Aphex Twin, Autechre, Flying Lotus, Squarepusher and Roxy Music..?? Doesn't sound quiet right really. But then again Eno probably influenced a lot of the Warp entourage and is also a master of ambient music, see The Pearl by Brian Eno and Harold Budd. In fact Eno has had a hand in so many genres, pioneering technically brilliant music (My Life in the Bush of Ghosts), that it is fair to say he could choose whatever record label he likes. Eno made his debut on Warp last year with Small Craft on a Milk Sea and released Drums Between the Bells earlier this month.
It features the words of poet Rick Holland which are read by various speakers. Perhaps it's my distinct lack of intellect but I just can't get along with it. If I want to listen to the music, I'm distracted by the storytelling prose, Dreambirds or the 1984-esque nationalist chantings of Sound Alien being spoken over it. If I want to listen to the great words of the poet, I cannot focus on the imagery or meaning because of the music. I am sure that the two are meant to co-exist and complement each other but like I said, maybe I'm not clever enough. It is however VERY Brian Eno, almost to a satirical level, exactly the kind of album I'd expect him to release just because he's always trying to be so, forgive my French, fucking clever.
I do particularly like the song Glitch where Eno demonstrates that he is down with the kids on the same record label. You could even probably hold a small, well organised, intellectual rave to the synth breakdown. Bless the Space shows the technical brilliance of the Eno of yesteryear and also it sounds like a Death In Vegas number with it's screeching guitar solo. There is no doubting the music is great and the words of Rick are even better, but together it's awkward and too demanding.
6/10
Brian Eno - glitch (taken from Drums Between The Bells) by Warp Records
