before her wave crested in the US and worldwide. I can understand how groundbreaking she was for Iceland, for women, and for creativity. That said, although I've listened to her many times, I have never been able to fully embrace her music. This album is right there. The sharp fractured singing is hard for me to process and enjoy.
Great launching pad for Björk. And sadly, I think we all owe some gratitude to the Sugarcubes demise.
Bjork with a backing rock band is a terrific pairing. If the back half of this album was as good as the start, I would prefer it to most of her solo work.
As I listened to this I thought, "this sounds like a pop-y Bjork" only to read that this IS a pop-y Bjork album. I have always loved her voice, this is no exception, but I enjoy hearing it set to music that is less experimental and dramatic.
I don’t know what I just listened to. Avant Garde is not for me.
Bjork the prequel
Sorry, couldn't get into this sound.
This was a lot of fun. Maybe I need to check out more of the Sugarcubes and Björk
Bjork! Didn’t know Bjork was here. Impressed of the music quality for being 90s Icelandic group
Interesting stuff. Probably not something I'll put on again, but it's cool to hear where Bjork started
This was alright. Interesting that it was what led to Bjork being Bjork.
Some really influential stuff. Basically the birth of Björk. Birthday is an iconic song! I still haven't gotten used to Einar's vocals, but I love some of this stuff. The bass tone, Björk's vocals. I remember my dad playing their remix album It's-It a lot and I thought the lyrics to Birthday were so weird. But obviously she arew on me.
Björk sings about her mum's tits. Take what you want out of that.
This day's album was a very pleasant surprise. I was listening to the album and quickly realized that Bjork was the singer. Now, I literally use Bjork as my measurement for whether an album deserves 1 star or not. If they're better than Bjork, they get 2 stars. But in this album, she is reigned in by the music of the band. Bjork can sing, and has a very unique voice and makes interesting choices, and with more straight forward music in the background, those choice really shine. It's not exactly the most profound amazing music, probably really just a 3.5, but because it made me like Bjork and even consider giving her another chance, I'm going to give it a 4.
Always knew what she did before her solo releases, but never had a chance to hear it. And this is really-really solid
Oof
I didn't know that Bjork was in a band before going solo. Before going into this, it sounds like this is pretty tongue-in-cheek. It's pretty good! Definitely Bjork with the ethereal vocals.
I distinctly remember falling in love with Coldsweat from my early days of watching 120 Minutes on MTV but for some reason that never inspired me to buy and listen to the whole album. Blame my discovery of hardcore and my narrowing of tastes at that age I guess. Really nice post-punk here with an almost futuristic (for the time) approach to new wave. Björk's voice is as outstanding as it is unique here and it's no surprise that in a few years she will be propelled into being a successful solo artist.
It started like a little A-Ha, mixed in some Oingo Boingo and threw in the Bjork! Come to find out, it was actually Bjork! My family did not like this but I found her work prior to her solo career good! There some good tracks on here, most of all Birthday though credit has to be given to the ‘50s inspired Fucking in Rhythm & Sorrow. Interesting listen
I couldn’t name a single Sugarcubrs song before today. I’d definitely heard the group name before. I vaguely knew in the back of my dusty mind that this was Bjork’s band Motorcrash specifically sounds like it should be on the Ferris Bueller soundtrack. Overall, I like this one pretty well! I think I like it better than Bjork solo. More rock and less Broadway.
Pure joy.
Konnte ich nicht anhören. Björk macht mich fertig
3.5 rounded up they invented a whole new genre with this shit tbh…… Quirked Up highlights: delicious demon, deus, cowboy (aug 13 2024)
Is this just a sneaky way where yet another Bjork on the list? Begins strong but runs out of steam for me. That shouldn’t happen on a short album
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR (vegan) Artwork: ✍️✅☢️ Produktion: 😲🙂👌 Musik: 🤩🤪💡 Wertung: ✍️✍️✍️/5
I have never heard of this band before today. Sounds like a mash-up of the B52s with Rammstein in the worst way possible. First album I wanted to turn off.
I had this back in the day but didn’t remember anything about it except that ‘Birthday’ is an all time classic. This is quirky and fun and interesting and grew on me after several listens. I see the B52s/Talking Heads comparisons and that is not a bad thing
Niet heel memorabel maar wel oke, zelfs wat interessant her en der.
Thought the album was interesting, but I’m not too crazy about it. The female vocalist has some good range and is very expressive. She made the album for me. The songs were strange yet charming at times. Standouts: Birthday, Mama, Cold Sweat, and Blue Eyed Pop.
Unique poo album from the lates 80s