DIED IN THE WOOL: MANAFON VARIATIONS

A fairly one dimensional and dreary album which, to call 'grey' would be giving porage a bad name. David Sylvian delivers his vocals here as though he's auditioning for the 'speaking clock'.

The addition of strings adds a certain degree of interest, but overall the structure is dreadful - lying scattered like a bag of sugar spilt over your kitchen floor.

The background sounds are excellent in an almost 'art concret' manner but the tunes, as such are awful. It's one of those beatless albums, with no drums, bass or guitar which I normally love, but here I'm left scratching my head in bewilderment.

Only the double tracked vocals help Sylvian out of the quicksand of this dirge. It may be a superbly clear and sharp recording, but guaranteed - you'll be left with absolutely nothing worth humming or whistling at the end of this listen. And that includes the 'bonus' instrumental cd which could have fitted on to the first if it weren't for the usual money making ploys.

Damn!, what's happened to Sylvian? He sounds like he really can't be bothered at all these days.