Medúlla

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Medúlla
Medulla.png
Studio album by
Björk
Released30 August 2004
Studio
Genre
Length45:40
Language
  • English
  • Icelandic
Label
Producer
Björk chronology
Vespertine Live
(2004) 		Medúlla
(2004) 		Army of Me: Remixes and Covers
(2005)
Björk studio album chronology
Vespertine
(2001) 		Medúlla
(2004) 		Volta
(2007)
Singles from Medúlla
  1. "Who Is It"
    Released: 18 October 2004
  2. "Triumph of a Heart"
    Released: 28 February 2005

Medúlla is the fifth studio album by Icelandic recording artist Björk.[nb 1] It was released on 30 August 2004 in the United Kingdom by One Little Indian Records and in the United States by Elektra Entertainment. After the release of her electronic–influenced previous album Vespertine (2001), Björk intended to make an album almost entirely a cappella constructed with human vocals. For the project, she collaborated with vocal artists such as Mike Patton of rock band Faith No More, beatboxers Rahzel and Dokaka, as well as Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq. The album's title derives from the Latin word for "marrow".

Medúlla received generally positive reviews from critics, with many calling it "unique", although others deemed it "confusing". The album was also commercially successful, reaching number one in Belgium's Wallonia, France and Iceland, whilst also peaking within the top ten in the United Kingdom. Medúlla is estimated to have sold more than a million copies worldwide, and received two nominations at the 47th Grammy Awards.

Two singles were released from Medúlla: "Who Is It" and "Triumph of a Heart", with both charting inside the top 40 in the United Kingdom and the top 10 in Spain. Björk further promoted the album by performing at the 2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and other television and radio shows. Other than these few performances, no concerts or tours were arranged to promote Medúlla, as Björk thought it would be too difficult to play the songs live. In 2015, the album was adapted into an opera at the Brussels opera house La Monnaie by Sjaron Minailo and Anat Spiegel.[3]

Background and production[]

Björk began working on her fifth studio album in 2002, being known as The Lake Album at the time.[4] In an interview with The New Yorker, she explained that she wanted to get away from the world of instruments and electronics, which was present on her previous album, Vespertine (2001). She then elaborated that it was "very introverted" and avoided eye contact.[5] When she was finishing Vespertine, Björk knew she wanted to make a vocal album, and had known since her teenage years that one day she would. For her, the majority of the album is connected to the time when she was 17 to 18 years old, focusing on aspects of life, love, family, and friends. She commented that she was thinking about how she used to live her life, how carefree she was, and how others around her affected the way she thought, saying it is shown clearly at the core of Medúlla.[6]

Whilst working on initial ideas for the album, an eight-months pregnant Björk began adding her own live drumming to arrangements that already had several instruments.[7] She then started muting the instruments, and liked the result of it.[8] She was inspired by paganism, and the idea of returning to a universe that is entirely human, without tools or religion or nationalities. "I wanted the record to be like muscle, blood, flesh. We could be in a cave somewhere and one person would start singing, and another person would sing a beat and then the next person sing a melody, and you could just kind of be really happy in your cave. It's quite rootsy", she added.[9]

Tanya Tagaq, an Inuit throat singer who worked with Björk on her 2001 Vespertine World Tour, was also featured. Björk was so impressed with her voice's ability that she invited Tagaq to work with her on the album. She asked British singer Robert Wyatt to be a featured vocalist on the album, as she was looking for something more "passionate" and "human".[6] Additionally, the musician "wanted a bit of rock" on Medúlla, so she invited singer Mike Patton of rock band Faith No More.[10] Björk also invited the London and Icelandic choirs, in order to have a classical feel on the album.[6] However, the "musical fascist" in her decided using any MCs or vocal percussionists would be too "cheesy"; she later changed her mind when she saw beatboxer Rahzel from The Roots freestyle a whole Kraftwerk track without pausing for breath.[11] Björk found his voice "above and beyond any cliché" and thought he was perfect for the album's beat-based songs. Another beatboxer, , was invited after Björk got a link to his webpage and liked his covers so much that she decided to work with him; he appears on a few songs.[12]

American R&B diva Beyoncé was planned to be featured on the album as well, but she did not appear due to scheduling issues. When asked what she liked about Beyoncé, Björk stated that "[Medúlla] is an album about voices, and she's got the most amazing voice."[5]

Artwork and title[]

A mannequin wearing the hair mask and the Alexander McQueen–designed bell dress from the "Who Is It" music video, at Björk's exhibition at MoMA

The album cover for Medúlla was photographed by Inez and Vinoodh in London, on 28 June 2004, and designed by M/M Paris. It features Björk wearing a mask made of hair, which was made specifically for the shoot, a black dress and a necklace that is made of black "bones" that says "Medúlla".[13] The hair mask was created by Icelandic artist Shoplifter. The artist stated that in 2004, she had a show at ATM Gallery, where she displayed a wall mural made of brown braids. Björk appreciated it, and then invited her to work on creating a hair sculpture for the Medúlla's character. She also explained that the singer wanted it to have a darkness about it, and then she sent Björk several references of extreme hairstyles, and because the album was made with voices, Björk wanted something that was part of the human body.[14]

Photographer Inez van Lamsweerde said that they "were all inspired by women's handicrafts and this idea of being in your own cocoon in your home, with your family, and this reclusive character that hand-makes the whole world around her". The hairpiece was part of her 2015 MoMA retrospective.[15] In an interview with Style magazine, Shoplifter said about her part at the exhibition, explaining it dedicated a room to each album of Björk's career, with the Medulla section having a mannequin wearing the hairmask and the dress designed by Alexander McQueen which she wore in the music video for "Who Is It".[14]

Björk struggled to find a title for the album. She said that something in her "wanted to leave out civilisation, to rewind to before it all happened", wondering, "Where is the human soul? What if we do without civilisation and religion and patriotism, without the stuff that has gone wrong?", originally calling it Ink, as she wanted the title to represent the five-thousand year-old blood which is inside of human people, a passionate and dark ancient spirit, a spirit that survives.[16] Her friend Gabriela then suggested "Medúlla", a medical term for bone marrow in Latin.[16] She complemented that it was not just bone marrow, but marrow in the kidneys and marrow in the hair; it is about "getting to the essence of something".[16] Additionally, the singer commented that the accent on the letter "u" was intended to make the word cuter with a pun on the Icelandic word "dúlla": "We thought it was funny, then it became mysterious", she elaborated.[17] The title was announced in June 2004 through Björk's official website.[18]

Composition[]

Style and influences[]

"Everybody was going, 'Oh she's making a vocal album, it'll be a horrible Yoko Ono experience. But I wanted to show that a vocal album doesn't have to be for the chosen few. It was just about working with the instrument I know best, my voice".

— Björk describing the sound of Medúlla.[19]

At the time of its construction, Björk considered Medúlla to be her most political album, saying that it countered outbreaks of racism and patriotism that followed the 11 September attacks.[20] "On 9/11, in the space of a half an hour, this became the most patriotic place on earth", she recalled. "I remember describing to my friends on my phone that [if] I turned 180 degrees anywhere I was in New York. I would count at least 37 American flags. So it was kind of scary for a foreigner to be here".[21] Regarding the album's composition, Björk also mentioned that she tried to find the common soul in everything, outside nationality and religion, whilst elaborating that she felt that "in that sense, it's a greatest hits of human spiritualism [laughs]. I think it's the first time I have done an album while I am reading the news. These are crazy times. It just seems that patriotism is a bad idea. I don't know how directly the album reflects that, but it is sort of anti-patriotic. Anti-Iceland as much as anti-anything".[22]

Medúlla is almost entirely a cappella,[23] also demonstrating avant-garde[24] and experimental music.[25] musicOMH's review stated that, "Despite its voice-only premise, Medúlla shows off a mile-wide scope of influences", noting elements of folk and medieval music,[26] despite Björk previously stating that Medúlla was "folk music, but without any folk attached" to the album.[5] She also considered the styles encompassing the album as "primitive and silly".[27] Wondering Sound wrote that despite "its comparative starkness, [Medúlla is] every bit as sensual as [Vespertine]".[28] The publication also added: "The electronic treatments range from industrial distortion to percussive glitches and dreamy layering, rarely descending into novelty".[28] The album combines beatboxing, classical choirs that suggest composers like Penderecki or Arvo Pärt, and "mews, moans, counterpoint and guttural grunts" provided by herself and guests like Mike Patton, Robert Wyatt and Tanya Tagaq.[29] Medúlla includes "vocal fantasias" that lean toward chamber music, alongside tracks that "are obviously but distantly connected to hip-hop."[29] Glimpses of Bulgarian women's choirs, the polyphony of central African pygmies, and the "primal vocalisms" of Meredith Monk were also noted.[29]

Songs[]

The album opens with "Pleasure Is All Mine", which begins with a vocal harmony set atop a woman's panting; it carries on a short while before Björk starts singing her verses, accompanied by a choir, which fills the background with cathedral-resonant harmonies.[30] Björk sings "When in doubt: give" repeatedly, providing contrast to an "alarming" groove.[31] "Show Me Forgiveness", an a cappella "short confessional anthem" follows, having no other effect than a slight echo applied to her voice.[32] She sings: "Show me forgiveness / For having lost faith in myself / And let my own interior up / To inferior forces / The shame is endless".[30] During the third song "Where Is the Line", she lyrically attacks a younger relative for being greedy and unreliable, displaying irritation: "I'm elastic for you, but enough is enough".[29][33] "Demonic vocals" are delivered by singer Mike Patton, and "angelically dissonant swaths of lush singing" from the Icelandic Choir; as Rahzel beatboxes, the choir emotes some "ahhhs". The song grows darker as it builds up as the male members of the choir deliver heavier sounds.[31][34] The "somber" song called "Vökuró", originally by Jórunn Viðar, is the fourth track on Medúlla.[29] Björk rolls her tongue around certain words, and she is accompanied by a choir.[34]

During the fifth track "Öll Birtan", Bjork's voice is layered over several times, with a drone like voice in the left channel, whilst doot-doos echo into the right channel.[34] The following song and lead single "Who Is It" features collaborations by Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq and Rahzel.[35] Some lyrics of the song — "Who is it that never lets you down?" — may be understood to reflect a "mother's unconditional love" in a dialogue between mother and child. The echo effects in "Who Is It" may additionally reflect the scattered sense of self the mother may experience as she carries the burden of constant care for her child.[36] "Submarine", the seventh track on the album, was influenced by Björk's pregnancy with her daughter Ísadóra and how she felt somewhat lazy during that time.[16][20] It has a "hint of political consciousness", and features the "reedy" voice of singer Robert Wyatt multiplied into a chorus to share lines like "Shake us out of the heavy deep sleep, do it now".[29] The next track "Desired Constellation" was created from a sample of Björk singing the phrase "I'm not sure what to do with it" from "Hidden Place" on her previous album, Vespertine. She imagines herself "With a palm full of stars/ I throw them like dice on the table/ Until the desired constellation appears".[37]

The ninth song, "Oceania", is about "Mother Oceania" from which Björk believes all life emerged, whilst she sings: "You have done well for yourselves / Since you left my wet embrace / And crawled ashore".[30] "Oceania" also features The London Choir.[38] Tenth song "Sonnets/Unrealities XI" was based on the poem "It May Not Always Be So; And I Say" by E. E. Cummings. Lyrically, she bids a farewell to a lover.[29] It features only Björk's singing, with slight inflections from the Icelandic Choir.[34] The following track "Ancestors" has no lyrics, featuring only Björk and Tagaq's voices.[39] The twelfth song "Mouth's Cradle" is paced by a "glug, glug" sample of "what might as well be the emptying of a gallon bottle of water".[40] Lyrically, she concludes: "I need a shelter to build an altar away from Osamas and Bushes".[29][34] On the thirteenth track of the album, "Miðvikudags", Björk sings once again in gibberish, while some doot-doos can be heard on the background, reminiscent of "Öll Birtan". On the closing track and second single, "Triumph of a Heart", the singer lyrically "celebrates the workings of anatomy", whilst musically it is the album's closest thing to a dance track. The song also features orchestral arrangements by the Icelandic and London Choirs,[41] as well as hooks coming from a "human trombone", herself, Gregory Purnhagen, and Rahzel and Dokaka.[29][42]

Release and promotion[]

On 3 August 2004, BBC Radio 1's The Breezeblock show premiered the tracks "Pleasure Is All Mine" and "Mouth's Cradle",[43] whilst The New York Times newspaper has posted on their website short clips for four tracks "Mouth's Cradle", "Oceania", "Where Is the Line" and "Who Is It".[44] Medúlla was first released on 30 August 2004 worldwide through Polydor Records, whilst it was distributed in the United Kingdom by One Little Indian. In the United States, the album was released the day after, by Elektra Records.[1] Lead single "Who Is It" reached the top five in Spain,[45] also peaking within the top 30 in Italy and the United Kingdom.[46][47] Second single "Triumph of a Heart" peaked at the top ten in Spain,[48] and reached the top 40 in Italy and the United Kingdom.[49][50]

"Oceania" was commissioned by the International Olympic Committee and performed at the 2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. She wore a very large dress which unfolded during her performance to eventually occupy the entire stadium and showed a map of the world in sign of union.[51] On 8 October 2004, Björk performed at the BBC Studios for the show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. She performed a bell choir mix of "Who Is It" with Rahzel and an English bell choir.[52] On 10 October 2004, Björk performed a set of five songs live in studio for Gilles Peterson's BBC Radio 1 program.[53] On 15 October 2004, Björk performed a set of six songs for the French television show Album de la Semaine at Canal+ studios in Paris, France.[54]

Other than these few performances, no concerts or tours were arranged to promote Medúlla. Björk said in an interview that "everybody involved seems to be up for it, so maybe they'll all come on the road. What I'd like to do is make another album like this and then tour for two of the at once".[55] She also spoke to Rolling Stone in June 2004 and told that she wished to immediately continue writing and recording yet another new album: "Every album I've done, the minute that it's done, I feel really lubricated and, like, 'Wow, now I can write an album in five minutes'... And I just want to find out if that's just a fantasy or if it's true." Also, Björk thought it would be too difficult to play the songs live.[56]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic84/100[57]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic4/5 stars[58]
Entertainment WeeklyA[59]
The Guardian5/5 stars[60]
Los Angeles Times3.5/4 stars[61]
Mojo4/5 stars[62]
NME8/10[63]
Pitchfork8.4/10[23]
Q3/5 stars[7]
Rolling Stone3.5/5 stars[64]
SpinB+[65]

Medúlla received acclaim from music critics. The album holds a rating of 84 out of 100 at Metacritic.[57] The Guardian newspaper's David Peschek gave it five stars out of five and heralded it as "brave and unique".[60] Dominique Leone from Pitchfork commented that Medulla was "an interesting record", while saying Björk had "found a way to bathe her immediately distinctive melodies and vocal nuances in solutions that cause me to reevaluate her voice and her craft".[23] Barry Walters of Rolling Stone stated that "Medulla is both the most extreme record Bjork has ever released and the most immediately accessible."[64] Blender's Ann Powers was also positive, calling it "another playful step" in Björk's "unstoppable, wandering quest".[66] Matthew Gasteier from Prefix magazine called Medúlla her most joyful album since Post and also her strangest at the time.[67] Mark Daniell from Canadian website Jam! also gave it a positive review, saying "pairing gooey purrs with grooves provided by a human trombone might not seem like a good idea, but when Björk is the one making the arrangements the effect is spine tingling".[68] Andy Battaglia of The A.V. Club said that "Once perceptions and expectations settle out... the album proves arrestingly in thrall to its own twisted tongue".[38]

Heather Phares of AllMusic thought that Medúlla is "not an immediate album, but it is a fascinating one, especially for anyone interested in the world's oldest instrument being used in unexpected ways".[58] Jennifer Vineyard from MTV News called the album "an ambitious project", but not because it was almost entirely a cappella. She said that some songs are "pretty unusual", as some could be medieval hymns, and others could be modern pop songs.[69] E! Online commented that "Fans of the Icelandic wonder's more orchestral tunes might think there's something missing here. Well, unless they're too busy being totally blown away".[70] David Hooper from BBC Music gave Medúlla a mixed review, stating that it has some high points and it never gets boring, but the album left him "feeling rather confused", because "the end product feels disjointed and at times claustrophobic", and that the excessive experimentation did not hit the mark.[71] Björk received two Grammy Award nominations for Medúlla, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Oceania", and Best Alternative Music Album.[72] This album was also featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[73]

Commercial performance[]

In the United Kingdom, Medúlla debuted at its peak of number nine on the UK Albums Chart, for the issue dated 11 September 2004, and remained for three weeks on the chart.[74] The album was certified Silver on 10 December 2004, by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), for shipments of at least 60,000 copies in the region.[75] In Austria, Medúlla debuted and peaked at number six, remaining on the albums chart for seven weeks.[76] In France, it peaked at number one on the albums chart, during the week dated 29 August 2004, remaining on the top for another week.[77] After spending 24 weeks on the chart, Medúlla was certified Gold by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP).[78] In Björk's native Iceland, the album debuted at the top of the chart, staying there for three weeks.[79][80] It peaked at number two in Italy, spending nine weeks on the chart.[81]

In the United States, Medúlla debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, on the issue dated 18 September 2004.[82] It became the highest-debuting album of her career, and remained for seven weeks inside the chart.[83] Additionally, Medúlla also topped the Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[84] As of May 2007 it has sold 235,000 copies in the region, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[85] In Australia, Medúlla debuted at number 17 on the ARIA Charts, on the issue dated 12 September 2004. It spent three weeks on the chart, falling off at number 40.[86] In New Zealand, the album peaked at number 35 and spent two weeks inside the New Zealand Albums Chart.[87] As of May 2014, Medúlla has sold more than a million copies worldwide.[88]

Track listing[]

All tracks written and produced by Björk, except where noted.[89]

No.TitleLength
1."Pleasure Is All Mine"3:26
2."Show Me Forgiveness"1:23
3."Where Is the Line" (producers: Björk, Mark Bell)4:41
4."Vökuró" (writers: Jórunn Viðar, Jakobína Sigurðardóttir)3:14
5."Öll Birtan"1:52
6."Who Is It"3:57
7."Submarine" (producers: Björk, Bell)3:13
8."Desired Constellation" (writers: Björk, Olivier Alary)4:55
9."Oceania" (writers: Björk, Sjón; producers: Björk, Bell)3:24
10."Sonnets / Unrealities XI" (writers: Björk, E. E. Cummings)1:59
11."Ancestors" (writers: Björk, Tagaq)4:08
12."Mouth's Cradle"4:00
13."Miðvikudags"1:24
14."Triumph of a Heart"4:04
Total length:45:39
Japanese/iTunes bonus track[89][90]
No.TitleLength
15."Komið"2:02
Total length:47:41

Personnel[]

Credits adapted from Medúlla liner notes.[89]

  • Björk – lead vocals, arrangement, programming (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 11–14), choir arrangement, bass line (track 1), bass synth (track 6), piano (track 11)
  • Tagaq – Inuit throat singing (tracks 1, 6, 11, 12)
  • Mike Patton – vocals (tracks 1, 3)
  • Robert Wyatt – vocals (tracks 7, 9)
  • Rahzel – beatboxing (tracks 1, 3, 6, 12, 14)
  • Shlomo – beatboxing (track 9)
  • – beatboxing (track 14)
  • Gregory Purnhagen – human trombone (tracks 3, 14)
  • The Icelandic Choir – choral vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11)
  • The London Choir – choral vocals (track 9)
  • Nico Muhly – piano (track 9)
  • Mark Bell – bass synthesizer (track 12), programming (tracks 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 14)
  • Peter Van Hooke – gong (track 1)
  • Little Miss Spectra – programming (track 3)
  • Matmos – programming (track 6)
  • Olivier Alary – programming (track 8)
  • Valgeir Sigurdsson – programming (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14)
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
  • Nick Ingham – conductor (Olympic Studios choir session)
  • Karl Olgeirsson – copyist (Iceland sessions)
  • Nick Mera – copyist (London session)
  • Sturla Thorisson – engineer (assistant, Greenhouse Studios)
  • Christian Rutledge – engineer (assistant, Looking Glass)
  • Rob Haggett – engineer (assistant, Olympic Studios)
  • David Treahearn – engineer (assistant, Olympic Studios)
  • Juan Garcia – engineer (assistant, The Magic Shop)
  • Flavio de Souza – engineer (Ilha Dos Sapos Studios)
  • Ichiho Nishiki – engineer (Looking Glass)
  • Neil Dorfsman – additional recording
  • Jake Davies – additional recording
  • M/M Paris – art direction, design
  • Shoplifter / Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir – artwork (hair sculpture)
  • Andrea Helgadóttir – artwork (skin colours)
  • Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin – photography

Choir

Charts[]

Certifications and sales[]

Certifications and sales for Medúlla
Region Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[113] Gold 100,000*
Japan — 71,239[114]
Russia (NFPF)[115] Gold 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[75] Silver 60,000^
United States — 235,000[116]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes[]

  1. ^ Medúlla is officially considered to be the fifth solo album,[2] although, technically, it can be viewed as sixth if counting her 1977 juvenilia work, or seventh, counting her 1990 jazz output Gling-Gló.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "björk : albums : Medúlla". 24 April 2005. Archived from the original on 24 April 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  2. ^ "New Releases". One Little Indian. Archived from the original on 6 August 2004. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Medúlla". La Monnaie. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  4. ^ "New Bjork". NME. 11 March 2003. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Ross, Alex (23 August 2004). "Björk's saga". The New Yorker. Vol. 80 no. 20–28. p. 257. ISSN 0028-792X.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Bjork's Medulla: the 'blood and meat' of music?" (PDF). Academia.edu. pp. 21–27. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Mulholland, Garry (October 2004). "Björk: Medulla". Q. No. 219. p. 120. ISSN 0955-4955.
  8. ^ "Björk : albums : Medúlla - Biography". bjork.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2004. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Interview in W Magazine". bjork.com. 10 July 2004. Archived from the original on 31 August 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  10. ^ Björk (2004). The Inner or Deep Part of an Animal or Plant Structure (DVD). One Little Indian Records. 40247-2.
  11. ^ Sarah-Jane (5 November 2004). "Interview: Bjork". Uncut. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Dokaka". bjork.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  13. ^ Kane, Ashleigh (10 March 2015). "M/M Paris x Björk". Dazed. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Rosenfeld, Austen (6 March 2015). "Meet Shoplifter, Björk's Icelandic Hair Sculptor". Style. Archived from the original on 7 March 2015.
  15. ^ Gottschalk, Molly (2 March 2015). "As Björk Opens at MoMA, Behind the Scenes of Her Most Iconic Images". Artsy. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c d McNair, James (12 August 2004). "Passions in a cold climate". The Independent. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  17. ^ Morgunblaðsins, Tímarit (22 August 2004). "Dýpstu Bjarkar rætur". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  18. ^ "The Name is Medulla". bjork.com. 11 June 2004. Archived from the original on 23 November 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  19. ^ Sandall, Robert (14 August 2004). "'This time it's intuition only – no brain, please'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b Hoggard, Liz (13 March 2005). "'Maybe I'll be a feminist in my old age'". The Observer. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  21. ^ Lawton, Jenny (8 September 2011). "Artists Respond to 9/11: Michael Stipe, Björk, Jodie Foster". WNYC. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  22. ^ Meter, William Van (November 2004). "Voices Carry". Spin. Vol. 20 no. 11. p. 32. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b c Leone, Dominique (30 August 2004). "Björk: Medulla". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  24. ^ "Bjork, Medulla (Elektra)". Spin. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  25. ^ "Björk lança o seu trabalho mais experimental" (in Portuguese). Terra. 13 September 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  26. ^ McDonnell, Sarah (30 August 2004). "Björk – Medúlla". musicOMH. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  27. ^ "Q&A". bjork.com. 18 July 2004. Archived from the original on 20 August 2004. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "Icon: Björk". Wondering Sound. 9 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Jon, Pareles (29 August 2004). "MUSIC; Bjork Grabs The World By the Throat". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b c Killingsworth, Jason (1 October 2004). "Björk: Björk - Medúlla". Paste. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b Beaumont, Michael (11 October 2004). "Björk - Medulla". PopMatters. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  32. ^ "BJORK Medulla". The Milk Factory. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  33. ^ Lapatine, Scott (28 March 2008). "Björk: The Stereogum Interview". Stereogum. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Spence D (1 September 2004). "Bjork - Medulla". IGN. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  35. ^ Paoletta, Michael (11 September 2004). "Björk - Medúlla". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2 September 2005. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  36. ^ Malawey, Victoria (2007). Temporal Process, Repetition, and Voice in Bjork's "Medúlla". Indiana University. p. 48. ISBN 978-0549466277.
  37. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (12 August 2004). "Bjork Album Preview: Beautiful, Baffling and Bothersome Medúlla". MTV News. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b Battaglia, Andy (8 September 2004). "Björk: Medulla". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  39. ^ "Bjork's Medulla: the 'blood and meat' of music?" (PDF). Academia.edu. p. 24. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  40. ^ Coyle, Jake (31 August 2004). "Björk makes magic with 'Medulla'". Today. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  41. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (26 August 2004). "Björk - Medúlla". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  42. ^ Mylnar, Phillip (10 October 2011). "Sounds Go Through The Muscles: Bjork's Top Ten Hip-Hop Connections". The Village Voice. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  43. ^ "The Breezeblock Tracklistings". BBC Radio 1. 3 August 2004. Archived from the original on 8 August 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  44. ^ "Clips From 'Medulla'". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Björk – Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left Carry My Pain on the Right)". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  46. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Björk – Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left Carry My Pain on the Right)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  47. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 24 October 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  48. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Björk – Triumph of a Heart". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  49. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Björk – Triumph of a Heart". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 6 March 2005. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  51. ^ Larson, Jeremy D. (26 July 2012). "11 Olympic Theme Songs, Dissected". Time. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  52. ^ "Graham Norton trips the light fantastic". BBC Online. 8 October 2004. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  53. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Gilles Peterson - Tracklisting". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  54. ^ "L'Album de la semaine". L'Album de la semaine. Season 1. 25 October 2004. 19 minutes in. Canal+.
  55. ^ Whiteley, Mark (October 2004). "Bjork". Slap. Archived from the original on 24 September 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  56. ^ Gitlin, Lauren (15 June 2004). "Bjork Voices "Medulla"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  57. ^ Jump up to: a b "Reviews for Medulla by Björk". Metacritic. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  58. ^ Jump up to: a b Phares, Heather. "Medúlla – Björk". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  59. ^ Willman, Chris (10 September 2004). "Medulla". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  60. ^ Jump up to: a b Peschek, David (27 August 2004). "Björk, Medulla". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  61. ^ Cromelin, Richard (5 September 2004). "Ambitious music, even by Bjork's standards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  62. ^ "Björk: Medulla". Mojo. No. 130. September 2004. p. 93. ISSN 1351-0193.
  63. ^ "Björk: Medulla". NME. 4 September 2004. p. 73. ISSN 0028-6362.
  64. ^ Jump up to: a b Walters, Barry (16 September 2004). "Medulla". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  65. ^ Harris, Keith (16 September 2004). "Björk: Medulla". Spin. Vol. 20 no. 10. pp. 111–12. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  66. ^ Powers, Ann. "Björk - Medúlla". Blender. Archived from the original on 19 October 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  67. ^ Gasteiser, Matthew (31 August 2004). "Bjork - Medulla". Prefix. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  68. ^ Daniell, Mark (1 September 2004). "Medulla". Jam!. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  69. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (12 August 2004). "Bjork Album Preview: Beautiful, Baffling and Bothersome Medúlla". MTV News. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  70. ^ "Bjork - Medulla". E! Online. 31 August 2004. Archived from the original on 31 August 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  71. ^ Hooper, David. "Bjork Medúlla Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  72. ^ "Grammy Awards 2005: Key winners". BBC News. 14 February 2005. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  73. ^ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (23 March 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
  74. ^ Jump up to: a b "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  75. ^ Jump up to: a b "British album certifications – Björk – Medúlla". British Phonographic Industry. 10 December 2004. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  76. ^ Jump up to: a b "Austriancharts.at – Björk – Medúlla" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  77. ^ Jump up to: a b "Lescharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  78. ^ "French album certifications – Björk – Medúlla" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  79. ^ Jump up to: a b "Tón Listinn – 36. Vika 2004". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 10 September 2004. p. 46. ISSN 1021-7266 – via Timarit.is.
  80. ^ "Tón Listinn 38. Vika 2004". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 24 September 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  81. ^ Jump up to: a b "Italiancharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  82. ^ "Medulla - Bjork". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  83. ^ Jump up to: a b "Bjork Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  84. ^ Jump up to: a b "Bjork Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  85. ^ Bliss, Karen (10 May 2007). "Bjork's New Blend". Billboard. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  86. ^ Jump up to: a b "Australiancharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  87. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charts.nz – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  88. ^ "Björk's Medúlla to be turned into an Opera in Belgium". Iceland Magazine. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  89. ^ Jump up to: a b c Medúlla (Japanese version liner lotes). Björk. Polydor Records. 2004. UICP-1056.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  90. ^ "Medulla by Björk on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  91. ^ "Ultratop.be – Björk – Medúlla" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  92. ^ "Ultratop.be – Björk – Medúlla" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  93. ^ "Bjork Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  94. ^ "Oficiální česká hitparáda IFPI ČR – 38. týden 2004". Marketing & Media (in Czech). 17 September 2004. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  95. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  96. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Björk – Medúlla" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  97. ^ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 116 no. 38. 18 September 2004. p. 55. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  98. ^ "Björk: Medúlla" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  99. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Björk – Medúlla" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  100. ^ Top 50 Ελληνικών και Ξένων Άλμπουμ [Top 50 Greek and Foreign Albums] (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 29 October 2004. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  101. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 36, 2004". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  102. ^ ビョークのアルバム売り上げランキング [Björk's album sales ranking] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  103. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  104. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  105. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  106. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  107. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  108. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  109. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Björk – Medúlla". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  110. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  111. ^ "Rapports annuels 2004 – Albums" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  112. ^ "Tops de l'Année | Top Albums 2004" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  113. ^ "French album certifications – Björk – Medúlla" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. 16 November 2004. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  114. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Charts. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  115. ^ "Russian album certifications – Björk – Medúlla" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPF).
  116. ^ "Bjork's New Blend". Billboard. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2016.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""