Medulla
by Björk
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 316 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 282 out of 316
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 316
  3. Negative: 11 out of 316

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  1. ShaunH
    Sep 6, 2004
    10
    Having been a Bjork fan for a long time before this CD I loved her work but was never 100% satisfied with complete albums. This time around I was amazed at how much I loved every bit of the album. I've listened to it already many times. Unlike others I find Where is the Line to be one of the weaker tracks... for best listening I found Oceania, Submarine and The Pleasure is all Mine Having been a Bjork fan for a long time before this CD I loved her work but was never 100% satisfied with complete albums. This time around I was amazed at how much I loved every bit of the album. I've listened to it already many times. Unlike others I find Where is the Line to be one of the weaker tracks... for best listening I found Oceania, Submarine and The Pleasure is all Mine as well as Vokuro.… Expand
  2. AndrewC
    Aug 30, 2004
    10
    Paradoxically both challenging and accessible, breathtaking and full of breathing, heavy and as light as air travelling throat a throat. Album of the year, so far.
  3. Andy[en-die]
    Aug 30, 2004
    10
    I LOVE ART!
  4. Sucka
    Sep 1, 2004
    10
    Absolutely amazing. Doesn't need the "hey, it's just voices" gimmick at all -- it stands on the merits of the sound. The best album I've heard this year.
  5. WangT
    Sep 1, 2004
    10
    For an artist whose previous 4 albums are all masterpieces of eletronic pop music, my expectation of Bjork's 5th album is very hight, and strangely, Medulla is way beyond my expectation! Bjork's music is always a hybrid of pop, avant garde, experimental art with enough marketing calculation. However, having built a highly successful (profitable) career, Bjork seems to have For an artist whose previous 4 albums are all masterpieces of eletronic pop music, my expectation of Bjork's 5th album is very hight, and strangely, Medulla is way beyond my expectation! Bjork's music is always a hybrid of pop, avant garde, experimental art with enough marketing calculation. However, having built a highly successful (profitable) career, Bjork seems to have finally freed from the need to satisfy to mass, and begun to work according to her own indulgence. The concept, a pop album consisted of mostly human voices, seems so weird at first, but I am shocked how Bjork collected all the voices and programmed them to a collection of accessible songs without losing any pop sensibility. An unique accomplishment.… Expand
  6. rocketman70
    Sep 5, 2004
    10
    Excellent record-One of Bjork's best (which is saying a lot). Requires multiple listens to truly appreciate the artistry of it. A fine and unusual effort
  7. DwightV
    Oct 8, 2004
    10
    I am a longtime fan of Bjork (despite my age 18)and did not know what to expect. At first I was a little weirded out. But you have to give it a chance. And when you give it that chance you'll see that it is the most unique, passionate album of our times
  8. KojoO
    Aug 31, 2004
    10
    just listen to triumph of the heart in the dark then you will know what sound is.
  9. reis_la_reis
    Aug 30, 2004
    10
    An absolute gem. Muscially inclined as she is, she's also a genius. I love this album to it's depths. From the intriguiing Pleasure is all mine to the dark dancy Triumph of a heart, Bjork has actually met the expectation all her previous works set ridiculously high standards for. WONDERFUL!
  10. peter
    Aug 31, 2004
    10
    This CD took me a few days to understand... I couldn't keep track of the melodies and it seemed to glide over me. Now that it's finally "clicked", I'm having a tough time listening to more mainstream music. Great album - just give it time, and don't let your expectations for what you think it should sound like stand in the way of really hearing it.
  11. gorans.
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    One of the most defining, mind-blowing experiences I've had this year - and it's been a great year. And by the end of the third track, I alerady knew it would be that - so the impact with me was far more instant than most others, and if it grows on me any further, it might become my absolute, all-time favorite album. It's certainly her most ethnic and experimental work yet, One of the most defining, mind-blowing experiences I've had this year - and it's been a great year. And by the end of the third track, I alerady knew it would be that - so the impact with me was far more instant than most others, and if it grows on me any further, it might become my absolute, all-time favorite album. It's certainly her most ethnic and experimental work yet, but it's also her most ethereal and entrancing.… Expand
  12. monicak
    Sep 15, 2004
    10
    meticulous,mesmerizing,beautiful
  13. RafaelH
    Sep 1, 2004
    10
    i think post and homogenic will always be her best albums, but this one came real close... and maybe it will grow on me like those other two did and became such favorites... mouth's cradle is just gorgeous.. pleasure is all mine, who is it.. oceania... vokuro... where is the line.. triumph of a heart... so many great songs in here!
  14. JoeyM
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    Jaw droppingly beautiful. Just keeps getting better the more I listen to it.
  15. Ronald
    Sep 2, 2004
    10
    A difficult album it rewards repeated listening. I absoultely love it. Bjork is a true genius.
  16. FrankO
    Sep 4, 2004
    10
    Her best album yet, hands down.
  17. SarahC
    Sep 4, 2004
    10
    Both the most complicated and simplistic Bjork album yet! I cant wait for the remixes (hopefully) to follow!!!! Best Album of the year!!!!!
  18. BrandonS.
    Sep 6, 2004
    10
    Holy wow! What greatness, 10 10 10. I used to hate those beatbox kids (Rahzel) and thought it would deplete from the potential of the album, but now I love those crazy guys! Some of these pieces hint at a sort of Portishead feel which is awesome. If Bjork stays in this direction she will be the champion. Pick this one up pals, best bjork to date.
  19. BlakeW
    Sep 9, 2004
    10
    Beautiful. With each listen it gets better. The Desired Constellation has been achieved....
  20. RobertD
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    This album is both grand as it is humble. Björk has truly managed to keep herself through the entire process.
  21. marina
    Apr 12, 2008
    10
    The main argument against it is " it's too dificult. heavy to the head, rare"... But we could also call it " elaborate, misterious, creative"... not everyone can understand music of this level, but once you do you just love it.
  22. JorgeH
    Nov 24, 2004
    10
    I just want to say that Bjork is by far the most original artist out there in any catagory. Mouth's cradle is my favorite track of all time. In an industry of fast pop and everyone trying to be ghetto now she took the "trip hop" and applied it to "where is the line"/"who is it"/and "Thriumph of the heart" and meshed her unique style flawlessly to all the other collaborators. The I just want to say that Bjork is by far the most original artist out there in any catagory. Mouth's cradle is my favorite track of all time. In an industry of fast pop and everyone trying to be ghetto now she took the "trip hop" and applied it to "where is the line"/"who is it"/and "Thriumph of the heart" and meshed her unique style flawlessly to all the other collaborators. The grunting and whailing in "ANSESTORS" by tanya tagaq just raises the hairs in the back of my neck, I think it just taps into your soul and stirrs all sorts of emotions. Basically this album is a masterpiece and to those who gave it a low rating.... you need to listen to Britney Spears maybe she can fufill your simple and rubbish taste in music.… Expand
  23. NseE
    Dec 15, 2004
    10
    If you like your music all sugary and fluff with no substance, this isn't for you. Another amazing collection from Bjork, unlike anything else you'll hear this year. Standouts include the ambient 'Oceania', the stomping 'Triumph of a heart', the haunting 'Pleasure is all mine', 'Desired constellation', and 'Mouth's cradle'.
  24. bobby
    Oct 22, 2004
    10
    Far reaching, emotional, yet so current. Keep pushing those boundaries my dame.
  25. LeonardoF
    Aug 31, 2004
    10
    It sounds we're listening the album from inside her head, simply fantastic!
  26. MartinZ
    Sep 13, 2004
    10
    This is an art work!
  27. Julian
    Sep 4, 2004
    10
    Stairway to the roots...amazing musical experience.
  28. ChristyneB
    Jan 29, 2005
    10
    "Pleasure is all mine" and "Vokuró" are so deep. Medúlla is dark and sensitive; 100% human. All that yelling and the weird noises are just perfect fot Björk's evolution. Great album!
  29. LockneO
    Mar 13, 2005
    10
    "Medulla" is Bjork's attempt to make music without instruments works amazingly! It seems to me that "Debut" is her only album I don't feel is unbelievable. "Medulla" is dark in a way that makes you feel relaxed. "Desired Constellation" and "Mouth's Cradle" are personally my favorite tracks because they're so deep...
  30. FrancoisL
    Mar 24, 2005
    10
    Este disco es una maravilla! Escuchando sus dos ultimos discos... ya no se puede volver a escuchar los primeros... Los dos ultimos discos son tan buenos que hacen que sus tres primeros parezcan basura, cuando son geniales.
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Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Album of 2004
17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2004
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    Though hardly Björk's most pronounced statement, Medúlla is definitely a highlight of her already illustrious career.
    Read full review
  2. Stylus Magazine
    90
    To me, Medulla is an experiment in transforming the primal power of the human voice into a 21st century context. It's an amazing effort, and it's one of the best albums of the year.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    88
    The luminosity of her performance counters the album's tendency toward dry formalism. [5 Sep 2004]
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »