Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DELIGHTFUL, June 29, 2000
Even after 10 years I'm still discovering new delights in this masterpiece. It transports me to ecstacy every time, from the opener Lay My Love (Eno vocal) through One Word (shared vocal)to the elegant Cordoba. The backing is superb (think Peter Baumann, Kraftwerk & the most melodic Suicide). Crime In The Desert has an almost West Coast feel with decorous harmonies and delectable doo-doo-doo's while The River sounds like classy country music. Every track is great: In The Backroom and Empty Frame confirm the artists' lyrical genius while Been There Done That and Spinning Away are distinguished by Cale's trademark viola. A truly inspired display of excellence. Much better than Songs For Drella and on a par with the brilliant Last Day On Earth, Cale's collaboration with Bob Neuwerth.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A collaborative success, July 1, 1998
Known primarily for his pioneering production work with U2, Brian Eno has had an extensive career as a solo artist and collaborator. After leaving Roxy Music in the early '70's, Eno explored a variety of music styles. Always the innovator, his series of Ambient albums opened many musical possibilities for a number of artists. Collaborations with such artists as David Bowie, Robert Fripp and David Byrne produced a number of landmark releases that retain their initial power and relevance today. "Wrong Way Up" pairs Eno with former Velvet Underground member John Cale. The result is a rather beautiful album with the potential for mainstream accessibility. Eno's influence on the disc is heavier than Cale's, with trademark Eno vocal harmonies tending to dominate. The track "Spinning Away" exhibits classic Eno melodies nicely blended with a string arrangement. "One Word" is a wonderfully rhythmic piece featuring superb guitar work from David Ahwai. "Crime in the Desert" has a driving, upbeat feel which lifts the album at just the right moment. Released in 1990, the album does reflect some elements of '80's pop, explicitly represented by the track, "Been There, Done That". All in all, a fruitful collaboration between these two musical innovators and a valuable addition to Eno's ouvre.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine pop craftsmanship, April 4, 2000
You could never accuse either John Cale nor Brian Eno of not having a pop sensibility. Granted, in both cases that sensibility is very idiosyncratic and very personal, but coming together as they've done on this release, the results are so wonderful. This contains perhaps the best 'sing-along' Eno material since "Taking Tiger Mountain", and Cale's presence here is certainly well-felt, with such delights as "In the Backroom" and "Cordoba". Granted, the cerebral atmosphere of Eno releases from around the same period isn't quite as in evidence here, but Eno did admit that part of what got him back into the mood to do vocal material again was singing along with gospel records (Al Green, et al), where he decided his voice actually _did_ sound good to him again. So one does have to kind of view this release as 'one for fun', but it appears to be the sort of fun everyone can get a piece of. And to say the least, this also sees John Cale back on a level that he's not hit since the mid-late 70s. Definitely recommended.
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