Björk - Medulla (CD)

Another classic

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 26, 2004 | 18 out of 21 found this Medulla review helpful

Pros: Takes risks in vocalise that hasn't been doesn't since the turn of the century

Cons: none at all

Medulla has to be the most innovative, attractive, and poignant album released this year. Bjork travels through so many different spectrums of music, and suprisingly captures them with just vocals and bodily sounds. Although there are occasional inst...ruments played in certain songs, she leans heavily on the organicness and complexities of the body by replacing drums with beatboxing (a la Rahzel of the Roots) and strings and synthesizers with choirs (especially on "Pleasure is All Mine" and "Oceania" which was written and performed for this year's Olympics' opening ceremony in Athens).Like all of her projects, she dabbles in some sort of classical arrangement. Yet with Medulla, Bjork digs deeper into musicality and brings out far more than the best that classical arrangements have to offer; chord structures that come out of nowhere, modulations (which is new for her), and suprising time signature changes.Not only does Bjork focus on classical arrangements, she incorporates sounds of today's modern R&B and Hip Hop seamlessly. On "Pleasure is All Mine" she channels an early Timbaland influence as well as a taste of the Neptunes on "Where is the Line" and "Who Is It". She also gives us what we want on "Triumph of Heart" and that's to dance. This club-driven track (still made only possible by vocal sounds and beatboxing) is sure to be a staple at the clubs.I've always been a mild fan of Bjork (my knowledge of her goes back only to the Post days all the way up through Vespertine). But, Medulla has made me a complete follower. You MUST pick up this album next week. Read more Less