Selmasongs: Dancer In The Dark (2000 Film)
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Free Music Notes for Selmasongs: Dancer In The Dark (2000 Film)
Free Music Review: Just returned from Iceland yesterday
Hit: 5 Stars
Like I said I just flew back from reykjavik to boston. I saw the film in Bjork's native land with Icelandic subtitles and all, it truly added to the experience. As far as the soundtrack goes, I appreciate Bjork's endeavor in keeping it the way she wanted as much as possible however, as I was sitting in the theater I kept making a stir and whispering to a friend I had met there... my main contention: Why was the soundtrack different than the movie? I had purchased the CD a month prior to viewing the film but couldn't find it playing in Georgia(big surprise!) and was used to the lyrics, but during the film I kept hoping it would follow the soundtrack more. Yet to no avail. Notable difference I wish would come out in a true to movie version: 1. Jeff's voice would have been heard and the train workers in I'VE SEEN IT ALL 2. In the movie Selma's boy sings "you just did what you had to do" but in the soundtrack you hear "you're going to have to find out for yourself" the former makes more sense after seeing the movie and is truly one of the most haunting things I have ever seen in a film 3. Joel Gray's voice was omitted from IN THE MUSICALS, why? and lastly 4. THE NEXT TO LAST SONG was ommited, this should definetly be in the soundtrack. Anyway much praise for Bjork, Lars and Catherine. American filmakers should take heed and be a little more realistic with our movies and not always give them happy endings, it makes for a sad yet impressive impact on you. Dancer in the dark is no different... Furthermore, I think Bjork has raw talent and was very convincing. I do feel bad for her best friend who I recently heard in the icelandic version of the musical HAIR (GREAT STUFF!!) called "Harith" who is also very talented. Her friend has been acting and working at it her whole life and Bjork being the talent that she is, does her first major picture (aside from THE JUNIPER TREE of course)and wins all these awards yet doesn't even really care about acting. WOW!! That is raw talent. And finally on a side note fans of Bjork should also check out the Icelandic band Sigur-ros, they are truly innovative and years ahead of their time.Free Music Review: Fantastic music... but see the film to really understand it
Hit: 5 Stars
The soudtrack in itself is a masterful work, but when heard in the context of the film, it takes on a completely different life. Not only do you get the chance to see Bjork give an award-winning acting performance, but you also get to understand and see how Bjork's music develops and takes life. In the film, as Selma gradually looses her eyesight, her world start to get dominated by audial daydreams. Her escapes into the music her mind creates fulfill her girlish dreams of one day being a star in a musical. However, the sounds that create this world in her mind do not come from violins or trumpets, but from industrial machinery, trains and a jumping 33rpm record for example, just like in Bjork's real-life world. Every little click, bang, thump becomes an element of Selma's musical world, and gradually degenerate into a full-fledged composition or show-tune with full choreography and special effects.
As in most of Bjork's compositions, the sounds are unusual, original and surprising, challenging your mind to go beyond the accepted musical boundaries. In addition, with this recording, Bjork almost redifines the concept of "soundtracks", which for the last few years have tended to be composed of songs that have no relation to the film what-so-ever. In this case, the film could not exist without the music, even if the music can still perfectly stand on its own. Once again, Bjork is a true pioneer.
It is however a shame that not all of Bjork's performances from "Dancer in the Dark" were included on this soundtrack. In the film, she does a heart-wrenching rendition of "My Favorite Things", from The Sound of Music. Also, in one of the most climatic and emotional points in the movie, Selma sings one of the movie's most defining songs, acapella, but it is also not included on the soundtrack... I cannot describe this song in more detail without giving away too much from the movie, but those who have seen the movie will understand why it would have been so important to include that piece as well...
Free Music Review: 32 minutes, 14 seconds of Bliss
Hit: 5 Stars
Recently, I thought I'd had an epiphany. In a conversation with a good friend, I came to the conclusion that there are two kinds of popular music fans: those who think Bjork is the greatest female artist of our time and those who think Madonna is the greatest female artist of our time. Consequently, when I learned that "Customers who bought this title also bought: * Music ~ Madonna," I was more than a little surprised.Let me explain. It isn't much of a stretch to suggest that Bjork and Madonna are two sides of the same coin, strong women with singular visions (and single names) who have, over the past few years, pushed their different flavors of Pop Music into the realm of Electronica, garnering critical acclaim and devoted fans. Somehow, working in the same genre with many of the same influences, these two have managed to create music at the opposite extremes of the spectrum. And, ironically, their latest efforts were released simultaneously. I got "Selmasongs" the day it was released, my good friend got "Music" (the Limited Edition, no less), and we both got into a heated argument defending our purchases to each other.
Here's the deal: "Selmasongs" has moments of brilliance, and the rest of it is still exceptional, somehow managing, in spite of its dramatic orchestral arrangements and "found sound" rhythm tracks, to feel grounded and uplifting without sounding pretentious. It's only flaw is in its fleeting nature; the music seems to come and go so quickly that the echoes of the "Overture" in the final track, "New World," make it seem as if you've only heard a single song. Of course, it is short, correctly described as an EP (despite having the price tag of an LP), but it feels even shorter than its 32 minutes, 14 seconds. As flaws go, it's not as bad as including a lyric like "Hey Mister Deejay, put a record on/I want to dance with my baby," and it shouldn't stop you from picking up this little masterpiece, but it is worth mentioning.
Free Music Review: Fantastic and Important!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a very original and incredible EP. Clocking in at a short but wonderful period of 35 minutes. Yes, it is definitely worth your money. It's a much better CD if you are already a Bjork fan, as you already well know she can write anything with joy and comfort, from industrial to techno to ambient to pop to rock to musical, and sound great. For those of you who don't know Bjork, well...now you know. She's a very daring songwriter, and you have to give some of her recordings a chance to sink into you. This soundtrack is not supplementary to the film; it can stand on its own. Even by its own, it is filled with joy and makes you want to bounce off the walls (I got this feeling from Cvalda) or swing around and sing along (from I've Seen It All) to punching a pillow and singing along (In The Musicals) and creep about in fear in the last two tracks. Each song is so intense and energetic that it rubs off on you...it's a jug of coffee music-wise. I feel so great inside when I listen to this. Even before I saw the movie.
When seeing the movie and not liking it, it may or may not hurt how much you like the soundtrack. Since I liked the movie, not just because of its artistic manner and distinct filming, but because Bjork is also a tremendous actress full of passion and wonder and innocence, it added to the soundtrack a whole lot, giving much more significance and depth to Selma, her character, and the songs. For the soundtrack, some songs were changed around a bit, replacing an actor w/ Thom Yorke for "I've Seen It All." (Thom Yorke is the singer for Radiohead.) Overall message: If you're not willing to see a new brand of filming a musical mixed in with drab, hand-held camera and weird camera views and some kind of movie most machosits enjoy, don't see the movie and enjoy the soundtrack. If you're willing to take the risk, go for it and enjoy the movie as much as possible. The movie has flaws, but it's still great.
Thanks for reading this. :^)
Free Music Review: fantastic
Hit: 5 Stars
bjork has always been one of the most daring artists of all time. not only is she practically a composer, but she plays with her image in so many ways. she seemed a pop diva in her days with the sugarcubes, a dance curiosity with, 'debut,' a pixie/nymph with, 'post,' and a trip-hop master with, 'homogenic,' (possibly my favorite of her albums.) but now we are given, 'selmasongs,' a 7 song soundtrack from the brilliant film, 'dancer in the dark,' and possibly her most exhilerating, depressing, and emotional album to date. but we also see bjork's diversity as a songwriter. essentially, she is still an electronica wizard, but here she broadens her vision with an orchestra, daring new percussion, and guests spots from thom yorke to actress catherine deneuve (who also appears in the film). the album opens with a somber overture but then swoops into the masterful, 'cvalda,' which is a mini-opus within itself. 'i've seen it all,' (her duet with yorke), is certainly a lovely song, but also has some quite frightening lyrics to it. 'i've seen the tree's, i've seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze,' she sings sweetly, but then yorke responds with, 'i've seen a man killed by his best friend. i've seen lives end before they were spent.' so essentially it's a tale of innocense vs. experience.
to comprehend the next three songs one must see the movie, and it is near impossible to explain them without giving away vital details. so i won't. the last song on the album, 'new world,' is a suitable closer, and has perhaps the most sweet and genuine lyrics i have ever heard, against an almost drugged-out trip-hop beat.
so buy this album, for god's sake. even if you are just a fan of the musicals, you will be able to associate with bjork's selma, a true martyr. this album and movie saved my life.