08/04/08
Text: Nik Mercer
Anthem's gossip columnist (we swear we've got one!) recently spilled some juicy tidbits about the David Byrne & Brian Eno collaboration album, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. Apparently, for the past thirty years, the two have been arguing about whose name gets to go first. Eno thinks his musical genius, foresight, and innovation ought to put him at the top; Byrne flashes his record sales card, though, and the two find themselves in standoff. Our gossip columnists reports that Byrne finally pulled out of the deadlock this year when he noted that Radiohead named itself after an old Talking Heads song ("Radio Head") and that apparently Vampire Weekend wouldn't be nearly as hip and hot as they are now without Talking Heads' prolific past.
So: the duo are once again going by David Byrne & Brian Eno, and while we could do with having the names flipped ("Eno & Bryne" sounds pretty neat!), we're happy to see the senior-status-nearing pair knock heads again.
Today, the first single, "Strange Overtones," was released on the album's official site (which features an favicon of Bryne, by the way). We're satisfied but far from impressed. The core bass line is a fun and bouncy shuffle, accented by the noodling, reverby guitar hook—jangle pop with a disco sidenote. While Byrne's voice is a little distressed and Eno's production is a little flashy, "Strange Overtones" is good (though, as noted in the tune, "slightly out of fashion"). Right around the 2'45" mark, the jam gets jammier and that's what we want to hear more of. My Live in the Bush of Ghosts succeeded partially because—sorry—Bryne didn't really sing.
Download "Strange Overtones" right here.
I have to disagree, if slightly, with the lack of enthusiasm for this single. It might not be another "This Must be The Place (Naive Melody)", but it brings the pop-funk for sure. I can see this track--or a remix thereof--livening up more than a few dance parties...it's golden in my book.
ScottI
August 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM