Do you remember where you were the first time you heard the voice of that enchanting Icelandic pixie we call Björk? Me either, although I do have a pretty early memory of riding in my parents’ car as a relatively small person (I remember that we were driving past the Boston Museum of Science, which is actually in Cambridge, but that’s another story) with “Motorcrash” on the radio. I know, not very helpful. I think it’s safe to say that I’ve always been a fan of the music Björk has made, both alone and with the Sugarcubes, but I’m guessing the KCMU folks were way ahead of me there. Today we’ll peek in on them as they discover the Sugarcubes: first through the “Birthday” 12-inch single, followed up by their 1988 full-length debut, Life’s too Good (released 20 years ago last month!!!).
| “The Sugarcubes are from Iceland, and as I understand, they formed from the remnants of KUKL, a band on the Crass record label. [This is all true.] (side 2 is sung in Icelandic.) An interesting little single. For more information, check out recent issues of NME, Melody Maker. [The writer is here referring to a phenomenon from the pre-Internet days known as "magazines" -- very similar to blogs, although printed on "paper" and purchased in places called "stores."] The Sugarcubes were recently the feature story in each! 2-2 sounds like a poppy Cure song.”
“P.S. This is better than most records that have only been in L.” “I had 3 or 4 phone calls on this band. Positive response.” “Pretty neat stuff.” “This is very beautiful!” “If this had more songs it would strong H material.” “Sounds like Kate Bush.” |
And so it begins. And so it continues...
| “You know them. You love them. Check out the other stuff besides ‘Birthday.’”
“That voice! That voice! Excuse me while I go buy this.” “Life’s too good indeed. xoxoxox” “This album is Heaven! And each jacket is different, your own personal neon! Motorcrash**, Deus (means God)*** well heck, it’s all great. And the cover, complete with anatomically correct stick figures. What more could anyone ask for?” “Most refreshing band of 1988.” “Explicit stick figures dance to good music.” “1.4 skips” “Does not” “Not when I played it.” “And the CD has extra tracks (not that any of us have players).” [Huh... did they all just have mp3 players or something? Weird.] |
4 Comments
Hey, man. The Boston Museum of Science actually is in Boston, but it’s really close to the Cambridge line.
Just sayin’...
I refuse to believe it!
Ah, dang, you’re right . . . ah well. Well, it seemed like it was in Cambridge. Thanks for the correction.
cds & cd players were a rather newish technology around the time this came out and KCMUers at the time were a rather poor lot. more often than not were still buying records.
Wait, who’s Bjork? Is she that woman married to that sculpture guy who’s in the movie where they turn into whales?
Kidding. I kid.