Here Lies Love

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim released a two-CD set yesterday called "Here Lies Love," a disco song cycle about Imelda Marcos and Estrella Cumpas.  Every track is performed by a different artist (almost all female), ranging from Tori Amos to Cyndi Lauper to Santigold to Nellie McKay to Martha Wainwright and beyond.

Reviews are mixed.  The BBC says that it's "easier to admire than it is to enjoy" (though it is still 6Music's "Album Of the Day").  On the other hand, Huffington Post says "It works so well and so strangely--especially with guests like Steve Earle in the role of Ferdinand Marcos--that you'll wonder why it's never been done before."

Personally, I've only listened to it once so far, so I don't feel comfortable making sweeping "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" statements yet.  I thought that Florence Welch (of Florence And the Machine) was a good choice for the title song, and I was surprised at how well Cyndi Lauper's voice blends with Tori Amos's voices (the last track is a duet between them).

So here's a way to preview samples of all the songs for yourself right here:

Everything That Happens

The deluxe CD version of David Byrne and Brian Eno's new album, "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today" happened today. It's pretty damn nifty, in a very David Byrne and Brian Eno kind of way.

The tin looks like this, with a plastic house glued to the top (more views below). When you take the lid off, there is a device in the lid that plays sounds (I won't try to describe the sounds, but they go on for about 30 seconds).

(Click on photos to see more detailed enlargements.)













Disc One is labeled, "Stick," while Disc Two is labeled, "Rock." The second disc includes four tracks that are not available on any other version of the album. The are "Never Thought," "Walking Along the River," "The Eyes" and "The Painting." It also includes a nine-minute video called, "The Story Behind the Album." The video is iPod compatible (at least, it works with my iPod Touch).













Under the two discs are a small white book containing the lyrics to all the songs and some notes from Byrne and Eno and some pictures. To the left of the book is a red and white capsule. There is no indication what the capsule is for, but there was a slip of paper in the box explaining that "The pill in this tin contains calcium carbonate, the active ingredient found in common antacids. Consult a doctor if you are taking a prescription drug as calcium carbonate may interact with certain prescription drugs.Keep out of reach of children." To the right of the booklet is a six-sided die with several phrases such as "A RUNNY SLICE," and "SMELLS AND FLAVORS.".

Odd e-mail

A couple of months ago, I purchased the David Byrne/Brian Eno album, "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today" from the only place it is for sale -- the album's website.

This past Monday, November 3, I received this e-mail (Subject: I Can't, But You Can) from "music@ everythingthathappens.com" (identified as "David Byrne"):

"Pardon the bulk mailing. I Can't Vote. I am an immigrant with a Green Card and, therefore, I am not eligible to vote in a federal election. FYI - I can get drafted (luckily, Daniel Berrigan burned my draft board's records) and I pay taxes, yet I cannot vote for President. On Election Day, I see my neighbors heading to the nearby elementary school to cast their ballots. The voting booth joint is a great leveler; the whole neighborhood - rich, poor, old, young, decrepit and spunky - they all turn out in one day.

"But most of you can vote. What can I say? The Republicans have made us less safe than before 9/11, bankrupted this economy, started an illegal war they can't - and don't intend to - finish, removed what sympathy (after 9/11) and respect the world had for the US, and have robbed US citizens of many of their basic rights. Global warming? What's that? Science and education? Investment in our future? No, thanks - we'll stick with a good 'ole hockey mom. Ignorant, and fucking proud of it, as is always the case.

"Although it looks like a shoo-in, it ain't over 'til Florida. And there are plenty of racists in this country who will vote against their own best interests. So please, get to your local elementary school, post office, town hall, or whatever, and cast your vote and make this a country we can all be proud of. We can get out of this mess, and life can be better than it is.

"David Byrne, NYC"

What is weird about this message to me is that the content of this message is not weird enough to make me believe that David Byrne actually sent it. So who did send it? And why bother trying to make it look like it came from David Byrne, of all people?

For all I know, it might be as simple as a disgruntled former employee who stole their mailing list. I've checked the website a few times to see if some kind of message appears regarding this e-mail, but no such luck as yet.

Any ideas?

David Byrne ... Happens Today

David Byrne and Brian Eno's new album, "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today," is available . . . well, . . . today.

Digital download only - $8.99
Digital download plus CD (shipped in November) - $11.99
Deluxe edition (also shipped in November) - $69.99

Deluxe edition (custom package) includes: Bonus songs, A short film about the album; screensaver app; miniature hardbound book. The deluxe edition is available only through the album's website (and probably eBay, eventually).

For clarity -- the physical CDs (and other bits and pieces) ship in November, but the digital files (mp3s, FLACs and screensaver) can be downloaded immediately upon purchase.

Also, notice on the embedded video player above that if you click "Show Playlist," you can select any track from the album. You can listen to the whole album for free this way, not just thirty-second clips from each track.