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Life On A String Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: This is Laurie Anderson's first music release since 1994's 'Big Red.' Originally conceived as a studio verision of her recent theatrical production "Songs and Stories from Moby Dick," the thirteen-song album contains only three tracks from that show, supplemented with newer material. GuestThis is Laurie Anderson's first music release since 1994's 'Big Red.' Originally conceived as a studio verision of her recent theatrical production "Songs and Stories from Moby Dick," the thirteen-song album contains only three tracks from that show, supplemented with newer material. Guest musicians include Lou Reed, Dr. John, Bill Frisell, Mocean Worker and Van Dyke Parks. Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The haunting melodies and string arrangements enhance the CD's contemplative mood, bringing us into the artist's reverie about emotional pain and art's dependence on such painful experiences.
  2. Anderson's best work has always been simultaneously opaque and pointed, suggestive, and even topical, without being didactic. Those qualities apply again here.
  3. Alternative Press
    70
    If the wordplay occasionally misses the mark, the music (which includes calypso, funk, '40s jazz, and chamber pop) invariably carries the day. [Aug 2001, p.76]
  4. Laurie Anderson is a singer-songwriter of crushing poignance - a minimalist painter of melancholy moods who addresses universal themes in the vernacular of the commonplace.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Despite an occasional dip into buzzy techno waters, Life is more retread than reinvention. [Aug 24/31 2001, p.137]
  6. Blender
    60
    Though the drones drift into Enya-like ambience on "Slip Away" more often, as on "Pieces and Parts" and the keening "Broken," Anderson dresses up her hard-won koans of personal wisdom just enough to make them alluring. [Aug/Sep 2001, p.120]
  7. She lets [the songs] drift off into the kind of embalmed chamber music respectability often synonymous with the Nonesuch label.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. MikeW
    Feb 23, 2007
    9
    Best since Big Science, still strong remnants of the old style in there, with some good rich mature sounds.
  2. SteveP
    Nov 22, 2004
    9
    Almost back to her best!
  3. Ron
    May 16, 2002
    8
    chamber music and L.A., not ready, unexpected, fragile, looking for new ways