The inimitable Björk All photos by Bernhard Kristinn

If you haven’t been in the alternative music scene within the past 20 years, hearing the accolades of someone simply named “Björk”, may leave you a bit confused. The name evokes images of imaginary shapes, colors, and extraterrestrial life. This may not be too far from the truth when delving into the artistry and creative beauty of Björk Guðmundsdóttir. Apart from understanding the literal meaning of her name (Björk is actually Icelandic for Birch Tree), a comprehensive musical understanding of Björk and her imaginative contributions to today’s soundscape, from her early work with The Sugarcubes to her latest solo release Volta and it’s visual reincarnation Voltaic, gives one an appreciation for what exists beyond the orbit of normal and the frequently mundane.

The chronology of Björk and her work begins with a childhood in Iceland. Having studied piano as a young student, the audio auteur released her first album Björk at the age of eleven; her instructors at the time were able to solicit her kinder beginnings to a local radio station where her renditions of traditional and folkloric Icelandic songs were played nationally. This was followed by adolescent and post-adolescent genre ventures producing phase bands and collaborations such as Spit Spot, KUKL, and number of other onimonopia groupings. Before jettisoning into the image and icon that she is today, Björk garnered significant success with her involvement in the first major Icelandic band The Sugarcubes, who later disbanded in 1992. Her album Debut (1993), marked the newly established beginning of a solo career made legendary with following albums Post (1995), Homogenic (1997), Vespertine (2001), and Medulla (2004).

Voltaic is the culmination of a two year campaign of her sixth album Volta, released in 2007. Accompanied by an all female Icelandic 10-piece brass section and the talents of Mark Bell of LFO, Damian Taylor, Chris Corsano, and Jonas Sen, Björk marches onto the world stage blowing critics and audiences away with her musical and visual performances, remaining almost inseparable through operatic design, seamless impromptu choreography, and thematic narratives of invasion, conflict, and liberation made sweet with dividing mercis.

The complied DVD/CD set captures the imaginative workings of the artist’s endeavors both past and present. The 5-disc assemblage includes live performances from Paris, where in multicolored mosaic tribal paint and brass horn procession, Björk wins over flag raising attendees with ballads “Earth Intruding” and “Declare Independence”, and a corresponding concert from her native Reykjavik, where softer sounds, are explored and expounded into the eardrums and eaves of the small Icelandic parish. Also included are past music videos, newly remixed Volta tracks and songs from the Volta tour performed live at Olympic Studios.

This latest release combines what has represented Björk through out her career: Dazzling mythologies made real with the shrieks, howls, and hisses on a microphone dressed strangely elegant in white plumes, rainbow skirts, and tantric inspired costuming.

Voltaic plays for a special engagement screening this Tuesday. Go see it or pick up the DVD June 30th.