THEN AND NOW
If you have read my annotations about Art Attack and Rhyme, you might say I just hate MWPs solo releases. But let me tell you about Spirit Level then.
I consider Spirit Level a major masterpiece, and my second favourite solo release.
My first encounter with SL was "Luscious Ghost" on a cassette someone somewhere made for me. It was just a half of it, because L.G. was the filler track for the end. I knew the first minute and it made me go to the next record store and insist on ordering Spirit Level for me. This was the beginning of a love affair.
I took it home (oh, the time on the bus, between the purchase, the unpacking and pressing the play button...) and i had lots to look at. The transparent green Ryko jewel case. The quality paper booklet. The beautiful cosy sleeve design. Lots of things to read, think about, consider... Carefully written "who plays what" line-ups (i love them. they show the respect of the main villain to his henchmen. Michael Blair?= Heard that somewhere... yeah...old acquaintances..), candles, skeletons. Wow. Big "wow"!
Spirit Level reached a degree of sonic perfection that has been rarely reached. I can only compare it to "Automatic For The People", "Spirit Of Eden" when it comes to sonic perfection (but in comparison, AFTP is quite muddy). Each note is delivered with love and passion. No more "experimental tracks" on this one, but an essence from everything that was good on the first two ones. I use to listen to S.L. in one session or not at all. I light a candle, take some tea, and enjoy. It's full of strong melodies, lyrics, emotion and...sound.
The pacing, the dramaturgy of the songs is immaculate - starting with the finest pop song to find on any solo record ("I Can't Cry"), leaving on an almost-kitschy, but brilliant note ("Melts My Heart") that is no definitive ending. How MWP blends chamber pop with hard edges. And even a rocker like Luscious Ghost is actually handled like chamber music, so everything is clear, transparent and organic. This is craftsmanship everyone should admire. It's the record of a man in love with notes and words. It keeps the promise of Art Attack and Rhyme.
While it might be not the best solo record (my personal prize goes to the ragged, incoherent Remindlessness), it is definitely the most masterful.
I did not change my opinion on this one since 1992. I take it out in autumn only. The rest of the year, this CD slumbers in my kitchen, in the cake-baking spice box between the cinnamon and the cardamom (honestly). When I take it out to play it, the room smells like cinnamon.
If you have read my annotations about Art Attack and Rhyme, you might say I just hate MWPs solo releases. But let me tell you about Spirit Level then.
I consider Spirit Level a major masterpiece, and my second favourite solo release.
My first encounter with SL was "Luscious Ghost" on a cassette someone somewhere made for me. It was just a half of it, because L.G. was the filler track for the end. I knew the first minute and it made me go to the next record store and insist on ordering Spirit Level for me. This was the beginning of a love affair.
I took it home (oh, the time on the bus, between the purchase, the unpacking and pressing the play button...) and i had lots to look at. The transparent green Ryko jewel case. The quality paper booklet. The beautiful cosy sleeve design. Lots of things to read, think about, consider... Carefully written "who plays what" line-ups (i love them. they show the respect of the main villain to his henchmen. Michael Blair?= Heard that somewhere... yeah...old acquaintances..), candles, skeletons. Wow. Big "wow"!
Spirit Level reached a degree of sonic perfection that has been rarely reached. I can only compare it to "Automatic For The People", "Spirit Of Eden" when it comes to sonic perfection (but in comparison, AFTP is quite muddy). Each note is delivered with love and passion. No more "experimental tracks" on this one, but an essence from everything that was good on the first two ones. I use to listen to S.L. in one session or not at all. I light a candle, take some tea, and enjoy. It's full of strong melodies, lyrics, emotion and...sound.
The pacing, the dramaturgy of the songs is immaculate - starting with the finest pop song to find on any solo record ("I Can't Cry"), leaving on an almost-kitschy, but brilliant note ("Melts My Heart") that is no definitive ending. How MWP blends chamber pop with hard edges. And even a rocker like Luscious Ghost is actually handled like chamber music, so everything is clear, transparent and organic. This is craftsmanship everyone should admire. It's the record of a man in love with notes and words. It keeps the promise of Art Attack and Rhyme.
While it might be not the best solo record (my personal prize goes to the ragged, incoherent Remindlessness), it is definitely the most masterful.
I did not change my opinion on this one since 1992. I take it out in autumn only. The rest of the year, this CD slumbers in my kitchen, in the cake-baking spice box between the cinnamon and the cardamom (honestly). When I take it out to play it, the room smells like cinnamon.
