DIED IN THE WOOL (MANAFON VARIATIONS)

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 'musique concrete' 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 album. And that includes the 'bonus' instrumental cd which could have fitted on to the first CD 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.

The consequence of self-indulgence. David Sylvian's, self-aquired musical language does not save these "Manafon Variations" or the crumbs of that previous album, of being irrelevant. Even his best "discoveries" work against the music. The usually inviting and mysterious songwriting, is reduced to "raw" emotionless experimentations, that should never have been brought outside his private personal collection.

No attractive melodies, forget whole songs. His usual, charged with emotions, introspective "atmospheres" , sound as empty as repetitive. And the "melancholic" lyrical world it presents, is more exclusive than inclusive, therefore uninteresting for third parties. Go backwards and listen to the original "Manafon", that one is worth the ticket. This one not.

For "die hard fans" only.

Disappointing **2 PA stars.