Bjork - Telegram (SHM-CD, Japan) (1996/2008)

On her first two solo albums, Debut and Post, Bjork covered a lot of sounds, smashing artistic boundaries with variations on pop, dance and jazz. In the process she sold over a million records and established herself as one of the most intriguing artists in pop. Now, on her new album Telegram, Bjork covers Bjork. Telegram takes Post's dissonant beats and textures even further, radically reconstructing nine of that album's tracks with the help of several renowned producers. These are not mere remixes. They're fresh interpretations of the originals that stand completely on their own, with entirely new vocals (most of which are complete live takes), arrangements, tempos and moods - performed with her unique combination of whimsy and sensuality.

The Icelandic iconoclast is a past master of deconstructing her studio recordings, and here she plays an active role in helping a crew of remixers and guest artistes get medieval with tracks off 1995's Post. Trip-hop, jungle, and industrial flavors will draw the Tricky crowd, and Brodsky Quartet puts a string-driven spin on "Hyperballad," but it's the lush Deodata treatment of "Isobel" that'll make your head spin. --Jeff Bateman