In Bjork’s long and varied career, she’s never failed to do things her own way, which is to say -- love her or hate her -- that she’s an artist of singular invention. Without a doubt, she’s one of the most successful (if most unlikely) international pop stars working in the world today. Inarguably, even when you don’t always like the songs, she deserves tremendous respect. No one can ape the woman’s signature voice, nor match her far-reaching vision of what pop music can be. And though she’s very much a mainstream artist, Bjork’s continuously forged a path away from her peers--never one to find a successful niche and play it safe like so many other pop singers.

Rather, she savors unique projects and values collaborations with fellow avant-garde artists and arrangers. Bravely, Bjork makes interesting, bold vocal choices, and clearly relishes lyrical subject matter others tend to shy away from: death, depression, guilt, regret, embarrassment, spirituality and personal empowerment, economics, environmentalism, and yes, even sex (but never in that lame-ass come hither way Madonna, Spears, and J.Lo mine so predictably).

Bjork’s new a cappella album, "Medulla," features no traditional instruments. With just the purity of her voice and words (and occasional vocal accompaniment from Rahzel The Human Beatbox, Fantomos’ Mike Patton, and both the Icelandic and London choirs), the album deftly celebrates and excoriates the human condition. She’s once again created a peerless masterpiece of modern pop. Indeed, the songs "Show Me Forgiveness," "Who Is It," and "Constellation" are some of the best work she’s ever done. Highly recommended.