David Sylvian - Camphor (2002)

Sylvian's downward spiral continues with this pointless collection of instrumental dirge. Originally meant to be a companion to Everything and Nothing, only one of calculating means could pass off "New Moon at Red Deer Wallow" as a musician's track. Pieces worth hearing like "Blue of Noon" and all those missing from the instrumental part of "Gone to Earth" (only released in Japan and as part of Weatherbox) thus remain out of reach. The best pieces here are better served on their respective albums ("Gone to Earth," "Rain Tree Crow"). Buying this album just for the few new pieces, such as a "Mother and Child" remix, Camphor itself seems hardly worth it. Best then to hang on for the reissues of the first three albums, which may include the missing links.