DISCREET MUSIC

Discreet Music is an album of the ambient variety in the catalog of Brian Eno's work, but it isn't nearly as boring as the music found on Music for Airports. Though this work is extremely similar to Music For Airports, this earlier work has a much fuller sound with more textures, even though it isn't all that obvious at first listen.

The 30 minute title-track is the most bland here, which is discouraging because of it being the longest track on the album. Though it is pleasant listening, nothing stands out and it doesn't really progress anywhere, but of course that is to be expected with ambient music.

The three-part suite, "Three Variations on the Canon in D Major", is more of the same. As the title suggests, this suite is based off of the Canon in D Major by J. Pachelbel. These variations are much better and sound more complete than the title track, and fill the soundscape with a uniquely classical feel. Unfortunately, across the three tracks that make up the suite, there really isn't much progression or interesting additions, experimental touches, etc. It doesn't really help much that the inspiration for this suite is based off of one of the baroque-period's most banal masterpieces.

This album, though not great, is much better and definitely more full in sound and texture than Music for Airports. If you're looking for more of the Ambient 1 type if music with added classical elements, then this is for you. If that isn't what you're looking for, maybe try looking at Eno's more popular works.