Artificial Intelligence is the tenth solo studio album by the Welsh rock musician John Cale, released on 6 September 1985 by Beggars Banquet Records.

Background and recording

Artificial Intelligence was originally titled Black Rose. The title and some changes to the tracks delayed the album being released for five weeks. Having produced Nico's sixth and final studio album Camera Obscura (1985), Cale recorded this album in three weeks at Strongroom Studios with her backing band, the Faction, with a couple of additional musicians. The duo of Gill O'Donovan and Susie O'List who performed backing vocals on this album had previously performed backing vocals on tours with Eurythmics. Following the chaotic period during which the album (and the previous two) were recorded, John and Risé Irushalmi Cale's daughter Eden was born, which promptly caused Cale to kick his addictions to alcohol and cocaine, and to temporarily abandon recording studio albums and performing live in favour of other projects (until 1989's Words for the Dying).

Release

Artificial Intelligence was released on 6 September 1985 by Beggars Banquet Records. "Dying on the Vine" was released as a single in the UK and "Satellite Walk" (Remixed by Carl Beatty) in the UK and Germany. The otherwise unavailable instrumental track "Crash Course in Harmonics" on the B-side of "Dying on the Vine".

Critical reception

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Stewart Mason described the album as "an encouraging partial return to form." Trouser Press wrote: "Moody and contained, but energetic and occasionally stimulating, A.I. is a reasonable if unspectacular addition to Cale’s extensive catalogue."

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the Artificial Intelligence liner notes. Musicians Production and artwork