Here Lies Love
David Byrne · 2014
90 min · 22 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of disco-infused beats and poignant storytelling that echoes the complexities of love and loss in a political landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Here Lies Love Start here — The title track introduces the central theme of the album, blending infectious rhythms with a narrative that sets the stage for exploration of love amidst chaos.
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Walking Together — This upbeat track captures the essence of resilience and hope, utilizing catchy hooks that invite listeners to dance while contemplating deeper societal issues.
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Order 1081 — With its reflective tone, this song addresses the martial law period in the Philippines, showcasing Byrne's ability to intertwine personal stories with historical context.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's narrative depth and vibrant sound create a unique listening experience, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- The album features a narrative structure, with each track contributing to a larger story about love and loss in a political context.
- Several tracks incorporate disco beats and layered instrumentation, creating a vibrant sound that contrasts with the lyrical themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic narrative journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing and flow
- theatrical storytelling experience
- reflective and contemplative moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — It features a unique narrative structure and global sounds, differing from Byrne's previous works.
- Themes
- Imelda Marcos' legacy· martial law impact· vibrant political storytelling
- Career context
- Released in January 2014, Here Lies Love marked David Byrne’s return to collaborative work after his acclaimed partnership with Brian Eno. This album diverged from his solo material, drawing on themes related to the life of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, showcasing Byrne's penchant for narrative-driven music at a time when he was also exploring theatrical projects.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Talking Heads· Brian Eno· The B-52's
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Here Lies Love Start here 5:51
- 2 Every Drop of Rain 5:34
- 3 You'll Be Taken Care Of 3:19
- 4 The Rose of Tacloban 2:33
- 5 How Are You? 2:43
- 6 A Perfect Hand 4:57
- 7 Eleven Days 2:43
- 8 When She Passed By 3:49
- 9 Walk Like a Woman 3:58
- 10 Don't You Agree? 3:19
- 11 Pretty Face 3:23
- 12 Ladies in Blue 4:20
Disc 2
- 1 Dancing Together 3:53
- 2 Men Will Do Anything 4:06
- 3 The Whole Man 4:15
- 4 Never So Big 4:00
- 5 Please Don't 3:58
- 6 American Troglodyte 4:07
- 7 Solano Avenue 3:55
- 8 Order 1081 5:47
- 9 Seven Years 5:40
- 10 Why Don't You Love Me? 3:57
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Biophilia
Björk
Explores themes of nature and humanity with a similar theatrical and eclectic sound palette.
Zombie
Fela Kuti
Merges political narratives with vibrant Afrobeat rhythms, echoing Byrne's storytelling approach.
Sleep Well Beast
The National
Delivers introspective storytelling with lush arrangements, paralleling Byrne's thematic depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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