Falling halfway between the modern R&B of Introducing the Hardline and the extravagant Neither Fish nor Flesh, Symphony or Damn is Terence Trent D'Arby's most ambitious album yet. It's also his best, because it takes the fine songwriting of his debut and melds it to the sonic excesses of Fish. Sure, some of it is embarrassing (it's hard not to cringe during the "Welcome to My Monasteryo" declaration at the beginning of the album), but more often than not, D'Arby's experimentations succeed, and succeed grandly, at that.

Outpacing both Prince and Lenny Kravitz as a dilettante with artistic pretensions and retro leanings, Terence Trent D'Arby comes up with a mix 'n' match assortment of college rock, coy Brit pop, sweet soul music, acoustic tearjerkers, and left-of-center dance-floor jams. It hangs together as a cohesive work of art - and a collection of top-notch songs - making Symphony or Damn a must-hear.

Tracklist:

Part I - Confrontation

01. Welcome To My Monasteryo (0:31)
02. She Kissed Me (3:40)
03. Do You Love Me Like You Say ? (5:31)
04. Baby Let Me Share My Love (3:57)
05. Delicate (4:16)
06. Neon Messiah (3:55)
07. Penelope Please (3:08)
08. Wet Your Lips (4:15)
09. Turn The Page (6:07)

Part II - Reconciliation

10. Castilian Blue (5:15)
11. 'T.I.T.S.'/'F&J' (3:30)
12. Are You Happy ? (3:55)
13. Succumb To Me (5:14)
14. I Still Love You (2:16)
15. Seasons (5:37)
16. Let Her Down Easy (4:07)