CAROLINA SKELETONS

Previously unknown to me, NO-MAN has impressed me a lot since I first heard about them some months ago. Yet they started the band in 1990. The music is relaxed experimental pop, mixed with ambient, classical, jazz and soul with a lot of warmth. The sophisticated vocals makes you think of Hugh Cornwell, Bryan Ferry and David Sylvian. The music reminiscences are a mix between the softer moments of AZTEC CAMERA, DEACON BLUE, JAPAN. Mick KARN, KING CRIMSON, PREFAB SPROUT, ROXY MUSIC and The STRANGLERS.

- This album is like a cool summer breeze on a hot summer night. If you're into beautiful and sophisticated pop this is worth dying for!

This Mini Album represented what was their most consistent and complete body of work released in the 8 years since their formation. Since then they have released many new tracks and albums but this captures the unique sound of no-man. ("Close Your Eyes" and "Carolina Skeletons" can also be found on the 2001 No-Man studio album "Returning Jesus".

Inhabiting a timeless territory between the exquisite ambient-soul of The Blue Nile, the bruised emotionalism of Scott Walker and the breathy melancholia of Nick Drake and Red House Painters. A delicate and haunting piano-led ballad, topped by a glacially understated vocal performance.

Tracklist: 1. Carolina Skeletons 2. Something Falls 3. Close Your Eyes 4. Carolina Reprise

"One of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous mini-albums of the year. 'Carolina Skeletons' is a thing of rare beauty; the title track, all lilting pianos, free-flowing guitars, surreal background echoes and heart-in-mouth melodies... oozes a sense of melancholy and nostalgia all of its own... 'Close Your Eyes' gnaws at the heartstrings, fusing an almost tribal percussion pattern with a plaintive guitar line that flows effortlessly around you before unleashing an overdriven storm of sheer brilliance... With 'Carolina Reprise' Steven Wilson's music takes to the fore, with that intoxicating piano refrain given full freedom on its journey to your heart. Unmistakably genius, unmistakably No-Man."

Even though this is only a 20 minute EP it's probably my favorite No-Man CD because of its soft touch and delicasy. Definitely worth a 4 star rating!

Inside the liner notes is a quotation from "Carolina Skeletons" that says: "Through all the tiny victories and the big defeats". Obviously a meaningful lyric for the band from a song that is about looking back. It is a hopeful song though, and done so beautifully with piano and percussion standing out. Oh, and of course the reserved calm vocals of Tim Bowness. Great lyrics.

"Something Falls" is even more gorgeous with acoustic guitar and piano supporting the vocals. Lots of atmosphere too. Love the synths a minute in reminding me of PT. "Close Your Eyes" is another melancholic song with some guest percussion leading the way as synths and vocals come in. The chorus is so uplifting here. Again lots of atmosphere. Great track. "Carolina Reprise" is a keyboard led contemplative instrumental.

These are some of the best songs that NO-MAN has created, and because of that this EP is really worth checking out.

Sometimes NO-MAN makes music that is just too darn beautiful. This odd single is one example.

I say odd because 'Carolina Skeletons' was issued as a single a full three years before the album from which it was drawn. Not exactly prime marketing behaviour, but NO-MAN exist for the music, not the sale. The title track is a beauty, a genuine hit single, with a gentle hook and thoughtful lyrics counterpunched by an interesting, slightly edgy, phased percussion. The track is subtly different to the album version that appeared in 2001. The second track is a step down, not much more than filler. 'Close Your Eyes', however, is a song of the highest calibre. A gentle percussion heralds a glorious shimmering three-note motif that repeats throughout the song. BOWNESS's poignant vocals lead to a delicious distorted guitar. I know it doesn't sound much, but this is top-drawer stuff. The single finishes with a gentle piano reprise of the title track.

This is about as good as singles get. NO-MAN fire two of their best shots here, an unfortunate by-product of which is it rendered the impact of their 2001 album 'Returning Jesus' a little less memorable for those who had already acquired this single.

If you see this, don't hesitate.

Here is a short sample of the beauty created by Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson. No-Man have a rather large discography, most of which are special issues, EPs and so on, even more than what is noted on this site. This EP contains 20 short minutes of beauty, but can be a great entry point for those wanting to explore the music that this team of geniuses have created. Pensive piano and guitar led by Tim's excellent vocals, this is No-Man at their best. Two tracks are available elsewhere and two tracks are original to this EP. The sound here is unique, not a copy of the music from Porcupine Tree or any of the myriad of bands that Tim has performed with. If anything, it is probably closest to the most pensive and quieter songs of Pink Floyd, if you want a comparison, but that only gives you an idea, the sound is unique to No-Man. The music has very little percussion except for "Close Your Eyes" which has a repetitive hand drum of some kind and a distorted guitar solo which stands out but doesn't distract and wandering brass towards the end of the song. This is one EP that is essential to understand the sound of No-man but it is also essential to show just how beautiful and emotional progressive rock can be. 5 stars. I can't give it any less.