Ark
Brendan Perry · 2010
55 min · 8 tracks · ethereal wave
A haunting blend of ethereal soundscapes and layered vocals that transport listeners to otherworldly realms.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Babylon — The opening track sets the tone with rich textures and a compelling narrative that draws listeners into Perry's sonic world.
-
→
Wintersun — This song showcases Perry's ability to blend traditional instrumentation with modern production techniques, creating a timeless feel.
-
→
Crescent — With its expansive structure and emotional depth, this track encapsulates the thematic essence of the album while highlighting Perry's vocal range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong composition and craft, with distinctive ethereal soundscapes that reward repeat listens.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow build in 'Babylon', layering strings and vocals that create a dense atmosphere.
- Each track features intricate vocal harmonies, often with Perry's voice layered multiple times to enhance the ethereal quality.
- The pacing shifts notably in 'Inferno', where the tempo increases before returning to a more subdued pace in 'This Boy'.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation, such as chimes and drones, which contribute to the otherworldly sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- immersive journey through shadows
- haunting vocals for deep focus
- reflective moments of solitude
- gradual unfolding of themes
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of quick gratification
- prefer upbeat, energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2010, Ark marked Brendan Perry's first solo album since the disbandment of Dead Can Dance in 1998. This album came after a lengthy hiatus for Perry, who had spent years exploring various musical directions and influences, leading to a more personal and introspective work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lisa Gerrard· Dead Can Dance· Cocteau Twins
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Babylon 6:08
- 2 The Bogus Man 6:11
- 3 Wintersun 6:02
- 4 Utopia 5:56
- 5 Inferno 6:38
- 6 This Boy 6:59
- 7 The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 7:35
- 8 Crescent 9:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.