Bjork - Volta: Album Review
Bjork, Volta (One Little Indian, 2007)
I thought Bjork had pretty much retired from music a long time ago, but come to find out, according to the world's most accurate encyclopedia, she's just been focusing on a buncha weird concept albums and remixes of shit. Presumably, Volta is her attempt to get her career back on track commercially. 3 of its 11 tracks were produced by uber producer of the moment Timbaland.
EARTH INTRUDERS
The first of three Timbaland tracks on this, though you'd hardly know it. It actually sounds to me more like Bjork's version of something Timbaland might do. In a good way, of course.
WANDERLUST
More techno-y (think Radiohead's "Idioteque" or something), with a chorus that really allows Bjork to belt it out.
THE DULL FLAME OF DESIRE
An epic duet with that fruit Antony, who kinda gives me the creeps. I mean, even for a teh ghey guy. That fucker can sing though. (Nullus!)
INNOCENCE
Much more along the lines of something you'd expect Timbaland to do. Not that it sounds like anything you've ever heard before in your life.
I SEE WHO YOU ARE
Bjork rambling about doing the nasty (probably) or other over some soothing xylophone music, with the occasional random-ass Indian music flourishes for good measure.
VERTEBRAE BY VERTEBRAE
She may be telling some sort of story here, but I wouldn't know. I wish there was more of a drum beat or something.
PNEUMONIA
Not unlike the one with Antony, but more uneventful. Nullus just in case.
HOPE
Unless I'm mistaken, this is a song in which Bjork wonders whether a suicide bomber who's pregnant gets some sort of extra reward, which is actually something I've thought about on occasion. I guess it's true what they say about great minds thinking alike.
DECLARE INDEPENDENCE
Bjork urges us all to start our own countries within a country, not unlike that one guy did out in Montana in the 1990s.
MY JUVENILE
Crap, it's Antony again. Nullus.
I SEE WHO YOU ARE
From what I understand, this is a bonus track if you cop this from iTunes. Needless to say, I didn't.
COMMENTS: Alas, this isn't the Bjork version of the last Nelly Furtado album or some shit, but who would want to hear that anyway? In fact, the few Timbaland tracks on this aren't very Timbaland-esque, if you will, which makes you wonder about the real extent of his contribution to this album other than its press release. Otherwise though, this album is crack. If it's not the very best work she's done since the 1990s (and I wouldn't know one way or the other), it's the most enjoyable anyway.
BEST TRACKS: "Earth Intruders" "Wanderlust" "Innocence"
BONUS VIDEO: "Earth Intruders" live on SNL
