David Sylvian - Manafon

[Tin Bird]

Small Metal Gods is beautiful...perhaps the lyrics connect w me a bit too much. They make me sad...

[neonico]

the lyrics are beautiful i Lykke Lyrics


Li

[mikaels]

Seriously, eighty-f*ucking-five bucks for the deluxe edition , and a shipping surcharge on top of that...

But then again, 'two separate hard back, cloth-bound volumes which are themselves inserted into a cloth-bound rigid slip case', sounds quite nice.

DVD contents are a bit confusing, is it
'DVD containing: i) the new feature length documentary Amplified Gesture. Executive Producer - David Sylvian. ii) 5.1 surround sound (Dolby & DTS), and PCM stereo versions of Manafon.*
or 'The DVD is an NTSC Region 0 disc that contains: Amplified Gesture - a documentary (duration 55 mins approx). '
(both quotes from manafon site)

Will there be multichannel versions of Manafon or not, one wonders..? Bit of a dealbreaker for me.

I didn't even like Blemish that much, although the remixes were quite OK...hmmm, need to think about this one a while, and re-check those samples.

But those of you who wondered about the DVD should be assured it is presented as region 0, but NTSC, so any PC should be OK, as will probably most european TVs (haven't seen one in along time that won't take NTSC input), as long as you have a fairly recent DVD player.

[sisterlondon]

To be honest, the samples leave me quite cold... I expected it, as I didn't like Blemish. I think I'll buy the digipack and probably won't listen to it much...

[neonico]

sorry to hear you dont like the new album perhaps Modesto Muñiz will do a remix from small metal gods sisterlondon

[baht habit]

positive review from Igloo Magazine:

David Sylvian's 'Manafon' is an unconventional work and perhaps one of the most diverse to date, and a testament to his development. It sees Sylvian stripped bare of any lavish trimmings. The compositions reach out with naked hands, clinging to intelligent and sometimes complex observations and rigorous study of character. Sylvian scratches the edges of some dark surfaces; however the centrefold is even more expressive with its hues of jaded normality – a conceptual status throughout.

Sylvian portrays deep insights with his lonely textured vocals, grasping the heart of the subject and shaping it in a way that only his own strength of voice could direct. The instrumentation is sparse yet effective and orchestrated in a unique way – diverse sounds intervene at all the right moments integrating well with the mood. His haunting lullaby has a strong sense of purpose - pivoted centrally throughout the album against its dark fabric – the colours of which are all exceptionally responsive. With production that’s crystal clear - every creek or stirring within the atmosphere can be heard - all reacting and responding with an immense sharpness.

Manafon isn't just a listening experience – it’s a work that encompasses every nuance of explicit chamber instrumentation, melody and structure – the qualities of which become more engrained with every listen.

[neonico]

what a wonderful interpretation baht habit i wish i wrote this my english is not so good but you took my words write out of my mouth thanks for the amazing review----

just beautifully writen...

[baht habit]

Just for the record, neonico, I did not happen to write that review - it is written by a reviewer from Igloo Magazine. I only wanted to share it with the rest of you since I don't think many reviews are making it out there, as of yet.
Besides, other than Small Metal Gods, I have not heard any more of Manafon - so I would not be qualified to make such remarks regarding the content. And even after hearing it, I may not be qualified to make such remarks.

[neonico]

:-) Just for the record, neonico, I did not happen to write that review - it is written by a reviewer from Igloo Magazine. I only wanted to share it with the rest of you since I don't think many reviews are making it out there, as of yet.
Besides, other than Small Metal Gods, I have not heard any more of Manafon - so I would not be qualified to make such remarks regarding the content. And even after hearing it, I may not be qualified to make such remarks.

doesnt matter the thought counts im still pleased that you wrote it----

[barryinstockholm]

For those of you who would like more, you can hear a stream of the entire track "Snow White in Appalachia" here:

http://www.samadhisound.com/shop/produc ... ucts_id=37

/b

[Darkest Dreamer]

I love David, I have always loved his music (maybe the odd song I didn't love, but overall...), I have always deeply admired him and his talent, however......... I just heard Manafon and........... I FREAKING HATE IT!!!!!!!! I hate the music, I hate how his voice sounds, I hate the lyrics, I hate the horrible ugly artwork of him holding a dead rabbit. I hate it so much that I started laughing in horror. I guess everyone is really not going to appreciate my opinion, but I'm sorry, I have to say it. I hope everyone isn't going to attack me now. It's just my opinion and it seems like everyone else likes it, but I'm just curious...... does anyone else feel the same?

[sonic_chronicler]

[quote="Darkest Dreamer" I just heard Manafon and........... I FREAKING HATE IT!!!!!!!! ............ It's just my opinion and it seems like everyone else likes it, but I'm just curious...... does anyone else feel the same?[/quote]

Haven't heard it yet, so can't comment. Sorry it has provoked such an intense reaction from you. How did you get to hear it?

[baht habit]

Such a visceral response may require some analysis:

I just heard Manafon and........... I FREAKING HATE IT!!!!!!!! I hate the music, I hate how his voice sounds, I hate the lyrics, I hate the horrible ugly artwork of him holding a dead rabbit. I hate it so much that I started laughing in horror.

That is quite a response...hate? Would you mind going into a little more detail so that the forum can understand which aspects of Manafon have you so distressed?

What is it about the music, his voice and lyrics that you detest?

I love David, I have always loved his music (maybe the odd song I didn't love, but overall...)

If it is alright, perhaps we could dig a little deeper and get a better grasp on this - just for some frame of reference. You claim that it is 'the odd song' which you may not 'love'. Overall, you 'have always loved his music'.

Do you listen to and enjoy the more experimental (and all instrumental) releases such as Plight And Premonition, Flux + Mutability, Ember Glance, Approaching Silence, When Loud Weather Buffeted Naoshima?

Do you listen to and find that you 'love' the contents of Blemish?
Do songs such as 'Transit' and 'Sleepwalkers' appeal to you?
Do you like listening to tracks like 'Camphor', 'Mothlight' and 'Trauma Therapy'?

Do you like the songs written and recorded with Jansen and Friedman and released as Nine Horses?

Have you had the opportunity to listen to 'Manafon' in its entirety?

I hope everyone isn't going to attack me now.

I would hope not either. No one should be attacked for expressing an opinion. But I sincerely hope you do not mind that I have inquired a little further regarding your emotional response, so that I can better comprehend how you came to hate Manafon in such a short amount of time.

[Simonp]

Mojo magazine has apparently given the album 4 out of 5 stars in the new edition. I havent got my hands on a copy of the mag yet but will put the review up here when i do.

[neonico]

I love David, I have always loved his music (maybe the odd song I didn't love, but overall...), I have always deeply admired him and his talent, however......... I just heard Manafon and........... I FREAKING HATE IT!!!!!!!! I hate the music, I hate how his voice sounds, I hate the lyrics, I hate the horrible ugly artwork of him holding a dead rabbit. I hate it so much that I started laughing in horror. I guess everyone is really not going to appreciate my opinion, but I'm sorry, I have to say it. I hope everyone isn't going to attack me now. It's just my opinion and it seems like everyone else likes it, but I'm just curious...... does anyone else feel the same?

"Those Others "

Hate takes a long time
To grow in, and mine
Has increased from birth;
Not for the brute earth...
...I find
This hate's for my own kind...


R.S. Thomas