DONDESTAN

Robert Wyatt has not been a prolific artist releasing only two proper studio albums in both the '80s and '90s. Dondestan was his first '90s release, almost 6 years after his previous album Old Rottenhat, but this time span wasn't considered enough to record the album since it was re-released in 1998 with a different mix and track ordering under the title Dondestan (Revisited). This is also the version that I'm going to talk about in my review.

The album shows us another very laid back and relaxed style from the artist which can partly be connected to the stripped-down style of the album where all the instruments are played by Robert Wyatt. Once again it is difficult not to think back to the much more emotional side that was shown by the artist on his masterpiece Rock Bottom. The music on Dondestan (Revisited) might be of a similar style and offer a slightly better sound quality but it completely lacks to convey any personality and feels like just another offering that doesn't add anything new or exciting to anyone who isn't already big fan of Robert Wyatt's music.

The only songs that can be highlighted here are the an unexpectedly cheery piece called Dondestan that adds an underlying moody layer halfway through the composition and then completely takes over the track towards the end. I like how the transition was conducted but the first bit of the tune was too repetitious for my taste. Shrinkrap is the closest we get to anything resembling experimental music which is definitely something that I would have wanted to hear more on this release. Left On Man is the only track out of remainder of the material that features some memorable percussion work that sticks out more than most other moments.

Dondestan (Revisited) is generally a very predictable album since it doesn't go outside the style and direction that Robert Wyatt had carved out for himself on his previous releases. There are a few minor experiments but they honestly don't hold a candle to what he did earlier in his career. Still, there isn't really anything particularly wrong with the album which is why it would be unfair to award it anything lower than the good, but non-essential rating it deserves.

**** star songs: CP Jeebies (4:06) N.I.O. (New Information Order) (6:39) Sight Of The Wind (5:01) Shrinkrap (3:53) Catholic Architecture (5:04) Worship (5:55) Costa (Memories Of Under Development) (4:11) Left On Man (3:33) Lisp Service (2:12)

*** star songs: Dondestan (5:02)