Call Upon The Author

Long time coming is an understatement, Ark is the second solo album from the former Dead Can Dance man and is the follow up to 1999’s ‘The Eye Of The Hunter’. This is truly a solo album in every respect, recorded in his own studio and written and performed solely by him this is both liberating and limiting in the overall results.
More lyrically direct than his Dead Can Dance work, Ark incorporates spiritual and political themes and there are more than a couple of tracks aimed squarely at the current Middle East conflicts and those affected by the war (‘Babylon’ and ‘The Bogus Man’). At times the lyrics can perhaps be a little to clichéd, especially on ‘Bogus Man’ with its ‘Politician, model citizen, politician, blind ambition’ refrain, however this is only a minor complaint.
Clocking in at 55 minutes for just 8 tracks, there is no concession made to the radio friendly, 3 minute commercial radio filler here. Perry has a song to sing and a message to convey and he’ll do it in his own time.
Only occasionally outstaying their welcome (‘Inferno’), this is an approach that not only works but feels defiant in these manufactured times. The greatest strength comes from Perry’s vocals, anyone familiar with Dead Can Dance will already be aware of the warmth and depth he possess, at times it almost feels like he will start crooning.
The standout track has to be ‘Utopia’ drenched in strings and with Perry’s voice captivating; this is the pivotal track on the album and is beautiful.
Sitting somewhere alongside The Cure or Depeche Mode at their darkest or even at times Moby, Ark will no doubt be worth the wait for many DCD/Perry fans. Even though it probably goes against the grain of ‘pop culture’ in the year 2010 and is unlikely to prick the consciousness of the general public this is an album that deserves to be heard by a wider audience. Give it a try.