Now free of his straining relationship within Japan, David Sylvian began to etch out his own eclectic spot within pop music in the 80's. He had already began flirting with distant musical influences on Japan's final album Tin Drum, but Brilliant Trees marked an even larger step towards the strange. Alongside an eye-opening set of collaborators (Holger Czukay of CAN fame, Ryuichi Sakamoto of YMO fame, acclaimed Zappa and Roxy Music producer Steve Nye), David brought in elements of jazz, funk and ambient music to create a varied yet incredibly punchy debut record which perfectly balanced the line between accessible and experimental.
Side A is noticeably catchier and more packed in terms of instrumentation; opener "Pulling Punches" throws in a slapped bassline alongside blasts of synths to create this groove-heavy banger grounded by Sylvian's impeccable vocal melodies. "Red Guitar" was a relatively big hit and understandably so, the track is filled with so much energy thanks to a jumpy piano line and a killer hook. The other cuts on this first half are slower ballads, but they further display the talents of each piece involved. The production and mixing shines so perfectly on "Nostalgia" where the whole moment is so well balanced and pleasant from the crisp drum hits to the soothing bed of synths that act as a perfect groundwork for Sylvian's gorgeous vocals and contemplative lyrics.
Whilst the second side is much more loose and experimental, it is no less grabbing. Here we have a stronger focus on textures and soundscapes which would become the backbone of his future work. I will say that these moments maybe drag on a little too long for me, but there's still a ton to enjoy, especially thanks to the interesting trumpet manipulations on "Weathered Wall" and "Brilliant Trees", and Ryuichi's ever-gorgeous synthesisers. We still do get incredible stand-out moments like the closer, which uses so little instrumentation compared to those first few tracks, yet it holds so much emotionality and tensity from what it has. That's just how incredible the individual talents shine through on this record and how well they mesh together.
Whilst David would continue down the path of making each record more ambitious than the last, this record has to be highlighted as a real feat within the world of pop music. Not only a one-of-a-kind listen, but a record that will have you coming back thanks to its power as a pop record.
Track listing
1. "Pulling Punches" - 5:02
2. "The Ink in the Well" - 4:30
3. "Nostalgia" - 5:41
4. "Red Guitar" - 5:09
5. "Weathered Wall" (Sylvian, Jon Hassell) - 5:44
6. "Backwaters" - 4:52
7. "Brilliant Trees" (Sylvian, Hassell) - 8:39
All tracks are written by David Sylvian, except as noted.
Personnel
- David Sylvian – lead vocals, guitar, piano (treated), tapes, synthesizer, percussion instruments
- Steve Jansen – drums, synthesizer, percussion
- Holger Czukay – French horn, voice, guitar, dictaphone.
- Wayne Braithwaite – bass guitar
- Ronny Drayton – guitar
- Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
- Danny Thompson – double bass
- Kenny Wheeler – flugelhorn
- Phil Palmer – guitar
- Steve Nye – synthesizer
- Ryuichi Sakamoto – synthesizer, piano
- Mark Isham – trumpet
- Jon Hassell – trumpet
Production
- Yuka Fujii – photography
- David Sylvian – producer for Klangfarben Productions, mixing assistant
- Steve Nye – record producer for Klangfarben Productions, sound engineer, audio mixing
- P. Williams – sound engineer, mixing assistant mixer
- Nigel Walker – mixing tracks
Notes
Released: 25 June 1984
Recorded: 1983–1984, London, Berlin Studio Hansa Tonstudio, Berlin, Germany
Genre: Art rock, avant-pop
Length: 39:37
Label - Virgin Records
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