Tim Buckley's work was always challenging, and one can chart its development from the superbly crafted singer-songwriter folk of his debut to the increasingly bold and exploratory forms of his later records. While a growing jazz influence can be heard on earlier albums like HAPPY SAD, those tendencies come to full fruition on STARSAILOR, which embraced the radical avant garde aspects of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. On several tracks the singer largely eschews melody, giving full rein to his astonishing range, turning his voice into a wholly new expressive instrument by letting it stretch with passionate intensity.
Yet STARSAILOR has moments of equally subtle and lovely melancholia, no more so than on "Song To The Siren" (a tune later popularized by This Mortal Coil). Supported only by muted electric guitar and eerie sound effects, Buckley sings with heartfelt emotion, resulting in one of his finest performances. The contrast between its ethereal atmosphere and the dense textures elsewhere make for an enthralling, intense collection.
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Pop
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