Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters

Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters is the second solo studio album by Mick Karn, released in February 1987. It peaked at number 89 on the UK Albums Chart.[3]

Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters
Studio album by
Mick Karn
ReleasedFebruary 1987
RecordedApril–May 1986
Studio
Genre
Length40:03
LabelVirgin
Producer
Mick Karn chronology
Titles
(1982)		 Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters
(1987)		 Bestial Cluster
(1993)
Singles from Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters
  1. "Buoy"
    Released: 5 January 1987[1]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Release and reception

After the release of his debut solo album, Titles, Karn wanted to prove that he was a composer and more than just a bass player. Therefore, on Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters, there isn't much bass guitar. However, he later thought there should have been more bass on the album and described it as the weakest album he made.[4]

The album features two of his former Japan bandmates, David Sylvian and Steve Jansen. Sylvian co-wrote and provided vocals on "Buoy" and "When Love Walks In", two of three songs that feature vocals on the album, along with "Answer" which features a choir and ensemble. Sylvian also provided additional keyboards on "Land". Jansen co-produced the album with Karn, and also wrote "Land".[5]

"Buoy" was released as a single in January 1987. It featured "Dreams of Reason" as the B-side and "Language of Ritual" as the second 12-inch single B-side.[6] The single peaked at number 63 on the UK Singles Chart.[3]

Reviewing for New Musical Express, Len Brown was "far from satisfied" with the album, describing it as "by and large an instrumental work; a neo-classical affair; a movie soundtrack in need of images or at least explanations", with several songs "really [amounting] to unaffecting, repetitive ramblings, lacking focus or real direction". However, he did describe "Buoy" as "one clear moment of beauty" that "towers above everything else" on the album.[7] Carole Linfield for Music Week wrote that the album "does touch briefly on the esoteric beauty of Karn's former group Japan", but, "though both acceptable and professional, remains firmly planted in the ambient section. Which is no mean feat, but it's failing is really in the fact that the best track by far is the single".[8]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Mick Karn, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."First Impression" 5:11
2."Language of Ritual" 5:39
3."Buoy"Karn, David Sylvian4:57
4."Land"Steve Jansen4:25
5."The Three Fates" 4:14
6."When Love Walks In"Karn, Sylvian6:18
7."Dreams of Reason" 3:48
8."Answer" 5:29
Total length:40:03

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

  • Femi Jiya – engineer, mixing
  • Mick Karn – mixing, arrangement, producer, inner sleeve artwork
  • Steve Jansen – mixing, arrangement, producer
  • Andy Mason – assistant mixing
  • David Grow – design
  • Richard Haughton – cover photo
  • Delicia Burnell – album coordinator

Charts
Chart (1987) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[3] 89

References
  1. "News digest" (PDF). Record Mirror. 20 December 1986. p. 13. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  2. "Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  3. "Mick Karn | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  4. Innerviews. "Mick Karn - Sculpting Sound". Innerviews: Music Without Borders. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  5. Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters (booklet). Virgin. 1987. CDV 2389.
  6. Mick Karn Featuring David Sylvian - Buoy, retrieved 2022-02-13
  7. Brown, Len (21 February 1987). "Mick Karn: Dreams Of Reason Produce Monsters (Virgin)". New Musical Express – via Rock's Backpages.
  8. "Album reviews" (PDF). Music Week. 21 February 1987. p. 18. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
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