Peer Validated

The first single from the new Bjork album is very okay. I remember getting excited upon hearing that Timbaland would be teaming up with her, and this track is exactly what one would expect from their collaboration: Great vocals and great drums…yet there’s definetley something missing here.

Timbaland’s Battlestar-Galactica-end-credits-tribal-drums make my heartrate triple, and the synth lines could burn a hole through the Battlestar Galactica. Dude knows he has a hot formula down, and who can blame him for using it again here? It’s hot. His contribution makes the track mildly enjoyable.

But I guess I’m in a weird place with Bjork. Her quiet, atmospheric tracks (”Cocoon”, “Hyperballad”) are unmatchable in my book, but the earlier, dancier cuts (”Army of Me”, “Human Behaviour”) have always seemed abrasive and fucking boring. “Earth Intruders” would be a fucking boring song without Tim.

Now I’ve only been following Bjork’s career since my friend gave me a DVD collection of all her (fantastic) videos for Christmas two years ago, but the way I see it, she’s getting more and more unlikeable. Her current tour includes seven festivals and a handful of $86 tickets (although even I can’t deny the allure of Joanna Newsom opening a few of those dates).

I know I’m not the only one who’s shooting their goo about these juggernauts hooking up, but I’m already kinda disappointed. Without a doubt, the track deserves another dozen listens, and I’m still giddy as shit to hear the rest of the album.

Bjork - Earth Intruders (Mark Stent Extended Cut)

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