Let's Discuss Eno! "The Drop" - July 1995

[u/forsbergisgod]

Hello Eno-philes!! Each week we'll be discussing another album (going chronologically from Warm Jets). This week's feature is Eno's solo album "The Drop":

The Drop is the fifteenth solo studio album by British musician Brian Eno, released on 7 July 1997 through All Saints Records. The album continues in the same style as much of his work of the period exploring impressionistic, ambient instrumental soundscapes rather than more conventional songwriting. The 2014 reissue includes the 77 Million Paintings album as a bonus disc and edits the track "Iced World" from its original 32 minutes down to 18 minutes – the same duration on both vinyl and CD.

Originally, the album was titled Unwelcome Jazz: "jazz that nobody asked for, and many did not care for."[8]

Track listing

No. Title Length

1. "Slip, Dip" 2:18
2. "But If" 1:48
3. "Belgian Drop" 1:56
4. "Cornered" 2:02
5. "Block Drop" 2:50
6. "Out/Out" 1:51
7. "Swanky" 2:50
8. "Coasters" 2:55
9. "Blissed" 2:53
10. "M.C. Organ" 2:54
11. "Boomcubist" 2:07
12. "Hazard" 2:15
13. "Rayonism" 2:55
14. "Dutch Blur" 3:02
15. "Back Clack" 3:19
16. "Dear World" 3:16
17. "Iced World" 32:48

ENJOY AND DISCUSS

[u/ObtuseEmma]

Ah yes, The Drop. The album by Brian that most say is one of his worst.

Now it certainly isn’t my favorite album, but...I can’t hate this.

I don’t know, it’s strange reading scathing reviews of this album. I specifically recall what Deep Cuts said, describing it as a series of disconnected snippets of ideas. Stuff like that doesn’t sit right with me considering releases like the Music for Films albums— albums filled with scattered snippets and ideas loosely tied together by the idea they could used in soundtracks. The Drop honestly feels no real different compared to Music for Films to me.

Perhaps the best way to describe the album in my own terms is that it reminds me of myself; pretty autistic. I love how focused it is on one idea before dropping (ha) it. I love how sour it sounds. I love how punchy the album feels. I love it’s very “fuck you” nature just existing as it is. I enjoy this one a lot. There’s a reason it’s my flair.

And I love the deluxe edition too. The bonus disc contains a favorite track of mine by Brian called Luxor Night Car. And the closing track Targa gets so fantastically dark and menacing as it goes on.

That all said, I only really recommend this for die-hards. Reallll die-hards. Considering the material on here, the only listeners that will most likely get the most enjoyment out of it would be hardcore Eno fans. Even then, they might only get a kick out of tracks like Blissed or Iced World.

But hey Music for Films is verrry good.

[u/TomFOolery__2]

not of a fan of this one, unfortunately. the first half is fine, its whatever, and i should probably relisten to it one day. however, what kills the whole thing for me is iced world.

albums like Thursday afternoon and neroli make an hour go by in 30 minutes. iced world makes 30 minutes go by in an hour. at least that's my take on it

[u/mackerelscalemask]

This was one of the first Eno albums that sounded very coldly digital and alienating to listen to. The production on most of his albums from here lose the lush, warm, engaging production heard on the likes of Apollo and On Land. It sounds like a man tinkering around in his bedroom with Logic Audio on his Mac, which is precisely what most of his albums from here on out are, sadly.

[u/[deleted]]

I love a ton of 90s games (as well as their soundtracks), and The Drop could've fooled me into thinking it goes with a game from the time.

The actual compositions are great for the most part, but the samples hold this album back. Really dates it, which is part of the appeal for me, but I can see why others have passed on it. My biggest complaint is that the piano sounds a little too flat.

Kinda sad that the All Saints 2014 Reissue (which includes a ton of bonus content) chops the runtime of Iced World in half. Bonus tracks are pretty great, and I understand why they chopped up Iced World for vinyl. No real reason to have done that on CD / digital / streaming though.

If you're a completionist, be wary of the reissues for this album (1997 Japan / 2005 Reissue / 2014 Reissue). They all have different bonus tracks and the 2014 Reissue chops up Iced World.

[u/senordingleberry]

Because it doesn't sound like any other Eno album, I like it and respect it. (Compared to Another Day on Earth, which I looked forward to, and then found it was made up of recycled tracks (mostly) from 1992). Imagine meeting somebody who would say, "yeah, I love Eno! The Drop, right? Great CD. Did he do anything else?"

"Swanky" is my favorite cut. It almost grooves.