Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS & RELATED ARTICLES

Uncut DECEMBER 2005 - by Mick Houghton

JOHN CALE: WORDS FOR THE DYING

Eno-assisted classical detour from '89.

Much of Cale's '80s output was directionless. But he ended the decade with a renewed sense of innovation and purpose, collaborating with Lou Reed on the stark Songs For Drella, and restating his classical credentials on this album, aided by Brian Eno. lts core is the six-part The Falkland Suite, the orchestral arrangements for which are both dramatic and moving, though Cale's cumbersome attempt to incorporate Dylan Thomas' imagery buckles under the weight of its ambition.The highlight is The Soul Of Carmen Miranda, a delightfully arcane slice of avant-garde pop.