Laurie Anderson
Life On A String
(Nonesuch CD)

We’ve needed to hear from Ms. Anderson for far too long. Once again, Anderson proves that she can craft endearing pop nuggets, such as her only real hit, "O Superman," but she also proves that she’s not really interested in doing anything but what she’s interested in doing. Which is primarily playing around.

She dabbles in atmospheric, New Agey soundscapes for opener "One White Whale," then dives right into some rumpus pop. Several tracks, such as "Pieces and Parts" and "Dark Angel," seem to poke a little fun at Broadway’s overwrought tendencies. But Anderson delivers it so carefully and convincingly, it’s impossible to determine for certain if she’s just goofing off or kind of serious.

As the title suggests, strings figure heavily here, becoming overbearing on the instrumental "Here With You," and threatening to injure the following track, which saves itself by turning moody and highlighting Anderson’s sing-song-storytelling. Of course, this is Laurie Anderson, so some weirdness is in order. That gets filled by the complexly disorganized "My Compensation," which breaks away to the sound of a melting mind. All in all, Life on a String, is an engaging listen; impeccably put together yet intentionally scattered, it attests to Anderson’s singular ability and mold-breaking creations. For bonus points, Life on a String comes in the most eco-friendly, bitchin’ packaging around–all paper, no staples even, and the disc floats protected from harm by a simple biscuit of dense black foam. –Scott D. Lewis

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