Snow Borne Sorrow is released under the name Nine Horses, but make no mistake--this is a David Sylvian CD, his best in two decades. After the dislocated dissonance of Blemish, Sylvian returns to songs and melody, recalling the jazz and ambient inflected work of earlier CDs like and Secrets of the Beehive. But far from retrenching, Sylvian expands on his earlier themes with electronica rhythms and textures from his brother, drummer Steve Jansen, and electronica artist Burnt Friedman from Flanger. Their efforts lend Sylvian's often bleak and forlorn songs a dark, film noir mood. In particular, the opening track, "Wonderful World," is like a counterpoint to the Louis Armstrong favorite, with a menacing 6/8 groove and the disembodied Greek chorus of Stina Nordenstam. Songs of regret and loss are sung in Sylvian's smooth chocolate croon, a voice bathed in melancholy. Although Sylvian always seems like an artist in turmoil, he's gone through many changes in the last year, from spiritual awakening to marriage and divorce from singer Ingrid Chavez. His previous CD, the dissonant and angular Blemish, was supposed to be part of his grieving process, but he's clearly not over it yet. But this time, his laments are suffused by intoxicating melodies and detailed, probing arrangements. --John Diliberto