More YouTube awsomeness / Volta disappointment

Björk on Later last night, not just playing new songs but taking full advantage of the robed brass section to play "The Anchor Song"! Breathtaking stuff and probably my favourite song of hers ever.

An especially nice suprise as I find the new album Volta really rather disappointing. The fact that it's impossible to get to the CD without ruining the packaging wasn't a good start, but I still held hope. "Earth Intruders" is a really fine single, recalling earlier work more than innovating but with way too much relentless energy for that to matter.

Problem is, only the completely batshit electro-punk of "Declare Independence" is on the same level as "Earth Intruders". Of the other two Timbaland tracks, "Innocence" is much the same with diminishing returns and "Hope" is sort of interesting but somewhat muddled. Elsewhere, two songs have to be flat out discounted thanks to Antony Hegarty's unccessarily horrible bleating (ban on guest appearances NOW PLEASE). That leaves, well, not that much. "Wanderlust" and "Pneumonia" are pretty but coming from someone capable of the supernaturally gorgeous Vespertine, pretty doesn't seem so much.

I think the most disappointing thing is that it doesn't feel at all musically brave. Even though Medúlla only had a couple of flashes of genius it's individuality was impressive in itself and it did feel like it was stretched a little too far - if you only listened to it 100 times, it might all start to make sense! - while this one feels like just another Björk album. That's a first in itself, I suppose.

Anyway, back to watch the video again...