music
Big Science and Uncanny Prescience: Laurie Anderson’s Greatest Songs
Forty years since her pioneering concert film Home of the Brave, and ahead of a European tour, we count down the best of a surprisingly poppy avant garde catalogue
TL;DR
- Laurie Anderson's career spans decades, evolving from experimental spoken word to more accessible, yet still avant-garde, music.
- Key works include 'Big Science,' 'Home of the Brave,' 'Heart of a Dog,' and collaborations with artists like Adrian Belew, Nile Rodgers, Kronos Quartet, and Brian Eno.
- Her music often explores themes of technology, big business, loss, and societal commentary, delivered with a unique blend of spoken word, electronic manipulation, and diverse musical influences.
- Songs like 'O Superman' and 'Sharkey's Day' are highlighted for their hypnotic qualities and innovative arrangements.
- The article previews Anderson's upcoming European tour.