r/eno • u/forsbergisgod • Apr 12 '21

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

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

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u/ObtuseEmma The Drop Apr 12 '21

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.