Grown Backwards - David Byrne
Grown Backwards Image
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

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  • Summary: This is not my beautiful opera. The Talking Heads most verbose member returns with one of his more eclectic solo albums to date (and that's saying something), featuring covers of Lambchop, Bizet and Verdi (we're talking arias, people) scattered amongst originals that range from African rhythms to doo-wop. The Tosca Strings and Rufus Wainwright guest.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Neumu.net
    90
    The beauty and richness of our seemingly mundane lives can be found here, in the bossa-nova of minor catastrophes, the pseudo-jazz of strippers, and the easy lilt of coffee cups.
  2. Mojo
    80
    Lean arrangements, never predictable melodic ticks and some of Byrne's most deliciously quirky lyrics ensure an event-packed listen. [Apr 2004, p.99]
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  3. cokemachineglow
    80
    With the possible exception of his work with Brian Eno, Backwards is his most technically honed album to date. This is the stuff of an artist refreshingly confident with his work.
  4. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    58
    His voice devoid of Newman-Waits grit, his eclecticism even and controlled where theirs bristles with jokes, oddity, and gusto, how does he expect to connect with anyone but other likable progressives, and rather detached and inscrutable ones at that?

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. WillTheThrill
    10
    David Byrne is the greatest songwriter i will know in my lifetime
  2. JohnB
    10
    Outstanding. A masterpiece.
  3. JohnC
    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.… Expand
  4. MaxC
    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 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

See all 8 User Reviews

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