Before and After Science

KING'S LEAD HAT PUT THE POKER IN THE FIRE IT WILL COME IT WILL COME IT WILL SURELY COME

Probably my favorite of his so far. Pop first half that gradually transitions into more mellow. Don't really understand what makes him special but I guess it must be something technical that eludes me

This was an interesting album and one that was clearly written and sequenced with the vinyl listening experience in mind. Side one was funky and a bit anxious feeling at times. It reminded me of the Talking Heads. The transition to side two was a bit abrupt, but the music on side two is a lot more atmospheric and ambient and points to where Brian Eno’s music would head next.

Side 2!

Never heard any of these before. It was alright.

584/1089 - Very unique instrumentation and cool songs. Really really liked "By This River."

First half: 😀🕺🚣👑✨😝
Second half: 😟🌧️🧍😢🕷️😭

I wasn't expecting this at all! When I think of Brian Eno, I usually picture super deep, moody ambient stuff, not weird, catchy art-pop. But the first half of this record is surprisingly funky and energetic. Songs like "No One Receiving" and "King's Lead Hat" have this cool, danceable vibe. It's a playful side of Eno that feels way ahead of its time, like he was basically writing the rulebook for 80s new wave back in 77.

Then the album pulls a brilliant move. Right around the middle, the jittery rock energy fades out and you’re suddenly floating in these lush, dreamy soundscapes. It’s not depressing or boring, it’s just warm and super relaxing. "By This River" is a total gem, and "Spider and I" is the perfect way to wrap things up. It’s basically an album of two halves: the quirky pop-rock stuff transitioning into the ambient genius he’s famous for.

Maybe a bit too arty for me, but may need to try it again

3

I quite enjoyed Before And After Science. This one definitely feels like a really weird one even coming from Brian Eno who is a very experimental artist. This one seems to combine the glam rock style that was prevalent on Here Come The Warm Jets (and possibly the Roxy Music albums he worked on too but i have yet to hear those so i'm not completely sure). This one certainly did have some real funky moments and that was what i enjoyed most when it came to this album. However, the vocals here did not feel very well produced with them being simply far too quiet and i had trouble deciphering them at points. Still, i enjoyed this one and it's definitely not Eno's worst work.
Best Song: Kurt's Rejoinder
Worst Song: Here He Comes

Don't really got a ton to say about this one other than I'm not liking the silliness of the majority of the tracklist. It does pick up quite a bit towards the end starting with Julie With (Hilarious because those are slower ballads), but not enough to really get me into the record.
Honestly enjoyed Another Green World more. My liking the back end of Before and After Science makes sense as it's more in the ambient/post-rock world compared to the first half of the tracklist.

I was surprised that I liked this as much as I did. I’ve heard other Eno albums and wasn’t super impressed. He’s a great producer but I never cared for his solo output as of now. This album was cool though, some interesting stuff on here. It wasn’t all amazing, some duds, but I’m glad I heard it.

1.5

"King's Lead Hat" is excellent. The rest of the album did not capture my attention much (especially the songs near the end that have little energy) but I can see why some people would like it.

Also, this is the No New York guy. That has to be worth something

I adore Brian Eno and the mystique / unpredictability associated with his works. This is one of the weirder records he's put his name to, with a disorientating, off-kilter thread accentuating what you could otherwise describe as a relatively conventional experience by his standards, in terms of the songs generally following defined structures and possessing 70s pop-like sensibilities. It feels like a refinement of the first phase of his career into a creative apex, with his subsequent shift towards ambient music hinting that he also felt as such.

The bass guitar is up to all kinds of wizardry throughout, the piano playing is completely deranged at points, and the distorted vocals / anxiety-inducing synth work entwined with some juxtaposing optimistic tones ensures that Before and After Science lives in my head rent free.

This is interesting, because I hated Here Come The Warm Jets, but I adored Music for Airports. I’m not excited to check this out, but I’m curious.

So, I think this album is smack in the middle of the other two. I think there was a lot to like, but I also think there were songs that just sounded out of date. I kind of liked it, so three stars it is.

It is wild how much Brian Eno’s albums differ from one another. This one also has a good bit of variety within it, but all high quality tracks. From dance music to meditative. I prefer the first , more upbeat half, with Backwater being my highlight track. It gets into ambient style in the second half, which knocked it down from what was going to be a five star album for me. But still a really good listen. Fantastic new discovery.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Sits somewhere between Talking Heads style New Wave/post-punk, King Crimson prog, the glam of Roxy Music and Bowie, and the spaced out trippy textural ambience of krautrock. Loads of amazing synth tones, propulsive rhythms, gentle melody. There's a mix of high-energy stuff and some very patient, languid, verging on ambient stuff.

Favorites: Here he comes, King's Lead Hat, No One Receiving, By the River

I liked the peppy stuff. Not so much the slow stuff.