SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRIAN ENO – ANOTHER DAY ON EARTH & DRAWN FROM LIFE (REISSUES)

BRIAN ENO
ANOTHER DAY ON EARTH & DRAWN FROM LIFE (REISSUES)
OPAL RECORDS

In 1988, Brian Eno set up his record label, Opal Records, which had evolved from the management company he and his wife (Anthea Norman-Taylor) set up (Opal Management in 1983). Eno had the best intentions with the label, signing a number of artists (including Roger Eno, Harold Budd, Laraaji, Daniel Lanois, Jon Hassell, John Cale, Djivan Gasparyan and Hugo Largo to name a few). It was also a vehicle for Eno to release his music. The label closed it in 1993 in order for Eno to focus on his music and art installations. In 2026, he resurrected the label, and the first two releases are two albums that have been long out of print, Another Day On Earth (2005) and with German composer and avant garde artist J. Peter Schwalm, Drawn From Life (2001). These albums have been out of print for decades and now make their return on colour vinyl and each has one bonus track.

Both albums are very different. Another Day On Earth saw Eno returning to ‘songs’ for the first time in almost 10 years. He also sang for the first time in many years (since working with John Cale 1990’s Wrong Way Up). Eno is one of the most gifted vocalists in the rock era and we do not hear his voice near enough. But on Another Day On Earth, we hear him singing, along with melodic and, quite frankly, enjoyable alt-pop-rock songs. From the opening song “This” to the end of the album, Eno’s voice is prominent and quite stirring. He does experiment with voice technology (“And Then So Clear”) but the song is also instantly accessible.

The album was recorded mainly using a computer (in fact the lyrics of “This” were generated by the computer, an early AI), but the overall feeling of the album is still quite warm. There are a couple of surprises, including one track co-written by Schwalm, and spoken word pieces by guest vocalists that are quite startling and quite difficult, including “Bone Bomb” about a suicide bomber (with vocals by Aylie Cooke). The album includes a bonus song, “The Demon of the Mines,” originally available only on the Japanese release. It is a welcome addition.

Drawn From Life with J. Peter Schwalm, which was released prior to Another Day on Earth is a more experimental affair. The two artists mix avant garde, ambient and dance music to come up with an interesting blend and a fascinating album. There are a number of guests on the album, including Laurie Anderson, who provides vocals on the brilliant “Like Pictures Part 1” and Eno’s two daughters, Darla Eno and Irial Eno (who were quite young at the time) on “Bloom.” An instrumental version of the song is included as a bonus, but it does miss something without their chatter.  The music is very ‘chill’ and borders on new age. In working together, Eno and Schwalm create melodies built around additional layered sounds. The song has an underlying melancholy, which could be said for the entire album.

Drawn From Life is an album that has aged well and yet is of its time (2001). Much like artists such as Enigma or Deep Forest, it does have that sensibility. But because this is Eno and Schwalm, the music and genre is elevated, and it becomes more interesting and artistic.

Both of these albums have been out of print for years, but available through streaming platforms. They are not so much lost gems (Eno has performed songs from Another Day on Earth in recent concerts)), because they have not gone anywhere. However, it is nice to have the physical forms return and to hear both albums on vinyl. They do show two sides of Eno (and there are more). But Eno has every right to feel proud of these works, as does Schwalm. Both albums do provide a wonderful soundtrack for the Autumn and the winter that is just around the corner.

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