Grown Backwards
by David Byrne
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Mar 16, 2004
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16

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  1. joshdkaye
    Mar 3, 2018
    10
    This album is truly a one of a kind. Baudrillardesque in fashion. Beautiful aesthetic. His best solo album (if you discount Bush of Ghosts).
  2. MaxC
    Apr 5, 2006
    8
    An excellent album by Byrne featuring what has to be his single greatest solo song and recording "Glass, Concrete and Stone", originally featured in Stephen Frears' "Dirty Pretty Things". Lyrically, Byrne is quite political while still very poetic with his usual gorgeous images of birds and buildings and mysterious women. His operatic duet with Rufus Wainwright is a definite grower An excellent album by Byrne featuring what has to be his single greatest solo song and recording "Glass, Concrete and Stone", originally featured in Stephen Frears' "Dirty Pretty Things". Lyrically, Byrne is quite political while still very poetic with his usual gorgeous images of birds and buildings and mysterious women. His operatic duet with Rufus Wainwright is a definite grower and the island-tinged "Little Appocalypse" is yet another whimsical career high. It's an album that requires keeping an open mind - but its rewards are absolutely worth each repeated listen.… Expand
  3. AshleyM
    Feb 26, 2005
    9
    David Byrne is in perfect vocal condition on this album. The opener "Glass, Concrete and Stone" is a beautiful track, with strings and percussion that brings to mind an elephant defying the laws of physics and dancing on a metal rooftop in a rainstorm. The opera tracks were a big and welcome surprise.
  4. JohnB
    May 21, 2004
    10
    Outstanding. A masterpiece.
  5. GordonR
    May 21, 2004
    9
    Quality and varied songwriting throughout and inspired cover versions too which he carries off superbly. His singing has never been better. The arias even tempted me to buy my first opera cd.
  6. KeithG
    Apr 20, 2004
    8
    Take the journey........don't be afraid
  7. michaele
    Mar 23, 2004
    9
    these songs never bore, aslways stimulate, a rare mixture of deep thoughts, comedy and elegy
  8. WillTheThrill
    Mar 23, 2004
    10
    David Byrne is the greatest songwriter i will know in my lifetime
  9. JohnC
    Mar 20, 2004
    10
    Easily Byrne's' most melodious album--including his work with the heads--and the acoustic strings carry on the beauty of Look Into the Eyeball. If the public were conscious of this man's recent music, this would be regarded as one of the greatest albums in recent memory. Buy it.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Uncut
    70
    The instrumental palette is more wide-ranging in a subtler, more subversive manner. [Apr 2004, p.96]
  2. Q Magazine
    70
    Extends the with-strings concept of last year's Lead Us Not Into Temptation and is equally arresting in its breadth of content and creativity. [Apr 2004, p.107]
  3. Logo
    80
    Young pretenders beware: this old dog isn’t so much learning new tricks as inventing them.
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