Customer Reviews

Look Into the Eyeball

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have never really been a big fan of David Byrne, or Talking Heads for that matter, but a while back I saw an appearance of Byrne performing "Like Humans Do" on David Letterman and was very intrigued. I decided to buy it because I wanted something different in my collection. It definitely is different. Each song on this album displays a different sound. The album's opener "UB Jesus" pulls you into 'Eyeball' with odd lyrics and fantastic use of backing vocals. "Like Humans Do", the song that originally reeled me in, is amazing on this album. It is very colorful and melodic - as are a lot of songs on this album, including (especially) "Desconocido Soy", a Spanish-sung tune that allows you to enjoy the song even if you don't know what is being said! "The Accident" is a dark, eerie song with an amazing vocal hook. This album is overall incredible. If you want something new, different, and fun - get this!

David Byrne built heavily on his previous release "Feelings" and topped it in many ways on "Look Into The Eyeball". This album contains solid material throughout and is probably Byrne's most consistent solo album. Its range spans the breadth of "Feelings", but without that album's somewhat forced eclecticism. One could call "Look Into The Eyeball" "Feelings Improved" (not to knock "Feelings", because it was also a great album). Whereas "Feelings" represented a major improvement over Byrne's self-titled 1994 album, "Look Into The Eyeball" represents yet another leap forward. The lesson here: Byrne seems to be improving with age. Or, at the very least, age has not affected Byrne's output whatsoever.

This album ranges from danceable to beautiful to toungue in cheek to happy to disturbing to funny. "U.B. Jesus" is funny, profound, disturbing, and danceable: "Jesus can kill 'ya if you don't get along." The song explores the contemporary phenomenon of making Jesus "cool" and "hip" and the impossibility of living up to the standards set by him: "Maybe I'm gonna fry in Hell, but I feel good when I burn myself." Danceable, funny, and disturbing all in one song. "The Revolution" and "The Accident" are amongst Byrne's most beautiful songs. "The Great Intoxication" and "The Moment of Conception" amongst his most driving. Byrne also finally sings a song completely in Español: "Desconocido Soy" (or "Unknown I am"). Lastly, we all know people such as the subject of "Everyone's In Love With You"; basically, someone who just attracts people for incomprehensible reasons. Byrne runs the gamut of his usual themes on this album, and even adds a few new ones to the mix.

Will this remain Byrne's final album released by Luaka Bop? Hard to say. Byrne no longer runs the label, and his 2004 release, "Grown Backwards" was released on Nonesuch. Time will tell.

Probably the most surprising thing about "Look Into the Eyeball" is the stark contrast between it and its successor. No clues exist anywhere as to the direction Byrne took on "Grown Backwards" three years later (though some were present on "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" from 2003). Both albums give testament to Byrne's musical diversity, ability, and inventiveness. Check them both out.

A brief review: It's been four years since David Byrne's last commercially released album, and your patience has been rewarded. Look Into the Eyeball is simply excellent. It's songs vary stylistically, but are consistent in quality. The album starts in dark tones with "U.B. Jesus." This is one of the album's highlights. Haunting strings seamlessly melt into the groove. The driving rhythm gives way to the pretty, but melancholy strings of "The Revolution." Yet, Tracks 4-7 are this album's highest point, starting with "Like Humans Do," LItE's first single, which makes sense as this is the catchiest song on the album. "Broken Things" is darker, as the title would imply, but the dark groove make this track the most reminiscent of David's Talking Heads work. "The Accident" is LItE's most unique track. It could easily come from a Broadway musical, but at the same time, it reminds me of Sgt. Pepper's. "Desconocido Soy," is my favorite song on LItE. Although I haven't a clue as to what it's about (the lyrics are in Spanish), it's got the most infectious groove, and Nru's voice provides an excellent contrast to Mr. Byrne's. Look Into the Eyeball tastes like no other album I know of, and I sure do like it. It's delicious. Highly recommended.

I probably wouldn't have bought this album but I was actually lucky enough to see David Byrne's tour as it came through Providence. He played most of the album at the show, which was probably the biggest feel-good live music experience I've had this year. The songs on this album were great live! How often do you go to a show and get as excited about songs you don't know as you do about your favorites from older albums? The best surprise was that Look Into the Eyeball was as much fun on CD as it was live. If you like Talking Heads' songs like "Nothing But Flowers," I don't see how you couldn't like this recording. Byrne is still writing beautiful songs with lyrics that are just a little different than you thought they'd be. If you're feeling eclectic... [Also includes a super-happy-fun-fun-semi-animated activity book.]

Byrne's most exciting musical trip since the hey-day of Talking Heads has arrived with the release of this album. On first listen it seems like David B. is delivering another journey
through several different musical styles encompassing African, South American and 60's funk. This time there's some string flourishes thrown into the package as well and.... wait a second
there's some true Philadelphia style funk on that song, and
the quiet lyrics of that song paints a beautiful little character study and.... Hey... this is a lot more than just songs about buildings.

I doubt this album will create a huge number of brand new David Byrne fans. He's still working within the palette he's created for himself over the course of his last several solo albums. He's still singing with the same love it or hate it voice, and he's still exploring both latin and african music. The difference here is that he's combined all of his strengths, and fashioned a collection of songs that are never one dimensional.

If it's been a while since you've picked up a Byrne album this is a good one to reacquaint yourself with what this gifted song-writer has been up to. There are several songs that have a true warmth and emotional depth to them on this album. There's some very danceable grooves on this collection and not one dud
among the bunch.

This is a real gem.

David Byrne is probably the unlikeliest rock star that ever took the stage, but he's also one of the best. His combination of nerdy persona and funky experimentation make him one of the most refreshing figures in rock music. "Look Into The Eyeball" is proof that he's still alive and well and refuses to compromise on his unique vision.

As usual, David continues to experiment, mostly with gospel and Latin styles of music. The opener, "UB Jesus" has a decidedly gospel feel. He recruits veteran R&B producer Thom Bell to arrange "Neighborhood," which is fast becoming my favorite track. It's a funky, yet soothing and relaxing number that sticks in your head. "The Accident" is an odd number, highlighted by an unusual, creepy arrangement. "Like Humans Do" is a fun, bouncy, yet slightly low-key number, and the one track that would probably be a hit (not that those things matter). And that's just a handful of the songs, the ones that come to mind at this time. Strings abound on this album, in addition to gospel-flavored backing vocals, harmonium, Latin-flavored percussion and a whole lot more. It's eclectic but loose and fun. A rare combination.

This is only the second Byrne album I own (the heavily horn-laced Latin excursion "Rei Momo" is the other one) and I have a feeling I'm going to be buying a lot more now. I can't seem to get this disc out of my head. It's fresh, funky, funny and one of the best of 2001, so far.

I know everyone bemoans that online music availability is supposedly destroying the music business. However, I had lost track of David Byrne's music in recent years but then saw free downloads of 2 tracks of this album online. After listening to the tracks repeatedly, I bought the album. No other device had gotten me to look at his music even though I'd been a huge fan during his Talking Heads days. I then discovered he has an online site with 2 complete downloads of songs from virtually every solo album of his. I downloaded all of them and every single song is terrific. That is true of this album too. Byrne has not lost an iota of his talent. His music and lyrics remain quirky, edgy, extremely rhythmic and infectious. True to his art student origins at the Rhode Island School of Design, he also continues to use fabulous cover art for every single album as well. Perhaps online downloads can bring to our attention musical talent that is unfortunately being obscured by the lesser "superstar" talents currently consuming the creative possibility that lurks within the music industry. I've downloaded some of these current superstar's clips and have yet to find one that lasted more than 3 minutes on my hard drive. They were so dreadful that they immediately went into the recycle bin.

The growth of David Byrne since his Talkng Heads days can be measured by each solo album (although Rei Momo is certainly a masterpiece). Each solo album is extraordinary, but David manages to top himself with each subsequent album. This pattern continues with this amazing CD. For the first time, I can hionestly say that each song is fantastic. You can listen to this CD without ever wanting to fast forward, although you may want to hear the same song over again, particularly The Great Intoxication which is one of the most beautifuls ongs ever. If radio stations don't play Like Humans Do, there is something seriously wrong. Any lover of Talking Heads, David Byrne, or just beautiful music must own this album.

Wow. After waiting for 4 long years, David Byrne has finally released another c.d. This c.d. was definitely worth the wait. The songs are excellent. If you loved his previous effort, Feelings, this seems to almost be it's "part II". Both start out with a soulful/funk song (in this case, "U.B. Jesus", in Feelings that is "Fuzzy Freaky"). Also, both c.d.s' track 9 contains a heavy string section. Anyhow.. all comparisons aside, this c.d. starts out with the funky "U.B. Jesus". Throughout the duration of the album, there are influences from more classical string arrangements ("Smile"), old simplistic love songs ("Everyone's in Love With You"), 70s-ish Motown sound ("Neighborhood") and soforth. The album runs a huge gamet of genres, which makes this album appealing to a more diverse audience. I personally enjoy all of the songs on this c.d. However, not everyone may agree. If you like strings, some funk, some Motownish sound, and just a laid-back good time.. check this out (this is what I imagine Phish would sound like at age 50.. very good stuff). Don't expect material even CLOSE to reminiscent of the Talking Heads days.. he's come quite a way!

-D. McC.

"Look Into the Eyeball" is another in a line of outstanding works by Byrne. It is filled with those elements that go into making him one of the ultimate rock performers and paradoxes. Like his persona, his songs are a curious combination of the mundane with the weird, the straightforward with the inventive, the sincere with the ironic. As a singer he is quirky yet solid, off-key yet pleasant, casual yet compelling, distant yet emotive. And as a performer, he remains, even on record, awkward but riveting, spasmodic but rhythmic, mechanical but endearingly human. The production and musicianship are brilliant. And his Boz Scaggs meets Barney Fife rendition of the Philly-soul sounding "Neighborhood" has us smiling while dancing.