music: Bjork - Debut (1993)

Debut does not exactly represent Bjork’s willingness to try every single weird sound that exists. 

It’s a trip hoppish album with quite a few danceable tracks (big time sensuality, there's more to life than this,  to name a few) and it's quite safe if compared with her sometimes completely novel (some say crazy) approach to making music (earth intruders anyone?).

But it only goes to show the diversity of this woman’s work, her range is ever expanding. Some call her over the top, I call her a genius. She’s still way ahead of her time musically. 

Plus she's really cute and totally huggable. 

Along with the following Post (1995) and Homogenic (1997), this album is my Bjork’s favourite.

Reminds me of:  Sigur Rós, early Tricky, Portishead, Trip hop, Massive Attack, Stephanie Sednaoui (great music vids), Anthony and the Johnsons

8/10 Me loves. My number one reason to want to visit Iceland, despite the cold. 

music: The tallest man on earth . Shallow Grave (2008)

Kristian Matsson's voice is fantastic...

Yes, the similarities with Bob Dylan are unavoidable and his simple use of guitar makes for a really striking similarity. 

But The Tallest man on earth stands on his own right as a great composer. Songs like Where do my bluebirds fly had me smiling long after listening to them. 

His music is light and simple (one man’s voice and his guitar) and that's where his magic resides.

Reminds me of: Bob Dylan, sunrise/sunset, American folk music. 

8/10 I highly recommended it for “those” bad days, it will lift your spirits. 

music: Richard Hawley – Richard Hawley (2007)

The first thing I thought upon hearing troublesome waters was…. hmm, this feels like Johnny Cash…

This ex Pulp member has a voice of gold. 

I’ve been listening to Sunflower, Time has made a change and my favourite Naked In Pitsmoor for the last 3 hours or so, and it just keeps getting better.

His sound is both masculine and warm. 

Although some might consider him a crooner, I think he has the voice of an old jackal.  A guy who’s been there, has loved and suffered. And now sings about his experiences and memories.

Actually for some dumb reason I think that that’s how David Carradine  would sound if he ever made an album as Bill, from the movie Kill Bill… It might be the timbre of his voice... oh well, me and my theories…

Reminds me of: Johnny Cash, David Fonseca, Mark Knopfler, Frank Sinatra

7/10 Solid  and beautiful singing. 

music: PJ Harvey . uh uh her (2004)

Polly Jean Harvey is the Devil.

She’s raw, she’s loud and her music is not exactly radio friendly.

But to call her a great musician and awesome lyricist is a serious understatement. I personally see her as the female equivalent of Nick Cave. Of course the Boatman's Call album and they having worked together in other projects, can only reinforce this notion. 

She sings with everything she has.

I absolutely love what she is able to accomplish with her voice, the way she sings about pain, about love and about life. My favourite track on this album is you come through for me. This songs gives me goosebumps, it's perfect.

Reminds me of: Man size, Nick Cave, L7 (the energy, not the tampon...), Anais Nin’s Under a glass bell, seagulls and small boats on the shore

9/10 This is not MTV