Brian Eno - (2005) Another Day On Earth

Brian Eno is a inspiration for me, as an aspiring low-profile ambient music ripper-offer. He has never really fit the progressive rock bill as far as I'm concerned, however. He's gone through phases: surreal quirk-rocker, soundscape extraordinaire, musique concrete noodler, techno purveyor....all of his phases have something to offer the fan of more cerebral electronic music. It seems Eno has done it all, or maybe he's just content with what he's accomplished, because Another Day on Earth feels like a decisively middle-aged album--the kind you'd expect from a pioneer of new technologies reflecting back on life. What Eno offers with Another Day is a steady stream of relaxing, swirling, modern, and relatable songs and atmospheric pieces that have a tendency to sweep you away from your cares for an hour.

When I hear Another Day on Earth, I think of our modern world, but not the grim warfare we see on the daily news. No, I think of sitting in a airport terminal, watching people walk by. It's a sunny day and life is serene. Or I imagine the Japanese market scene of the album front alive around me, the music as a soundtrack to so many people brushing past each other. I think of our vast knowledge of space and earth, that we have this enormous body of knowledge, and in the end, it doesn't matter to us. We go on with our lives like always, but every so often we think of our planet, a little marble in a sea of darkness, and we're humbled by it. Another Day On Earth is the soundtrack to happy times, drenched in sunlight.

Those are my feelings, and I hope they provide what is truly helpful in understanding the feeling of the album. But that probably is not enough to satisfy most people who prefer song descriptions. I'm sorry, but it is rather hard to dissect Another Day on Earth, doubly so for someone who neither plans reviews nor is particularly adept at dealing with the tediousness of such things. Another Day on Earth flows beautifully, and the songs manage to be distinct because of the solid ideas and meticulous yet effortless craftsmanship behind them. Eno is one of the best producers of our time, fellow living beings. He knows what he's doing.

So, this has been a spur of the moment review spawned by a moment of utter boredom, and in this brainstorm of glorious creativity, have neglected actually considering the star value I should assign to Another Day On Earth. I enjoy every song and moment on the album, but there seems to be no risks taken, and no advancement. This is not a revolutionary album, and it just doesn't feel like a 5-star album. Really, this is a hard one to rate in Eno's catalog, and I can easily see why someone could give it 2, 3, or 4 stars. To me, it's and honest 4 stars. Put it on, and take your mind to another, happy reality.


Studio Album, released in 2005

Track Listings

1. This (3:33)
2. And Then So Clear (5:49)
3. A Long Way Down (2:40)
4. Going Unconscious (4:22)
5. Caught Between (4:25)
6. Passing Over (4:25)
7. How Many Worlds (4:47)
8. Bottomliners (3:59)
9. Just Another Day (4:21)
10. Under (5:19)
11. Bone Bomb (3:09)

Total Time: 46:49
Line-up/Musicians

- Brian Eno / synthesizer, keyboards