Rare is the debut that displays such fully formed talent as Iceland's Sugarcubes' first album. Highlighted by the Cocteau Twins-influenced single "Birthday," two other provocative singles, "Deus" and "Coldsweat," and by the incredible vocal gymnastics of Björk Gudmundsdottir, Life's Too Good brilliantly shows a new band staking out its own sonic space. Einar Orn contributes an electronically reprocessed trumpet, and a few awkwardly charming and ranting vocals as well, but this is clearly Björk's show. Her vocal range is staggering. The CD reissue adds six extra tracks, several of which are sung in Icelandic. --Rob O'Connor
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