HEAVEN TASTE

Although I must admit that some of the early synthy sounding NO-MAN songs were not my cup of tea, they have my ears with "Heaven Taste". What is funny about this album is that being a collection of B-sides songs, I much prefer them to the A-Sides. For NO-MAN obviously B-Sides represent a playground to experiment and have fun, to try out whims, to work out the ideas forbidden by the commercial and aesthetic demands of a full album. Anyone, like me left wary by the dance-bolstered, poppier/balladry leanings of the early NO-MAN albums will love the art-rock characteristics of this compilation really sounding very much like aspects of PORCUPINE TREE. This album really documents NO-MAN's dreamy, atmospherically lush side delivering an almost avant-garde sound. The album explores the deeper possibilities of Steven Wilson's genius and instrumentation while holing onto Tim Bowness's touch of pop individuality. This album also features the lovely violin work of Ben Coleman, the keyboard work of Richard Barbieri, sax of Mick Karn and the percussion of Steve Jansen. I should also mention this album features a fine version of Nick Drake's "Road". Overall "Heaven Taste" is a visitation to the softer, dreamier, luminescent trance work from NO-MAN's more quietly beautiful territories and ambient shores.