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| ABOUT |
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 A couple of years ago, I passed through London and, having reconnected with Brian Eno during the Bush of Ghosts re-release, I popped round his office/studio to hear what he'd been working on. Just before parting, I recall Brian mentioning that he had accumulated a large number of instrumental tracks. Since Brian, in his own words, 'hates writing words', I suggested having a go at some lyrics and melodies for a few tracks, and we'd take it from there. If Brian wasn't pleased with the initial results, then, well that would be that. - David Byrne http://www.everythingthathappens.com/ |
| REVIEW |
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The musical reunion between David Byrne and Brian Eno comes with a fair amount of baggage. After all, they produced some of the greatest records in rock history: the trio of Talking Heads records Eno worked on -- culminating in Remain in Light -- followed by the duo's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, where all manner of funky beats and freaky sampladelic rhythms were wedded to Pentecostal exorcisms and African ceremonial bush chants. Everything That Happens Will Happen Today is a nearly 180-degree turn from the duo's collective musical past. These 11 songs are loopy pop tunes that wed Byrne's strange hearing of gospel and folk to Eno's continually evolving rhythmic and electronic palette -- they refer to it as being "folk-electronic-gospel." Before any cultural connotations of the word "gospel" take hold, be aware that this is mostly in simple structures and an optimistic viewpoint rather than its doctrinal components. Any spiritual messages are purely subjective and not -- as some rather academic agenda-minded evangelicals would have you believe -- having to do with religion. Eno's compositional frameworks are all written in major keys and Byrne's poetically funny, sophisticated lyrics express possibility and hope in the middle of cultural darkness. While it's clear that the emotional component is shared between the two principals, this is far from "message" music. The set opens with "Home." Strummed acoustic guitars and drum loops textured by sonic wonkery introduce an elegantly simple melody where Byrne, at his full-throated best, sings: "The dimming of the light/Makes the picture clearer...I memorized a face so it's not forgotten...Come back anytime/And we'll mix our lives together/Heaven knows what keeps mankind alive/Every hand -- goes searching for its partner in crime." Brokenness and paradox are also addressed: "Home where my world is breaking in two/Home with the neighbors fighting/Home -- were my parents telling the truth?" Likewise, the title track -- with its warm, liquid guitars (à la Daniel Lanois), out-of-the-ether sonic architecture, and Byrne's lyric coming from both dream and reflection -- is slower and less jaunty, but poetically moving: "Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you all right/And among the living, we are giving/All through the night...." The backing choral voices give the track its "church" feel, but the message is more human and existential than divinely inspired. Another winner is "Life Is Long," which evokes remembrance as the continuation of the chain of human events. Its horn section touches on soul and rhythm & blues, but is blanched and diluted wonderfully. The only track that even (consciously) attempts the rhythmic complexity of anything on My Life in the Bush of Ghosts is "Poor Boy," which is cosmic science fiction white-boy funk at its best. It's a warning against following the established order and rampant, empty materialism for their own sake -- its guitar riff comes straight outta the Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar." Everything That Happens Will Happen Today is, despite the long odds, a truly inviting, musically adventurous, and mature musical statement. It reveals in spades how willing artists are capable of redefining themselves when they refuse to take themselves too seriously. This is unfettered joyful listening, and in its own small way, even profound. info: allmusic.com |
| CREDITS |
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Produced by Brian Eno & David Byrne All songs mixed by Patrick Dillett at Kampo Studios, NYC Design by Sagmeister Inc., New York info: davidbyrne.com |
| LYRICS |
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The dimming of the light makes the picture clearer I memorized a face so it's not forgotten Home- where the wheels are turning Tiny little boats on a beach at sunset Vehicles are stuck on the plains of heaven That the eye- is the measure of the man
When the lake's on fire When the seasons lose their grip I'm counting all the possibilities When the past becomes the now When the road we travel on I'm counting all the possibilities In the comfort of the world Compact, relaxed- intact, give thanks I'm counting all the possibilities
I think I waited too long Emily said she'd suddenly waken Emily lost her mobile phone The cheapest dog, the hottest sun, the fiercest cat & the meanest gun Lebanese take their sailors home Put him in the ground where the Duchess grows The chicken shack, the rising sun, the written word in a foreign tongue Hooligans jump in the budget sign Lowered in the ground where the Duchess grows (I'm sayin') I feel my stuff
I ride on a perfect freeway Just up ahead Chorus: Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright? From the milk of human kindness (puts) socks and shoes Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright? Everything that happens will happen today ev'rything that happens will happen today
Ev'rybody says that the living is easy Soul to soul- A kiss and a sigh People on the outside- I remember sweet times Life is long- if you give it way Now I can say- those three little words Life is long- if you give it way
I'm standing on the stage The river rise up The water's moving on We fell down on our knees One sad day I will fly away Oooh But a change is gonna come So when I was reborn
I wake up ev'ry morning This groove is out of fashion Chorus: Strange Overtones Put on your socks and mittens Your song still needs a chorus Strange overtones Strange Overtones
Fill the suitcase up- did he stiff somebody? Grown men laugh when they heard that lie Ran outside Now upon this earth Torn and Frayed Even though you're smarter than me If ya close your eyes- do ya picture money? The blind men sing So, Swing that stick Now Upon this earth Torn and frayed Pardon me sir Pardon me sir Pardon me sir
Saw the wandrin' eye- inside my heart I stand in liquid light- like ev'ryone Chorus: One fine day In a small dark room- where I will wait Chorus: One Fine Day... Then before my eyes- Is standing still Then a piece of mind- fell over me Chorus: One fine day
A truck parked this morning- outside the groc'ry store Great cosmic forces- like fallin' dominoes Sweet smart and sexy- the day my life began This slice is runny- it's dripping down my clothes Chant 1: Life fast die happy- don't let your panties show Bridge: Chant 2: Bridge 2: Chant 3: Chant 4:
I'll build a house- of water Heard nature say I'll build a house- of paper I'll build a house- so level
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