The Sugarcubes "Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week"1989***

When this album came out, singer Björk Guðmundsdóttir was, despite her young age, a music business veteran, having released her first record at the age of 11 and played in several bands since. So when worldwide success came knocking the previous year (with hit single "Birthday" from the Sugarcubes' debut), it must have seemed like winning the lottery after playing for years. And who expects to win the lottery twice? Their sophomore effort does not betray any anxiousness to repeat the success and sounds like a band enjoying themselves, sometimes silly but always fun. In particular co-singer Einar Örn Benediktsson seems bend on destroying the songs' hit potential, as his vocals are often intrusive and obnoxious, shouting and rambling instead of singing. In his defence, his interventions are usually hilariously surrealistic, which adds to the good time feel of the album. Time after time I'm reminded of the B52's, so much so that I could almost dub them The Nordic B52's: The combination of obnoxious male and heavenly female vocals, irreverent humour, danceable new wave rhythms make themselves evident from the opening track "Tidal Wave", an upbeat number with latin and soul overtones, Bjork sings her larynx off while Einar keeps rambling on about sniffing diesel. On the following song "Regina" he keeps shouting that "I really don't like lobster". It's the album's poppiest moment and lead single and the one Bjork fans will love. "Speed Is The Key" sports a Clash-like punk/funk intro, shouting from Einar and a pixie-with-a-hiccup performance from Bjork. "Dream TV" and "Nail" are fast and slightly cacophonous, the sound of an out of control party. "Pump" features angelic lead vocals, counteracted by "i hate you" shouts in the background. The decision to restrict Einar to backing vocals and letting Bjork handle the lead alone works very well for the song. "Eat The Menu" is one of their B52's-like songs, with rockabilly-ish guitar and playful lyrics. "Bee" has a funk/ska rhythm and "Dear Plastic" is a dance track that incorporates African rhythms and electronic beat and reminds me of early Talking Heads. The rest of the album is less remarkable, with the exception of the atmospheric "Water" and (second single) "Planet". "A Day Called Zero" is a cheerful imagining of the Apocalypse. I like its twangy guitars and wild sax. After all the experimental albums she's being making lately, it was nice to reacquaint myself with the pop minded young Bjork - and even that madcap Einar. He may be completely bonkers and on occasion annoying, but he made me laugh...

**** for tidal wave, regina, pump, eat the menu, planet

*** for speed is the key, dream tv, nail. dear plastic, water, a day called zero

** for bee, shoot him, hey, dark disco, hot meat