Camphor cover

Camphor

David Sylvian · 2002

99 min · 17 tracks · jazz

Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with reflective melodies, creating a meditative journey through ambient textures and poignant themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    All of My Mother's Names Start here — This opening track establishes the album's meditative tone, blending haunting vocals with layered instrumentation that invites introspection.
  • →
    The Song Which Gives the Key to Perfection — This track showcases Sylvian's ability to fuse complex arrangements with lyrical depth, creating an atmospheric experience that epitomizes the album's essence.
  • →
    Plight (The Spiralling of Winter Ghosts) (excerpt) — The excerpt presents a captivating exploration of sound dynamics, featuring immersive textures that evoke a sense of drifting and melancholy.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with peaks
  • immersive meditative listening experience
  • introspective moments of reflection
  • dynamic exploration of soundscapes
  • subtle emotional depth throughout

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • seek straightforward, upbeat tempos

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Acclaimed for its sound design and emotional depth, influencing ambient music.
Themes
maternal legacy· winter ghosts
Career context
By the time 'Camphor' was released in 2002, David Sylvian was well-established as a solo artist following his tenure with Japan. This album arrived after his experimental work on 'Blemish' (2003), showcasing his continued evolution into avant-garde and ambient realms. With a career spanning over two decades, this release marked a deepening of his introspective style and thematic exploration.
Stylistic neighbors
Brian Eno· Mark Hollis· Ryuichi Sakamoto
New to David Sylvian? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 All of My Mother's Names Start here 6:06
  • 2 Red Earth (As Summertime Ends) 3:34
  • 3 Answered Prayers 2:45
  • 4 The Song Which Gives the Key to Perfection 5:52
  • 5 New Moon at Red Deer Wallow 5:14
  • 6 Praise (Pratah Smarami) 3:55
  • 7 Wave (version) 3:58
  • 8 Mother and Child (remix) 4:03
  • 9 Plight (The Spiralling of Winter Ghosts) (exerpt) 2:30
  • 10 Upon This Earth 4:14
  • 11 Big Wheels in Shanty Town 6:56
  • 12 The Healing Place 4:52
  • 13 Camphor 3:10
  • 14 A Brief Conversation Ending in Divorce 3:27

Disc 2

  • 1 Plight (The Spiralling of Winter Ghosts) 16:35
  • 2 Mutability (A New Beginning Is in the Offing) 5:31
  • 3 Premonition (Giant Empty Iron Vessel) 16:34

What to play next

Blemish
Listen next

Blemish

2003

Continues the introspective and ambient exploration with a more experimental edge.
Everything and Nothing
Go back to

Everything and Nothing

2000

Sets the stage with similar reflective themes and soundscapes leading into 'Camphor'.
Full David Sylvian discography Where to start with David Sylvian Artists like David Sylvian
jazz new wave

If this landed

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata