David Sylvian - Small Metal Gods

[jameskparos]

Simple can be brilliant...less is more...more room to breathe. I love it....

[williamthaightii]

This is utterly brilliant. Sylvian has embraced British free players which used to be connected to the rock scene in the late '60's and early '70's (King Crimson, for example). It is minimal, but it's also lyrical and free simultaneously. It's unique. Brilliant.

[sitemountain]

I agree he has become more minimal & I agree this stuff isn't the very best he's done either however at least Sylvian doesn't sell out & make 'dumbed down' re-runs of former glories. I get the impression reading interviews with him that he actively chooses to swim again the tide even when his sales figures drop.

He CAN still deliver excellent stuff as the collaboration with Tweaker & 9 Horses has shown. I can count the number of artists with his longevity & integrity on the fingers of one hand.

[WeTrichie]

this song is for all of us, the lyrics are unmuddied.

[whelanttt]

Wow, a David Sylvian fan, but this is bad. He's run out of steam or can't be bothered, not sure which....

[whelanttt]

Oh David, that is awful, what happened to the creative genius who wrote MUSIC like orpheus, scent of magnolia, nostalgia. There is a difference between being 'creative' and being adolescent. I wonder if, even unconsciously, you are trying to shed all your fans as a rejection of yourself. That's depression good sir, it really is.....

[citic101]

As painters want to change their style and experiment so does Mr.S with his music , he makes music for himself and takes us on the journey , we might not understand all that he does but we just have to think outside the box that modern music has put us in. Do I like all that he has done , no but I am glad we have musicians such as him not to follow a very commercial path

[gunforhirenz]

it is minimalist but i can't hep but love it. I loved Secrets of the beehive as its always been my face album but I love this new simple approach too. It has elements of Nine Horses too, and even some of the ambient texture that was starting to appear in "Ghosts:" with japan.. just now more acoustic textures than synth textures, I totally love the vid too... fits the song so wel

[davestany]

come back Dave we need rhytm swing and a wall of sound...lets rock again c'mon man ...all this rubbish thinkiking its 'simple' pure ....rot! lets dance!

[00retro]

Some calls this artistic stagnation, others say Japan should have stayed together. Can't please'em all. But is there not both a musical and visual link from this to the black and white minimalism of Tin Drum?

[ZJProz]

Improv....at the studio of Zen

[skintrader100]

As far as I'm concerned Japan was his best work. Even then there were signs of his minimalistic tendencies. But this is going to far. I am actually beginning to think that I could pluck a few strings and warble on for 6 odd minutes and pass it off as music. Imagine what Japan could of accomplished had they forged on. Tin Drum was a brilliant album and they were set up to be one of the most influentual artist of there time.

[worldcitizen1797]

perfection.

[INITIALSJE]

Very nice. It sounds new,

yet as nostalgic as before.

[lotreamon01]

Ive placed the gods

In a ziploc bag

Ive put them in a drawer

Theyve refused my prayers for the umpteenth time

So i`m evening up the score....

A stunning tune.

[Crimsonphilosophy]

if you love his voice but want the jazzy popart tunes Nine horses snowbourne is the way to go, I hope that group makes another!

[5studios1room]

Fantastic!

[egeneric]

yes this is "minimal" - but those die cast models of airplanes I collected as a lad, well, they take on new meanings... & they don't intersect with TWIN TOWERS or FULL BODY SCANS either...^^ peace.

[poddel]

well actually not surprising, altough great to hear some new things from S. GREAT video

[Skin1102]

Loveing the album more & more I hear it, & as for that video!! MENTAL LUV IT!! Must be a West Ham Utd supporter duz our Dave! Love it!

[Morph23]

wow

[DroffilcRenevac]

Rock,nroll

[klausdantes]

With the greatest respect, yes the video is cute.....but what the hell has it got to do with the song?!

[farmyardflavours]

DAVID, you mean the world to me and i love you soooo much!!

[erictapeworm]

This is actually the most upbeat track on Manafon.

Party On!

[aramanth]

David has finally arrived at the uncarved block that is simplicity and Zen. Minimalism at its most definable.

No doubt many of you will label me as unfit or undeserved of Sylvian. By no means do I listen to pop radio... however I do like to have a little color.

For me, Blemish and Manafon are experiments in musical malaise and artistic stagnation. I have listened to David for twenty five years. If he goes more minimal...he will vanish...pity.

[penusliski]

Affirmative. Blemish had at least 3 songs with all song elements which u can actually listen to. I deeply respect Sylvian, but Manafon is just too like performance poetry for my taste.

[xglitterpill]

his voice is certainly not vanishing. i believe the one thing i agree with is that something is definitely missing here, something you;ll only find in tindrums and g.t.polaroids, but his work with nine horses on the otherhand, (and people like Fennesz and Blonde Redhead in the past decade) are just stunning.

[erictapeworm]

@aramanth

But this song still has a strong emotional impact (for me); I think it's up there with his best work. The upfront vocal is quite moving. The colour is all carried by the voice. The simplicity of the backing magnifies this..

[irishcowboy42]

@aramanth i am surprised at your comment given that Mr Sylvian has outside of 'Dead bees on a cake' always pushed the boundaries in musical themes and production.. Minimal yes but uncarved block that is??

Well over the years you didn't quite listen to the hints if thats the case my friend

[burlearth]

He obviously wants to be TALK TALK.

[erictapeworm]

Or Talk Talk wanted to be him.

[themachman19691]

what a wonderful song.brilliant!

[roberthanlinefilms]

Some of the most wonderful words I have heard in forever! David you are always an inspiration. Your pain is felt, but for art sake appreciated. You are an artist with great depth and strength.

[passional2008]

Stop words,sing for us DAVID!

[MellorDR]

he writes about his life , which resonate crystal clear . some of the above comments about it being sad etc should stick to girl aloud

[77ships]

love it, it is seems that it will turn out even better then Blemish, the playing is supperb on it. It has that onkyo thing going but it is better then "Good Morning Good Night ". Obviously this different since the onkyo stuff is used as a wite piece of paper by sylvian.

[Teplohead]

MANAFON is BLEMISH, part II ? :)

I love it... definitely!

melancholy? yes!

tears? no!

[celtictony]

I've pre-ordered ltd edition of manafon ,can't wait ....

[vikingshipper]

David , please stop being so melancholy and self absorbed. I listen to your music incessantly and am often brought to tears, tears of beautiful inspiration. Not so much tears of your desolation. Please...

[poddel]

Like comin home after a journey:-)

[yccmcb]

A haunting avant-ballad.

[carolineharry]

A very mellow and thought provoking track.The video is hypnotic.I like it very much, looking forward to Manafon.

[indiareed]

I'm excited to hear the new album, this song is really quite beautiful, but also hauntingly sad. It's always so hard to hear people processing through pain. David, your voice is still so amazing. I like how it is the sole thing in this song that I'm paying attention to. I'm not distracted by other instruments.

[TheBallroomsofmars]

Always an adventure.

[secretnovember]

Fantastic. Can't wait to hear the new album.

[Maxiclaudi]

Once again, I really regret that the album doesn't include songs like Jacqueline... To me, it's more like a continuing story from the bad Blemish album.

[sadiewhisper]

Some listeners obviously need conventional formula in order to appreciate the music reaching their ears. Thankfully, a portion of listeners do not require obvious signposts and strict structure...Sylvian is clearly appealing to those with broader defintions of what music can be. Sometimes Sylvian wants to be challenged by chosen collaborators and in turn that will challenge his audience. Some are not up to the challenge and simply consider the music which they do not comprehend to be 'bad'.

[magicwhiteguys]

sweet

[celtictony]

love it , amazing track and video ,looking forward to the album ...