Same as it ever was: David Byrne and Brian Eno collaborate again

Music is the “same as it ever was” for former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and music producer Brian Eno. Nearly 30 years after their last collaboration, the duo is set to release the full-length album “Everything That Happens Will Happen Today” on August 18.

Byrne has announced a 37-date fall tour in support of the new album, kicking off September 16 in Bethlehem, PA, and ending November 8 in Philadelphia, PA. Byrne will schedule additional U.S. dates in early 2009, followed by visits to Europe and Australia.

Though Eno is not scheduled to accompany Byrne on the road, his influence will be noticeable. Dubbed “David Byrne, Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno,” the tour will feature music from all of the team’s collaborative works, past and present. A backing band will perform with Byrne.

Byrne and Eno first paired in 1978 on “More Songs About Buildings and Food,” the Talking Heads’ sophomore release. Afterwards, the pair churned out two more Heads albums (“Fear of Music” in 1979 and “Remain in Light” in 1980), as well as Byrne’s first solo effort, “My Life in the Bush of Clouds” in 1981. That album’s 2006 reissue put the creative conspirators back in touch.

“In spite of a slow start, we began to collaborate, still with no plans to make a whole record (or whatever a collection of songs might be called now),” Byrne noted on his Web site’s journal. “After a while though, it became obvious that we were indeed making a record.”

The album will keep with the Byrne/Eno tradition of experimentalism. The pair categorizes “Everything That Happens” as electronic gospel. Fans can sample the single “Strange Overtones” on the album’s official website, EverythingThatHappens.com. On August 18, the website will allow visitors to stream the entire album for free. Enhanced and deluxe-packaged CD releases will follow.

Besides his work with Byrne, Eno has produced albums for some of the music industry’s biggest names. Among the titles to his credit are U2‘s “The Joshua Tree” and Coldplay‘s June 2008 release, “Viva La Vida, or Death and All His Friends.” Eno is also a well-regarded musician whose solo endeavors are often classified as ambient or instrumental.

Since announcing the dissolution of the Talking Heads in 1991, Byrne has become a prolific solo artist. He has released more than one dozen full-length albums, developed various art installations and media projects, and appeared regularly for performances and talks.

David Byrne itinerary:
(Dates subject to change.)