Björk está de "volta"! Peço desculpa, mas não resisti em escrever este trocadilho. O álbum foi lançado no passado dia 7 de Maio, mas só hoje é que tive a oportunidade e disponibilidade para o ouvir (sentir). A cantora islandesa apresenta-nos o que considero ser o trabalho mais maduro e completo até hoje. É impressionante a capacidade criativa da artista para ao fim de tantos anos surpreender todos os fãs e elaborar toda uma imagem e música sem vícios do passado. O álbum é composto por dez apaixonantes faixas, duas delas com surpreendentes e íntimos duetos com Antony Hegarty (vocalista dos Antony and the Johnsons). O primeiro single extraído de "Volta" é o espectacular "Earth Intruders", acompanhado por um inspirado vídeo. Quando comecei a escrever este post estava a pensar em colocar a opinião do álbum dividida por todas as músicas. É por este motivo que coloco a crítica de um fã londrino da cantora islandesa que encontrei na Amazon, pois a minha opinião sobre as dez pérolas deste trabalho é partilhada ao pormenor.
1. Earth Intruders
The explosive first single i absolutely LOVE this song. It's crazy, mixing african drum beats courtesy of Konono N°1 a musical group from The Congo mixing with Timbaland's infectious way of mixing different styles of music, in this case electronica together concocting a future club classic. This is Björk at one of her most political, she singing about how humanity is destroying nature, also i think there is some acknowledgment to the wars going on around the world, I cannot praise this song enough trust Bjork to be this bold.
2. Wanderlust
As Björk has lived in an array of places including London, Spain, New York and of course her home country of Iceland. Björk's love for nature is clearly expressed here and throughout the album.The production of the song takes it back to the 'Post' days with its electronic/dance feel. She sings about although growing in up in Iceland she doesn't really know where she belongs anymore, feeling restless and a craving for learning everything the world has to offer. Here and on alot of the tracks she uses brass instruments, which is a ten-piece female brass section consisting of Icelandic musicians giving it a strong feminism vibe.
3. Dull Flame Of Desire
One of the best songs on the album. This 7 minute beauty is a true highlight of the whole album. Although Björk wrote this song the lyrics are taken from a translation of a poem by a poet called Fyodor Tyutchev. Antony Hegarty has to have one of the most beautiful voices i've ever heard they really work well together and considering the difference in their voice they couldn't be more of a perfect match. 7 minutes almost doesn't seem enough I cannot wait to hear them both sing this live.
4. Innocence
I love the way Timbaland produced this without selling out Björk's sound. An utter club stomper using the same formula as Earth Intruders, the electronic scratches and stabs and it's brash appearance just shows how good Björk is feeling this time around, from what I can gather she singing about fear of losing her well, almost her nativity about the world as shes exposed to how harsh and almost callous it can be and shes dumbfounded.
5. I See Who You Are
I was excited to hear this song, the Pipa is a beautiful instrument giving in a blatant oriental feel, more subdued and slow that most of the other tracks but still manages to stick out like a sore thumb. The fantastic Pipa playing is by an artist called Min-Xiao Fen who will be accompanying Björk on tour looking forward to it.
6. Vertebrae By Vertebrae
The intro of the song reminds me of the 'Selmasongs' soundtrack with it's industrial feel to it with the muffled brass playing. I knew i was going to like this song straight off as soon as i saw the title. It's almost like Björk's animalistic instincts are kicking in like a wolf howling at the moon, I love her imagery she conjures up, she singing about the evolution of animals to humans "my arms ooze out of my shoulders" fantastic song very original, as always.
7. Pneumonia
Such a sad song, by the lyrics it seems like its about a miscarriage "all the stillborn love that could have happened" I actually couldn't really get into this one, in fact it was the only song i didn't really like and i mean, 10 out of 11 tracks is pretty damn good by my standards, maybe i just need to listen to it a bit more 'coz i love how sullen and tragic it is with the beautiful brass' complimenting Bjork's fragile voice.
8. Hope
Now as people thought this song wasn't produced by Timbaland he just co-wrote it and had a part in the techinical side of things. Not to say it's not a good song because it is the beat is subtle and on this song the Kora is played which is also a pretty instrument,This is a political song especially with the controversial line "if a suicide bomber made to look pregnant", This is Björk really pouring her heart out and seriously looking at the world around her and realizing the damage thats been done but having hope in the fact that it's not too late to change.
9. Declare Independence
This song is alot like the song 'Pluto' from the 'Homogenic' in terms of the harsh, hardcore electronic beat with the crashing of the cymbals and the hard drum loop. It's a dedication to the Faroe Islands and Greenland. She really lets herself go shouting "Don't let them do that to you" it also works on a more personal level saying don't let people tell you,you can't be who you want to be declare independence within yourself, great message and a sweet ode to the people of the Faroe Islands.
10. My Juvenile
In an interview i watched she said that everyone had a little jiminy cricket character sitting on our shoulder giving advice in the form of our conscience. Antony and Björk again produce another beautiful song, rumour that it's a tribute to her children Sindri and Isadora very sweet i love it, singing about the sacrifices mothers make to make sure their children are safe,and questioning themselves if they have done a good job or not.
Escuso de dizer que "Volta" foi a minha banda sonora para estes dois dias de folga e vai ser o álbum mais ouvido no iPod durante o resto da semana, pois tenho que "voltar" ao trabalho. Não resisti novamente. Finalizo com uma das minhas músicas preferidas. Uma pequena viagem à China...
