Here Lies Love
by David Byrne & Fatboy Slim
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Apr 6, 2010
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Ultimately there are only so many excuses you can make for the fact Here Lies Love isn't an out there masterpiece, merely a somewhat outré easy listening album.
  2. BBC Music
    50
    Sadly though, the prevalence of mid-tempo, Des'ree-lite ballads and inconsistent quality make this is an exhausting listen over 90 minutes.
  3. Pitchfork
    50
    Byrne and Slim never misstep here, but they also never surprise. At best you may wind up distantly admiring their craftsmanship.
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    Here David Byrne turns an unwieldy premise--a musical dramatization of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos' early life--into dizzy fun by setting 22 songs to Fatboy Slim's lush and bustling dance beats.
  6. Slant Magazine
    60
    The roster's promising and the concept is offbeat enough to be brilliant. The execution? It could have been a lot more inspired. Unless you come to the record already a die-hard fan of each and every one of the guest vocalists, you're going to find yourself skipping around in search of highlights.
  7. American Songwriter
    60
    The hitch in the album is the hit-or-miss probability of the listener connecting with the quizzical story, wrought in obscurity.
  8. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Marcos' life was all luxury and color, but the songs don't translate. Here Lies Love will play in gay clubs, but for a collaboration between forward-thinkers like Byrne and Cook, it's pretty safe while also having no direction.
  9. Chicago Tribune
    50
    Both Byrne and Fatboy Slim have built careers on beats, the imperative of activating the hips as much as the brain, and they touch on everything from salsa to Philadelphia soul on Here Lies Love. But too often the needs of the narrative supersede the music, and too much of "Here Lies Love" falls into midtempo blandness.
  10. Under The Radar
    50
    Pleasing yes, divine, occasionally--but Here Lies Love's strengths aren't enough to justify its bloated 22 tracks. [Spring 2010, p.69]
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  11. Billboard.com
    56
    At times, Here Lies Love wobbles as a concept album, and listeners unfamiliar with Marcos' story may not initially understand the lyrical conceits. But it contains enough solid material to justify repeated listens.
  12. Mojo
    40
    As each song features a different vocalist and each is a snapshot, it's difficult to tell which character is singing, to get emotionally involved or to keep up with the story without much refernce to the book. [Apr 2010, p.103]
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  13. Uncut
    40
    Here Lies Love could do with a lot less reportage and a great deal more drama, melody and wit. If anything, with morem not less, artistsic licence. [Mar 2010, p.99]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. mianosm
    Feb 8, 2013
    10
    This is an oddity in my collection, having come upon it from exploring some of Fatboy Slims lesser albums and compilations. Most music used toThis is an oddity in my collection, having come upon it from exploring some of Fatboy Slims lesser albums and compilations. Most music used to be based on stories and musings, so this is a really interesting and refreshing piece. It might not be the thumpiest bass rattling album to pick, but it is an easy to listen to, very flowing and unique album to have among any collection.… Full Review »
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