Bjork - Volta
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.99 You Save: $16.97 (90%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.49 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Volta
Free Music Review: All is full of genius--one of the best of the year
Hit: 5 Stars
("Volta" by Bjork)
With a Bjork album, doing something different is business as usual. She's fashioned a career out of left turns, side alleys, cracks and crevices. No two Bjork albums ever sound alike, and some settle into distinct themes: experimental a cappela for Medúlla or ethereal strings-meets-IDM for Vespertine. Advance word on this new album seemed to indicate a return to "pure" dance music--she was even working with Timbaland for a few songs. Instead, Volta is not only full of surprises, it's full of brillianty realized surprises. The only thing here that's not a surprise is that it's one of the best of the year.
Opening track "Earth Intruders" is indeed kind of a dance number; even though it's probably the most "commercial" songs on the album, it still doesn't feel like a bid for a hit single. It feaures a very busy arrangement: Congolese percussion group Konono No. 1 and an Icelandic horn section turn it into a march while a keyboard plays counterpoint to the melody and weird synth noises intrude here and there, courtesy of Timbaland. On top of it all is Bjork's exuberant vocals imagining nature fighting back against human interference. Throughout the album, various elements of the song turn up in different forms. The horns give a grand, anthemic quality to "Wanderlust," for instance. Other songs, such as the delicate "I See Who You Are" use Asian instrumentation shades of her underappreciated Drawing Restraint 9. Then there are the songs "Innocence" and "Declare Independence," which bring back Timbaland for two of the most cutting edge songs of either of their careers. Both feature fractured beats; the former's sample of a grunting man and the latter's unbelievable bass line will keep heads scratching for years to come.
Then of course there are some lush ballads which sound simultaneously old and new--if you thought some of Bjork's previous work seemed sterile, this should change your mind. Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons) sings duets on "The Dull Flame of Love" and "My Juvenile," and their distinct voices mesh very well.
Then there's the wonderfully bizarre "Vertabrae by Vertabrae": if you're a cinephile, imagine Bernard Herrman scoring a film for David Lynch and you're halfway there.
Lyrically, Bjork sticks to some of the themes and opinions that have always worked well for her: nature (for), religion (against) and love (complicated). On "Hope" she goes into another left turn--it's a musing about a female suicide bomber ("What's the lesser of two evils/If a suicide bomber/made to look pregnant/Manages to kill her target/Or not?"), but it manages to never seem political in the least. In Bjork's lyrical world view, humans pervert nature and death is the result. She longs for a purer state of being but sees modernity and science as a route to that goal.
I just realized I've spent the last few weeks raving to anyone who'll listen about great new albums like Year Zero and Beyond--now comes this new Bjork album and I'm thrown for a loop--how can such great music be released so close together? Am I getting generous in my old age? I hope not, because all of them could easily be on my personal "best of '07" list, and Volta is the best of them all. Part of me hopes for some mediocre music for the next few months--my critical skepticism almost demands it. Life's Too Good, sometimes.
Free Music Review: and through the downcast lashes...
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been a huge fan of Björk for a very long time now, and my expectations for this album were quite high. Was I disappointed? A little bit at first, but after three more listens, Volta took it's place alongside Björk's other masterpieces, and rightly so.
In musical terms, volta is a word used to describe a sudden turn in direction. This isn't necessarily true in the case of this album, as in many ways Volta is more of a logical next step to her previous effort, 2004's Medúlla, than a complete change in course. Where Medúlla was primal, Volta is tribal. Where Medúlla was earthy, Volta is pagan. In that sense, Björk has never before been so predictable in her albums overarching theme. In other ways, volta is the perfect term to describe Björk's adventurous new album - conjuring thoughts of energy, power and liberation. Björk's music has always been incredibly influenced by the natural world, but her music has never felt as truly organic as it does on this, despite her use of electronic sounds and beats. Perhaps it has to do with the lyrics, which consistently follow a similar theme, playing on ideas about humanity. Or perhaps it's got to do with the biggest change from previous albums, the brass.
For the first time (apart from the vocal-only Medúlla), Björk abandons a string section, instead choosing to include some intricately arranged brass arrangements. Early announcements about this album said the 10-piece all female Icelandic brass outfit which are accompanying Björk on her world tour are only featured on three tracks, which is true, but brass features on another further three tracks, including two that sample from one of Björk's previous albums, the underrated Drawing Restraint Nine. Like the strings on other albums, it's the brass' job to hold and connect this album together - and it does so superbly.
The album allows her to tackle fear and courage on Innocence, motherhood on I See Who You Are and My Juvenile, terrorism on Hope and politics on Declare Indepence. But it's the recurring theme of the need for escape and the trouble with humans, especially found in songs like Wanderlust and Pneumonia, that is the most interesting. As the opening track Earth Intruders segues into some harbour sounds as Wanderlust begins, it gives this feeling that Björk is truly leaving humans beyond, not being able to "stomach their rights and wrongs". But as Hope closes with the lines "well I don't care/love is all/I dare to drown/to be proven wrong", the harbour sounds return, and with it, we assume Björk does too. She realises that love is the solution to all of our problems, and the album closes with two totally different, yet equally powerful songs, one about respecting the love you should have for yourself and your rights, and the other about love for others. It's a romantic notion, but it's definetely not the first time Björk has argued such an idea.
The standouts are Wanderlust, The Dull Flame of Desire and Vertebrae by Vertebrae - but there's no filler on this album. They're all standout tracks that make up a simply standout album. This will probably be the album of the year, with it's majestically crafted structure. Combine Björk's musical intelligence with her production and arrangement skills, her eye for collaborators and her soaring voice, and you get, consistently, the best music this world has ever experienced. Volta is no exception. Buy it now.
Free Music Review: Challenging and Pristine
Hit: 5 Stars
I was taken aback when I listened to Volta the first time. This wasn't because I thought it was a new, fresh and stunning representation of Bjork's genius, but because I feared it represented a transition in which this album was produced simply for the sake of sales and lacked any philosophical or artistic inspirations.
The second time around, I compared the sound less to previous works. I always have to remind myself that each new album is a new experiment and expression. To compare one to the other - expecting continuity - will only disappoint. Volta is a new child with its own personality.
Bjork has always pushed the limits of creative expression, and I feel Medulla was definitely evidence of this. Volta feels like an attempt to integrate her new territory with what some might call her classic sound.
Some critics have said Volta is directionless or just a hodgepodge of songs that form no narrative. Clearly they don't understand why Bjork chose Volta as the name for this album. It is full of sudden unexpected course changes, and I suspect she struggled with how to tie it all up in the end. The lyrics are more coherent than I'm accustomed to. I think Bjork had a lot to say here. The same critics who called Volta a hodgepodge also said "Declare Independence" is lyrically immature. They missed the point not only of that song, but also of "I See Who You Are," which is to enjoy every bit of life while we have time. Bjork's mystical understanding of the human purpose and condition is revealed once again in "Declare Independence" when she states the protection of language is as important as currency. David Abram's book "Spell of the Sensuous" goes into detail about the origins of language and how closely tied language is to the land of its birth. Bjork has integrated the sounds of her environment into her music and her language. Whether Bjork is familiar with Abrams doesn't matter. She understands the importance of sovereignty not just in terms of political borders, stamps and currency, but also the importance of remaining connected to our source and therefore remaining human. She has left behind a lot of mystique to reveal more grounded aspects of herself through Volta. "My Juvenile" is a peak into the relationship between Bjork and her son. She has gone to great lengths to protect him from exploitation, and it seems like quite a step to open up to millions in this way. She shares the fears, the regrets, the worries and the joys that every parent has. How does one protect, while letting go at the same time?
Volta is anything but immature. Lyrically Bjork has revealed another more grounded aspect of herself that comes with age and experience, while maintaining the buoyancy I need and appreciate. Volta adds context to everything she has created to date, and establishes a new foundation for future creative endeavors. What will her next gem sound like?
Free Music Review: A classic CD by a phenomenal artist.
Hit: 5 Stars
After the experimental departures of Vespertine and Medulla, Bjork is back to her classic sound with VOLTA, her fantastic new CD. Volta features a 10-piece horn section that is used to great effect throughout, especially at the end of instant-favorite lead-off track "Earth Intruders," where the horns emulate ship fog horns of an Icelandic harbor. This leads into the beautiful "Wanderlust," which starts with the lyric "I am leaving this harbour, Giving urban a farewell." At this point in the CD, I'm ready to take the journey with her.
"The Dull Flame of Desire" is next. Here Bjork duets with New York singer Antony. The song is a bit too long, and it has taken me a while to get used to Antony's strange voice, but overall it is a good, slow love song with smooth horns and wistful lyrics. Definitely a song that grows on you. "Innocence" picks up the pace with its catchy techno beat. Rarely of late has a CD--by anyone--started out with such an amazing quartet of songs. The sound is fresh, modern, and shows a re-invigorated Bjork.
After catching your breath from these four tracks, "I See Who You Are" will have you marvel at Bjork's downright ability to compose a song. It features Min Xiao-Fen on pipa, a traditional Chinese string instrument (like a sitar) that has to be heard to be appreciated. It's almost enough to inspire some air-pipa playing!
"Vertebrae By Vertebrae" and "Pneumonia" are next; they are good, solid filler tracks. "Hope" is next, and is one of my favorite songs on the CD. "What's the lesser of two evils"? Bjork ponders, as she muses on the state of the world, and what would drive a pregnant suicide bomber to commit an act of terror. She concludes with the thought "Well I don't care, Love is all, I dare to drown To be proven wrong." The song ends with more harbor horns, before kicking into the foot-stomping "Declare Independence," a crunchy, techno song--the exact kind that I love from Bjork. This song, along with "Earth Intruders" and Post's "Army of Me" will easily keep my speedometer at 80 if I happen to have them on in my car while driving.
"My Juvenile" closes out the CD. Antony is featured again, though more subtlely. Bjork sings this song to her first child, whom she feels she may have let go too soon: "Perhaps I set you too free, Too fast, Too young." Antony, singing in response as Bjork's son: "But the intentions were pure. But the intentions were pure."
Bjork is probably the only recording artist left who is doing her own thing, not a slave to the whims and wants of a record company. She is a true artist who is only concerned with her art, and making the music that she wants, with whom she wants. There is not much of that left in the medium of rock music. Volta is a classic CD by a phenomenal artist.
Free Music Review: good album...good comment
Hit: 5 Stars
Am I the only one to have spotted the best critique of the Iraq war yet on disk? Let's survey the lyric:
We are the earth intruders
We are the earth intruders
Muddy with twigs and branches
A-haaaaaa!
Turmoil! Carnaaaaa-ge!
Here come the earth intruders
We are the paratroopers
The beat of sharpshooters
Comes straight from voodoo
With our feet thumping
With our feet marching
Grinding the skeptics into the soil
Shower of goodness coming to end the doubt--pouring over
Shower of goodness coming to end
We are the earth intruders
We are the sharpshooters
Flock of parachuters
Necessary voodoo
I have guided my bones through some voltage
And love them still
And love them too
Metallic
Carnage
Furiousity
Feel the speed!
We are the earth intruders
We are the sharpshooters,
Flock of parachuters
Necessary voodoo
There is turmoil out there
Carnage! Rambling!
What is to do but dig
Dig bones out of earth
Mud graves
Timber
Morbid trenches
Here come the earth intruders
There'll be no resistance
We are the cannoneers
Necessary voodoo
And the beast with many heads and arms rolling
Steamroller!
We are the earth intruders
We are the earth intruders
Muddy with twigs and branches
Forgive this tribe!
We are the earth intruders
We are the earth intruders
Muddy with twigs and branches
We are the earth intruders
Muddy with twigs and branches
We are the earth intruders
A-haaaaa!
We are the earth intruders
Muddy with twigs and branches
Marching!
We are the earth intruders
Muddy with twigs and branches
Marching!
March
March
March
We are the earth intruders
Muddy with twigs and branches
Marching voodoo!
Thank you Bjork for hitting the nail. Marching Voodoo is right from the beast with many heads and arms rolling as it brings 'goodness'. I can only wonder if Bjork will be playing the USA soon?
Really good CD and when not on fire still refreshingly interesting. It's not Vespertine but what is? You still have Debut, Post and the others to play alongside it so don't make a fuss over very little spilt milk.