Seth Knappen, who once played guitar with The Multiple Cat, demonstrates his multiple talents in writing, arranging, singing, and playing everything from guitar to percussion, keyboards to clarinet. While assistance from Low's Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker on three tracks will bring this CD some deserved attention, the music itself is even more praiseworthy. Only a few songs make that connection audible, such as the vocal blend and measured tempo of "Mom Says" (originally a Low track) or "The Art in Loving." Significantly, these are not the tracks Sparhawk and Parker appear on, and the resemblance is subtle enough that I don't think I'd have thought of Low without the credits' cue. Sonically, Knappen tends to favor woody, clarinet-like analog synths as backdrop, and that sound makes the CD often reminiscent of Brian Eno's late seventies work, particularly Eno's slower songs and his collaboration with Cluster. Several tracks sound like a series of musical snapshots, frozen landscape moments in keeping with Eno's spatial aesthetic. A handful of tracks never emerge into vocals, and Knappen's arranging skill makes the listener forget to miss them. "The Nest Burns Up" is a prime example: synth and a flute-like Mellotron form the backdrop, a slightly distorted guitar provides the melody, and vibes punctuate occasionally, while Knappen expertly manipulates melody, harmony, and the various instruments so that the song's six-minute length never wears thin - even at its relatively placid pace. Although The Floating World is Knappen's show, Doug Miller (drums), Kim Murray (bass), and Todd Bowser (guitar and keys) provide intelligent, sympathetic support throughout. Darling (despite its rather generic name) has given us a CD full of beautiful, thoughtful, challenging, and fulfilling sounds.

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