David Byrne
Lead Us Not Into Temptation

How difficult it is to describe albums like "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" (Thrill Jockey - 2003) without risking doing an injustice to its music and the sensations its listening has been giving me almost uninterruptedly for two days now. Capable of stripping words of meaning, this extremely hypnotic, magical, and mysterious album takes possession of the listener's mind, evoking ethereal and nocturnal images.

Right from the start, in fact, the dark sound of a cello, accompanied by a piano, against an electronic background, leads you into the depths of a forest in the dead of night, where the light of a full moon struggles to pass through the trees, branches, and leaves, yellowed by autumn and decayed from the perpetual humidity. Yet, despite being murky and dark, Byrne's music does not transmit fear; rather, it leaves a strange sense of calm. David Byrne's music evokes images, perhaps because it is made for images.

Indeed, it was conceived as the soundtrack for the film "Young Adam" by David MacKenzie. However, it is music that has the ability to be listened to and appreciated independently of the film. Therefore, it is impressionistic music, but not only. It is experimental music, where the use of electronics brings David Byrne close to Brian Eno. Furthermore, in some moments, brief jazz sequences and light, yet simple, rhythmic backdrops bring to mind Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks).

At other times, the orchestral parts recall the delicacy of Michael Nyman. In short, the music intrigues also for the masters it evokes. Even though it is surprising to think that the author of these rarefied, small, sometimes static sonic frescoes is indeed David Byrne. Less surprising, on the other hand, is the presence on the album of musicians from bands such as Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, and Delgados, both for the atmosphere of the album and for the Scottish origins shared with David Byrne and with the author of the book that inspired the film (Alexander Trocchi). Perhaps those who have loved and still love David Byrne's music might risk being a bit disappointed by listening to this album, at least until the final part when our artist replaces the violin with his voice and sings the last poignant songs ("Speechless" "The Great Western Road"). It may seem like little, but it is not.