Why does Eno get more credit than Lanois?

65980 · 03-26-2009, 05:05 AM

(I always seem to be harping on Eno lately... and I actually like the guy.)

Anyway, it just seems that in the popular perception, Brian Eno is U2's producer and Danny Lanois is his somewhere-in-the-corner assistant. Everytime I read something about, say, The Unforgettable Fire, it always says "produced by Brian Eno", with no mention of Lanois. This came to mind again when I read the NLOTH review in Mojo magazine, for which they had an artist design a full-page picture of little mini-U2 heads spinning around a scientific-looking device, with a giant head of Eno in the background -- no image of Lanois (the previous issue of Mojo features an in-depth interview with Eno... no mention of Lanois, but there is a tiny box of Qs with him where he gets to talk about how much he loves Eno).

If you check the credits of most of the albums, they list Lanois first as producer, and Eno second. My understanding is that Eno had rather a lot of direct input into Unforgettable Fire and maybe Joshua Tree, but rather less after that. In fact, I don't think he had much at all to do with Achtung Baby, but you still read all these reviews like: "...and then they returned to Brian Eno to make Achtung Baby". No mention of Lanois.

Understand I have nothing against Eno; obviously he's been good for the group, etc. But I almost feel bad for Daniel Lanois (if you can feel bad for a guy who makes money working with U2 and Dylan) in that he always seems to get a secondary mention in the U2 scheme of things, but has, it seems to me, rather a more important role in U2's overall history than Eno.

Then there's the fact that Lanois is actually a great musician...

The Sad Punk · 03-26-2009, 05:13 AM

Because Eno's not Canadian.

65980 · 03-26-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sad Punk

Because Eno's not Canadian.

Yeah. But Celine Dion is, and that didn't stop people with bad taste the world over from buying her records.

U2girl · 03-26-2009, 06:31 AM

Eno convinced the band they had good material to work with on Achtung Baby.

I agree though, Lanois spends more time in the studio with the band, plus he doesn't moan about the credits.

Slapnutz · 03-26-2009, 10:45 AM

Listen to Eno and David Byrne's 2008 album, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, and then listen to No Line on the Horizon.

That is why.

mikal · 03-26-2009, 10:50 AM

i really think it's just because Eno has worked on many more well known projects. they're both very good at what they do.

doctorwho · 03-26-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slapnutz

Listen to Eno and David Byrne's 2008 album, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, and then listen to No Line on the Horizon.

That is why.

Listen to Eno and Coldplay's 2008 album, "Viva la Vida..." then listen to NLOTH.

That is why Lanois deserves SO much more credit.

Slapnutz · 03-26-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorwho

Listen to Eno and Coldplay's 2008 album, "Viva la Vida..." then listen to NLOTH.

That is why Lanois deserves SO much more credit.

You couldn't pay me to listen to a Coldplay album. Eno or no Eno.

He's a producer, not a magician.

Screwtape2 · 03-26-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikal

i really think it's just because Eno has worked on many more well known projects. they're both very good at what they do.

That's exactly it I think.

Brian-C · 03-26-2009, 02:01 PM

Lanois has produced some of Bob Dylan's best material of the past 20 years, but Brian Eno has not only produced iconic masterpieces for great bands, he was also in Roxy Music during their best period, AND he released some amazing/groundbreaking solo albums. Lanois's solo albums are decent, but nothing to write home about. Brian Eno is just a bigger name in the world of experimental music.

LemonMelon · 03-26-2009, 02:02 PM

Marquee value.

elevated_u2_fan · 03-26-2009, 02:04 PM

Lanois is Robin to Eno's Batman.

nathan1977 · 03-26-2009, 03:49 PM

Because Bonoz lies...

03-26-2009, 05:05 AM	#1
65980 Refugee Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,059 Local Time: 10:27 PM	Why does Eno get more credit than Lanois? (I always seem to be harping on Eno lately... and I actually like the guy.) Anyway, it just seems that in the popular perception, Brian Eno is U2's producer and Danny Lanois is his somewhere-in-the-corner assistant. Everytime I read something about, say, The Unforgettable Fire, it always says "produced by Brian Eno", with no mention of Lanois. This came to mind again when I read the NLOTH review in Mojo magazine, for which they had an artist design a full-page picture of little mini-U2 heads spinning around a scientific-looking device, with a giant head of Eno in the background -- no image of Lanois (the previous issue of Mojo features an in-depth interview with Eno... no mention of Lanois, but there is a tiny box of Qs with him where he gets to talk about how much he loves Eno). If you check the credits of most of the albums, they list Lanois first as producer, and Eno second. My understanding is that Eno had rather a lot of direct input into Unforgettable Fire and maybe Joshua Tree, but rather less after that. In fact, I don't think he had much at all to do with Achtung Baby, but you still read all these reviews like: "...and then they returned to Brian Eno to make Achtung Baby". No mention of Lanois. Understand I have nothing against Eno; obviously he's been good for the group, etc. But I almost feel bad for Daniel Lanois (if you can feel bad for a guy who makes money working with U2 and Dylan) in that he always seems to get a secondary mention in the U2 scheme of things, but has, it seems to me, rather a more important role in U2's overall history than Eno. Then there's the fact that Lanois is actually a great musician... __________________

03-26-2009, 05:13 AM	#2
The Sad Punk Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: VEGA INTL NITE SKOOL Posts: 28,702 Local Time: 02:57 PM	Because Eno's not Canadian. __________________

03-26-2009, 03:49 PM	#13
nathan1977 Rock n' Roll Doggie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Strong Badia Posts: 3,440 Local Time: 05:27 AM	Because Bonoz lies... __________________

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03-26-2009, 06:31 AM	#4
U2girl Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: slovenija Posts: 21,029 Local Time: 07:27 AM	Eno convinced the band they had good material to work with on Achtung Baby. I agree though, Lanois spends more time in the studio with the band, plus he doesn't moan about the credits.

03-26-2009, 10:45 AM	#5
Slapnutz Refugee Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Under Your Bed Posts: 1,121 Local Time: 05:27 AM	Listen to Eno and David Byrne's 2008 album, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, and then listen to No Line on the Horizon. That is why.

03-26-2009, 10:50 AM	#6
mikal Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Black Lodge Posts: 25,654 Local Time: 11:27 PM	i really think it's just because Eno has worked on many more well known projects. they're both very good at what they do.

03-26-2009, 02:01 PM	#10
Brian-C The Fly Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 165 Local Time: 10:27 PM	Lanois has produced some of Bob Dylan's best material of the past 20 years, but Brian Eno has not only produced iconic masterpieces for great bands, he was also in Roxy Music during their best period, AND he released some amazing/groundbreaking solo albums. Lanois's solo albums are decent, but nothing to write home about. Brian Eno is just a bigger name in the world of experimental music.

03-26-2009, 02:02 PM	#11
LemonMelon The Male Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hollywoo Posts: 66,937 Local Time: 09:27 PM	Marquee value.

03-26-2009, 02:04 PM	#12
elevated_u2_fan Blue Crack Supplier Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I'm here 'cus I don't want to go home Posts: 31,901 Local Time: 12:27 AM	Lanois is Robin to Eno's Batman.