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Spleen and Ideal
World · 1985 · 9 tracks

Spleen and Ideal

Dead Can Dance

A transition from gothic rock into a monastic, neoclassical world. Heavy with timpani, cellos, and liturgical reverb that feels ancient and subterranean.

November 25, 1985 · MG Records (2)

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A profound, ritualistic solemnity that balances intellectual rigor with emotional haunting.

Tracklist · 9 Tracks
01
De profundis (Out of the Depths of Sorrow)
4:00
02
Ascension
3:06
03
Circumradiant Dawn
3:17
04
The Cardinal Sin
5:29
05
Mesmerism
3:54
06
Enigma of the Absolute
4:14
07
Advent
5:19
08
Avatar
4:35
09
Indoctrination (A Design for Living)
4:13
Moments Worth Listening For
The booming timpani entrance on 'De Profundis' that signals the band's shift from rock to ritual.
Lisa Gerrard's wordless, soaring vocal ascent during the climax of 'Mesmerism'.
The way the mechanical drum machine pulse on 'Indoctrination' contrasts with the organic, mournful brass.
Reviews
AllMusic
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Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Spleen and Ideal sound next to the rest of Dead Can Dance's catalogue?

Cello+2.0σ

The instrumentation foregrounds cello far more than the catalogue usually does.

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