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.
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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 /
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/■
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
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...*****
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
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Please contact The Office of Students Life at 346-1103 with requests for accommodations.
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