Bjork: "Voltaic" album review

Bjork has always been an odd duck (or swan if you will). Iceland's biggest export (besides junk government bonds) is about to drop a 4-disc collection on us. Voltaic, out June 30th, contains two concert DVDs (recorded on her 2007 Volta tour in Paris and Reykjavik), a CD, and a remix CD.

Today we're looking at the CD. The proper audio component of Voltaic is a disc of songs recorded live in studio during that same tour.

After repeated listens to the album I have to admit, I'm not sure what the point is. The main difference between the album versions and these live in studio performances is that Bjork's vocals are slightly more imperfect. Many of these songs have changes so minor that they are hardly worth noting.

It's odd that Bjork chose to record these songs live in the studio rather than in front of an audience. While most live albums benefit from the added buzz and excitement of a flesh and blood crowd, many of these studio recordings ("Hunter", "The Pleasure Is All Mine", "Innocence", "Pagan Poetry", "Vertebrae By Vertebrae", shall I go on?) come across as dull and listless.

There are a handful of more interesting moments. The recording of "Army Of Me" does have an intense attack and features horns not present on the original. An Afro/electro hybrid is constructed for "Earth Intruders" which gives the song an engaging 'man vs machine' dynamic. However, those are the exceptions rather than the rule.

It's almost as if Bjork had booked studio time that she had to use up or pay for anyway. The live to tape disc of Voltaic is a waste of time. If you're a completist I hope for your sake the live shows are worth the cost of the set.

Best tracks: "Army Of Me", "Earth Intruders"

Track listing for Voltaic:

• Wanderlust
• Hunter
• The Pleasure Is All Mine
• Innocence
• Army Of Me
• I Miss You
• Earth Intruders
• All Is Full of Love
• Pagan Poetry
• Vertebrae By Vertebrae
• Declare Independence

4.0/10

Bjork's website