The Major’s Album of the Day –
Brian Eno, Another Green World - 1975
Despite being a co-founder of Roxy Music, and a sideman and producer with a number of acts including Genesis, U2, Coldplay, Talking Heads, and many others, Eno has described himself as a “non-musician musician”. His real expertise is in sounds, conceptual sound design, and thinking “outside the box”. He’s made a bunch of solo albums, but Another Green World is his masterpiece, and has been cited as one of the most influential album of the 70’s. Nobody was doing anything remotely like this before 1975, and you can hear the beginnings of New Wave, ambient music, and other things that were picked up later in other genres.
It is definitely an “out there” album. It isn’t classic rock, and probably not even “rock” at all, but rather an experimental mix of ambient and art-pop music. 9 of its 14 songs – all comparatively short – are instrumentals, which follow a very general pattern of introducing various percussive rhythms and synthesizer melodies and washes to create a sort of aural photograph. Sometimes with vocals, more often without. The song titles often suggest the images created by the music, generally a very relaxing, introspective aura to it.
Eno uses a bunch of guest musicians including Phil Collins and Robert Fripp, but he also plays every instrument himself on many of the tracks. It has acquired a classic status over the years, popping up on Rolling Stones list of the 500 greatest albums ever made, and on a bunch of “most influential” type of lists. This isn’t an album you can really appreciate without actively listening to it because you kind of have to sink into the sounds for it to work. Great at night, with headphones, etc.. So, without further ado, the setlist:
Sky Saw. Unfortunately, the album leads off with my least favorite cut. While most of the album is fairly relaxing and contemplative, this one is just harsh. It’s got Phil Collins minimalist percussion as a plus, but a sort of incredibly hollow sound kind of dominating the mix. Others seem to like it, though. 14
Over Fire Island. Not one of my favorites, but an improvement. Best part of the song is some really interesting washes that give the impression of seagulls flying overhead at night. 13
St. Elmo’s Fire. Not to be confused with the John Parr song. This is the first actual 'song' on the album, and is about a guy and girl going for a walk and seeing the title atmospheric phenomenon. It's got a nice bouncy piano and acoustic guitar, but the highlight of the song is my absolutely favorite guitar solo - period. Eno asked Robert Fripp to improvise a guitar solo that would imitate an electrical charge between two poles on a Wimshurst high-voltage generator. The solo contains both lyrical heights, and intricate passages played at incredible speed. The song begins at about 5:15, and really the album is worth listening to from here on out. 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeuXGBNwixE In Dark Trees. Dark, desolate keyboards over rhythmic percussion suggestive of individual trees. Haunting, mournful...just a fantastic example of painting a landscape with music. 3
The Big Ship. One of the instrumental highlights. Lots of interweaving rhythms and keyboards that are both uplifting and occasionally foreboding. Very nice piece. 4
I’ll Come Running. The second 'song' on the album, it’s a pleasant piece that includes a more relaxed Fripp solo and is probably the most “pop song” cut on the album. 7
Another Green World. A short, pleasant instrumental rhythmic piece. 12
Sombre Reptiles. A vaguely Native-American sounding instrumental that I think is one of the best rhythmic pieces on the album. 5
Little Fishes. Kind of what you’d imagine should be the soundtrack if you were looking into an aquarium with, uh, little fishes. 10
Golden Hours. A rather whimsical little song with easy-going vocals over some bouncy keyboards, and some Fripp background guitar work. 9
Becalmed. Eno plays a restrained lead piano over which some great synthesizer washes are added. Absolutely love this one. 2
Zawinul/Lava. Another restrained, more relaxing instrumental. 11
Everything Merges with the Night. Another whimsical vocal piece, nicely done, which some really nice fretless bass. 8
Spirits Drifting. Self-explanatory, well-done. 6