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Medúlla |  | Artist: Björk
Label: One Little Indian
Category: Music
List Price: £9.99
Buy New: £4.24
as of 24/11/2009 16:19 GMT details
You Save: £5.75 (58%)
New (15) Used (6) from £1.87
Seller: tiptop_seller
Rating:  50 reviews
Sales Rank: 14965
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
EAN: 5016958060923
ASIN: B0002SVY0U
Release Date: August 30, 2004
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Pleasure Is All Mine | | • | Show Me Forgiveness | | • | Where Is The Line? | | • | Vokuro | | • | Oll Birtan | | • | Who Is It | | • | Oceania | | • | Submarine | | • | Sonnets/Unrealities XI | | • | Desired Constellation | | • | Ancestors | | • | Mouths Cradle | | • | Mivikudags | | • | Triumph Of A Heart |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Normally, an artist such as Bjork with a mass audience across the globe steadily eases off as the back-catalogue starts to grow. However, IMedulla/I, the fifth proper studio album from Bjork is without a doubt the most challenging collection of music she has ever released. pFor the most part, the album is made up of layers uponlayers 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 IDebut/I 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 IMedulla/I. pAlthough traditional instruments and breaks have been removed from this album, iMedulla/i 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 wont be sure what to think. --IDavid Trueman/I
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 50
 An important step in music evolution December 26, 2004
S. Palmer (Leeds, UK)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
I must say I was quite surprised to hear how much controversy and division amongst fans this album has produced. In my eyes it's a highly responsive and effective work of art. Bjorks reaction to a post 9/11, politically insane, 21st century Earth is understandable - a return to time dot when we humans (or whatever we were then) had nothing except our primitive selves. No tools, no instruments, just what we were born with.pThe power of the human (well, the power of the human voice, never mind the rest of us) is enough, and i think there is no more startling and chilling evidence of that than right here. We have the power to change, and to use what we have for the best. pBy the way, there isn't a track on Medulla I don't like! I love how I can just let the whole album play, and it speaks as a whole, journeying on through. The sheer violent power of 'Where Is The Line'... the eerie, extra-terrestrial 'Submarine'... The vocals on 'Ancestors' send chills through me, reminding me AGAIN (yawn) about the power of the voice. We really do have an impressive little gadget in our necks, guys... lets use it to its potential, and to our rightful advantage?
Outstanding Perfection June 5, 2006
Pete (Wiltshire, UK)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Though reading a few reviews prior to purchase, I didn't know exactly whether my expectation would fit the reception.
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br /I can delight in explaining to you that this is elaborate, extravagant, and a real wonder to enjoy.
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br /What surprised me was that for this album she had collaborated with, amongst others such as 'The Icelandic' and 'London Choir'.... Rahzel, whom I had previously afforded my attention for his work with Philidelphia hip-hop band 'The Roots'. This highly acclaimed and regarded human beat box creates the beats and percussion for many of the tracks throughout, and his talent is quite simply exceptional.
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br /As if his exceptional talents weren't enough, add the vocal and musical genius of Bjork at her very most outstanding perfection.
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br /This album could be considered experimental by some, due to its concept in creation, and entire lack of instruments, though with Rahzel present, you will think you are hearing a drum kit.
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br /This is a BIG album with a BIG and grandous sound afforded by the choirs, the scale, extent, and beauty of the project, if you have even an ounce of taste, will leave you spellbound.
never before heard sounds April 26, 2005
David Spanswick (Brighton United Kingdom)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
I have been listening to music for about 50 years now and I am not too discerning and will give anything a go at least once (though with some reservations). I have been listening to bjork since the Sugarcubes days and was drawn to the wonderful and alien sounds she has brought to popular music. With Medulla she has surpassed herself in evry way and I believe invented a whole new vocabulary of music. There are sounds on this album that my brain has had to learn as it has never experienced them before. It makes for a difficult listen initially, the music takes you to places you may either not wish to go to or to realms that you had always thought possible but never had the courage to engage with. As an experimenter there is nobody in popular music even remoteley close to the kind of work bjork is producing. Medulla is an example of what is possible if we have the courage to reject the prepackaged pap of "top ten" music that has become a junk food backwater and open ourselves up to inventiveness and creativity rather than the sampling boredom that is thrust at us far too much. Take the courage, dear reader, to take this CD into your heart and give it the time it needs to grow into a magical experience. I am not going to discuss stand out tracks because as a concept the whole album must be listened to as a whole piece.
To boldly go where Bjork hasn't gone before August 30, 2004
Dj Evans (Falmouth, Cornwall)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I must admit that i had my doubts when i heard that Bjork was relying on just vocals for this album. I too was lucky to get this album before it went on general release, and i couldn't wait, i was so excited. Upon hearing it fresh from its brand new case, i was mesmerised. brI have never in my life heard anything so unique and beautiful, and i am sure it will never be duplicated in years to come. As with her previous album, Vespertine, it took me a few listening tests before i really appreciated it to its fullest, i love every song because they don't overpower each other and everyone has its own distinct sound or rythmn.brI first heard Oceania at the opening ceremony at the Athens Olympics, being park greek myself, i was extremely overwhelmed by the sight of seeing my favourite singer perform in my home country. WOW!brI recomend to all, it is another masterpiece from the princess of Iceland, and deserves to belong in everyones' CD collection.
The deep and inner most part of Bjork... September 6, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
An entire album that uses human voices as the main instruments?...sounds intriguing, and a concept that could only be conjured up by Bjork, who I consider to be possibly one of the most original artist of our generation.pIntriguing is right, along with beautiful and breath-taking.pBjork has created a 14 track strong album that progresses on from where her marvelous Vespertine (2001) left us. Through the arrangement of the human voice, Bjork creates tracks that are diversely romantic, chaotic, experimental and dancy.brThe album opens with one of the strongest tracks, "Pleasure Is All Mine", which quickly becomes one of her most beautiful tracks to date. Initially stark koo-ing, backed by various throat-like support, soon becomes a soundtrack of layered vocals; harmonious and soaring. As with her previous album openers, "Pleasure Is All Mine", prepares us for the following 13 tracks superbly. br"Where Is The Line", continues this layered vocal, this time accompanied by voice-box beats, giving the track a menacing feel. This track is one of many personal highlights, demonstrating the true versatility of the human voice. Addressing Bjork's frustration with someone, the track explodes into distorted chaos. br"Vokuro", offers us the exact contrast of "Where Is The Line". It is a beautiful, hymn-like track, sang purely in Icelandic accompanied by a male choir, simple against many of the other tracks, but still deeply haunting and affective.p"Who Is It", is a much more schizophrenic track, with its dark verses which quickly turn into an uplifting chorus, fuelled by it's 'Trip-hoppy' beat-box beat. Bjork's lyrics are as rich as ever here, "His embrace, a Fortress, It fuels me and places, A skeleton of trust..."br"Desired Constellation", reminds me of "Cocoon". Simplistic in terms of layers, but again...very beautiful and affecting. One of the only tracks where she is accompanied by an instrument, yet seems to fit in with the rest of the album perfectly.br"Oceania", is a joyful poetic tribute to the human race as sung from the oceans' point of view. Bjork's joined here by a choir singing up and down scales, giving the song a playful edge...aquatic and romantic.br"Ancestors", is pure improvisation with Bjork, a piano and a throat singer. It becomes almost difficult to listen to, but showcases Bjork's talent to be completely original, experimental and shows the versatilities between the sounds a voice can produce.br"Mouth's Cradle", seems more rhythmical than most tracks. A wonderfully romantic song of escaping inside a lovers mouth, "...Away from the Osamas and Bushes". This track refers strongly to the music concrette that was seen previously on "Homogenic" and "Vespertine", and is another excellent example of the vocal contrasts on "Medulla".pAs one would expect from Bjork, this album is full of creativity and artistry. "Medulla" really does proove that Bjork is a truly unique talent in todays music industry. Buy, listen with an open mind, and be inspired!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 50
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