NIGHT

Sometimes paying too much attention to the previous reviews can cause the residual effect of losing focus and not grasping objectively the true gist of the music being projected , especially when the band is sonically unknown to the listener. This is the labyrinth I suckered myself into, much to my chagrin and it took a dozen or so spin-throughs to disengage from the web of expectations . I cannot comment on Radiohead or Coldplay because I crucified radio back in the 90s , fed up with the nauseating incompetence of formulaic , manufactured sludge (which persists until today). My fellow colleagues have indicated Ptree and Landberk tendencies, which I simply cannot identify, at least overtly. On the other hand, the Mark Hollis-Spirit of Eden influence is quite correct, as well as the David Sylvian touches, both spawned from the Bryan Ferry school of singing. As soon as the beacons were dispensed with, things became increasingly clearer, Yes, this is atmospheric music that requires the candlelight, turn off the lights treatment, unplug the TV-DVD-PC-Cell (now that's hard to do!) and just let the sounds overcome your defenses. The funeral lilt of the first piece really lays down the mood, an opiate-laden hallucigenic (not necessarily psychedelic) canvas where the vocals dominate center stage and the assorted instruments act as a backdrop. This is not always a succesful option but when it works, it shines (Hollis, Sylvian) , with a hint of This Mortal Coil (the proggiest of the New Wave crews of the late 80s) , what with gypsy violin snippets that add to the gusto. The keys, guitars, bass & drums are all very low-key, no nifty " Hey! watch me play" delirious solos to be found, all subserviant to the team concept. Hence, I can understand why some will fawn all over this (and rightly so) and annoint this with the highest praise ("Upside Down" is really great) but I can sympathize with those who feel this is all too soporific and artsy. You gotta be in the right mood , again context determining how much pleasure can be derived from this strange brew. I did, a lot!4.5 night stars .