Current 93 – Black Ships Ate The Sky

This one needs a reissue! Probably a few others will come first, but...

It's time to repress this gem of an album. Pretty please.

This is one of those albums that I have to wonder, did I just listen to it tons of times when it came out, or how did I come to feel so intimately about it? It is challenging just like all the other 93 albums, but with a special grace: People who like noise/outsider music/experimental music can point to fine examples here--those who are purists of song and style can detect all kinds of classical/folk/pop content here (including the guest singers). Still the first incarnation of artistic passion here, right before moving to another body as David became a focused academic and visual artist in the coming years.

To me, this album will forever be suffused with summer heat, the acoustics of a porch on a very hot summer night--then waking, frantically driving an hour at hot 7 am in Texas to make my summer-session Roman History class on time.

Current 93’s 2000s albums are generally regarded as inferior to their 1900s ones…however 2006’s ’Black Ships Ate the Sky’ is a glaring exception, and in fact would probably get my vote for their best album ever.

Melding the dreamlike stream of consciousness of later releases with the musical power of the Cashmore-era stuff, ‘Black Ships’ is an exceptionally realised work of art.

The first track (with Marc Almond) lasts 03:28, not 03:22 - can anyone confirm this?
It also seems to be the same version as the so-called alternative version
on the companion album "Black Ships Eat The Sky" - although stated otherwise ...

He should do what he wants to do. This is a great album, not just within the C93 offerings, but in the world of recorded music at large. Overhyped? Seriously?

A decent offering from C93, a bit overhyped, but still an interesting piece of mystical, apocalyptic music. Tibet should more frequently, and more often, invite his allies to sing his lyrics, therefore making the record more digestible, just like this one. He should also take more courage in departing from his usual jingle-jungle on a distorted guitar, and moaning poetic nonsenses like a medieval bard. His way is a bit more free here, which at the same time makes the album way more interesting and magnetic. Still though, it's C93 - bear that in mind.