Customer Reviews

Dead Bees On A Cake

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

David Sylvian simply never fails to impress me. Even Darshan, a seeming half-hearted effort (w/ Robert Fripp), has a few moments of brilliance but, Dead Bees on a Cake is a whole different beast all together and harks back to his Brilliant Trees days for it's beauty, restraint, and pervasive ambiance. However, some fans will definitely be disappointed. Gone are the esoteric musings and experimentation. Gone are the cold and bleakness he dabbled in with Gone to Earth and which he immersed himself in with Secrets of the Beehive. Although this effort's intention is inextricably connected with the latter, I believe it to be only to the extent of the exorcism of those proverbial ghosts that David has wailed about these past twenty years and which came to a climax with Secrets of the Beehive. The bees are their secrets are dead indeed.

Like Sade's new album, this one's a long time coming. And also like Sade, you can tell that David has changed. The most apparent aspect reflected in the album is that David is in love. There's a very relaxed and uninhibited quality to the songs where his earlier work, although just as beautiful, seemed to have an edge and somewhat angst ridden. Don't get me wrong, there are some cuts here that hasten one back to previous material but, overall, it is much more accessible in terms of its messages - it seems that Ingrid has brought him much peace. Maybe the "cake" is "love".

This effort is much more diverse than anything before - especially stylistically. From the Mississippi delta driven Midnight Sun, (with a wonderful touch of Gil Evan's like brass section), to the exotic, sexy, Hindu inspired Krishna Blue, to the loungy Rhodes chillin' Wanderlust.

Mere words cannot convey how good this album is. Thalhiem is simply remarkable. Its by far my favorite track in addition to Alphabet Angel and Wanderlust. I wanted Alphabet Angel to go on forever, but for the first time ever, David isn't as self-indulgent. The song's structure could easily warrant endless exploration, however David simply stops and the senses collapse, craving more - which I'm sure was his intent: his premise probably being simply "why do it" when any sensitive listener can improvise the rest. The melody is undeniably that true to form, spookily familiar, and is unshakable.

The usual suspects are here: Sakamoto and David's brother Steve Jansen. Great ECM luminaries like Steve Tibbetts, Kenny Wheeler, and Bill Frisell. Even Tony Barberella from the Prince camp joined in, (for obvious reasons). Minneapolis is in full effect with Tibbets, Chavez, Barberella with God Man sounding suspiciously familiar! (this is the only track I didn't really care for)

David's albums have always possessed this very self-effacing, introspective "way" about them that would seem out of place being played on the radio or at parties. This album, much more than ever, is one to explore alone but, for the first time, some songs are comfortable enough to share with someone you love. Very romantic indeed.

I don't know what Shree Maa is singing about but it makes me want to weep - in sadness and in joy.

It's taken me a while, since I first heard the album, to write this review and, I believe that, if some fans would have waited to issue their initial impressions, their reviews would be different. This is a classic if there ever was one. Every artist must grow and change - their fans too, but it should be no surprise to anyone that, more often than not, it is not synchronized. It's still David: just a different David.

I have been a Sylvian fan since forever, but he has exceeded even my very high expectations with this offering. I am only reviewing this now, after I've given it more than a year of listening. It takes time to age on you. I guess not everybody will like this, but if they all would, that would be strange indeed. "Dead Bees on a Cake" has become one of my all-time favourites, alongside Brian Eno's "Ambient 4" and "Apollo Atmospheres Soundtrack", Joy Division's "Closer", and just a couple of others. Definitely something to bring along to a desert island, or to listen to on a deathbed. Strong words indeed, but that's what it does to me.

Despite being a bit obsessed with bees(this album's title, the album SECRETS OF THE BEEHIVE, and the song "Pollen Path"), David has at last collected sweet nector and placed it into every song of this magical album.

A mixture of different colors of music such as electronica, world, new age, jazz, and solid songwriting give this album a sweet taste to enjoy and a sweet scent to follow.

Look no furthur than the first song "I Surrender". A rather long piece feauturing an electronica loop and jazz guitar, horn and flute, is a declaration of surrendering the soul to love in only a way David can convey.

"Dobro #1" is a short impromtu aching poem soothed by the twang of the dobro. Makes you want to hear the other numbers he must have done with this instrument! (Two more Dobro songs eventually ended up on the anthology EVERYTHING AND NOTHING).

"Midnight Sun" is an amazing blues inspired creation of wooden rhythms, blues gritty guitar, and a brass ensemble emulating a harsh wind backing David's accusation that "you've stolen the moon"! One of the finest moments on this collection.

"Thailheim" meanders thru what seems like two songs put together like two rivers converging. A merging sound of airy far off music and David's honeyed words.

Other standout tracks include "Krishna Blue", "Shining of Things" (weeping strings are the only backup for David's voice....it is unbelievably incredible to hear!!), "All My Mother's Names", the walking gait of "Wanderlust" and the final moment with David on "Darkest Dreaming" brings afternoon to evening.

This is an album carefully crafted with each song supporting the next finishing off with sweet words, inspired music, and of course...bees.

This album was played and shelved in disappointment. I was all excited about his return to the themes and workings of the Secrets of the Beehive and was put off because it didn't live up to its predecessor. Yet a year after I shelved it, I found myself one day hearing it clearly, without expectations.

Though some of the tracks are indulgently long, as is the cd itself, there is a unity in the disparate parts. The main difference between new Sylvian and old Sylvian is that there is less tension present here. The songs are slick and the production is almost overdone. As I think about the songs, not many of the titles speak out. That is because he has gone away from telling stories to evoke a mood and just tries to create a landscape of mood without a story. This is especially seen in the India influenced "Krishna Blue", which is still a nice track. My favorite is actually the Marc Ribot/Sylvian duet of "Dobro #1" which evokes that dark somber mood of Secrets of the Beehive. I now like this album. But it does not evoke the solace and beauty of earlier albums, usually it's just a nice mood piece.

Many out there will put this down to over-inflated expectations, but, from its oddball, is-this-a-joke-or-what title to its reliance on pop music cliches both lyrical and musical, Dead Bees On A Cake is a disappointment. The album does have its moments, but not enough to make it the essential listen that most of Sylvian's previous albums have been.

In its favor, the Dead Bees On A Cake maintains a mostly warm, intimate feel throughout ("I surrender", the first single, is the best example of this), and there are flashes of past brilliance ("Pollen path" has some of the feel of Sylvian/Fripp's The First Day album, "The shining of things" would be right at home on Secrets Of The Beehive, and the instrumentation of "Praise" and "Darkest dreaming" recalls Flux & Mutability).

On the other hand, too many of the songs resort to cliches - "Midnight sun", the 'let me take you down...' refrain of "Cafe Europa", and the line 'couldn't leave you if I tried' from "Thalheim" are prime examples - that make them somewhat predictable, and "Wanderlust" switches gears into an uncomfortably American-sounding progression that recalls some of the worst of late-seventies/early-eighties MOR album rock.

Worst of all are the cliches that have befallen many rock stars once they've found happiness in their personal lives. He's included his wife in the proceedings (just like Lennon and McCartney), he's written a boring song for his kid (just like Lennon, Paul Weller, Eric Clapton, etc.), and he's found Eastern-based religion and a guru and incorporated elements of both in his music (just like George Harrison). This is particularly disappointing, especially since David Sylvian has spent much of his solo career distancing himself from the usual pop/rock cliches - or at least incorporating them only on rare occasions, and only when using them gave the songs greater impact.

Finally, the patchwork quality of the album makes it less enjoyable as an overall experience. It's commendable that not every song sounds the same, but there does not seem to be even a consistent feel that unifies the album as a complete work. Sylvian has admitted that other things distracted his attention away from the music during the recording of this album; unfortunately, it shows.

The final verdict? Dead Bees On A Cake works quite well if you're just playing it in the background, at reduced volume, while you're doing something else - but it doesn't inspire the careful, attentive listening and total immersion of his earlier works.

Loved Japan, loved Brilliant Trees, Secrets of the Beehive and Rain Tree Crow, and love this album !

I bought this cd blindly because of the credit Mr. Sylvian has managed to build up in my cd-collection. Listening to Dead bees for the first time, only "I surrender" really managed to settle comfortably in my mind. But now, after playing it over and over again (15 times or so) I just can't get enough of the whole bloody album.

Why, Mr. Sylvian, do you have to come up with such brilliant music ? But please, do it some more!

"Dead Bees" is dead gorgeous.

This album has a little bit for everybody - bits of "Secrets of the Beehive", "Gone To Earth", and "Brilliant Trees", his 1980's solo albums, but with a more distinctive India influence. Parts are easy listening ("I Surrender", "Thalmide") and other parts are funky ("God Man"). Sylvian's wife Ingrid Chavez contributes beautifully spoken and sung vocals.

The sound is less dense than on previous recordings - almost sounding "open air" and freer than in the past. There are hints of sounds passing through the mix which you'll catch with repeated listenings.

I was worried because I'd read a couple of so-so reviews in a couple of music magazines. Don't believe them. If you liked Sylvian's 80's solo albums but with a more mature edge and sound, you'll like "Dead Bees On A Cake".

Personally and speaking only for myself, it's all very well made, he knows his little tweaks and fiddles by now, and I'm sure his guest musicians were all on his wavelength. But by gawd, what a crashing bore - there seems to be no sense of emotion here, just lovely little droning ditties to package the new-found emotional centering in. It seems like Sylvian keeps getting more and more interested in making perfect little soundscapes as a means to an end, instead of using the 'scapes as a means for connection to a listener. It is terribly dissapointing from the person who (helped) craft(ed) pieces like Blackwater, Heartbeat, the whole Beehive album, etc. He's turned into the Steely Dan of the Eno set.

Having discovered the music of Japan in the early 80's, I was not really prepared to hear the golden baritone of Sylvian's velvety voice. Through the years, I have grown to appreciate every well-thought note that goes into his music. Dead Bees on a Cake is some of the cleanest and sharpest recording he's ever done. His voice envelops you and takes over your senses. Lyrics are pensive, provoking and rich. Musically, genious.

The upright bass in Midnight Sun, just languishingly shuffling its way through the piece is the foundation for the mood set by Sylvian's tremolo voice.

The edgy guitar has its place in the black midnight sun and rightly so. The drums are never overdone, yet ambient enough to carry the whole instrumentation, especially the trumpet part in I Surrender.

Thalheim, ambient and rich, gives Sylvian a blank canvas on which he uses just the right colour to paint exactly what he wants. His voice is so smooth and commanding. Lyrically, its rich ochre and earthy browns come out in a myriad tones.

Sylvian's ability to integrate East Indian styles in Krishna Blue is evidence of his true talent and willingness to embrace other cultures and religions. He is an inventor, a master artist, a believer of his creation.

Café Europa is another well-paced masterpiece. At 7:00 minutes, the listener is taken on a journey of introspection, melancolic joy, a budddhist nothingness and therein lies the beauty. There's nothing to question... just take it in.

Wanderlust is a languishingly joyful piece, mirroring his discovery of new love and bliss. Again, the drums are omnipresent yet never overbearing... the ride carries you, the snare asserts and beckons you, the electric Rhodes is exquisite and tastefully sparse.

Praise is homage to one of Sylvian's mentors... using this old woman's improvised meditative song, he superimposes light layers of soundscape to highlight the honesty of true praise to Vishnu. Respectful and noble.

Finally, Darkest Dreaming is another of this painter's eloquent brushstrokes of genious. Harkening back to Gone to Earth, Sylvian's pleading voice is enough to open up your heart and rinse it clean of years of cobwebs. No matter how dark, he is finally letting the happiness in.

Dead Bees on a Cake is a true representation of talent, integrity and artful creation for the connoisseur of good music.

What a voice! "Dead Bees on a Cake" is my first David Sylvian experience and I am excited, intrigued and often smiling as I listen. It feels like walking out late at night, under a full moon, observing the sights and sounds - only put to music. I'm still getting to know these songs and feeling so pleased to have found out about him. Experienced Sylvian listeners out there, pls email me about what of his I should explore next!