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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Before And After Science

Brian Eno

1977

Buy At Rough Trade
Before And After Science
Album Summary

Before and After Science is the fifth studio album by British musician Brian Eno. Produced by Eno and Rhett Davies, it was originally released by Polydor Records in December 1977 in the United Kingdom and by Island U.S. soon after. Musicians from the U.K. and Germany collaborated on the album, including Robert Wyatt of Soft Machine, Fred Frith of Henry Cow, Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, Paul Rudolph of Hawkwind, Andy Fraser of Free, Dave Mattacks of Fairport Convention, Jaki Liebezeit of Can, and Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius of Cluster. Over one hundred tracks were written with only ten making the album's final cut. The musical styles of the album range from energetic and jagged to languid and pastoral. The album marks Eno's last foray into rock music as a solo artist in the 1970s, with nearly all of his following albums showcasing more of Eno's avant-garde and ambient music, which was hinted at on the second half of Before and After Science. The album was Eno's second to chart in the United States. The song "King's Lead Hat", the title of which is an anagram for Talking Heads, was remixed and released as a single, although it didn't chart in the United Kingdom. Critical response to the album has remained positive, with several critics calling it one of Eno's best works.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.06

Votes

10097
Genres
Pop
Rock

Reviews

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Wed Feb 24 2021
5

I love nearly everything did or even touched in the 70s and 80s. He is one of my biggest heroes. I love nearly everything about him, especially his stance between being a musician and artist (and simply a creative thinker) and how it's all one fluid thing to him. His ability to think beyond boundaries and his use of the studio as an instrument is so incredibly inspiring. He is up there with The Beatles, Lee Scratch Perry, Brian Wilson, Phil Spector, and Conny Plank in that regard. He is connected to much of the music I hold most dearly: Bowie's berlin trilogy, talking heads, john cales solo albums, roxy musics first album, and of course krautrock in his tenure with cluster/Harmonia - which shows up here on this album. Suffice to say it's hard for me to pick a favorite album by him but this one is certainly a major contender. I feel like it is a very balanced album and it does contain perhaps my favorite track of his: by this river, played with and about his time with cluster. The album has a great range of moods and I like how he intersperses the instrumentals throughout. I wish he continued more with this balance of rock/lyric based songs and instrumentals but hereafter he went onto a long jag with his ambient/instrumental direction. I like his ambient work as well but I also love his lyrics and find his voice so oddly compelling. The lineup of musicians on this album is incredible and part of it was recorded with the great krautrock producer Conny Plank. Somebody described Eno's more rock oriented albums as art pop and I think that when it comes down to it that might be my favorite genre and where I feel the most kinship with my own ideas and feelings about musical expression.

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Fri Jan 15 2021
4

I’d never heard of Bryan Eno and the first few songs weren’t really up my alley, but I fell in love with: Here he comes, Julie with..., and By this river. So glad I got this recommendation, it’s made me a Bryan Eno fan

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Sun Oct 10 2021
3

There's nothing wrong with this, but not much that's remarkable or interesting, either. We really didn't need this many Eno albums on the list. Best track: Spider and I

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Sat Jan 23 2021
5

This is absolutely my jam. Still don't know if King's Lead Hat is an intentional anagram of Talking Heads (or vice versa, or neither).

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Thu Apr 15 2021
5

Wonky and angular are not words I normally associate with Brian Eno, but here we are. Showing his abilities as a master of soundscape even at this early stage. It's always nice to hear music with a sense of humour.

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Tue Sep 28 2021
5

“King's Lead Hat” has long been my weirdo bop, ever since I was an oddball teenager who stumbled onto the music of Brian Eno on late night radio in the mid-80s. It’s the first song I think I ever heard by Eno, which led me down into the huge rabbit hole that is his music, and all the possibilities of what music can be. My peers had no idea who Eno was, his 70s music probably considered to be obscure, out of date and just plain strange at that point. But those albums have meant a lot to me over the years. They’re a kind of touchstone to my own musical taste and my own desire to listen to music with curiosity and a sense of adventure. What I’m trying to say is, Eno is my jam. So, Before and After Science. This album might sit strangely with anyone who hasn't really listened to Brian Eno before. It's fairly accessible for the general listener as his albums go, with some very lovely instrumentation. Stylistically he is a little bit all over the place and has a pronounced weird streak, particularly on the front half. It's not a bad thing, just maybe a little hard to connect with immediately for some. Stick with it. By the time you hit "Julie With," the rest of the album kicks into a different gear, with a far more layered, reflective, and ambient sound. Honestly, the final four are some of the most spare, beautiful arrangements I have heard in any genre. I feel wonderfully relaxed and elevated by the time “Spider and I” comes to a close. “By This River” exists on a plane by itself, it’s so lovely. The instrumentation on this album is ridiculous, and I mean that in the best way. Eno has always collaborated and surrounded himself with the best musicians, but this is insane. These are some of the smartest, most creative minds in music and they just flow like they were always together in this band. That funkified bass work by Paul Rudolph and Percy Jones on “No One Receiving” and “Kurt’s Rejoinder” is insanely good. Inspired use of various forms of percussion, across the board, especially on “Kurt’s Rejoinder.” Robert Fripp’s guitar on King’s Lead hat, shut up. Phil Manzanera’s guitar on “Here He Comes” is more delicate and incredibly pretty, a waterfall of sounds when blended with Eno’s own synthesizers. Eno’s voice is distinctive and oddly affecting in a way unlike that of many other vocalists. He’s not a singer really, the voice is just another musical tool, but when he does sing he moves you. It doesn’t much matter what he’s singing about. Which is a good thing because these lyrics are characteristically off the wall for Eno. Don’t look for a lot of coherence because that’s not what he’s doing here. Just embrace the weirdness and enjoy. Fave Songs: By This River, King's Lead Hat, No One Receiving, Julie With, Kurt's Rejoinder

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Mon Oct 09 2023
5

One last hurrah to the rock world before dissolving into a world of his own creation, Brian Eno lets the audience ricochet through worlds before and after science. Parts pensive, parts lurching, the seemingly early post-punk document stands tall yet alone in its aural being. Whatever one makes of his far more wide reaching (and rather definitive) ambient works later and before, one cannot deny that Before and After Science is the bridge that connects it all and that bridge, however final, still obtains joys and secrets waiting to be seen.

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Fri Oct 27 2023
5

There’s much I’d like to say about this album; however, I am contractually obligated leave the following review: ANOTHER CLASSIC BRIAN ENO RECORD.

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Wed Mar 13 2024
4

So about 35 albums in, and I FINALLY get one that I never would have crossed paths with - except for this daily exercise... Had listened to Eno's "Ambient 1 - Music For Airports", but that's been it, so I thought this one would be interesting... I'm also a big Roxy Music fan - a band he co-founded, but I think most of what I enjoy from them came after Eno left... As for "Before & After Science", the opening track "No One Receiving" sounds very much like the Talking Heads - except before there was a Talking Heads (i.e. although I guess both came out around the same time in 1977...). Really liked the percussion in the that song... Didn't really care for "Backwater", and the 3rd track "Kurt's Rejoinder" sounded Talking Headsesque again... Really enjoyed the instrumental interlude of "Energy Fools The Magician" - just wished it was longer - as I keep putting this one on repeat... : ) But I have to say the 3-song run in the later half of the album of "Julie With", "By This River", & "Through Hollow Lands" was absolutely exceptional - and REALLY appealed to me, and is definitely my jam... While not an all-time classic, I really enjoyed this album- and glad that it came my way... This is a solid 4 in my book no doubt!!!

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Wed Feb 24 2021
3

Not familiar with Brian Eno's catalogue, as I presume you both are, and it started out funkier than I expected, more accessible that I thought it would be. Like the drums in "No One Recieving." "Backwater" sounds like the goofier side of the Beatles, like something Paul would write and make Ringo sing. "Kings Lead Hat" was a dead ringer for the Talking Heads, and I was not surprised to find out that it was intentional. "Julie With" and "Through Hollow Lands" and "Spider and I" as more along the lines of what I expected the album to be like. It was not a cohesive album, jumped around. After hearing this I wonder if that willingness to go all over the map musically is what made him a good producer. I liked the album, did not love it.

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Fri Sep 25 2020
5

So this is rock Eno. Really, really good. Not flawless, but on a five point scale easily a five. Heads above most of what I've listened to recently. I'll be coming back to Julie With... right away.

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Sun Feb 28 2021
5

A masterpiece of art rock weirdness. I almost like this record as much as Another Green World, but it just comes short. The synth sounds and pop hooks on this album are just sublime. A personal favorite of mine. Favorite song: Backwater Least favorite song: Through Hollow Lands

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Thu Mar 04 2021
5

Oh yeah, I loved this. Pop rock from a parallel timeline, dissolving into dream pop as it goes on. Fave track - "By This River"

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Wed Feb 24 2021
4

Somewhere between the Beatles and new wave lies this. Also get a lot of Talking Heads out of it, which makes sense since Eno and David Byrne have been working together forever now. Loses steam a little near the end. Favorite tracks: "Blackwater", "King's Lead Hat", "By This River"

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Sun Feb 28 2021
4

Was... Was the point of these songs to be some before "science" and more rock-based, then some after, and more synth-based? Or is the album name irrelevant?

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Fri Oct 01 2021
4

Oh, Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno, wacky scientist of 20th century rock- it was fun to hear you having a blast on this album. I'm familiar with a lot of Eno's production work from this period (particularly collaborations with Bowie, Devo and Talking Heads) and it was fascinating to hear the cross-influence of some of it in his own work. It makes the late 70s seem like a constant cycle of the same few musicians picking from each other's plates at an all-you-can-eat buffet. As for the songs: "King's Lead Hat" is an absolute banger which I can't believe I hadn't heard before. "Backwater" has a catchy (if slightly obnoxious) chorus which I couldn't help grinning at. "Kurt's Rejoinder" and "Energy Fools the Magician" have very obvious seeds of "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts"' atmospherics and arrangements. Like Bowie's "Low" of the same year, the second half turns to more weightless instrumentals, but these are much warmer pieces, with strong melodies and more discernible structure. "Spider and I" was a gorgeous closer, even with Eno's simple and modest vocal. It's pretentious and a little unfocused at times, of course, but hard to complain when the highlights are this good. Recommend this to any Eno/Bowie/Byrne fans out there.

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Thu Dec 16 2021
4

4.5 + Another intensely dynamic record from Eno. It starts off with pop songs whose rhythms seem to bounce against the skin of each track's bubble ("No One Receiving", "Backwater", "King's Lead Hat"). Some of Eno's more experimental instincts and quirks are still here but he's dialed them down just a little. Towards the middle, he explores more lush and unctuous territory creating soundscapes of seemingly disparate sonic textures, most notably on "Here He Comes." The record then glides into ambient terrain that previews what will define the next phase of his career.

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Thu May 19 2022
4

I recently watched and enjoyed the very lengthy and detailed documentary Brian Eno- The man who fell to earth 1971-1977. So I was happy to see this album which was produced at the end of this period before the branched out with his solo ambient works which are a completely different kettle of fish. I think the last three albums that he produced in this period, which includes Taking Tiger Mountain and Another Green World are amongst his very best. Eno's stature in the business is apparent simply by how many crack musicians he was able to gather together on this record: Fripp, Frith, Roedelius, Moebius, Jaki Leibezeit, Conny Plank, Phil Manzanera... Wow! Side 1 of this record rocks out more, and Side 2 is more languid and pastoral and foreshadows the ambient themes that was to come. The highlight for me is By This River, which is so simple, yet one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The Satie-esque piano and his gentle humming typically stays in my head days after listening to it.

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Wed Jun 22 2022
4

This is a lot of fun. Eno in highly playful mood, very lyrically nimble. There's a lot of the future sound of post punk in here, needly guitar and burbling synths to the fore. Very Talking Heads in places too - you can see where Brian's discussions with David Byrne would lead right here.

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Wed Jul 06 2022
4

My 4th (!) Brian Eno record; considering the fact that aside from "Music For Airports" prior to this 1001 list I don't think I'd never put an Eno record on front to back - I would have thought I'd be annoyed... I feel like this album puts 70s Genesis and Pink Floyd in a cake pan, mixed it just a touch more, and came out with something even better (and I love those bands). Also you can hear a clear path to/from Eno and Adrian Belew and Talking Heads. It appears that I've become a big Eno fan, and this is perhaps my favourite. It's weird yet somehow accessible. Blessedly short at 40 minutes (not a sarcastic knock at all; I much prefer shorter albums as a general rule - get in, get out, leave 'em wanting more), there's a ton of melody, the vocals are mixed low enough so they're not a distraction and more of an instrument - exactly how I prefer it. "Here He Comes" and "Julie With..." might be my current favourite tracks - the former seems simple and light but there's a subtle oddness to it and the latter is on the surface very mellow but it's almost off-putting in a way that draws me to it. I could see how the latter part might bore some listeners - it definitely gets very dreamlike/new age-y but it's just short enough for me to be the perfect amount combined with the pop-rock first half. 8/10 4 stars.

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Sun Apr 09 2023
4

Read his name a lot in discussions on 1001 album topics, but I have no personal knowledge. No One Receiving - Music is really interesting; lyrics ok; vocals are unique. I'm not hatin' it. 6/10 Backwater - I like the music; lyrics average; vocals ok. 6/10 Kurt's Rejoinder - Digging the really interesting music; lyrics are likely deeper that I care to research; same vocals, I guess this is their sound. 6/10 Energy Fools the Magician - Instrumental piece with a cool sound. 7/10 King's Lead Hat - Music upbeat with punk sound; I have no idea what the lyrics mean; vocals same. It feels a bit disconnected from the other songs. As a punk song though, it gets an 8/10. Here He Comes - Music feels like 60s folk; lyrics are average; vocals are still cool enough. 8/10 Julie With - Music is really good, kinda a Pink Floyd vibe mixed with "Twin Pines" theme; lyrics aren't clear if they are speaking in metaphors; vocals really match the music. So far my favorite from the album. 9/10 By This River - Musically another good vibe; lyrically ok; vocals very mellow and pleasant. All together it works very nicely. 9/10 Through Hollow Lands - An instrumental that I'm enjoying very much. It's kinda ethereal, a little like floating through space. Solid 9/10 Spider & I - Music is really pretty; the minimal lyrics are truly unclear; vocals are . It's a very chill vibe that I can dig! 9/10 Unique experience that gradually improved with each track. I'll revisit some of the later tracks. A very chill album!

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Sat Oct 07 2023
4

What do you know, another classic record from Eno!

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Fri Apr 21 2023
3

I was wasn't expecting much, as I know some of Eno's work is challenging to listen to, so I was pleasantly surprised it wasn't bad. Sounds similar to bands he was producing around this time, Talking Heads, Bowie (not surprising) and his music is somewhat interesting without sounding commercial (also not surprising). A solid listen, but not for all tastes.

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Wed Feb 17 2021
2

probably cool in theory but not for me

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Mon Apr 24 2023
2

I know Eno is this prolific musical genius who has innovated more in one day than most musicians could ever hope to throughout their entire career. But… I just don’t really enjoy this. There’s some pop rock sounds here that could be cool in the right setting. I just don’t care for it. Meh.

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Thu Apr 27 2023
2

Not my jam. I didn't find it interesting and the songs didn't stuck with me. This is my second Brian Eno album and it's the same as the other one which is just alright, nothing more.

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Wed Mar 13 2024
2

It’s not objectionable but not inspiring in any way. Much better musically than vocally or lyrically …. Meh ….

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Wed Dec 09 2020
5

First, few songs... i like this. By this river played - OMG! 5 STARS!!! this so calming, im gonna cryyyyy lol also spider and i huhuhu is this a deaf anthem ang gandaaaa

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Thu Apr 08 2021
5

The comparisons to Bowie's "Low" are clichéd enough, but for my money this album has an even better "poppy"/not-as-experimental A side than Low. And that would mean this album is pretty great.

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Mon Feb 01 2021
5

I really liked this. I will definitely be coming back to this album!

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Fri Jan 15 2021
5

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. I downloaded it in college after becoming obsessed with ambient music. I didn't understand it at first since it is clearly NOT ambient, but it grew on me over the years.

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Tue Jan 26 2021
5

One of my all-time favorites. Expected ambient and was puzzled by this. Quickly grew on me and has remained amazing.

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Fri Apr 30 2021
5

I liked this album quite a lot. Some songs were better than others, but this is definitely one of the better albums I've heard so far. By This River is my favourite song off this album, with Through Hollow Lands a close second.

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Sun Aug 29 2021
5

Caynt beat it, thinking of Bobby Burvant

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Thu Sep 30 2021
5

Absolute classic. Proper songs, but with a fresh approach to sound that makes them pop through as something both familiar and different. Some tracks are surprisingly funky (\"No One Receiving\", \"Kurt's Rejoinder\"), and often catchy (\"Backwater\", \"King's Lead Hat\"). When I was about 14, I borrowed from the library a compilation of Eno's 73-77 song-oriented albums. I did not get it at the time, but since have learned to love the tangential approach to song-writing. I still love this album every time I listen to it.

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Fri Dec 17 2021
5

Great album, love this creative period from Eno

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Fri Jul 22 2022
5

Another excellent album from Brian Eno. The mix of upbeat songs and more atmospheric tracks, tied together by the tasteful and unique arrangements and rhythms, makes listening to this album a very enjoyable experience throughout.

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Fri Jul 22 2022
5

Classic Eno album - not as good as his first three albums but still 5 star of course.

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Thu Nov 10 2022
5

Ambient art. Brian Eno is brilliant. One of the most talented people in the history of music.

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Fri Dec 02 2022
5

10/10 I’ve heard one of Brian Eno’s albums before but I had no idea he’s made more than just awesome ambient all the cool prog and electronic is so nice I mean come on, the man worked with Robert Fripp! I have to love him! anyway, I obviously love this album I see no reason to give this anything other than a 10/10

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Fri Jan 06 2023
5

While Eno was involved with so many acts I enjoy (Bowie, Talking Heads, U2, Fripp, so many more), it took me a while to appreciate his solo work. This is definitely one of his best, although I know he's an acquired taste. Favorite tracks - King's Lead Hat (anagram for Talking Heads - nice how Eno even sings like David Byrne on this track. The lyrics are absurd but sound great, like "All I know and all I have is time and time and tide is on my side." Great track), No One Receiving (sounds like it would be right at home on a David Bowie album - great bass and drums on this track, Percy Jones on bass (Brand X and a great session player) and Phil Collins on drums - the guy who wrote the review for this in the 1001 albums book was like "Phil Collins?" This song is a great reminder of how good a drummer Phil Collins was, especially in the 70s), and the trio of Here He Comes, Julie With..., and By This River (these tracks just take you floating away). I don't know if I would have said this 25 years ago, but these days Eno's song-based solo albums are all an easy 5 for me.

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Fri Jan 06 2023
5

There are too many things that I love about this album to put into this review, so I’ll focus on just a few. First, there’s the separation of moods between the two sides. Side one overall is more pop-driven and upbeat, while side two (beginning with “Here he Comes” for you CD people) is almost a mix of Eno’s ambient side with his vocal side. One thing that isn’t brought up as much as it should be is Eno the lyricist. His lyrics, rather than being about something concrete, usually paints an image to go along with the music. The absurdity of “Backwater” and the futuristic images in “No One Receiving “ matches the music in such a way that makes you wonder what came first in the writing process. This album has the sense of being more crafted rather than written. Eno himself stated how much of a bad musician he was, technically speaking, to the point where he had to label the keys at times in order to play the right notes. He does have the producer’s gift of having a good ear and a good sense of what fits into a track, however. Another easy 5 stars here!

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Sun Jan 29 2023
5

Eno! Ooh what to do? Not a sausage to do. Bags of fun, and so much inventiveness, I love it. By This River is gloriously beautiful. Spider and I is also gorgeous, extremely reminiscent of his work on Bowie's Low in the same year. I maybe don't love this album as consistently as Warm Jets or Another Green World but I still love it. All of Eno's albums in the 70s are fabulous.

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Wed Feb 22 2023
5

Þessi plata er gamall vinur sem ég hef ekki hlustað á í að mér finnst ca. tvo áratugi. Hún nær mér ekki alveg eins og þá, merkilegt nokk, en góð er hún samt. Splæsi í fullt hús.

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Wed Apr 12 2023
5

Art rock for weirdos. 5 stars.

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Mon May 01 2023
5

One of my favorites so far. The avant-garde rock of the first few songs is great, with ‘Backwater’ and ‘King’s Lead Hat’, which sound similar to The Beatles and Talking Heads, respectively. I love the more ambient stuff, specifically - well, everything, but ‘Julie With’ is my favorite. This album brilliantly shows Eno’s genius and I’m excited for the 4 other albums from him.

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Fri May 05 2023
5

Most of this sounds like it could have been on a Roxy Music album but the last 3 songs sound like what I expect from Brian Eno. Both styles were great.

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Wed May 31 2023
5

I’m more familiar with Eno the producer than the artist. But from this listen you can absolutely hear the incredible producing talent in his own work. A lot of Talking Heads, a lot of Bowie, and it is all great.

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Wed May 31 2023
5

Thanks to my uncle, who was/are ahead of his time, I was fortunate enough to hear this either when it came out in '77 or soon thereafter. It's a masterpiece and after so many years, you can hear its (and Eno's) incredible influence on generations after. Thanks, Carter!

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Fri Jun 02 2023
5

"Before and After Science" is the fifth solo studio album by British musician Brian Eno. Art rock, art pop and experimental pop. Yep. Eno collaborated with a bunch of musicians from the UK and Germany (Fred Frith-Henry Cow, Phil Manzanera-Roxy Music, Phil Collins, Paul Rudoplh-Hawkwind and members from Can, Soft Machine, Fairport Convention, Free and Cluster). Eno wrote over 100 songs for the album in a two year period settling on ten. The album is noted for its pop and rock side one and ambient and pastoral side two. It was his last foray into rock as a solo artist in the 70's as that ambient side two took over. "No One Receiving" begins the album with guitar; it's funky with great percussion and polyrhythmns by none other than Phil Collins. I can see the direction Eno would direct The Talking Heads in the next few years. Isolation. Space travel. Technology. "Backwater is more upbeat. Danceable. Horns. Eno rapping to an extent. The highlightlight of "Kurt's Rejoiner" is the analogue delay bass used by Hawkwind's Paul Rudolph. Synthesizers. Mystery. Intrigue. The only single and really rock song is "King's Lead Hat." It's an anagram for Talking Heads. Look that up. An ode to new wave. Cool synth. I think science vs.non-science and nature vs. Science. "Here He Comes" kicks off the ambient side. This is softer, slower and pop. It's has nice vocals. About a boy floating thought the sky trying to get to a different time. "Spider and I" ends the album in a dreamy, atmospheric and very ambient way. Church organs. Another song about a boy and the sky. This time he's dreaming about being carried away by a ship. I liked this album quite a bit, both sides. The polyrhythmnns, the creativity, the atmosphere. The music fits the lyrics with the first rock and pop side towards understanding science (before) and the second ambient side towards going away from science (after). I'd say this is my favorite Eno album but I like his first three albums as well. All worth a listen and owning.

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Wed Aug 09 2023
5

JESS, sitä hyvää. Melkeinpä rakkaaksi muodostunut levy, jonka tietenkin löysin teininä, kun katsoin Cuarónin leffan Y tu mamá también, jossa soi By this River. Levyhän on helppo romantisoida hetkeksi, kun rock-nero muuntautui ambient-jumalaksi.

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Sat Aug 19 2023
5

Another fantastic art pop record by Eno. He's certainly matured a lot since Here Come the Warm Jets and Another Green World with masterful production techniques in repetitive (modeled after krautrock) yet beautiful melodies and a confident voice that can play many roles depending on the mood. Our first few songs are simple pop songs, but do what they do marvelously and in different ways. Those synths are multi-layered and gorgeous. Many tracks like "Kurt Rejoinder" and "King's Lead Hat" show the influence Eno would have on David Byrne's music. This quickly changes as we get into dark ambience with "Energy Fools the Magician". It's a bit out-of-place before the high-energy "King's Lead Hat" but serves as a nice break and forecasts what's to come. The whole second side carries on this calmer moodier vibe reminiscent of his ambient works, but confined to short (non-traditional) pop structures. "Here He Comes" serves an amazing blend between the two styles, still very accessible and loud but peaceful. The last four tracks tone down the volume into sparse bright arrangements. It's probably his most consistent album excluding that small misplacement (that serves a better purpose though). The pieces aren't as shocking or memorable as Another Green World, but I'd still this is more proof that cements him as of the greatest producers.

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Wed Aug 23 2023
5

Brian Eno surprises me yet again by being excellent. I quite liked the more upbeat first side of the album but it really shines in its soothing mellow second side. I felt great listening to it and want to listen again.

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Wed Aug 23 2023
5

I was immediately drawn in and as I was finding the album losing its luster just a bit, it switched gears and kept me in.

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Fri Aug 25 2023
5

The second half is really rather lovely. It just lifts you up and floats you away. By the end of the final lullaby I was completely relaxed. And it works surprising well with the daftness of the first half. Like you’re loosening up with jokes and a good old sing song first.

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Mon Sep 18 2023
5

It’s got punch. And ambient music.

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Sat Sep 30 2023
5

I do agree after listening to this that Eno is at a Zenith between his traditional sound and his Ambient experiments, and it sounds great.

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Sat Sep 30 2023
5

It started strong and just kept getting stronger, absolutely NAILING the landing. This was a delight, and the type of Eno record I was hoping to discover.

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Sun Oct 29 2023
5

This is a transition album between Brian Eno’s earlier rock based work and his later ambient work. This album is all over the place. It starts with rock based post-punk but as the album progresses, transitions to more experimental music with hints of the electronic and ambient themes that would define his legacy. There are even shades of country music and symphonic pop throughout. Overall, this was an incredibly expansive album.

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Thu Nov 30 2023
5

Peak Eno where he balances ambient with his subversion of pop .

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Mon Dec 11 2023
5

Psychedelic and ambient while still having some of the vocal sounds of the 70s. This album flows very smoothly from front to back. The guitar on "Julie With" is beautiful and haunting as it flows into the piano of the next track. The second half of this album is so calm and different than the first half but still tied in so well. This is great music and wonderful art.

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Wed Dec 13 2023
5

5/5. A very weird album but so very catchy. There is a sense of New Wave and Glam Rock here but also Ambient thrown in. None of the songs make any sense and there isn't a pre-established concept, just songs with no concept. They somehow still create a world inside Eno's mind that feels so real, I want to have whatever he's having. The first half are some pretty upbeat pop/rock songs. The second half is starting to become my favorite with its slow and brooding ballads, quiet and dark. Overall, there is a lot to like from this one, high 4 but I'll give it the 5.

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Fri Dec 22 2023
5

Amazing sound, huge variety of musical flavor in one album. Kings Lead Hat sounds exactly like a Talking Heads track

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Sun Dec 24 2023
5

This was a pretty cool album. I like the experimental style.

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Tue Jan 16 2024
5

I don't know how popular of an opinion this is, but I think this is Brian Eno's masterpiece. So much more coherent and pleasing to the ears than "Another Green World". A fantastic blend of pop and ambient. Gotta be a 5/5.

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Wed Jan 17 2024
5

Loved this album - this will be in my permanent rotation.

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Wed Jan 31 2024
5

Jævlig bra, hørte masse på da mens eg gikk permisjonsstien i sommer

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Thu Feb 08 2024
5

Not sure why this is one of my favourite albums but it is. It's so quirky and low key without fanfare or technical brilliance. It's lowkey pop really. Not even that groundbreaking but it seem it's the way Brian does things- this album means a lot to me and always hits the spot when I play it so will alwys be a solid 5*****

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Wed Feb 21 2024
5

I loved this I can't believe I haven't listened to Brian Eno before

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Fri Feb 23 2024
5

Fourth and last of the 70s Eno pop albums and maybe the best. Side two gets let’s pop but so atmospheric and great. He’s simply the best.

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Tue Feb 27 2024
5

I’ve seen him in liner notes everywhere, but now I get it.

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Tue Mar 12 2024
5

I'm a big Eno fan, but somehow I've never heard this. And it's so good, one of the few albums on here I listened to twice. Just immaculately produced and tuneful and whimsical and somehow not as dark as his other work but still breathtaking.

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Mon Mar 18 2024
5

The first half is good, the back half is great. Unlike some other artists who keep popping up, every Brian Eno album is a welcome sight.

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Thu Jan 21 2021
4

Brian Enos wonderfully old alternative

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Sun Feb 28 2021
4

Pretty cool, worth another closer listen

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Thu Jan 14 2021
4

Good stuff. I was surprised that this was pretty much straightforward instead of his usual soundscapes. I see where his Bowie/Talking Heads inspo came from.

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Sat Jan 23 2021
4

Pretty ambient and truly music, definitely plays with my brain a little 4.2

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Wed Mar 03 2021
4

Definitely unique.... but I dig it. There was a lot of repetition within the songs, but it still felt interesting to listen to Favorite track(s): “Energy Fools the Magician” “Her He Comes”

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Thu Feb 04 2021
4

Great range of sounds in here, can see why Eno was such an influential figure

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Tue Jan 19 2021
4

parra total... para descubrir...

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Wed Jun 09 2021
4

At being avant-gard-ist, he is one of the best. Lots of textures, mesmerising ambients, searching of new sounds here and there, and then suddenly a song as beautiful as Here He Comes... a true innovator

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Tue May 11 2021
4

Pretty cool and interesting but surprisingly funky

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Fri Feb 12 2021
4

Really good album. Side A is upbeat artsy rock n' roll and side B is pastoral, atmospheric and ambient.

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Tue Mar 23 2021
4

4 Spider&I et Through hollow lands sont assez parfaites

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Thu Apr 29 2021
4

Has its contemplative moments, and overall it's great... but the first two tracks might put some people off

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Mon Aug 02 2021
4

Starts off campy but really hits its stride. Experimental strange talking heads vibes and a weirdly peaceful ambient later half.

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Thu Sep 30 2021
4

During the first song, I thought it was another collaboration with David Byrne. Their voices are uncannily similar. The overall quality of the album is good and with this being the third Eno album generated for me so far, it's great to hear what his vocals sound like. Favourite songs were Here He Comes and King's Lead Hat.

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