Customer Reviews

Beyond Even (1992-2006)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The legendary Robert Fripp and Brian Eno have joined forces once again with "Beyond Even", a collection of unreleased pieces recorded between 1992 and 2006. The music on this CD was previously only available as a download under the title of "The Cotswold Gnomes".
While there isn't any mention as to what year each individual piece was recorded, it hardly seems to matter as the music flows at an even pace and can be essentially viewed as one single idea - a soundtrack to a non-existent movie.
A majority of the material sounds as if it were recorded around the same time as 2004's "Equatorial Stars" while other pieces are most reminiscent of Eno's 1997 solo disc "The Drop". A big twist in the entire CD is the closing track "Cross Crisis In Lust Storm" which is dominated by harsh metallic drum beats and Fripp's buzzsaw industrial-like guitar leads.
Like their previous collaborations, Fripp and Eno's "Beyond Even" contains music that is way ahead of its time and continues to show the magic these two giants can bring when placed in the same room together.
It should be noted that The initial pressing of "Beyond Even" is a 2-disc set presenting the music in two different variations. Disc one includes all 13 tracks as they were originally recorded without any segues or crossfades. Disc two presents the music in a continuous fashion with all 13 tracks forming a long 55-minute suite. Once this initial pressing sells out, the version on disc two will be the one that remains. So for the elite Fripp and Eno fans: Get this one while it lasts.

There are two major issues at play with Beyond Even (1992-2006), which makes this a puzzling, though remarkable, set by Robert Fripp and Brian Eno.

The music - a collection of odds-and-ends - was originally released as The Cotswold Gnomes, a download-only collection released via Fripp's Discipline Global Music Live site. The only difference between the 2-CD set and The Cotswold Gnomes is this limited edition CD package comes with a second disc, which reprises the music in its entirety as a flowing piece, rather than a collection of single tracks, which is found on disc one.

This repackaging of a previous release - using a new title name, with no new content - is shocking from these two artists. There is nothing on the scant CD notes which state this is previously-issued material. Also, it is a guessing game to figure out the origins of these outtakes, though the 13 songs sound so well in the single performance format.

Cross Crisis In Lust Storm is a sonic boom over the ambient landscape, with a powerful punch being delivered in Sneering Loop, Tripoli 2020, The Idea Of Decline and Hopeful Timean.

The music ultimately rises above the various controversies and shows - at least here - that the vault which contains unreleased material is full of gold.

I received my copy today and have already listened to both discs. The first disc plays the songs individually, the second disc blends the songs together, which must have been a mastering nightmare due to the many moods of the songs. Instead of the typical review; I share my thoughts as the music played. 1. RINGING BEAT: Ambient with a beat. 2. GASP: Electronic space exploration. 3. SNEERING LOOP: I had a dream and Brian Eno played on a PROJEKCT but the record skipped. 4. TRIPOLI 2020: Soundscape with a rhythm section, very cool. 5. BEHOLD THE CHILD: Soundscape with chanting loop, not my favorite track. 6. TIMEAN SPARKLES: The most beautiful piece but way too short. 7. DIRT LOOP: Ambient Soundscape. 8. THE IDEA OF DECLINE: Electronica, you can dance to this one. 9. DEEP INDIAN LONG: Relaxing soundscape. 10. HOPEFUL TIMEAN: Peaceful. 11. GLASS STRUCTURE: Let there be Eno and there was Eno. 12. VOICES: Let there be Fripp and there was Fripp. 13. CROSS CRISIS IN LUST STORM: Wait a minute,maybe Eno did do a PROJEKCT. ENO FRIPP GUNN. Remember this is not a review, these are my thoughts as I listened. Now buy the record and create you own thoughts, enjoy.

I have been listening to Fripp and Eno since they started this whole genre of music. No Pussyfooting, Evening Star come to mind.

This takes a little different twist. Sometimes I think the two just like to see what sounds they can come up with but one must avoid taking items out of context. This music is groundbreaking just like the early stuff. Although some of it is not pleasant. I find it rather angry or disturbing at times. Therefore, a downgrade one star. Overall, very good interesting stuff.

As a huge fan of all of the Fripp & Eno albums, I've got to admit that compared to such majestic works as "No Pussyfooting" and especially "Evening Star" and "Equatorial Stars", the songs on "Beyond Even" sound like throwaways or filler. In other words, material that originally was not intended to be released. Added to the fact that this collection was already available as "The Cotswald Gnomes" as a download, this CD just isn't up to Fripp & Eno's usual high standards. "Beyond Even" is an essential CD ONLY for fans who want a complete collection of their works. Having said that, this album makes for a fairly pleasurable listening experience and the fact that as of this writing one is able to purchase the double album including the disc where the songs segue into each other is quite nice.

What is lame about this offering that AMAZON did not think that this music, or these artists deserve time spent on making mp3 previews of the offered tracks. At least a few of them.

There is so much junk on this site that has a preview of every song, but this double album doesn't have even one track. As crappy as generally previews on AMAZON sound, it would've nice to have a chance to hear what this album sounds like before forking out close to $20 with shipping. I guess it is not "commercial enough." These artists deserve a bit more then AMAZON thinks and this is sad for AMAZON.

If You enjoy both Eno and Fripps' creative experimentations , You might like this - my personal favorites;Enos' : 'Here Come the Warm Jets' and 'Before and after Science' - Music w / D. Byrne and Jon Cale is worth picking up also ! Fripps' early' King Crimson' is Classic and must have Tuneage !! Don't forget 'Exposure' and 'Equatorial Stars' ; Tastee Stuff !!!!

JLS & WW

First, allow me to begin by saying I am a huge fan of Robert Fripp and Brian Eno, both individually and collectively. However, this cd is not only a rip-off, but a huge disappointment. It was apparently released earlier online on mp3 under a different title, but I'm okay with that as I was unaware and prefer cd to mp3 format anyway.

So long story short: I'm sifting through the garbage they try to pass off as music in FYE, trying desperately to find something listenable when I come across this thing. [To self] "Oh, a new one from Fripp & Eno!" I'm excited as 'The Equatorial Stars' was and is so thoroughly enjoyable, that it still enjoys a place in my regular rotation, extol both as ambient genii/masters, etcetera.

I put it in the cd player. Kind of sub-par, I-can-do-it-better-than-the-kids-today-can type crap. (Think high-brow techno/dance tunes.) Okay, so I'm not exactly pleased but I give the first disc a few spins. Not the best, nor is it what I expected, but maybe it'll grow on me.

I slap the second in my stereo when I get home. Same crap. Song-for-unendurable-song the same. One of the tracks is Ankaa I think (too pissed to even bother checking at this point), I'm guessing the others might've been lifted from other albums too, but I wasn't exactly expecting a best of collection either. B-sides/rarities or something perhaps (Though it may/may not be.)

Garbage. Who wants two of the same disc? Here's an idea: how about giving me some not so crappy material on one disc. What's next, a boxed set of five exactly the same cd's? I felt like I was in that restaurant scene from Being John Malkovich. Malkovich, Malkovich? Malkovich, Malkovich! Horrible.

Overall, not terribly impressive. [Insert expletives after having been ripped off here.] Buy the aforementioned '...Equatorial Stars album' instead.