Just like their Time Considered compilation of BBC sessions, Unravelled is an indispensable, fresh look at this fabulous group. This time it's more recent vintage -- 1993 Dutch radio -- radical acoustic reworkings of songs old and new, "plus an extra three-track fully plugged session." The first nine cuts are stripped down to the barest essentials, mostly My Mind's Eye songs. Stephen Fellows' mature tunes and soulful singing carry the day even more assuredly than when backed by full-on echo guitar and super bass/drums, as evidenced by tinkling looks at Field of Tall Flowers and Beautiful Monster. Even better, old ones from their 1979-1982 glory period sound as piercing as ever. A cover of the Rolling Stones' Citadel is better realized than the 1985 version, and Cutting Edge, a cut from their "rock comeback" Chasing Shadows -- after a decent but ill-advised two-LP dance-pop period that's ignored here (fine with us) -- turns out to be the most stirring number "unravelled," the piano as luxuriant as if you were sitting on the stool next to Andy Peake. There's also the fine SS100X (nice riff), and the three "fully plugged" ones cap things off in furious fashion, the stunning My Mind's Eye beaten to a red pulp, and Driving and Shiva Descending as big as a bonfire. If you don't have My Mind's Eye, their best LP since Fiction, that's cheaper and easier to find by virtue of its U.S. release on Caroline. After that, Time Considered and Unravelled are as crucial, some of the most intense listening demanded of anyone. ~ Jack Rabid, Rovi

1		After the Rain
2		Always Near
3		Beautiful Monster
4		The Cutting Edge
5		Field of Tall Flowers
6		SS100X
7		Our Secret
8		Storm of Change
9		Citadel
10		Driving
11		My Mind's Eye
12		Shiva Descending

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