Customer Reviews

Damage

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

 

 

Having followed Roger Enos Career somewhat closely, I've grown familiar (pun intended) with a Roger Eno as a classically trained pianist/composer writing modern chamber music, and his few ventures into the ambient world haven't been all too interesting. This album, however, takes Eno ahead about 150 years, and lands him in the late 1990ies, teamed up with a techno wizard named Lol Hammond. If you liked Budd/Zazous Glyph, this is definitely for you, repetitive piano/atmospheric patterns teamed up with drum loops of the not too intrusive kind.

I found the plinks and plonks of the drum machine (courtesy of Lol Hammond I guess) on most of the tracks really off putting in this album. I particularly don't like fake wooden sticks and hand claps. A personal dislike granted and in my view very 80's not late 90's. Enough to make me avoid playing it very often. Perhaps my loss but give me the likes of "Lost in Translation", "Between Tides", "Swimming" or the more recent "The Night Garden" any day. Other than that musically it's as moody as any of Roger's other albums (most of which I'd rate 4+).

Eno's manifold machinations on this album are refreshing. I have rather enjoyed his amalgamation of drums, piano, and spirited uplifts. It's a shame this artist isn't as revered as others in the New Age genre. I prefer Roger Eno to standouts such as Steve Roach.

Roger Eno's career went from being merely a piano-laying vehicle for his older brother's "treatments", to a bizarre sort of art/ambient rock with vocals in Latin, to some sort of improv-driven chamber music, and now this. This record seems to combine elements from all of Roger's previous styles and add new influences, courtesy of Lol Hammond.

An interesting note: this sounds like an indie band that just got done listening to "Discreet Music" or something by Steve Roach.It's a strange mix but it somehow works. I would like to hear more.

This is the album I used to put on when I needed my anxiety to go away. The album before any big night or performance. The album to relax all nerves and take me to a place far far away.