Björk is the finest example of an artist with a such specific and distinctive voice and style, that she can't be mistaken for anyone else. It's really a double-edged sword, being this unique. You can be instantly recognised and you are only in a league of your own, but you are also in a certain artistic mould, that you can't escape. It must be especially hard for Björk, because her style is mostly experimental, so the more "weird and quirky" the song is, the more it fits into the mould. Similarly, we approach the same conclusion on "Vespertine". Björk's singing is as unusual as ever, voice modulation cut sharp as a razor, soft music, full of various string instruments adds a strong foundation, which actually amplifies the quirkiness of the vocalist. The dichotomy is clearly visible on the album as well. "Cocoon" is an example of, in my opinion, overcomplicated track with Björk being all over the place, cutting deep from all angles. But on the other end of spectrum we have just a little bit more conventional "Pagan Poetry", which is a beautiful composition, where the avant-garde elements are just the compliment, and not at the core. With such an ambivalent feelings, the rating has to reflect it as well, going for the 3 stars, just in the middle.