Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. It's certainly another step forwards and upwards for one of our only real musically emotional geniuses.
  2. 80
    Bjork's vocals are a hypnotic midnight whisper, a continuation of Medulla's vocal layering techniques. [Sep 2005, p.117]
  3. Though Drawing Restraint 9 is more expansive and abstract than Medúlla, it's in a similarly challenging and rewarding vein.
  4. This isn't always an easy record - it demands stillness and patience from the listener, but it is never less than fascinating and frequently breathtakingly beautiful.
  5. An album that's inspiring in its ambition.
  6. In this cultural moment where a soundtrack's artistic credibility is measured by its ability to piggyback on the brilliance of James Mercer's chord changes and/or Sam Beam's whispery poeticism, Björk graciously peels back the firmament and reminds us that a good soundtrack bears the same responsibility as good cinema: to show us possibilities our dreaming minds couldn't stitch together.
  7. Unmistakably alluring. [2 Sep 2005, p.81]
  8. A couple of really cool parts, and the rest I don't feel so bad for forgetting.
  9. 70
    Beauty comes in all forms, even if it might be over our heads. [Oct 2005, p.76]
  10. Anyone expecting something akin to a new Björk studio recording may not enjoy "Drawing Restraint 9," but taken at face value, the disc is a rewarding sidestep. [27 Aug 2005]
  11. Björk's biggest drawback, then, is that while "Holographic Entrypoint" is an enlightening rarity, most of Björk's fans will find it boring. Very, very boring.
  12. 60
    Uneven but exceptionally inventive. [Sep 2005, p.92]
  13. Haunting as the results may be, they are distinctly lacking in Bjork's own musical personality and her greatest asset: her inimitable voice. [8 Sep 2005, p.112]
  14. 46
    What the crap is this? [#17, p.94]
  15. The sad thing is, even at her most mainstream, Bjork's always been truly artful, but, in this case, she's merely painted a vulgar picture.
  16. Children moan, accordions groan and Bjork's disembodied voice occasionally growls into earshot. [Sep 2005, p.114]
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. ClifC
    8
    It's obvious she is one of the most accomplished, talented and original artists that music has always known. She is, for me, everything that I've just said. This is my humble opinion. This is her worse album, but hey! If anybody else could pretend to have an album like this creative and good as his/her/their worse album... they'd definitely lie! Björk is a pure genius, that's all. Some sounds may be hard to stomach... and I can understand but the facts are here: this is art and greedy mainstream music lovers are not invited listening to this. Björk invites and transports the listener into a surrealistic but down-to-earth (at the same time) world and landscape. The mix of very ancient japanese chants and ultra-modern sounds is really powerful. Standout tracks: "Ambergris March", "Storm" and "Gratitude". Full Review »
  2. EnzoP
    7
    It's almost a voiceless record, but Bjork's presence is still very recognizable. It proves how much she's great even as a composer.
  3. JuliaA
    7
    I'm an avid fan of Bjork, and I've tried to listen to this album for a couple of times, but I can't get it. Where, in the other hand, I got Medulla and her other works at the very first time I heard it. maybe this one's too experimental and too artistic for me. the part where there's the sho and Japanese chants and when she came up with those goose-bumping voice were astounding and creepy at the same time. Full Review »