No-Man

Introduction

No-Man is Steven Wilson (instrumentals) and Tim Bowness (vocals). See also Bass Communion (Wilson) and Henry Fool (Bowness).

Flowermouth

by No-Man

Released 1993
Label: 3rd Stone
Catalogue: stone 045CD

[ Reviewed September 2002 ]

I bought thus album partly on the strength of a rave magazine review and partly because of who's on it. As well as the main two players (Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree and Bass Communion), we also get a supporting cast of the highest calibre including Robert Fripp, Ian Carr, Richard Barbieri, Mel Collins, Chris Maitland and Steve Jansen. How could you go wrong with this line-up?

The album is made up of slow to medium-paced songs about affairs of the heart sung by Bowness in his inimitable (or maybe imitable) style. See the Henry Fool review for my reservations about his singing. The lyrics are by Bowness as well and you may find them a bit simplistic. I have to say that the majority of the music is simply gorgeous and the themes visit you in quiet moments. From the outset, the first track angel gets caught... treats you to 10 minutes of heaven. It features Ian Carr on muted trumpet, Robert Fripp on solo guitar and frippertronics, Silas Maitland's exquisite fretless bass, and a lovely Mel Collins saxophone solo. (I once spoke to Steven Wilson who told me that he had worked with RF who was "expensive but worth it". Oh yes.)

A fair proportion of the tracks feature a drum-machine backing beat with the rest of the team playing over the top. Some of the electronic beats sound fine as they're emulating a real drummer, but unfortunately some of them already sound dated to my ears, especially on teardrop fall. Bear in mind that this was recorded in 1993. Other high points: watching over me has some nice acoustic percussion from Jansen and lovely guitar playing by Wilson. simple features some great backing vocals by Lisa Gerard before RF lets rip on solo guitar, ending with a short soundscapes session. The final track things change rounds off the album with another classic that really rocks to Maitland's drums and Wilson's distorted guitar solo.

In summary this album has moments of greatness that easily live up to the review I read. It is flawed in a couple of ways but so what.

Tracks:

1. angel gets caught in the beaulty trap 10:34
2. you grow more beautiful 5:27
3. animal ghost 6:11
4. soft shoulders 7:50
5. shell of a fighter 4:38
6. teardrop fall 4:38
7. watching over me 4:47
8. simple 7:02
9. things change 7:35

total time 58:08

Tracks:
1.	angel gets caught in the beaulty trap	10:34
2.	you grow more beautiful	5:27
3.	animal ghost	6:11
4.	soft shoulders	7:50
5.	shell of a fighter	4:38
6.	teardrop fall	4:38
7.	watching over me	4:47
8.	simple	7:02
9.	things change	7:35
	total time	58:08

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