For their second album together, 1975's Evening Star, Robert Fripp & Brian Eno took somewhat of a different approach than they did on their debut No Pussyfooting. Here, the landscape is much more lush, less cluttered, Eno's synth washes taking on more of an ambient tone rather than the bubbling frenzy that was heard on the debut. Opening cut "Wind on Water" was recorded during one of the duo's live shows in Europe that year, Eno's synths & piano just gorgeous, which segue right into the title track, a lovely piece of music, with Fripp's deft melodies entwined in Eno's loops, while the guitarist lays down some stunning lines teetering on the brink of distortion but with just enough restraint not to break the mood of the piece. The next two tracks, "Evensong" and "Wind on Wind", are pure ambient pieces, Eno's pastoral washes and layers of looped sounds taking center stage as Fripp kind of disappears in the background. The album's centerpiece is the near 30-minute five part "An Index of Metals", a gargantuan number that is a stark contrast to the rest of the album. Starting off quiet and tranquil, the piece slowly builds as Fripp's guitar takes on a menacing tone under a bed of dark, unsettling noise courtesy of Eno. This is what the soundtrack to being lost in space would sound like folks...it's dark, it's bleak, it's unsettling, and it's downright spooky at times.
With the remastering done by Fripp & Simon Heyworth, you know you are getting a quality treatment. This CD sounds great, and is housed in a cute little digipack. Quite different from its big brother No Pussyfooting, Evening Star is no less remarkable, and a groundbreaking release for these two pioneers.
Track Listing
1. Wind on Water [Live]
2. Evening Star
3. Evensong
4. Wind on Wind
5. An Index of Metals Part 1-5
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