David Sylvian and Robert Fripp are a *musical* match made in heaven. Coupling Mr. Sylvian's considerable compositional and vocal talents with Mr. Fripp's guitar led to this result and it is so sweet.

This is, musically, as back to basics (a place Mr. Fripp isn't even from!) rock music as it gets. Guitars layered, soaring and searing throughout, this is one long energy fest with few let ups. But not the noise for noise's sake kind of energy, this energy is borne of familiar yet fresh licks, rendered with the sense of purpose only those in Mr. Fripp's league (and there aren't many) can muster. Even the 17 minute plus Darshan, essentially one long riff against a rock steady rhythm, somehow avoids being boring. How do they do it?

More popular among the followers of Mr. Sylvian is the subsequent release "Damage", which was recorded live and contains all of the material on this record plus more, but I prefer "The First Day". The studio production lends that last bit of polish that really makes these songs work.