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Bjork Brings Her Army to Madison Square Garden

Depending on who you ask, Bjork is either a genius or decidedly insane. Few artists can slather some fluorescent glow paint across their forehead, throw on a golden sack with frills to the nines, sing about holding a palm full of stars turned makeshift dice, and yet -- in spite of all the lyrical and visual ornaments, courtesy of a cozy little residence on the fringe -- still make perfect sense. On Monday night, Iceland's greatest export did little to settle the debate, but rather, reiterated that the two aren't mutually exclusive.

A season has passed since Bjork last played New York City, in what was a three-night in seven days spring run at Radio City, United Palace and Apollo Theater, respectively. Nearly four months and an album release later, her Madison Square Garden gig found the singer's bag of tricks, while not entirely new, wholly compounded. Bjork's 10-woman strong backing brass band, Wonderbrass, queued up the show, marching in line ahead of their ethereal leader -- a path walked each show thus far in support of 'Volta' -- before tribal beats and dualing pyro eruptions marked the intro of trusty opener, 'Earth Intruders.'

"Thank you," a barefoot Bjork squeaked, flittering between either side of the stage like Tinkerbell on acid. "We are going to have a guest now." In fact, she would have two: pipa player Min Xiao-Fen on 'I See Who You Are,' the ode to her daughter, four-year-old Isadora, and Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons on the slow burning 'Dull Flame of Desire.' But for the rest of the night's 18 songs, Bjork's interminable voice left little room for sharing as it sought to invade each of the Garden's 20,976 square feet. From the menacing 'Army of Me' to the apocalyptic 'Pluto,' no crevice went untouched, no bone left unrattled. While hers is a voice that needs no decorations, Bjork threw in some beat-triggered strobes and cannoned confetti for good measure.

"I'm going to prove the impossible really exists," she sang on 'Cover Me.' As if anyone else could.

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Bjork's Setlist from Madison Square Garden, September 24, 2007:
Intro
'Earth Intruders'
'Hunter'
'Pagan Poetry'
'I See Who You Are'
'Unravel'
'Pleasure Is All Mine'
'Dull Flame of Desire'
'Joga'
'Desired Constellation'
'Army of Me'
'Innocence'
'I Miss You'
'Cover Me'
'Wanderlust'
'Hyperballad'
'Pluto'

Encore:
'Oceania'
'Declare Independence'

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9 Comments

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USA homes

She is so special! I am looking forward to her video directed by Gondri!

December 11 2007 at 8:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pete

I saw the show, it was really amazing. Five days later, I'm still reeling from it. It might sound corny, but it was definitely life changing. The opening acts, santo gold and klaxons were also great.

September 29 2007 at 11:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SSchus87

Absolutely incredible...

September 29 2007 at 7:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
thelonious

Twit? That's the goofiest comment I've read all day.

September 28 2007 at 11:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ellvelon03

twit, eh? what kind of crap do you listen to?

September 28 2007 at 4:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

I saw it. Absolutely incredible. The most exciting/moving live experience I'll ever see.

September 25 2007 at 11:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
elephantman

I thought this Icelandic twit disapeared a few years ago,sadly it looks like I mistaken. Damn!

September 25 2007 at 10:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kirs10

Saw it. Electrifying.

September 25 2007 at 9:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
spinnermel

bjork has total spider-man skills.

September 25 2007 at 7:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply