SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRIAN ENO & BEATIE WOLFE – LIMINAL

BRIAN ENO & BEATIE WOLFE
LIMINAL
VERVE RECORDS

Earlier this year, Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe released two incredible albums, Lateral (an ambient album) and Liminal (more of a standard album featuring Wolfe’s vocals). The duo has now released the third in the series, Liminal. Liminal is a cross between their other two albums, however this one has a much darker overtone. And once again, the two have come up with an amazing album full of aural landscapes and incredible lyrics.

Wolfe is best known as a visual artist and also releasing the world’s first bioplastic record with EarthPercent (which she did with Michael Stipe). Brian Eno should need no introduction. From his time with Roxy to his work with U2, Talking Heads, and Peter Gabriel, to his own solo music (including inventing ambient music), Eno is a legend. He has also been remarkably prolific this year.

Liminal features short ambient/instrumental pieces, such as the dramatic “Ringing Ocean” or “Procession”. “Procession” is a more upbeat song but has many layered sounds which offset any good feelings from the music. The ambient/instrumental songs alternate with tracks that feature vocals, mainly provided by Wolfe. The juxtaposition between the two are very interesting and it is something Eno has not done often in the past. But it works. Songs “Little Boy” sandwiched between “Procession” and “Flower Woman” (although there are sporadic vocals in “Flower Woman”) make it even more sad feeling than it would be on an album full of vocals. It is a heartbreaking song, but also so extremely beautiful.

Elsewhere, Eno and Wolfe give us songs like “Shallow Form” which, again, lyrically is very sad, and has the perfect accompaniment to go with it. Wolfe’s vocals are perfect and express the melancholy and fear with the layered sound adding to the overall atmosphere. This is followed by the rather eerie “Before Life.” Songs like “Laundry Room” with Wolfe sort of asking “I’ve been waiting all night in the laundry room for my clothes to dry?” She notices something in the mirror in the corner of her eye. It is extremely creepy and well done. The album ends with an absolutely brilliant sound collage, “Shudder Like Crows” with Wolfe’s incredible vocals. It really is the only way they could have ended the album.

Liminal, as with its two predecessors, is a brilliant work. Eno and Wolfe working together create atmosphere, heavy emotions, and a great deal of visuals with their music. It is perfectly layered and produced. Even with layered sounds and everything combined, Liminal still has a wonderfully sparse sound that creates a soundscape for the listener to enter. It is, quite simply a work of art and the trio of albums are some of the best work Eno has ever created.

Brian Eno Links

Beatie Wolfe Links