Who doesn't have a strong opinion on Björk? Love me some Homogenic and Vespertine, hate me some Medulla, and I'm pretty sure the overrated Post and underrated Volta are about equal in quality. And for the stuff I haven't heard -- Telegram, Gling-Glo, various box sets and live crapanalia -- I fear the worst. Exciting lady though. Let's dance with her new album, Biophilia, which is officially out Oct. 10.
"Moon"
In a weird instance of art imitating art, Ms. Guðmundsdóttir begins by sinking to Joanna Newsom's level. After all, she damn near invented alt-preciousness, why let some new little harp-playing harpie run the place? Unfortunately, the taste of petty competition drowns this beatless thing out -- the same kind that kept me from hearing the brilliance in M.I.A.'s underrated "XXXO" for weeks just because she attempted to best Lady Gaga. Thing is, this isn't a nuance-rich mess to sort through in a few weeks. Björk, simplistic? Lest you accuse her of lacking ambition, she drags this harp-and-voice dirge out towards six minutes.