LOVESIGHS - AN ENTERTAINMENT

"Lovesighs - An Entertainment" is a mini-album compilation by UK music act No-Man. The compilation was released through the One Little Indian Records label in April 1992 and compiles all the band´s singles and b-sides from 1990 and 1991. It´s No-Man´s first major release but it´s not their debut full-length studio album (that would be "Loveblows & Lovecries ? A Confession" from May 1993). No-Man is one of Steven Wilson´s (solo, Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Bass Communion...etc) many projects. It´s a duo project with Steven Wilson handling all instruments and Tim Bowness performing all vocals. Violinist Ben Coleman is however also credited as a member on this release, which rightly would make No-Man a trio here.

Stylistically this is electronic/ambient pop which is both melancholic and dancable. It´s similar in many ways to other UK 90s artists like Everything But the Girl and the most pop oriented Massive Attack, so it´s fans of that type of music who may find "Lovesighs - An Entertainment" an interesting release. The violin provides the music with something unique though, which sometimes remdinds me of late 80s/early 90s Kate Bush when she is most celtic inspired ("The Sensual World" (1989)). The track which stands out the most is the closing "Days in the Trees", which is darker song featuring voice samples from Twin Peaks of Lara Flynn Boyle speaking. Although the keyboards have a melancholic yet slightly uplifting mood to them the samples provide a creepy feel. It´s quite different from the rest of the tracks on the compilation, and unfortunately it´s also the track which has greatest impact, which says something about the remaining tracks not being that interesting.

"Lovesighs - An Entertainment" is well produced, but it´s not particularly unique nor as catchy or memorable was other contemporary releases in the UK electronic/atmospheric pop genre and therefore a 2.5 star (50%) rating is warranted.