Dead Can Dance – Spleen And Ideal

Spleen and Ideal is the second studio album by Dead Can Dance, released on November 25, 1985.

This work marks the band's transition from a post-punk and gothic aesthetic to a more neoclassical and dark wave sound. The group moves away from guitars in favor of instruments like cello, trombone, and timpani, creating a solemn and almost liturgical atmosphere. The lyrics are inspired by poets such as Charles Baudelaire and Thomas de Quincey, reflecting themes of melancholy and transcendence. The album is widely acclaimed by critics and is considered a milestone in the band's sonic evolution.