Robert Fripp & Brian Eno - Beyond Even (1992-2006)

Not good enough? Not "commercial enough"?

What is lame about this offering that AMAZON did not think that this music, or these artists deserve time spent on making mp3 previews of the offered tracks. At least a few of them.

There is so much junk on this site that has a preview of every song, but this double album doesn't have even one track. As crappy as generally previews on AMAZON sound, it would've nice to have a chance to hear what this album sounds like before forking out close to $20 with shipping. I guess it is not "commercial enough." These artists deserve a bit more then AMAZON thinks and this is sad for AMAZON. July 19, 2008

Caveat emptor.

First, allow me to begin by saying I am a huge fan of Robert Fripp and Brian Eno, both individually and collectively. However, this cd is not only a rip-off, but a huge disappointment. It was apparently released earlier online on mp3 under a different title, but I'm okay with that as I was unaware and prefer cd to mp3 format anyway.

So long story short: I'm sifting through the garbage they try to pass off as music in FYE, trying desperately to find something listenable when I come across this thing. [To self] "Oh, a new one from Fripp & Eno!" I'm excited as 'The Equatorial Stars' was and is so thoroughly enjoyable, that it still enjoys a place in my regular rotation, extol both as ambient genii/masters, etcetera.

I put it in the cd player. Kind of sub-par, I-can-do-it-better-than-the-kids-today-can type crap. (Think high-brow techno/dance tunes.) Okay, so I'm not exactly pleased but I give the first disc a few spins. Not the best, nor is it what I expected, but maybe it'll grow on me.

I slap the second in my stereo when I get home. Same crap. Song-for-unendurable-song the same. One of the tracks is Ankaa I think (too pissed to even bother checking at this point), I'm guessing the others might've been lifted from other albums too, but I wasn't exactly expecting a best of collection either. B-sides/rarities or something perhaps (Though it may/may not be.)

Garbage. Who wants two of the same disc? Here's an idea: how about giving me some not so crappy material on one disc. What's next, a boxed set of five exactly the same cd's? I felt like I was in that restaurant scene from Being John Malkovich. Malkovich, Malkovich? Malkovich, Malkovich! Horrible.

Overall, not terribly impressive. [Insert expletives after having been ripped off here.] Buy the aforementioned '...Equatorial Stars album' instead.
March 30, 2008

Though There Are Some Issues, Thirteen Is A Winning Number

There are two major issues at play with Beyond Even (1992-2006), which makes this a puzzling, though remarkable, set by Robert Fripp and Brian Eno.

The music - a collection of odds-and-ends - was originally released as The Cotswold Gnomes, a download-only collection released via Fripp's Discipline Global Music Live site. The only difference between the 2-CD set and The Cotswold Gnomes is this limited edition CD package comes with a second disc, which reprises the music in its entirety as a flowing piece, rather than a collection of single tracks, which is found on disc one.

This repackaging of a previous release - using a new title name, with no new content - is shocking from these two artists. There is nothing on the scant CD notes which state this is previously-issued material. Also, it is a guessing game to figure out the origins of these outtakes, though the 13 songs sound so well in the single performance format.

Cross Crisis In Lust Storm is a sonic boom over the ambient landscape, with a powerful punch being delivered in Sneering Loop, Tripoli 2020, The Idea Of Decline and Hopeful Timean.

The music ultimately rises above the various controversies and shows - at least here - that the vault which contains unreleased material is full of gold. February 29, 2008

Beyond Even? Let's Call it Uneven.

As a huge fan of all of the Fripp & Eno albums, I've got to admit that compared to such majestic works as "No Pussyfooting" and especially "Evening Star" and "Equatorial Stars", the songs on "Beyond Even" sound like throwaways or filler. In other words, material that originally was not intended to be released. Added to the fact that this collection was already available as "The Cotswald Gnomes" as a download, this CD just isn't up to Fripp & Eno's usual high standards. "Beyond Even" is an essential CD ONLY for fans who want a complete collection of their works. Having said that, this album makes for a fairly pleasurable listening experience and the fact that as of this writing one is able to purchase the double album including the disc where the songs segue into each other is quite nice. February 25, 2008

The inventors

I have been listening to Fripp and Eno since they started this whole genre of music. No Pussyfooting, Evening Star come to mind.

This takes a little different twist. Sometimes I think the two just like to see what sounds they can come up with but one must avoid taking items out of context. This music is groundbreaking just like the early stuff. Although some of it is not pleasant. I find it rather angry or disturbing at times. Therefore, a downgrade one star. Overall, very good interesting stuff. January 15, 2008

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