Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

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. Though Drawing Restraint 9 is more expansive and abstract than Medúlla, it's in a similarly challenging and rewarding vein.
  3. 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.
  4. Uncut
    80
    Bjork's vocals are a hypnotic midnight whisper, a continuation of Medulla's vocal layering techniques. [Sep 2005, p.117]
  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. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Unmistakably alluring. [2 Sep 2005, p.81]
  8. Billboard
    70
    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]
  9. A couple of really cool parts, and the rest I don't feel so bad for forgetting.
  10. Urb
    70
    Beauty comes in all forms, even if it might be over our heads. [Oct 2005, p.76]
  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. Mojo
    60
    Uneven but exceptionally inventive. [Sep 2005, p.92]
  13. Rolling Stone
    60
    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. Filter
    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. Q Magazine
    20
    Children moan, accordions groan and Bjork's disembodied voice occasionally growls into earshot. [Sep 2005, p.114]
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 68 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 68
  2. Negative: 12 out of 68
  1. JacobD
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    This album is beautiful, haunting, powerful, and most of all, essentially Bjork. The best song is Storm by far.
  2. lotus_65
    Sep 9, 2005
    9
    love, love love bjork. i should have driven to red rocks to see her...one big regret.
  3. LeonardoF
    Aug 27, 2005
    10
    breathtaking abstract music. "ambergris march" and "storm" are the highlights.