Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS & RELATED ARTICLES

Australian Broadcasting Commission JULY 2, 2014 - by David P. Weber

BRIAN ENO/KARL HYDE: SOMEDAY WORLD AND HIGH LIFE

You probably wouldn't be reading this if you don't know who Brian Eno is, and if you don't know, then you should.

Brian Eno and Underworlder Karl Hyde have had an extremely productive time together, finalizing not one but two LPs together.

Eno and Hyde have a seemingly equal distribution of labour on Someday World, an expectedly great album which enhances the reputations of both.

In Hyde terms, it's like nothing he's ever done before.

In Eno terms, it's reminiscent of the quirky pop he released with John Cale on Wrong Way Up, rather than anything he's done with (say) David Byrne, either as a Talking Head or not.

Rolling Stone has slagged the LP, saying it sounds nothing better than what a couple of dudes have emailed to each other.

Beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

Don't be put off by the clashy synthetic synths on The Satellites, the LP improves as it goes along.

Daddy's Car features a rhythm seemingly collapsing on itself, a catchy melody rising over it.

Patched harmonies alternate with whispered vocals; the emergent Who Rings The Bell is quite lovely.

It's true that Eno is never involved with anything that's below par, it's certain Someday World will make it to all considered Best Of 2014 lists at the end of the year.

The deluxe edition features four more excellent tracks.

Weeks after Someday World, it was announced that a second LP would be released, and now it's here, called High Life.

This LP is a reminder of the kind of stuff Eno churned out when he worked with Talking Heads deep in the last century, particularly on Remain In Light.

It's more organic than Someday World, and in duo terms, is entirely more reminiscent of what Eno did with then-Head David Byrne on the revered My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts.

Repetitive African rhythms clash with techno inserts and sonic blasts.

What's happening here makes you go back to Someday World and dig with your ears, you'll find there are similarly thrilling musical motifs buried on the poppier LP.

It's as if that middle territory which separates West African jams with modern techno is being explored.

It's danceable, but only for very cool people.

Are you hip enough for High Life? Someday World?

Only you know.

Try them.