Search - David Byrne, Fatboy Slim :: Here Lies Love (2CD)

Disco dictator...

ewomack | MN USA | 04/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How many will buy "Here Lies Love" not because it's the new David Byrne release but because it's a rock/pop opera that explores the psyche of Imelda Marcos? A bar chart of that statistic would make for interesting analyzing. Given that potential demographic dichotomy, no one needs knowledge of Marcos, the Philippines or even anything west of the International Date Line to groove to this funky collection of songs that will hook listeners like helpless fish. Though Byrne's vocals only appear noticeably on three of the twenty-two tracks, his presence nonetheless pervades and inhabits every song and vocal inflection. Longtime fans will notice the "Fuzzy Freaky" guitar timbre straight away. Others will notice numerous familiar signature song structures and transitions. One listen reveals that this indeed is a David Byrne collection. Also, given the amazing slew of amazing vocal acrobatics contained herein, many will probably not mind the absence of Byrne's voice. And what a lineup: Natalie Merchant, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Pierson, Tori Amos, Steve Earle, and various other well-known singers shake their golden larynxes. The results of this harmonic convergence of pleasure may even overwhelm some on first listen. Here indeed lies the new David Byrne project. No doubt. Not to diminish the contributions of collaborator Fatboy Slim, who provided many of the funky beats (Byrne and Slim worked together previously on the incredible song, and mandible-plunging video, "Toe Jam"). Byrne fans with or without a sense of modern history will find plenty for their brains to feast on. But those who go further than the music will discover even more. Initiate additional saccadian motion.



Imelda Marcos remains a downright enigma. Equally loved and hated, she still lives in the Philippines, a country she once ruled with her husband, Ferdinand. Many still laud her for the hospitals, schools and museums she built while in power. Others remind us that her democratically elected husband declared martial law and murdered or tortured thousands. Today, Imelda Marcos apparently only acknowledges the story's positive side. Critics slam what they call her convenient obliviousness to the crimes she committed against her own country. "Here Lies Love" has also received criticism for being "too soft" on Marcos and for potentially intensifying her cult of personality. In a recent interview, Byrne conceded that he may have unintentionally done just that. He defends himself by claiming that "Here Lies Love" explores the mind and motivations of a powerful person and not necessarily the political or social consequences of that mindset. In other words, this song cycle was meant as a character study, not as a protest piece. Fervent detractors of Mrs. Marcos may (in many cases understandably) not find themselves able to see past this and subsequently condemn the entire collection. The over 100-page book that accompanies the deluxe edition helps clear up Byrne's perspective and may help ameliorate misunderstandings. Here, in Byrne's own words, are both the stories behind the songs and Imelda Marcos' rise to power. Many passages reflect Byrne's personal political stance towards the Marcos regime (at one point he claims that the USA came close to the point of a Marcos-like regime during George W. Bush's administration). Other highlights include a graphical description of Marcos' theory of beauty and harmony, which includes a viscous Pac-Man creature. This accompanies the hilarious yet disturbing Kate Pierson sung "The Whole Man." The story also weaves in the jilted Estrella Cumpas, who helped raise Imelda after her mother died. Imelda Marco's attitude towards Cumpas, as depicted here, can only be described as heartless. In the book this relationship takes on a draconian dimension. Imelda does not come out of this looking good (and what happened to Estrella remains a little ambiguous). Those who groove to the music while ingesting the accompanying text will find no cause for labeling "Here Lies Love" a pro-Marcos propaganda piece (although the DVDs included in the deluxe set, which include fascinating archival film footage, could potentially come across as hype pieces if taken out of context). Ultimately, the story behind the songs adds a compelling dimension to this song cycle and elevates it far above the usual collection of songs. Byrne hasn't really done anything like this before.



"Here Lies Love" (taken, like many other of the lyrics, from Imelda's own mouth) stands as another intriguing and hugely enjoyable Byrne collaboration (other salient partnerships have included Brian Eno, Twyla Tharp, Philip Glass, and Robert Wilson). Byrne continues to beguile, educate, enlighten and entertain. As such, it remains little wonder that his work has the staying power of plutonium. Long past the age that many rock stars burn out, Byrne just continues exploring. Hopefully he won't stop."

3.5 stars--Unlikely concept album

B. Martin | 04/12/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Leave it to David Byrne, one of pop's great innovators/eccentrics, to deliver a concept album (and a double album at that) about the life of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Phillipines. If that wasn't strange enough, take a look at some of the talent that he has managed to bring on board. Tori Amos, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Earle, Nellie McKay, Natalie Merchant, Santigold, Kate Pierson and Allison Moorer among others handle the vocals on the 22 tracks set to dance beats and disco grooves. It sounds as weird as all get out, but amazingly it works, for the most part. Even if you know next to nothing about Marcos and the controversy surrounding her time in power (and I'll be the first to admit that I don't), you'll find it hard not to be drawn into the melodic and dancebale concoctions that Byrne and Fatboy Slim have cooked up. The first half of the album is the stronger of the two, by far. Fatboy Slim's beats and the dance grooves take a backseat to Byrne's melodies and sharp lyrics. On the albums's second half, things tend to get reversed as the focus goes away from melody somewhat and a no holds barred dance party breaks out. Still, taken as a whole, Here Lies Love is an engrossing and largely entertaining pop record from a true genius. If it encourages listeners to open a book and learn more abut its enigmatic central figure, all the better."

This is Great!

Gary Peterson | San Diego, California USA | 04/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a long-term music lover with esoteric tastes. Mostly I like things that are rock 'n' roll, but anything from classical to country may slip in to my listening from time to time. During the late 70s, I was totally overcome by stuff that was variously referred to as New Wave or Punk Rock. I loved it and bought a ton or records (LPs in those days). David Byrne and Talking Heads were one of my favorite groups. Just recently, I viewed the "Stop Making Sense" DVD and I was just stunned at how excellent the music was. And David Bryne was truly outstanding. Byrne was extremely active and, in fact, spastic, in his performance but never missed a note. Watch it if you ever get the chance.



In any case, my musical tastes wandered hither and yon and in the late 90s to the present I've been very intrigued by the Electronica genre. I've picked up all kinds of CDs by The Chemical Brothers, Orbital, The Prodigy and a host of others including Fatboy Slim (You've Come a Long Way Baby). I really enjoyed Fatboy, but didn't follow it up with any further purchases. My interests drifted elsewhere. Well, recently I read that David Byrne and Fatboy Slim were collaborating on a CD. Now, that's one I just have to have and I ordered it a month before the release. How those two ever got together is probably a story in itself, but it all makes sense in that either one provides excellent dance music and a collaboration could be magnificent.



"Here Lies Love" is the drawn-out (2 CDs) story of Imelda Marcos done up in excellent dance music fashion. Imelda Marcos? Are you kidding? What are you guys smoking these days? In any case, the music is excellent and well worth listening to in itself. It's real pleasant, real danceable stuff. Good, good, good. Well done! The two discs are somewhat different. I'd say disc 1 is a bit more like musical theatre and disc 2 is more like a dancehall environment. Which might I prefer? Well, I have no clear favorite, but I'd give the nod to disc 2. My wife is just the opposite and would favor disc 1 by a slight margin. Let's say, it's a tossup.



There's a plethora of guest artists, even including Steve Earle, and they do an admirable job with the vocal duties. The lyrics? Well, pardon me, but I'm kinda blown away. I haven't made any serious attempt, as yet, to follow them precisely all the way through, I'll admit, and eventually I will. I've been enjoying just listening to the music and then, every once in a while, I break into a grin or even into an outright belly laugh as I listen to the ongoing story of Imelda. This stuff is hilarious and pathetic at the same time and it's complicated enough that I'll be listening, off and on, for quite a while. It's a really, really strange musical production. My summation? This is great!



Gary Peterson"