release date: Apr. 23, 2002
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,68]
producer: Peter Murphy, Mercan Dede
label: Metropolis Records - nationality: England, UK
6th studio album by Peter Murphy released seven years after Cascade (Oct. 1995) after which he released his so far only live album aLive Just for Love (2001). This is not only co-produced by a Turkish producer - the whole album is made with assistance of primarily Turkish musicians, which is clearly heard throughout an album where Murphy combines western popular music, the gothic rock, and even progressive rock in a mix with more traditional Turkish folk. Privately, Murphy married Turkish dance-director Ayhan Murphy in '92 and has since then lived primarily in Turkey. There's also a synthpop or electronic influence present on this album and it's really hard to label an overall style, as it's a rather huge blend of influences, and you might even call it world music. The album is Murphy's first studio album after parting with Beggars Banquet and this new album should perhaps also be seen in the light of being forced to rethink his musical career, and again, with his Turkish daily life in mind, it would be a natural consequence of living life with other influences.
The album was met by positive reviews, some found it an artistic achievement, whereas others, in search of a more traditional album and without luck in finding stand-out tracks, saw it as something lesser. I will not say that it doesn't work but I don't find it a strong nor very interesting album as such. It has an intense and warm feel but it doesn't appeal much to me.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Q Magazine 3 / 5 stars ]
