he did an album with jan bang, a good one but nothing even close to manafon

Album Rating: 4.0

Why is Manafon great? The instrumentation, first and foremost, are what makes Manafon such an engaging listen. The composition sounds like it can fall apart at any moment and yet, it manages to hold itself together despite it sounding so fragile. It's perhaps the most intense work Sylvian has ever done. His vocal, due to smoking, is a bit on the frail side but it has that smoky character to it that makes it so satisfying to listen to. Plus the fact a lot of this is improvised really impresses me. It feels incredibly human to me and is probably the most 'human' album since Beehive. The people you mentioned would be interesting but they wouldn't be compatible. If this was Sylvian in 1999, maybe, but the Sylvian of 2017 has higher ambitions. I can understand why people don't like his new stuff but it really, really requires patience. To expect someone who wants to constantly experiment to revert back to the classics is just a bit on the ignorant side. Self indulgent? Yes. But goddamn, it's the way I like it. Plus, he really never lost his touch when it comes to writing great pop music, as this single shows.

Album Rating: 4.0

I should add that Manafon, for the most part, kinda is supposed to sound like how you describe it.

Album Rating: 2.5

well yeah...jan plays on the regurgitated manafon died in the wool stuff, uncommon deities & playing the shithouse too. I really like arve hendrikson but his talent is wasted on these recordings.



and don't even get me started on that frank wright debacle. its a dank path that david is on

Album Rating: 4.0

Ah, so you heard Died in the Wool. Nice companion album.

Personally, I don't care much for Schoolhouse but then again, that stuff ain't my bag. But considering it sold out, he's still got an audience who wants his music.



Blemish is far better than Manafon though. Only thing I have against Manafon if anything.



As for his voice, I already mentioned his smoking habit making it sound different, but that's what getting older and a habit will do to a singer's voice. Plus, his voice has never been the most stable really. Frail? I really don't hear it.

Album Rating: 4.0

But if Manafon is what you consider a 1, you may want to check some truly bad experimental works, which this site is rife with. Manafon is like a walk in the park compared to some of the truly bad stuff. You'll even appreciate its subtleties after you hear some of the garbage people consider experimental.

Album Rating: 2.5

I might have to revise that up to a 2. The manafon artwork + smg work make it worthy I guess.



I thought he quit, or Ingrid made him quit smoking years ago. I think his vice is bourbon now. I keep going back to world citizen tho. His voice was so strong at that point, especially w Ryuichi's stunning backdrop. I miss that shit. Just queue them up side by side, you'll see what I mean.

Album Rating: 4.0

Definitely. A part of me appreciates the older stuff even more because he abandoned that format. But it was a necessary move because I think he just ran out of ideas with Dead Bees. Nice album but it was his weakest effort yet imo. Nine Horses was alright, but it was a bit bland for what he was doing in the 00s. If you haven't check out For the Love of Life, that's such an incredible song. It combined the experimental aspects of his work with a slight pop sensibility. It oddly reminds me of this actually.



The Died in the Wool originals really display Sylvian's current voice at its strongest. Like his tribute to Mick Karn, the new rendition of Dickinson's A Certain Slant of Light. Absolutely stunning stuff.

Album Rating: 4.0

Though in all honesty, the more Sylvian fans on Sputnik, the better. Even if you don't like the newer stuff, his stuff is very interesting at the very least.

Album Rating: 2.5

Yeah Love of Life was recorded around the same time as World C in 2005. Its very similar and god damn it, the guy sounds almost ...happy. The vocal arrangements on manafon never really allow him to open up. There's a big black cloud in the way. I listened, I tried. I just have no desire to go to that place.



If you think about it Dead Bees was really his first go at the compact disc format and it's a little heavy on the filler. I imagine if he had been forced to 40 minute vinyl it would be considered a classic. Who knows... this Universal record deal could be a pleasant surprise.

Album Rating: 4.0

Personally, I don't see him changing his overall direction in favor of a commercial compromise but I think the deal in place will definitely get his music out there to the people who want it. Considering the stark change in sound between Blemish and Manafon, perhaps whatever comes next will be different, yet still uncompromising.

Album Rating: 4.0

aaaaaaaaaaa



fuck this is great

Album Rating: 4.0

I really like these two songs. I noticed his singing in Do You Know Me Now is a little rougher and frailer than it used to be, probably a side effect of smoking, as Fripp said in this thread.



A new album in this style would be so good. For the Love of Life and Beautiful Country too. Jacqueline is great also.

Album Rating: 4.0

Bring on 2020, I say

I enjoy listening to these two songs back to back more than 95% of albums. If he ever made a full album with these two songs on it and each track is as good it would be one of my fav albums easily.