Brian Eno : Drums Between The Bells
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Brian Eno : Drums Between The Bells

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Fame and money have the uncanny ability to destroy any semblance of uniqueness and originality. Brian Eno has managed to obtain the former coupling and retain the latter. But is everyone’s favourite contemporary music hair evader still relevant? Well, yes. Eno is above having to justify his output or existence. His records have increasingly become more of a personal test to see how far he can push the envelope than to adhere to popular taste.

As the cover suggests, this is a collaboration of “Brian Eno and the words of Rick Holland”. And Mr Holland only lends his voice to one song. The rest are as arbitrary as Eno walking down the street and asking passersby to lend their vocals to his latest record. But who could refuse Eno?

Holland is equally familiar with high art pretensions and is something of an obscure academic poet. Music and poetry are often uncomfortable bedfellows. So to here. The 16 tracks oscillate between innovative and clinical. They can elevate you to heights of pleasure and, equally, be background music to your own lobotomy. Sombre and intense, it recalls seminal moments of Kraftwerk and Laurie Anderson. You can turn your listening device to extreme volume and accept the affirming cacophonous cadence of Drums Between The Bells. Or you can remain resolute in your view that titles like Breath Of Crows, Fierce Aisles Of Light or As If Your Eyes Were Partly Closed are so retentive there is no benefit in even wasting your time. Not that Eno would mind either way because he will just continue making his soundscapes to improve the conscious.

Best Track: Seedpods


If You Like These, You’ll Like: KRAFTWERK, LAURIE ANDERSON

In A Word: Sartorial