soft black stars
Allegedly, this album is a disappointment for some Current 93 listeners, both for its overwhelming beauty and aesthetics as well as for its simplicity and invariant style of music. On this album however, as before though not so drastically, Tibet turns both of these factors to his benefit.The music is played all through the album merely with the accompaniment of the piano, and some very few silent strings on the background. These lovely simple compositions have been contributed by Michael Cashmore to create a worthy background for Tibet's poetry and recital. In addition to Cashmore and Steven Stapleton, there are quite a few musicians present on the album.
Lyrically the album is the most magnificent work of Tibet to date. The themes of the songs (the theme of the album being more or less the same) are still the same with Tibet as always: childhood; Christ and misery; tragic romance. But as always, from a different point of view. His way of singing (or reciting) has always had a great effect on us, but it seems the older he gets, the more weight and depth his voice gains. Thus, the more intense effect it has.
The album presents yet another side of Tibet unknown to us before. The cover artworks are his own paintings (apparently he likes to use crayons). Needless to say, the paintings are just beautiful. His style is very innocent and child-like. His technique of painting is very unorthodox and because of that he most likely would not be chosen as the painter of the year by the board of academic critics. But seldom have we seen paintings with a stronger message and effect.
We would like to make it clear to everyone that this is the best piece of work from Current 93 yet. The overall package is very powerful. This is what art is at its best.
soft black stars