Before And After Science (studio album) by Brian Eno

"Before and After Science" is the last of the quartet of vocal albums recorded and released by Eno in the 1970’s. Since this album has Eno mainly dealt with the instrumental music mainly in the genre of ambient music.
"Before and After Science" points, as its predecessor "Another Green World" both toward Eno's later career and back towards the more basic rock; However, with great desire to explore and push the limits.

In a way, the album feels semi-detached with a first half with strong roots in classic rock (e.g. Roxy Music), and the second half more subdued, often with similarities to Pink Floyd.

From the first part both "Backwater", which reminds me a lot about John Cale’s way of handling rock, and the almost punk "King's Lead Hat" are clear favorites.

"Here He Comes" is one of the nicest pop / rock songs Eno has ever released, and in that way a pretty unusual Eno song. Basically it's just a pretty pop-composition but also very fine one which I from the first time I heard sounded familiar; has it borrowed a little from "You Better Move On"?

Second half, might seem a little diffuse and unfocused. "With Julie. . "and "By This River "sounding like early 1970s Pink Floyd, while the hymn-like final number" Spider and I "actually is a fine tune – all three fine tracks.

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A lot of quality is present on here with Eno starting to find his own style and that leads to some really interesting and experimental moments. This record feels like a darker side to pop music with it still being catchy and infectious, but it also has more of an edge and haunting atmosphere about it. Eno does a great of keeping us immersed in his vision as well with each song maintaining a similar style and environment which makes for a cohesive listen that feels complete. The production is fantastic on here also with it still sounding so clean and beautiful to this day. However, it can feel a bit slow in places and some songs don't hook you in as well as the better tracks. A few songs are forgettable as well and I always struggle to recall how they go. Overall, I do very much enjoy this darker side of his music as it sounds both haunting yet beautiful and I think that makes for a fantastic combination.

From ExTeaSea 10/15/2022 19:17

Solid slightly darker sounding pop rock album of the 70s. One of his best for sure.

This album is enigmatic and at some moments (mainly towards the end) hauntingly beautiful. Best track: By This River.

sparse in a good way I liked dream pop

90/100

Enosification is real, favourite Brian Eno album so far!

From santropez 04/15/2019 23:20

Favourite track: "King's Lead Hat"
Least-liked track: "Energy Fools The Magician"

Not really my kind of genre but there are a few songs I really like and I appreciate the talent.

From splashfoop 11/19/2016 08:33

Nunca he sido un gran fan de Brian Eno. Entiendo su importancia y admiro la calidad de su trabajo, pero su música rara vez me emociona.
Este álbum es una excepción. Me parece completamente imprescindible.

Great ambient music from the pioneer of the ambient genre. One of the many, many highlights of his long career.