BJÖRK / Homogenic (1997)

Homogenic is difficult to describe in words. It's composed of many typically opposing elements but somehow manages to exude a lot of warmth; but not in the traditional sense, because it's an often frightening and chaotic fervour. Then, like the seasons, it'll change, becoming chilly and distant. There are parts of it I despise, but I can't deduct points for that because the sheer power of the electronic beats, the soaring intensity of the strings from the Icelandic String Octet, and the unique vocals that drill through your ears are so radically different from anything else I've ever heard that I'm in awe of the end result.

Songs of Note: Jóga; Bachelorette

4 states of emergency out of 5

BJÖRK / Post (1995)

Björk is like a little Icelandic kitten; after jumping around chasing things only she can see, and giving you the sneaking suspicion that she's shat on the rug when you weren't looking, she'll skip into view sideways and deliver something amazingly unpredictable. Post is that something. Drawing influences from Electronic, Pop, Trip hop, Industrial, Tribal, Dance, Big Band Jazz, and more, it's a diverse exploration of her reaction to a new environment and a perfect companion piece to her previous album, Debut (1993).

Songs of Note: Army of Me; Enjoy

4 things thrown from the mountaintop of 5

BJÖRK / Debut (1993)

Björk is strange. I like strange. Debut is split between electronic dance tracks that occasionally subvert expectations and off-the-wall experimentalism that put her far ahead of her peers. I can skip the dance tracks and still find enough material embedded in the softer rhythmic tracks to keep me excited. She uses harp, brass, dreamy jazz rhythms, African style percussion, trip-hop beats, and weird blips and squeaks to craft something that'll bring as much hate as love from listeners. It may take some time for you to see the world as Björk does, but the effort is worth it.

Songs of Note: Human Behaviour; Play Dead

4 sprinkles of pixie dust out of 5

K.U.K.L / The Eye (1984)

Released on the often-criticised but always interesting CRASS records, the first K.U.K.L album is post-punk at heart, but it's Björk, so it's experimental bat-shit crazy as well, and has a lot of genre-bending. Expect bells, flutes, pipes, guitars and drums, with vocals shared between her and Einar Örn that range from a whisper to an anguished scream. It sounds like PiL in places, and Sugarcubes in others (both Einar and Björk were in the 'Cubes). If you like weird, and don't hate the outspoken Icelandic pixie, you might find something new in The Eye.

Songs of Note: Dismembered; Anna

3½ icy screams out of 5