Search - Bjork :: Volta (W/Dvd)

Save Duets, Another Great Bjork Album

Music Producerhead | CA, United States | 06/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You can't fault anyone who constantly tries new things. It's a sign of growth as well as a sense of adventure. We've always gotten these elements from Scandinavian singer/writer Bjork. Her previous album, Medúlla, was actually so adventurous, so avant-garde, that she most certainly alienated many of her fans. But I've maintained that her solo work is progressive rock in the most strict sense (unlike most of what's called progressive these days) - that she's constantly attempting to move forward, in new directions with her music. What else would you call something like VERTEBRAE BY VERTEBRAE? Is it a coincidence then that the album's title is part of the name of one of the neo-prog groups with more pop influences than prog - The Mars Volta? Curious, indeed. What's surprising to me, is that she's able to keep any of her pop followers at all these days - she doesn't seem too concerned with it.



So perhaps it's no surprise that she's taken a step backward (maybe half a step), into more familiar territory, with VOLTA. In truth, she's still moving forward, but she's collaborated with other musicians and producers who are certainly stuck in the "now". The results aren't always dazzling, but that's the nature of experimentation. As much as I like EARTH INTRUDERS, WANDERLUST, and I SEE WHO YOU ARE, a couple of songs just don't work well. Part of this is the duet with Antony in DULL FLAME OF DESIRE, which goes on much too long. Honestly, I just can't stand his voice, so if you like him, maybe this works for you. I heard Bjork perform this song solo in concert and it was so much better that I can say it's clearly just her choice of duet partner that ruins it for me. It's also the first Bjork song since her days with the Sugercubes that I don't like. Antony also shows up as a manipulated sample in MY JUVENILE, but here it's almost an effect, and as such his rapid vibrato works.



The other song on the album that has troubles is Innocence, which just sounds too trendy to me. But Bjork, like everyone else, has to make money, and this one will probably chart, easily becoming the most likable song on radio if it does. She also gets credit on that one for some creative sample work. DECLARE INDEPENDENCE is a call back to her punk roots and songs like PLUTO. But she makes it fresh, and it's become one of my favorites on VOLTA.



Bjork is an independent, a true visionary, and I hope there's always a place for her in this increasingly commercialistic pop music industry. If you've never been a Bjork fan, this might be a good CD at which to start.

4 stars out of 5."