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Here Lies Love Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: David Byrne works with Fatboy Slim for his concept album about the life of the former First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. The two-disc set includes singers such as Tori Amos, Steve Earle, Sharon Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Natalie Merchant, Allison Moorer, Santigold, St. Vincent, MarthaDavid Byrne works with Fatboy Slim for his concept album about the life of the former First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. The two-disc set includes singers such as Tori Amos, Steve Earle, Sharon Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Natalie Merchant, Allison Moorer, Santigold, St. Vincent, Martha Wainwright, and Florence Welch. Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. It's a conceptually fascinating piece, but does it groove? Mostly yes. Though nothing here sounds like a future club hit, and some tracks feel more essential to the album's narrative than others, Here Lies Love has more going for it than museum-piece fascination.
  2. Here, Byrne's well-plotted tunes can rule, and Norm can keep himself in the background, going against his natural tendency to overstuff.
  3. And while the story hangs together quite well, the main impression you are left with is that Byrne and Slim have impeccable taste in female singers.
  4. 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.
  5. 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. Sadly though, the prevalence of mid-tempo, Des'ree-lite ballads and inconsistent quality make this is an exhausting listen over 90 minutes.
  7. 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.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. 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. Expand