Review Summary: Volta is Bjork’s 6th LP that incorporates a mix of swishing electronic beats, giant trumpets, and typical Bjork vocals. (Not that that's a bad thing)
Volta is Bjork’s 6th LP that incorporates a mix of swishing electronic beats, giant trumpets, and typical Bjork vocals. (Not that that's a bad thing).
Volta starts off with the fast paced
1. Earth Intruders
I give this song a 4 out of 5 stars, it’s starts off the album good with rapid drums and tribal chanting; “we are the earth intruders, we are the earth intruders” At first I didn’t like this song, but when I listened to album as a whole, I felt it worked pretty well.
2. Wanderlust
4.5 out of 5, I love the horns in this song, they create such a beautiful atmosphere for Bjork to bellow out the lyrics. This is one of the albums highlights for me. You can really hear the hunger in her voice as she screams; ‘Wanderlust, from island to island!’
3. The Dull Flame of Desire
5 out of 5, simply stunning. Bjork and Hegarty make such a beautiful pair, their voices swirl around each other’s so flawlessly, it really paints a gorgeous picture. It really comes to a dramatic ending with the triumphant drums. Probably one of my favorites on Volta.
4. Innocence
4.5 out of 5, Innocence picks up the pace from ‘The Dull Flame of Desire’ with thick, vaguely club-like beats. This is probably one of the only songs that I listen to from Volta outside of the album as a whole. It’s definitely refreshing in the album, and it doesn’t lose the ‘Bjork touch’.
5. I See Who You Are
3.5 out of 5, it’s definitely not a bad song, but it doesn’t stand out for me. The bells and the quiet strumming strings create a nice little cocoon of sound, it’s very reminiscent of ‘Vespertine’. In the end though, this track just doesn’t stand out.
6. Vertebrae By Vertebrae
3 out of 5, again it’s not a bad song, but it’s not my favorite either. It really doesn’t stand out, and this one of those Bjork tracks where you kind of just want to skip past. The horns give the song a nice little eerie ambiance, though.
7. Pneumonia
3 out of 5, at this point, the album starts to fall. This song is slow and frankly just a bit boring. The rain at the beginning gives a really nice effect, but it can’t salvage the boring vocals. I don’t sense any emotion here, and this song is just average.
8. Hope
Finally the album stars to pick up, I give this a 4 out of 5. Maybe because the pace picks up again, or maybe because it’s just better than the last few songs. I really like the shy, panning kicks in this track. This also probably has some of the most memorable lyrics in this album too; ‘What's the lesser of two evils/ If a suicide bomber/ Made to look pregnant/ Manages to kill her target/ Or not?’
9. Declare Independence
4.5 out of 5. I have nothing negative to say about this song. It’s fast paced and heavy with distorted beats and strong vocals. ‘Declare Independence!’ shout’s Bjork angrily. This is one of the best on Volta.
10. My Juvenile
3.5 out of 5. I wish this song would’ve came before Declare Independence, because it ends the album on a weak note. Hegarty adds a little spice to it, but not enough to make it amazing. This song I could easily forget
Overall this album wasn’t bad, and it wasn’t great, but it wasn’t good either. It was just a tad over good. I wouldn’t recommend this over ‘Homogenic’ or ‘Post’. When this album is listened to as a whole though, it’s enjoyable, typical Bjork.
