Songs of the revolution #1

Before Brian Eno gradually sank into the world of corporate opprobrium (working with Coldplay, Microsoft '95) he was the chief architect of potential downfall of the rock and roll oligarchy.

Distending the threads of orthodoxy with a VSC3 synthesizer and make-up, Eno's early solo work speaks directly of struggle and class consciousness. The 'Warm Jets' are the wheels of military might, 'Tiger Mountain' is the rotten state and 'Before and After Science' refers to an exciting plan for after the successful struggle.

In this example Another Green World is the message of hope relayed to the comrades. Instead of the Soviet columns of grey, the new reality will be pastoral green splendour and truly free. Even the artwork shows the modernist and utilitarian uniforms worn by those willingly self-identifying as part of the solution rather than the problem (who would likely be slain like dogs anyway).

Eno's melody work on this record is so clear cut in terms of political principle that lyrics are not always necessary. The titles are evocative enough; 'Little Fishes' evokes swimming in large groups and strength in numbers, 'In Dark Trees' represents a death-knoll to the forces of doubt present in struggle and 'Sombre Reptiles' is a comical satire of the hegemony prevlalent in 70s politics in both west and east.

However, the lyrics are evocative enough to pass muster for this record were it just a sheet of paper with text. 'St. Elmo's Fire', too long to reproduce in its entirety here tells a symbolic tale of two travellers on the way to view revolution in action. 'I'll Come Running' tells the tale from the viewpoint of the new state, offering responsible solutions to fallen workers - 'I'll come running to tie your shoe' can certainly not be taken literally, as all children under this regime will have motor skills enough to tie their own laces and arms enough to make good of this.