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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
Released	February 1987
Recorded	April–May 1986
Studio	Square One, Bury Good Earth, London
Genre	Art pop Progressive pop
Length	40:03
Label	Virgin
Producer	Mick Karn Steve Jansen
Mick Karn chronology
Titles (1982) Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters (1987) Bestial Cluster (1993)
Singles from Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters
"Buoy" Released: 5 January 1987[1]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
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 provides vocals on "Buoy" and "When Love Walks In", which were two of the three songs that feature vocals on the album (with the other being "Answer" which features a choir and ensemble). Sylvian also co-wrote these two songs and also provided additional keyboards on "Land". Jansen co-produced the album with Karn as well as playing it as writing "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 that the album "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

Personnel

Musicians

• Mick Karn – bass, keyboards, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, accordion, dida, drums, percussion, flute, backing vocals
• Steve Jansen – keyboards, drums, percussion, backing vocals
• David Sylvian – vocals (3, 6), additional keyboards (4)
• Eric Willian – E-flat trumpet (1), French horn (5)
• Paul Jones – harmonica
• Bury Church School Choir – choir (8)
• Keith Williams Music Ensemble – ensemble (8)

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

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