BJORK - "Volta"

I'm so glad this is not "Bjork gone pop" feared album....
Rumours of "Volta" being a more accessible album (thanks to Timbaland production in a couple of tracks) were spreading through the net puzzling fans and critics but what we have in our cd player is no Justin Timberlake, but no "Medulla" either.
First song and Timbaland produced first single "Earth Intruders" has a tribal rhythm that grows on you with repeated plays but it's from second song "Wanderlust" that you feel the magic of Bjork, a slow burning song with her luminous voice singing the chorus with her unique way that leaves you nothing less than paralyzed, time stands still and so on with "Dull Flame of Desire" the seven plus minutes duet with Antony Hegart that reminds me of David Sylvian's "Let The Happiness In" with its wavy horns arrangement with the two powerful voices leading and colliding over a beautiful melody.
"Innocence" and "Hope" the other two Timbaland's songs are decent but not even close to the powerful "Declare Independence", the closest she'll ever be to PJ Harvey, screaming her guts out over an industrial pulsing beat that leaves no prisoners.
The rest of the program is full of quiet moments, notably the sweet lullaby of "I See Who You Are" but nothing that matches the heights of the songs i had mentioned.
A good album, fantastic in places, see her performing live should be a treat...

7/10