Medúlla

Björk

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 31, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B0002JUXB0
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (359 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,016 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Normally, an artist such as Bjork with a mass audience across the globe steadily eases off as the back-catalog starts to grow. However, Medulla, the fifth proper studio album from Bjork is without a doubt the most challenging collection of music she has ever released.

For the most part, the album is made up of layers upon layers of processed vocal parts arranged in either harmony or dissonance such as "Vokuro" and "Oll Birtan," respectively. Some, such as "Show Me Forgiveness" are simple acapella, the aforementioned sounding like a vocal cut from Debut minus the music. Another echo of Bjork days gone by is "Desired Constellation," a slow trancy pulse underpinning her distinct vocals. "Where Is the Line," "Who Is It," and "Triumph of a Heart" are a bit grimier with a semi-urban twist, the latter a fantastically funky beatbox number with an outstanding introduction, the closest moment to a pop song appearing on Medulla.

Although traditional instruments and breaks have been removed from this album, Medulla is no great departure for Bjork but in a sense it is radically different from any of her previous work. Some will love it, some hate it, and some just won't be sure what to think. --David Trueman

Amazon.com Special Content

An Interview with Björk
Björk shared her thoughts about the directions she is taking with Medulla in our Amazon.com interview.

Product Description

Bjork is one of the most recognized stars in the world. She has sold millions of copies of her groundbreaking albums, she is an icon of cutting edge style, and she has received worldwide acclaim as an actress. Medulla, Bjork's first new studio album in three years, finds her delving deeper than ever before into her haunting and exhilarating sound and vision. Innovative as always, Bjork has this time built the songs on Medulla entirely from vocal tracks, with no instruments appearing on the album, creating a soundscape unlike anything you've ever heard before. Special guests include Rahzel from The Roots, Mike Patton of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, an Inuit throat singer, an Icelandic choir, the world's greatest human beatboxes and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mouth music, August 31, 2004

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ever heard of mouth music? It's a traditional technique for producing music with nothing except rhythmic vocals -- literally, just music from the mouth. Quirky Icelandic Bjork isn't a Celt, but she takes the term "mouth music to new heights in the enchantingly challenging "Medulla," an album whose music is based on the voice.

Bjork embarks on her strangest and most experimental musical journey here. Not just one kind of song, but many -- majestic medieval-flavored music to pop to hymns to an eerie vocal ballad backed by throat singing. Bjork even beatboxes with a choir behind her, giving a sort of classical hip-hop sound to the music. Can't get that just anywhere.

"Medulla" isn't entirely devoid of instrumentation... the non-vocal variety, that is. There's a pretty piano solo to "Ancestors," and the deep bassline of "Submarine." Keyboards pop up occasionally But those are the exception -- most of the time it's Bjork's soft vocals, singing, grunting, whistles, and various gutteral sounds -- sort of a dolphin-on-acid noise. It's wonderfully weird.

After the pretty but vaguely monotonous "Vespertine," Bjork just bursts out with her new sound. What's strangest is the effect it has when one is listening to it -- it's powerful and visceral, lulling you one moment and making you shiver the next. At times it's unnerving -- the grunts range from sexy to ghastly, and are enough to make you squirm -- but it never fails to provoke a response.

"Medulla" isn't a full departure from her past material. The opening number has echoes of "Vespertine," while "Where is the Line" hints at "Homogenic." But the heart and soul of "Medulla" rests in an entirely new zone, far away from the icy grandeur of her past trip-hop. This is a darker, thicker sound, backed by Robert Wyatt's odd vocals and a choir.

Bjork proves again that she is an artist in every sense of the word -- she doesn't just make wonderful music, but she explores into new and thrilling musical arenas. Revolutionary, sultry, and a jolt to the system.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ruined my day....., September 3, 2004

By	J. Collins "old-fashion-girl" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was in a funk all day after listening to this album for the first time. Being a Bjork fan (almost verging on obsessive) for over 11 years, to say that I anticipated Bjork's next release is an understatement.

I can tell that I am not going to be popular given all of the 5-star reviews already posted but can see that I am not entirely alone in being utterly disappointed. Bjork is truly one of my favorite artists but I am not so enamored by her that I will convince myself to like something that I don't just because she is the one who created it.

Most of the tracks would be listenable were it not for the hyperventilating, moans, cries, and wails that make some tracks almost laughable. In fact, some of them I did laugh (especially the track Ancestors!), thinking to myself "You've got to be kidding me!". Although some songs have stuck in my head and provide a glimpse of the "old" Bjork in all of her glory, I was hoping for an album that I couldn't wait to listen to over and over again, that would satiate me for the years of wait until her next album. I did not find this in Medulla.

She has said that she felt cleansed after completing this album and I sure hope she got it all out of her system because if the next album is like this one, I don't know what I'll do.....

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Constant reinvention, disquieting results, September 6, 2004

By	Chris (Edmonton, Canada) - See all my reviews

Having known Björk's music for a while, it is easy for me to understand where Medúlla's perspective comes from. Her endless need to reinvent herself, spinning world after world out of each project's sonic ashes, makes sense to the listener that hears the intimacy in songs like 'Pagan Poetry' and 'Jóga,' or the raw intensity in 'Hidden Place' and 'All Is Full of Love.' To the casual ear, though, this latest album may sound more like a series of a capella experiments, warmups, and even alarming mistakes. It is a fascinating listen, but an alienating one for the uninitiated.

Her spectacular first single, the Athens Olympics debuted siren call 'Oceania,' may have impressed many and confounded a great many others (Poor Katie Couric!), but her decision not to release it commercially is telling of her idiosyncratic view of music in general. Songs like 'Triumph of a Heart' and 'Mouth's Cradle' are both instantly recognisable as patent Björk magic and incredible sonic journeys, but digressions like 'Ancestors' and 'Miðvikudags' (Icelandic for Wednesdays) may confuse or even frighten. Her interest in paganistic, primal grunts and whistles is compelling to hear about, but disarming to listen to. That, in general, is the sense one will be left with after listening to most of these songs, sadly. But there are a number of worthy gems to be found, 'The Pleasure Is All Mine' and the e e cummings-based 'Sonnets/Unrealities XI' being remarkable examples.

Björk is a leader in her field and a master of innovation. But Medúlla is a departure many fans will have a difficult time following along with.

Look for the second single, 'Who Is It,' to come out on October 25.