“Another Green World” (1975) by Brian Eno – Album Review
Another Green World by Brian Eno: An Exploration of Sound and Space
Released in 1975, Another Green World marked a turning point in Brian Eno’s career, blending ambient experimentation with traditional songwriting. Known for his avant-garde sensibilities and love for studio innovation, Eno created an album that defied categorization. While it features a handful of vocal tracks, most of the album consists of instrumental soundscapes that point toward Eno’s future as the pioneer of ambient music.
At its core, Another Green World serves as a transition: from Eno’s earlier glam and art-rock roots with Roxy Music and albums like Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), to the more atmospheric, textural work that would dominate the rest of his career. The album’s hybrid nature — part structured, part experimental — reflects Eno’s ability to craft music that is simultaneously accessible and otherworldly.
The Album’s Background and Concept
After leaving Roxy Music in 1973, Brian Eno set out to explore his own creative vision. His early solo records had already shown his penchant for quirky, deconstructed pop music. Albums like Here Come the Warm Jets (1974) and Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) (1974) presented unconventional song structures, quirky humor, and a willingness to experiment with studio techniques. Yet, Another Green World feels different. It’s quieter, more introspective, and more spatial.
During its recording, Eno approached music as a conceptual medium. By this point, he had begun to view the studio as an instrument — a space where composition, performance, and sound design could merge. This philosophy became central to Another Green World, where layers of sound were carefully sculpted and arranged.
Conceptual Inspiration
- Music as Painting: Eno has often described music in visual terms. He wanted Another Green World to feel like a series of sonic landscapes, where each track evokes a unique image or atmosphere. Much like a painting, listeners could “step into” these auditory worlds.
- Improvisation and Generative Techniques: Many of the album’s instrumental pieces were born out of improvisation, using generative ideas where random or unpredictable results shaped the final product.
- Breaking from Tradition: Eno deliberately moved away from conventional rock instrumentation, favoring synthesizers, treated pianos, and unusual percussion sounds.
Production Notes: Crafting the Green World
The making of Another Green World was as unconventional as the album itself. Recorded at Island Studios in London, Eno assembled a small group of musicians and used the studio’s capabilities to explore new sonic territories. His approach to production was collaborative yet experimental, often leading to surprising results.
Recording Techniques
- Improvisation First: Eno encouraged the musicians to improvise during recording sessions. Instead of starting with structured songs, many tracks began as loose jam sessions or sound experiments. Eno would then edit and manipulate these recordings into more cohesive pieces.
- Oblique Strategies: Eno and artist Peter Schmidt had created a deck of cards called Oblique Strategies, each featuring cryptic suggestions meant to break creative blocks. Phrases like “Honor thy error as a hidden intention” or “Use an old idea” helped push musicians and Eno himself into unexpected directions.
- Studio as Instrument: Rather than simply recording performances, Eno used the studio to layer, manipulate, and treat sounds. For example, pianos were run through delays and reverbs, creating textures that felt spatial and dreamlike.
Instruments and Tools
- Synthesizers: Eno relied heavily on synthesizers, including the EMS Synthi AKS and Minimoog, to create lush soundscapes. Synthesizers allowed him to produce abstract tones and unconventional textures that set the album apart.
- Treated Instruments: Acoustic instruments were often heavily processed. Pianos were stretched with delays, guitars were warped with effects, and even natural percussion sounds were altered.
- Collaboration: Eno worked with a handful of talented musicians, many of whom brought unique elements to the record. Phil Collins, known for his work with Genesis, contributed distinctive drum rhythms, while guitarist Robert Fripp delivered one of the album’s most iconic solos.
A Track-by-Track Journey Through Another Green World
The album’s structure alternates between vocal-driven pieces and instrumental vignettes. Each track feels like its own world — a carefully constructed soundscape that captures a mood, place, or visual idea.
1. Sky Saw
Opening the album with a distorted, droning bassline and angular rhythms, “Sky Saw” sets the tone for what’s to come. Robert Fripp’s treated guitar lines cut through the mix, adding tension and texture. It’s a hypnotic introduction that blends groove with abstraction.
2. Over Fire Island
This instrumental track features Phil Collins’s sparse yet expressive drumming, paired with atmospheric synth textures. The piece feels cinematic, like a slow, panoramic shot across a barren landscape.
3. St. Elmo’s Fire
One of the few vocal tracks on the album, “St. Elmo’s Fire” stands out for its lyrical imagery and bright, melodic structure. Eno’s vocals are soothing, while Fripp’s guitar solo — produced using the “buzzsaw” technique — adds a raw, electric energy.
4. In Dark Trees
“In Dark Trees” is a minimalist soundscape built around repetitive, rhythmic patterns. The layered synthesizers create a sense of movement, as though walking through a dense, mysterious forest.
5. The Big Ship
Arguably one of the album’s most emotional moments, “The Big Ship” is a soaring instrumental with a simple, repeating melody. It builds gradually, with synth layers creating a sense of warmth and grandeur.
6. I’ll Come Running
This track is another vocal highlight, featuring Eno’s plaintive singing over a playful piano melody. It’s lighthearted and wistful, providing a moment of sweetness amidst the album’s more abstract pieces.
7. Another Green World
The title track feels like a brief, tranquil interlude. Eno uses delicate synths and gentle percussion to evoke the imagery of an idyllic, dreamlike world.
8. Sombre Reptiles
“Sombre Reptiles” features an infectious rhythm built around muted percussion and melodic synth lines. The track feels playful and slightly surreal, as though soundtracking a strange, otherworldly dance.
9. Little Fishes
This vignette is a delicate, almost childlike composition, with bright, tinkling synth notes resembling raindrops or ripples on water.
10. Golden Hours
“Golden Hours” stands as a highlight for its introspective lyrics and meandering guitar lines. Eno’s understated vocals float over a backdrop of gentle synth pads and rhythms.
11. Becalmed
A meditative instrumental, “Becalmed” slows the album’s pace with serene, sustained synth tones. It feels like drifting on calm waters, suspended in time.
12. Zawinul/Lava
This track’s tribal-like drumming and ambient textures pay subtle tribute to jazz keyboardist Joe Zawinul. It carries an experimental energy, blending natural rhythms with atmospheric sounds.
13. Everything Merges with the Night
The final vocal track is a melancholic ballad that feels both personal and universal. Its simplicity and understated beauty make it a standout moment on the record.
14. Spirits Drifting
Closing the album, “Spirits Drifting” returns to the atmospheric soundscapes that define much of the record. The gentle synths feel meditative, ending the journey on a peaceful note.
An Album That Defined Eno’s Path
Another Green World marked the start of Brian Eno’s exploration of ambient music, setting the stage for works like Discreet Music (1975) and Ambient 1: Music for Airports (1978). By blending structure and improvisation, melody and abstraction, Eno created a record that feels timeless and limitless. Its influence can be heard across genres — from electronic and post-rock to ambient and film scores.
At its heart, Another Green World is a testament to Eno’s ability to find beauty in experimentation. Each track feels like a small sonic universe, inviting listeners to step inside and lose themselves in its textures and moods. Whether experienced as background music or given full attention, the album offers something new with every listen, solidifying its place as one of the most innovative and enduring works in modern music.
