David Byrne and Brian Eno
"Everything That Happens Will Happen Today"
4 stars out of 5
After releasing a string of solo albums in the early '90s, ex-Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has regrouped for another go-round with musical guru Brian Eno, the facilitator of much of his past musical glory. The result, "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today," is a vibrant reminder of their collective ambition.
Decidedly less experimental than its 1981 precursor, "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts," this collaboration has a pop sheen to it, with a polish that the duo like to call "electronic gospel." The genre-bending style is most successful on standouts like "Life Is Long" and "Strange Overtones." Though comparing this music to the Talking Heads denies it a great deal of artistic justice, the style brandished here is not far off from standards like the Heads' cover of Al Green's classic "Take Me to the River."
When our two heroes move toward more eclectic territory, the results are similarly satisfying. The sprawling, six-minute artistic venture, "I Feel My Stuff" opens with sparse, creeping piano and after several twists and turns, chugs through an upbeat electronic outro.
Though this gem may have lacked the hype, Byrne and Eno remain a force to be reckoned with.
Key Tracks: "Life Is Long," "I Feel My Stuff," "Home"
Passion Pit
"Chunk of Change"
4 stars out of 5
If you keep your ear close to the indie-music floor, you've probably heard rumblings about Passion Pit. After generating some buzz over the summer by touring with groups like Death Cab for Cutie and gaining attention at music festivals like CMJ, Passion Pit is benefiting from today's blog hype industry.
The debut EP has been out for just over a month now, but it's worth revisiting, or finding for the first time if you haven't already. It's an impressive collection of layered dance songs that have an undeniable energy.
From the irresistible sugary melodies of "Cuddle Fuddle" to the infectious hook of "Sleepyhead," Passion Pit quickly proves they know how to create memorable songs.
The real test of the group will come early next year with the release of their first full-length album. Passion Pit know how to craft an excellent single, but it will be interesting to see how they fare when given the room to stretch out on a longer record.
It's rare to find an electronic group that can record instantly danceable songs without veering into over-the-top territory, but Passion Pit does just that. Keep an eye on this group.
Key Tracks: "Cuddle Fuddle," "Sleepyhead," "I've Got Your Number"
