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Independent.ie JUNE 26, 2014 - by Richie McCormack
ENO/HYDE: HIGH LIFE
High Life is the second full-length album produced by this unique meeting of minds within the space of two months.
Yes, months. In the red corner, former Roxy Music member and producer to the stars, Brian Eno. And in the blue corner, eccentric Underworld vocalist, Karl Hyde. Whereas Someday World leant towards the electronic, the pair have attempted a more stripped back record here.
The layered, trance-like chugging guitar of Hyde on opening track Return calls to mind the repetition of Neu's Hallogallo. On top of that come choral effects reminiscent of Eno's work on U2's Achtung Baby and Zooropa. West African funk is the basis for the album's only single to date, DBF.
Never a boring listen, ideas and sounds are given room to breathe, meander and transform. As such, albeit with more soulful influences, there's an almost post-rock approach to High Life. Potentially the only misstep here is the juddering breaks of Moulded Life.
Despite the bleeps and pulses on Lilac, there's a sensitive and uplifting quality to the vocals.
And as one might expect with an album which is fifty percent Eno, it's an ideal headphones listen. One in which to really immerse one's self.
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