Record Review: Brian Eno – Small Craft on a Milk Sea
Warp Records
Don’t get me wrong, Brian Eno’s latest release Small Craft on a Milk Sea is absolutely beautiful. Every note is in the right place, every sound is of the right timbre. From the synced bass and synthesizer melodies of “Bone Jump” to the bubbling blips of “Paleosonic,” Eno has created another pleasant sonic landscape. This shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, Eno’s knack for atmosphere and tension produced both Talking Heads and U2’s best work. Small Craft is paced brilliantly -“Flint March,” “Horse” and “2 Forms of Anger,” all in a row create a period so tense you will be lucky to make it out without biting off all your fingernails. Although Small Craft is very well put-together, it always feels like it should be part of something bigger – this should be a soundtrack. Unlike his albums under the ambient title, the songs are short – about three minutes long – and by the time you’ve become immersed in the track, it’s over. Save Small Craft on a Milk Sea for when you have plans to watch a lunar eclipse or silent performance art or something.
