"Life on a String" is an album by American avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson, released in 2001. This album, her seventh studio-recorded release, deftly combines elements of experimental music with Anderson's distinctive storytelling style, drawing listeners in with a mix of electronic and acoustic soundscapes and her unique spoken-word delivery.
The album consists of thirteen tracks, some of which have been culled from Anderson's multimedia show and music event 'Songs and Stories From Moby Dick'. The work intersects narrative, visual art, and performance. While conceptual in nature, the songs maintain a significant level of accessibility.
Renowned for her diverse musical skill set, Anderson plays the violin and keyboards on this album and is also in charge of vocals and narrative sections. A variety of other musicians contribute as well, including Skúli Sverrisson on bass, Jim Black on drums, and Eyvind Kang on viola.
Critically, the album was well-received and often praised for its deft merging of music and spoken word, a combination that has become a signature aspect of Anderson's work.
Lyrically, the album is complex, frequently using metaphor and allusion to explore larger themes, such as human connection, the complexities of life, and art's role in making sense of the world.
Despite its sometimes-stark subject matter, the album also contains moments of humor, a characteristic often found in Anderson's work. These moments serve to balance out the album's more serious themes and add an extra layer of depth to the project.
Overall, "Life on a String" serves as a seminal work within Anderson's discography, a testament to her ability to merge experimental music with accessible narrative structures, and a vital addition to the field of avant-garde music.
