GONE TO EARTH

"Gone to Earth" is the second full-length studio album by David Sylvian. "Gone to Earth" was released through Virgin Records in September 1986. It´s the successor to "Brilliant Trees" from June 1984 (his first solo studio album after leaving Japan), although the two full-length studio albums are bridged by the experimental/ambient compilation album "Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities" from December 1985.

"Gone to Earth" is quite the ambitious double album release, although it was only the vinyl version of the album which was a double release. The original CD version was a single album release (later reissues are two-disc releases featuring a couple of remixes). Side A and B features ambient/slightly experimental pop/rock songs with David Sylvian´s deep, melancholic, and warm vocals on top (tasteful atmospheric guitars and synths, and the occasional use of flugelhorn, which provides the music with a longing effect), while Side C and D of the original vinyl version solely features instrumental ambient new age music.

It´s predominantly subdued music with room for atmosphere and reflection. Some of the highhligts of the first disc (Side A and B) are the opener "Taking The Veil", "Before The Bullfight", and the slightly more dramatic and noisy title track. The ambinent instrumental material featured on Disc 2 (Side C and D) are a little less remarkable, and while it´s pleasant enough, it has a tendency to become background music.

The musicianship is excellent. There´s lots of synth in the music but also flugelhorn which gives the music a strong melancholic touch. Note the great rhythm section too. They are often subdued and low in the mix, but effective when they are allowed to be part of the compositions. Robert Fripp (King Crimson) guests with some of his trademark Frippertronics and adds a bit of spice to some of the compositions.

"Gone to Earh" is well produced featuring a sound production which is both warm and organic, but at the same time distanced and cold. It´s an interesting combination, which really shouldn´t work, but somehow does here. So upon conclusion "Gone to Earh" is a high quality ambient pop/rock release, which is quite unusual, featuring unconventional songwriting and an interesting approach to dynamics. Unfortunately the rather unremarkable second part of the album drags my rating down. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is still deserved though, but that rating is predominantly based on how great the first half of the album is.