Björk "Pagan poetry" (part 1)

The emotinally intense "Pagan poetry" is the second single from the otherwise calmly ambient-oriented "Vespertine". This release contains two exclusive non-album-tracks, as well as the full-lenght album-version of the title-track. First out, "Domestica" is a nice electronic pop-tune with some interesting Warp-inspired keyboard-noises. The song is a bit more minimalistic and pop-oriented than the "Vespertine"-album. The sweet lyrics about Björk having lost her keys and the "electronic key-ring-solo" adds a lot to the spontaneous and unpretentious feel. Continuing in the sam vein, "Batabid" is a short Aphex Twin-inspired, electronic instrumental. The odd noises and the chilling atmosphere makes it a bit remiscent of the young Icelandic masterminds Múm.

Overall, this is a great release. Though none of the exclusive tracks are neither as breath-taking as "Generous palmstroke" nor as colorfully orchestrated as "Verandi", from the "Hidden place"-single, this is a great extra-treat for the confirmed Björk-fan. The spontanety of the exclusive travks may come as a pleasant surprise for the Björk-fans, who actually found "Vespertine" a bit too full-blown over-the-top and pretentious.