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Vespertine
by
Vespertine Image
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 510 Ratings

  • Summary: Bjork's follow-up to 1997's 'Homogenic' and last year's soundtrack to Dancer In The Dark is closer in sound and mood to the latter, taking a quieter, more ambient approach. Produced by San Francisco-based electronic artists Matmos, 'Vespertine' utilizes mainly electronic instrumentation,Bjork's follow-up to 1997's 'Homogenic' and last year's soundtrack to Dancer In The Dark is closer in sound and mood to the latter, taking a quieter, more ambient approach. Produced by San Francisco-based electronic artists Matmos, 'Vespertine' utilizes mainly electronic instrumentation, much of which was recorded by Bjork in Iceland. The lead single is "Hidden Place."… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Nude As The News
    95
    A beautiful, magical, mystical soundtrack; similar to Homogenic, but in a sense, more light-hearted and full of love.
  2. The A.V. Club
    90
    Her best album to date.... Vespertine is an album of small gestures, one almost challenging in its stillness.... The cumulative effect is an album both timeless and of the moment, an avant-garde electronic-pop exploration of classic themes.
  3. The Wire
    90
    In the end, Vespertine commits its magic by daring to go places more obvious and more human than one would have ever expected. [#210, p.52]
  4. E! Online
    83
    Björk's latest is as delightfully eccentric as her choice in outfits, blending scratchy electronic programming with tinkling music boxes and squeezing her formidable voice into ancient-sounding harmonies or futuristic whispers.
  5. Rolling Stone
    80
    The best solo record of her career... Vespertine is the closest any pop-vocal album has come to the luxuriant Zen of the new minimalist techno, even beating Radiohead's nervy Kid A. Where Kid A sounded like a record of risk, the work of a band on unfamiliar ground, Bjork sings here as if she owns and knows every inch of space and shadow in these songs.
  6. Uncut
    80
    She uses her voice as well as she ever has, giving the moods light and shade. [Sep 2001, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Armchair DJ
    60
    The entire LP takes on a sort of plodding sameness even as the overall sonics soar.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 98
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 98
  3. Negative: 1 out of 98
  1. PedroT
    Jan 28, 2006
    10
    AMAZING...this is probably her most beautiful work to date. This is the album that made her a legend.
  2. MelodyM.
    Aug 27, 2001
    10
    I am the HUGEST Bjork fan...I love everything she does. She's unique! Perfectly. And it always shows in her works.
  4. Nanga
    Nov 14, 2012
    10
    Vespertine is her best work to date, as being the most carefully prepared in refined in sound matters, also her voice couldn't be better withVespertine is her best work to date, as being the most carefully prepared in refined in sound matters, also her voice couldn't be better with highlights as "Undo" "Hidden Place" "Unison" and "Pagan Poetry".… Collapse
  5. Sammoniac
    May 10, 2011
    10
    I won't attempt to describe this work too much with words, as it is impossible. Let's use ideas instead. Some artists are able to create musicI won't attempt to describe this work too much with words, as it is impossible. Let's use ideas instead. Some artists are able to create music that is simply more than just music. The way they blend sounds, melodies, moods, energy and words together become catalysts for the human psych, enabling our mind, body and soul to reach states that are unattainable otherwise. Björk is one of them. Vespertine is not just a collection of good songs that usually make an album an "album". Its a voyage into ourselves, through herself. As much as I totally love Homogenic, I feel that Vespertine feels more complete. Despite being less varied in style than its predecessor, it explores a unique genre all the way to its core. Lay on your bed in the dark with a good pair of headphones and listen to this before going to sleep. If you truly love music, you'll wish the experience never ends.… Expand
  6. carsfilho
    Sep 1, 2019
    10
    Best album Ever
    Bjork is definitely the most powerful artist in the hole world such an amazing album like deservers everything
  7. Joyasanactofres
    Sep 9, 2022
    10
    This album features oceans of gorgeous sounds that wash over my ears. These songs have a nice progression to them; with each additional bit ofThis album features oceans of gorgeous sounds that wash over my ears. These songs have a nice progression to them; with each additional bit of instrumentation, the songs grow prettier and more orgasmic. This album has a calm meditative, yet transcendental feel to it - it's almost outworldly.
    Bjork's voice has a lot of character and plays a vital role in these songs. This is a must-listen for every art-pop fan out there.    … Expand
  8. someonewhocares
    Oct 5, 2022
    3
    Could've been better than it is! Vespertine was such a disappointment for me as a hardcore Bjork fan. Unlike her first three albums and othersCould've been better than it is! Vespertine was such a disappointment for me as a hardcore Bjork fan. Unlike her first three albums and others that came after this, I don't seem to connect with Vespertine on any level and most of the songs feel dragged out and wasted to me. However, we did get one of my most favourite songs from her discography - Pagan Poetry, which is the only accessible songs on this album that can connect with a human.… Expand

See all 98 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2001
6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2001
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2001

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