ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

An odd release this - if the term 'odd' is anything to go by with a John Cale release. It's almost 'underproduced' and flattens most of its great compositions. There are washes of synths; a guitar that sound afraid of its own sound; somewhat, for Cale's standards anyway, restrained vocals and an array of programmed drums - everything so very popular in the Eighties. Still, once you get past these irritations you will find an album full of little wonders: great melody lines, tight playing and, as always with Cale, slick and masterful songwriting, which climaxes early in the truly remarkable 'Dying On The Vine' - even if you find not much of prog interest on this album this soulful ballad will have you reeling for more. 'Chinese Takeaway' is an assembly of musical quotations and an extension of Cale's ongoing avantgarde pop experimentations. All in all 'Artificial Intelligence' will not boast any initial surprises, but repeated and careful revistings will eventually reward the listener!