Words for the Dying

Released in 1989, Words for the Dying represents a major pivot for John Cale, moving away from the aggressive art-punk and synth-pop of his early 80s output toward a formalist, neo-classical approach. The centerpiece of the album is 'The Falklands Suite,' a song cycle setting the poetry of Dylan Thomas to music as a response to the 1982 Falklands War. Recorded in Moscow with the Soviet State Symphony Orchestra during the waning days of the Cold War, the production by Brian Eno lends the record a characteristic 'ambient' depth and clarity. The album also includes 'Songs Without Words,' which showcase Cale's minimalist piano style, and 'The Soul of Carmen Miranda,' a track that hints at his future electronic interests. Critically, it is often cited as Cale's most successful fusion of his classical upbringing and his modern sensibilities, receiving high praise from contemporaries like Lou Reed.