/ Words with the Shaman, which included the three part EP "Words with the Shaman" as bonus tracks; these songs were also included on the cassette-only album Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities. In 2003, a remastered limited digipak version of Brilliant Trees was released. In 2006 it was reissued in a standard jewel-case. The album cover for both releases was altered to a cropped photo of Sylvian with new type fonts. In February 2019, as part of a redesigned monochrome sleeved vinyl reissue batch of his 1980s albums, Brilliant Trees was released in a gatefold sleeve, once again with a new set of type fonts. No new mastering was done for this; the 2003 remaster was used. Critical reception Brilliant Trees was well received by the contemporary British music press. "Sylvian has grown up," wrote Sounds critic Carole Linfield. "He's left art school, gone through the grey and come out in a spectrum of pastel shades that entrance and enthral. Gone is the clichéd imagery that once haunted Japan... in its place is a solo artist who deserves more respect than his beautiful face often allows." In an enthusiastic review, Melody Makers Steve Sutherland, who had previously been critical of Sylvian's work with Japan, concluded that "Brilliant Trees inadvertently attains the stature Sylvian's always sought. It's a masterpiece." Richard Cook for NME described the album as "private and intolerant – really, an astonishing statement from one in his position – but it is a transformation of thought into music which involves the finest skill, an uncanny talent." Betty Page for Record Mirror described it as "all oh-so-fragile but meaty at the same time, obviously occasionally un peu pretentious, but very painstakingly crafted and built up with great care and affection." Track listing All tracks written by David Sylvian except "Weathered Wall" and "Brilliant Trees", co-written with Jon Hassell. Side one "Pulling Punches" – 5:02 "The Ink in the Well" – 4:30 "Nostalgia" – 5:41 "Red Guitar" – 5:09 Side two "Weathered Wall" – 5:44 "Backwaters" – 4:52 "Brilliant Trees" – 8:39 Personnel Musicians David Sylvian – lead vocals, guitar, piano (treated), tapes, synthesizer, percussion instruments Richard Barbieri – synthesizer (1, 5) Wayne Brathwaite – bass guitar (1, 4) Holger Czukay – French horn, voice, guitar, dictaphone. Ronny Drayton – guitar (1, 4) Jon Hassell – trumpet (5, 7) Mark Isham – trumpet track (1, 4) Steve Jansen – drums, synthesizer,