LOVESIGHS - AN ENTERTAINMENT

Compiling material from various singles and EPs released by No-Man in the early 1990s, Lovesighs was something of a stopgap release - something to get out there and aid the band's visibility as their debut album, Loveblows and Lovecries, had its release delayed somewhat due to their label's desire to get more commercial material on there. Immediately prior to signing to OLI, the band had been in a period of stylistic experimentation summed up on the Swagger EP (and the recently released Swagger: Lost Not Lost Volume 1 compilation), but here they seem to hone in on a particular style, at least for their early OLI releases.

Their sound here essentially early trip-hop, Steven Wilson laying down the beats and instrumental textures, Tim Bowness providing lyrics reminiscent of a late-career Scott Walker, and Ben Coleman providing rich additional texture through his violin. It's a compellingly melancholic blend which is about as far from the psychedelic early Porcupine Tree that Wilson was cooking up on the side as it's possible to get.