BLEMISH

This release is important more for what it attempts and foresees than for what it actually delivers. Many of the tracks become irritating after the first minute or two, but there are a handful of tracks that work quite well. Sylvian is going for a completely different sound (except for the vocal style, which has been consistent throughout his career), and for that he deserves credit. I would love to see more composers try to create new, original styles of music, instead of building (safely) upon what has been done before. This release is a step in that direction. Yes, it's certainly too "Ivory Tower" and "pretentious" for most ears, but that same description has been used every time somebody attempts to stretch the boundaries of popular music. I'm looking forward to his next album.