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 Bjk 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 Bjk's show. Her vocal range is staggering. The CD reissue adds six extra tracks, several of which are sung in Icelandic. --Rob O'Connor