Medúlla is an album by Icelandic singer/songwriter/musician Björk, which was released on 30 August 2004 (see 2004 in music). The album is almost entirely a cappella, with very few instruments (a piano on "Ancestors" and "Oceania" and a gong on "Pleasure is All Mine") other than the human voice; even the atmospheric haze that dominates the soundscape of "Desired Constellation" was created from a sample of Björk singing "I'm not sure what to do with it" from "Hidden Place" on her previous album, Vespertine.

The album features beatboxing, choral arrangements and throat singing, as well as guest appearances by such artists as Mike Patton, Robert Wyatt, Tagaq, Rahzel (formerly of The Roots) and Dokaka.

The lyrics of "Sonnets/Unrealities XI" are based from a poem by E. E. Cummings. And Björk covered the song Vökuró, originally by Jórunn Viðar.

Björk received 2 Grammy nominations for Medúlla, including Female Pop Vocal Performance for Oceania, and Alternative Music Album.

The album reached a position of #9 on the UK Top 75 Albums Chart, #16 in Australia, and #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 - her highest ever position.

Track listing

---

1. "Pleasure Is All Mine" – 3:26
2. "Show Me Forgiveness" – 1:23
3. "Where is the Line" – 4:41
4. "Vökuró" – 3:14
5. "Öll Birtan" – 1:52
6. "Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left, Carry My Pain on the Right)" – 3:57
7. "Submarine" – 3:13
8. "Desired Constellation" – 4:55
9. "Oceania" – 3:24 (1st single)
10. "Sonnets/Unrealities XI" – 1:59
11. "Ancestors" – 4:08
12. "Mouth's Cradle" – 4:00
13. "Miðvikudags" – 1:24
14. "Triumph of a Heart" – 4:04
15. "Komið" track for Japanese/iTunes release – 2:02

Performances

---

"Oceania" was commissioned by the International Olympic Committee and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games, in which Björk's sea-blue dress expanded to cover nearly the entire stadium.

On October 8th, 2004, Björk performed at the BBC Studios for the Jonathon Ross Show. She performed "Who Is It (Bell Choir Mix)" with Rahzel and the Bell Choir.

On October 15th, 2004, Björk performed a set of six songs for a French television show called "Album de la Semaine" at the Canal studios in Paris, France. Also known as "The Canal Performances", the video is available in DVD format for public release in the fan-created "Björk Hub". Setlist:

1. Desired Constellation
2. Pleasure Is All Mine
3. Show Me Forgiveness
4. Sonnets/Unrealites
5. Vökuró
6. Who Is It

On July 2nd, 2005, Björk performed in Tokyo, Japan at the Makuhari Messe for Live 8. Accompanied by Matmos, the Japanese String Octet, and Zeena Parkins, she performed a set of 9 songs. Setlist:

1. Pagan Poetry - Instrumental
2. Pagan Poetry
3. All Is Full of Love
4. Desired Constellation
5. Jòga
6. Hyperballad
7. Generous Palmstroke
8. Bachelorette
9. It's in Our Hands (Soft Pink Truth Mix)

On January 7th, 2006, Björk performed in Reykjavík, Iceland at the Stortonleikar. The major concert in Iceland was announced in the Icelandic Morgunblaðið for the support of Icelandic Nature preserve. The artists playing were Ham, Magga Stína, Múm, Sigur Rós, Hjálmar, KK, Rass, Björk, Ghostigital, Damon Albarn og Egó. Björk was accompanied by Zeena Parkins on harp and she performed 3 songs. Setlist:

Setlist:

1. Vökuro (harp version)
2. Show Me Forgiveness
3. Generous Palmstroke

External links

---

• Medúlla mini-site

See also

---

• Amazon.com's Top 100 Editors' Picks of 2004

Bjork | Björk albums | 2004 albums

Medúlla | Medúlla | Medúlla | Medúlla | Medúlla | Medúlla | Medúlla