David Sylvian - Small Metal Gods

The lead track from David Sylvian's new album, Manafon. Video directed by Hiraki Sawa.

www.manafon.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• David
• Sylvian
• Small
• Metal
• Gods
• Samadhisound
• Manafon
• Hiraki
• Sawa

[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.

[Morph23]

wow

[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.....

[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

[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!