release date: Mar. 29, 1999
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: David Sylvian
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "I Surrender" - 2. "Dobro #1" - 3. "Midnight Sun" - 4. "Thalhiem" - 5. "God Man" - 8. "The Shining of Things" - 12. "Wanderlust" - 14. "Darkest Dreaming"
5th studio album by David Sylvian is his first solo album in 12 years, thus following his acclaimed Secrets of the Beehive from 1987. The style is as usual somewhere centered around art pop with elements from jazz fusion and sophisti-pop. Most tracks are written solely by Sylvian and a few co-written with others. The album feature several prominent guest artists including Bill Frisell, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Kenny Wheeler, Chris Minh Doky, and much as usual older brother Steve Jansen on percussion. It's really a fine and laid-back album with a singer / songwriter profile, which is nice for a change after several collaboration works with focus on the instrumental side. In a fine way this is like a synthesis of his abilities: cool crooning vocal, and soul-shaped music with a bold touch of jazz and experimental art pop. It's the kind of music I enjoy in solitude and as background carpet for a nice evening in good company. It's one of those albums that make you wish he'd make more music on his own.
[ allmusic.com 2,5 / 5 stars, Pitchfork Media 73 / 100 ]
