BEFORE AND AFTER SCIENCE

This is the one of the most refined album I that comes to my mind, both in composing and performing aspects. It is among my very favourite records. The main quality of Eno is very present here, as always: Weirdness. In the vocals, in the instrumentation, amazing guests, the assorted electronics, everywhere, but, isn't it what makes him special, at least different?

Every single track has life on its own, they're complete experiences by their own. Starting with "No One Receiving", odd time and percussion, and Eno's grotesque vocals. Then after "Backwater", pumping keyboards, guest Jaki Liebezeit from German band Can. "Kurt's Rejoinder" displays guest bassist Percy Jones ruthlessly. "Energy Fools The Magician" is short but an interestingly awkward instrumental. And "King's Lead Hat" defines quite well the non-ambient Eno, summarizes him quite well.

The second side is as terrific as the first. It is not made by the standard band of four instruments, but by layers of electronic keyboards and all kind of stuff. The only song in the normal format is the beautiful "Here He Comes". Following is "Julie With...", the lengthiest track of the album, containing all of its quality and diversity. "By This River" is simply gorgeous, and simple in structure, featuring the members of German band Cluster. "Through Hollow Lands" is an instrumental dedicated to Eno's mate Harold Budd, with whom he collaborated in many of his ambient albums, the song is very profound, it touches you. The album finally ends with "Spider And I", warm and comfortable, in the manner only Eno can do.

Eno. Nothing more to say. This is the best he could ever do, with everything he knew how to. He mastered the "song" format we know flawlessly. The instruments are extremely colourful, sounding like nothing else in the world. Great guests like Phil Collins, Robert Fripp, Robert Wyatt, Phil Manzanera... The list goes on

That's exactly what I was looking for when I discovered Brian Eno, something different from everything else, a completely new experience of music.