Look into the Eyeball

David Byrne

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 14, 2001)
• Original Release Date: May 8, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000059XNQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,970 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Since disbanding the Talking Heads many years back, David Byrne has charted a singular course in the pop world. He has delved deeply into the worlds of both Brazilian and African music, while never losing touch with his art-school rock roots. With the release of Look into the Eyeball Byrne once again delivers a seamless blend of the musical forms that inspire him, with his trademark wry humor and keen sense of detail. While Byrne may never write the great heartbreaking standard, there is something quite moving about his droll observations on modern life. In songs like "Smile" and "The Revolution" (both of which feature beautiful string arrangements) one senses a genuine sadness, whereas perhaps in the old Talking Heads days one would feel only that they were lucky to be in on some prankster's intellectual joke. So what we have here is a mature artist at the height of his powers adding yet another classic to his already prodigious canon. --Ike Bolton

Product Description
Japanese edition of his 2001 studio album includes one bonustrack, 'Empire'. 13 tracks in all. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All 'Humans' Should Own This, July 10, 2001

By	J. Oliveira (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An example for all aging rock stars to follow..., October 3, 2004

By	ewomack "ewomack" (MN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look Into the Eyeball sure tastes yummy, May 8, 2001

By	Paul (Providence) - See all my reviews

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.