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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 10, 2001)
Oregon Daily Emerald - Thursday, May 10,2001 -9 David Byrne makes contradictions sing on new CD ■The prolific musician’s latest release explores the complexities of life and keeps listeners rocking David Byrne ‘Look Into The Eyeball’ Emd/Virgin ★★★★★ By Aaron Shakra for the Emerald If you told me you’ve never heard of David Byrne, it would n’t surprise me in the least. For the last decade, he’s largely been overlooked by music’s popular culture, despite releasing a string of brilliant albums, each tackling musical territory more diverse than the last. His previous al bum, 1997’s “Feelings,” was par ticularly eclectic, even for his al ready high standards. Now, “Look Into The Eyeball” — Byrne’s first release of the 21st century — extends the musical concepts in “Feelings” but is more focused and emotional. Each of the 12 tracks reflects the somber and bittersweet, the up lifting and positive. Reflections aside, the album will keep you dancing. The music com bines strings, horns and guitars. Keep an ear out, though, and you’ll hear a mellotron, tympani drum and baby bass. Of course, credit goes to the small army of musi cians involved; some tracks feature orchestral arrangements of up to 27 people. One of Byrne's most endearing qualities is his distinctive vocals. On “Eyeball,” his voice mingles in near-perfect harmony with the mu sic and has never sounded better. The first track, “UB Jesus,” is a rocking commentary on religious contradictions. Hopping between characters, Byrne delivers the cut ting truth: “Maybe I’m gonna fry in hell/But I feel good when I burn myself.” Byrne makes beauty and rebel lion seem as one in “The Revolu tion.” Almost child-like, he sings: “Beauty rests on mattress strings/Wearing just her under things/& when she wakes the revo lution’s here.” “The Accident” has disturbing qualities that must be heard to be believed, whereas “Like Humans Do” is a contradiction; a musically cheery song with a dark, lyrical underbelly. In alien-like detach ment, Byrne comments on the hi larious minutiae of human beings as he sings: “I never watch TV ex cept when I’m stoned.” Simple bells set a surreal intro duction to “Broken Things.” A combination of wailing horns and funky bass lays the groundwork for the song’s chorus, in which Byrne wails: “In this house of broken things/Everyone could use some help/Will you help me fix my self?” He shows subtle hip-hop sensibilities here. “The Moment of Conception” is an oddity, almost nothing more than a cathartic rant with disso nant strings. Yet Byrne’s wavering voice and catchy lyrics are oddly compelling as he sings: “I was born without a conscience/Full of freedom, full of nonsense/From the mountains to the beaches/Eat the apples, steal the peaches.” The album’s hesitant finale, “Everyone’s In Love With You,” tells us, “God gives, God takes/Don’t misunderstand I’m a satisfied man.” Byrne exposes himself on this album as a man whose emphasis is placed on keen observation, not final judg ment. With the proliferation of plastic ity and production in today’s mu sic, works such as “Look Into The Eyeball” are becoming increasing ly rare gems. They sound great and can also be interpreted scrupulous ly for years to come. This one is not to be missed. £ \ * * x >s ' ’> |i > ■% # #% ^ I W Jl II 1® * - ,v> igtltliiiii __ 5s % ^ ^ '1 :v. :,,: , mmmmmmmm W m^n !: Si fiS . <M ft ;><:. s vft. lN*v PI* « MiMf$ mm $ the Umv v. SiSVs-.' •» \ mtM»rni .. "* '*•. ' . « N *' v . ■ isisliiSsI? ■ ¥::v¥ jig ^1 |lll»H>*y r.iiijy , ft' MPHtt ....... Monday 14th Art Project for Wholeness Protection and Strength * Craft Center Studio 5-8 pm ■■ Ending Sexual Assault . Ben Linder Forum *6-8 pm Drop-In Support Group* Sexual Assault Support Services 7pm . Av Tuesday 15th Survivor Support Group University Health Center 12:30-2 pm The Clothesline Project T-Shirt Generation Craft Center Studio 4-8 pm Tough Guise Willamette 100 6-9 pm Wednesday 16th Queer Sexual Assault Forum • Carson Gold Room : 12-2 pm : The Bookbinding Project* i : Craft Center Studio : 2:30-5:30 pm : | Sexual Violence On The UO Campus | ; Ramey Room, Hamilton Complex | : 7-8 pm Thursday 17th 77ie Clothesline Project T-Shirt Generation Alsea River Room, EMU 10 am-5 pm The Clothesline Project Display The EMU Amphitheater iO am-5 pm Take Back The Night Rally, March and Speak Out | EMU Amphitheater 6:30 pm / / /■ Saturday 19th The Life/Art Process ft Survivors Continues* Gerlinger 219 10 am-4 pm Sunday 20th Race Against Racism Alton Baker Park 11 am .>>^l'.. .U;, A iir ^ .j ...***** Thursday 31st The Poetry of Survival Tsunami Books 7 pm THE ALLIANCE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION The Office of Student Life Sexual Assault Support Services * ASUO Women’s Center Dept, of Public Safety University Housing Greek Life • UO Counseling Center University Health Center Men Against Sexism ♦ AmeriCorps * Womenspace Greeks Against Rape Sexual Assault Free Environment S2L SPECIAL THANt€$ > Peer Health Educators • The Craft Center * LGBTA •YWCA V * Please note that the events marked with an asterisk require pre-registration by Monday, May 14. Contact the Office of Student Life at 346 -1103 to register. For further information on any ASAP programs throughout May, caii 346-1103. Brochures detailing all programs are available at the offices listed above and throughout campus. Please contact The Office of Students Life at 346-1103 with requests for accommodations. J
