Alchemy (An Index Of Possibilities/Remastered) - David Sylvian

Blemish - David Sylvian

Advantages: darkly personal challenging adult electronica
Disadvantages: hard to listen to at times, plus Derek Bailey's atonal guitar

David Sylvian, the velvet voiced ex singer with Japan, and a solo artist since the early eighties is most well known for his often lush, romantic music. Blemish is nothing like the neo-classical Secrets Of The Beehive, nothing like the ambient rock of Dead Bees On A Cake, nothing like the proto-world music of Words With The Shaman. Blemish was written and recorded very quickly, as Sylvian was in the throes of a very painful separation from his wife and children, and predominantly features just Sylvian himself on all manner of electronica, which buzzes and fizzes most disagreably. Shards of angular guitar crop up courtesy of jazzer Derek Bailey but these are even more atonal than the electronics. The opening title track is a hard to listen to reflection on his break up, lasting 13 minutes! If you can survive this, then ...

adams66 18.09.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Blemish [Digipak] - David Sylvian

Damage - David Sylvian and Robert Fripp

Advantages: wonderful songs on one the best recorded live albums ever
Disadvantages: no "Darshan"

You need this album. You just do. I could just leave it at that, but I will elaborate a little. I was at this concert - Royal Albert Hall, December 1993 - and it was one of the most amazing gigs I've ever attended. Never have I felt so emotional at a gig, never has the music spoken to me in this way. I know that sounds a bit farty, but please bear with me! A few years earlier Robert Fripp had asked David Sylvian (ex singer with Japan and now a successful and innovative solo artist) to front a new version of Fripp's band King Crimson. Probably wisely Sylvian declined but the pair agreed to work together, first on series of improvised concerts in Japan and Italy in 1992 where they developed a stunning selection of new music, then on a fully fledged album project with a full band. This was issued in 1993 as The First Day and is well ...

adams66 16.09.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Damage (Live) - David Sylvian/Robert Fripp

Achemy Index Vol 1& 2 one of the best albums I have ever heard.

Advantages: Excellent lyrics and fantastically written and performed
Disadvantages: It's very difficult to stop listening to!

One of the best albums I have heard in a long time and certainly some of Thrice's best work. The music is captivating and the lyrics are genious. Very different to most alternative rock we hear at the moment and definately worth a listen. The Fire and Water elements are probably my favourite volumes of the Alchemy Index as each track is superbly written and really does present each element well. The 'Fire' tracks are heavy and rocky and give that uncontrollable feel of fire, whereas the 'Water' tracks are calm and actually quite soothing when you listen to them properly, just as water would be. Overall, this album is very original and one of Thrice's best albums so far. Best songs in my opinion: 'Firebreather' (Fire) and 'Digital Sea' (Water) ...

Slinkyy 29.07.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Alchemy Index Vol.1 & 2, The (Fire & Water) - Thrice