26×26 – The ‘Hidden Track’

You remember a few years ago there was a craze for adding a ‘hidden’ track at the end of albums, you got about 20 minutes of silence at the end of the album, then it kicked in?

Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ had this. I remember one of the first times I played that album – I was playing it pretty loud, then it ended and I went about my business. The hidden track kicked in and I almost jumped out of my skin! I guess that was the point of it.

Anyway, this is the hidden post at the end of the 26×26 project!

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who took the time to read this, and leave comments. I’ve had a really great time writing it, and it’s made me revisit some albums I haven’t listened to in a long time. In total it got around 900 hits, which I’m really very pleased with!

I probably wouldn’t have finished it if I hadn’t had my buddies Talcy and The Riverboat Captain doing the same thing, so thanks to them. Check out their 26×26′s - they are nearly as good as mine!

There will be more 26×26-type projects coming soon, so watch this space…

26×26 – B is for Björk

Today’s album is Debut by Bjork

It was a bit of a struggle making this choice. My obvious choices in the B category would be The Beatles and Blur. I thought about these and couldn’t make a decision so I left them. Instead, I went for this album which is in my opinion, an absolute gem.

I was vaguely familiar with the work of the Sugarcubes, in particular their track Hit, which I think is an amazing track. I fell in love with Bjork’s voice from the first time I heard her. Not a technically perfect voice, but it has something unique. Coupled with the Icelandic accent and captivating elfin beauty, she is quite a woman!

This 1993 album has everything from Hi-NRG disco pop (Big Time Sensuality) through to tear-jerking ballads (Like Someone In Love), plus some ‘quirky’ pop (Human Behaviour).

It’s also the only album I can think of where part of it is recorded in the toilet of a club (There’s More To Life Than This).

I have loved this album since the day it was released, and still play it regularly. Bjork went on to do lots more great stuff, also well worth checking out.

Stunning album, do give it a go if you can..

Standout track: There’s More To Life Than This. Hard to choose a favourite track from this album, they are all killers. This one’s just got that certain ‘something’, great lyrics and it was partly recorded in a toilet!

Other ‘B’s who didn’t quite make it: The Beatles, Blur, Beck, Blondie.