Snow Borne Sorrow

Nine Horses (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 2005)
• Original Release Date: October 13, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Samadhi Sound
• ASIN: B000B8GUGO
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,199 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Snow Borne Sorrow is released under the name Nine Horses, but make no mistake--this is a David Sylvian CD, his best in two decades. After the dislocated dissonance of Blemish, Sylvian returns to songs and melody, recalling the jazz and ambient inflected work of earlier CDs like and Secrets of the Beehive. But far from retrenching, Sylvian expands on his earlier themes with electronica rhythms and textures from his brother, drummer Steve Jansen, and electronica artist Burnt Friedman from Flanger. Their efforts lend Sylvian's often bleak and forlorn songs a dark, film noir mood. In particular, the opening track, "Wonderful World," is like a counterpoint to the Louis Armstrong favorite, with a menacing 6/8 groove and the disembodied Greek chorus of Stina Nordenstam. Songs of regret and loss are sung in Sylvian's smooth chocolate croon, a voice bathed in melancholy. Although Sylvian always seems like an artist in turmoil, he's gone through many changes in the last year, from spiritual awakening to marriage and divorce from singer Ingrid Chavez. His previous CD, the dissonant and angular Blemish, was supposed to be part of his grieving process, but he's clearly not over it yet. But this time, his laments are suffused by intoxicating melodies and detailed, probing arrangements. --John Diliberto

Product Description
Probably the most commercial release that David Sylvian has ever been involved with, Nine Horses still manages to sound unlike any other album out there at the moment. Breaking boundaries, fusing styles and yet delivering beautiful pop melodies and stunning vocals on songs that Sylvian fans everywhere are bound to fall in love with. Nine Horses brings together Sylvian, his brother Steve Jansen (ex-Japan), and the well respected Burnt Friedman and they have created a suite of remarkably poignant songs that are part social commentary and part self-analysis. Sylvian and his collaborators have never sounded better nor the material more immediate. Other guest contributors include: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Stina Nordenstam, Arve Henriksen and many more. Samadhi Sound. 2005.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Something new from Sylvian and company., October 27, 2005

By	Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

David Sylvian has been as of late full of surprises. 2003's "Blemish" found Sylvian experimenting with minimalism, electronic noise, feedback, and loops, a brilliant and personal album. His latest effort, a collaboration with brother Steve Jansen and Burnt Friedman under the name Nine Horses, is quite the opposite.

In many ways, "Snow Borne Sorrow" is as much a logical successor to "Secrets of the Beehive" as "Dead Bees on a Cake". Or perhaps better still, it feels like the child of the unreleased "Little Girls With 99 Lives" material (some of which saw the light of day as b-sides to 'Dead Bees' singles) and 'Beehive'-- keeping the jazz-tinged sound and textures of the former but eschewing lush textures in favor of a '99 Lives'-like modern noir sound. In better words, its sort of like a modern, loose take on Sylvian's jazz-infected composition.

At its best, the pieces have an unnatural energy to them, from the loping bass of opener "Wonderful World" to the guitar-driven "Darkest Birds" or the bizarrely folky-filtered through Miles Davis "The Day the Earth Stole Heaven". But at times, the album seems to overreach, primarily in a couple overlong pieces as the title track and closer "The Librarian", neither of which particularly go anywhere. But on the other hand, something like "Atom and Cell" feels like a lifeless harmony-laden pop song that somehow manages to wholly captivate.

All in all, I find this a pretty mixed record-- at times satisfying, at times I lost interest. Then again, I didn't get "Blemish" at first, so maybe I'll change my mind in a dozen more listens. There's enough here to keep me coming back, but not enough to get me raving about it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent., December 2, 2005

By	Mark Evans "Cloudmover" (Jamaica, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It all came together on this CD for David Sylvian. Vocally and lyrically I think this is Sylvian's best work since "Secrets of the Beehive." His baritone is confident and powerful and his lyrics are memorable, smart and melodic. The delicate jazz-inflected arrangements by Steve Jansen, Burnt Friedman, David Sylvian and others support the unconventional song structures and give the songs room to breathe and evolve over time.

This is one of those rare albums that get BETTER each time you play it.

I can't recommend this CD enough.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Return to Joy, October 31, 2005

By	Brooke Oates "Tin Bird" (VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow...calling all Sylvian fans. this album is a true classic. For me it's an extension of the best tracks from Dead Bees...ie Thalheim, Wanderlust mixed with the lyrical poetry (not the minimal music) of Blemish. Full on sound production, very much in the Sylvian electro/jazz tinged/Eastern influenced style. Jansen's drumming is spot - on (as always) and there are some new elements, choir-like backing vocals, full blown uptempo chorus that could pass as a Depeche Mode crowd pleaser (Darkest Birds). this is absolutely Sylvian's best work since Beehive. A classic record that will grow in stature as more folks find out about it. That Sylvian is still somewhat unknown is both a crime and a delight. those of us in the know have our own little secret. if you ever have enjoyed any of Sylvian's work, you must own this album. Peace.