OK. You knew it was coming, Kevin's review of the new Porcupine Tree album, "Fear of a Blank Planet" (FOABP). (Disclaimer: Please note that this review may be premature. I have not listened to the album 20 times yet and I'm still "learning" what it's all about. Yet, I feel compelled to offer some initial thoughts about the latest CD from one of the finest bands of our age.)
FOABP takes over where Deadwing left off. The band appears to be producing darker material with each new release. What is interesting about FOABP is that it really seems to be Steven Wilson's first serious attempt at a concept album. It is the type of concept album where the songs are related in topic and not a story about a particular character (like The Lamb, The Wall or Subterranea). From the title of the album one gets the impression that Steven Wilson may be concerned about the future of our planet. And sadly, it also appears that he does not see much hope for it. Even in some of the darkest and saddest writing from the band in the past, it seemed that there was a fragment of hope. Yes, the world is a mess or my life is a mess but it might work out in the end and I still have hope. FOABP holds out no hope to these ears.
Don't get me wrong, the songs on this album are captivating, brilliant and unmistakably Wilson-like throughout. There is not a weak song on this album. The sound/production/mix is uniformly excellent. Barbieri, Edwin, Harrison and Wilson play their instruments as well as ever. Guest musicians include Alex Lifeson with some fiery guitar-work on "Anesthetize" and Robert Fripp providing "soundscapes" on "Way Out of Here".
So what's wrong you ask?! Well, the focus of the album is about our drugged up youth, bored with life, obsessed with XBox, iPods and all things to do with computers/TV. The lyrics portray a lost generation of stupefied kids and parents that can't relate or don't care. And if you think the last track, "Sleep Together" has anything to do with sex well then you've been taken for a ride my friend. It has more to do with sleeping with the fishes than sleeping in a bed for some wondrous sexcapade.
Just watch the video for the title track of the album on youtube. It is shocking, graphic and all-together depressing. While musically, everything about this album is better than the song "Strip the Soul" from In Absentia, lyrically it leaves me with the same disturbed feeling. I cannot fully enjoy the great music after hearing the lyrics. I guess you have to look at it like a great but disturbing piece of literature (The Jungle?, Clockwork Orange? take your pick) written by an important artist.
My favorite track on the album is the aforementioned "Anesthetize" (Track 3 for you Mark). As you might expect, it is the longest song on the album clocking in at an impressive 17:42. Not that longer means better as a rule but it does here because it allows the song to have more changes in mood. Fantastic drumming draws you in and doesn't let go at the beginning of the song. It builds and builds to a fantastic tom-tom crescendo thanks to Mr. Harrison. Crunchy guitars by Rush's Lifeson and Wilson then take over and lead to the Porcupine Tree sound of today that sometimes borders on Scandinavian death metal (think Opeth) with deep, deep hard guitar playing and phenomenal (I expect no less) drumming with double bass runs and fills beyond belief.
The first two-thirds of the song goes up and down with intensity and excellent musical transitions characterizing the best of progressive music. As you might surmise from the song title, it again focuses on the anesthetics of our times -- pills, TV, etc. BUT, and this is why this song is my favorite on the album, the last third of the song transitions to gorgeous poetic imagery and a slower rhythm that at least hints of better days even if they are in the past. Wilson arranges more of his dreamy vocal parts with John Wesley providing harmonies (think "Heart Attack in a Lay by"!). Here are some of the ethereal lyrics that end this song:
"Water so warm that day
I counted out the waves
As they broke into surf
I smiled into the sun"
Unfortunately, this brief glimpse of hope is erased by the lyrics on the next song "Sentimental". Musically, this song is very sweet, even beautiful but the lyrics remind you that there really is no hope in the eyes of the author.
"I don't really know
If I care what is normal
And I'm not really sure
If the pills I've been taking are helping
I'm wasting my life
Hurting inside
I don't really know
And I'm not really sure...
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way they wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way they wish away each day"
Maybe Jim is right. Therapy is advisable for Mr. Wilson. I guess that producing music like this provides some sort of therapeutic value for him, but it's killing me!
So, there you have it...my first impressions of the latest PTree offering. I am torn. It's a great album but still leaves me sad and unfulfilled. I certainly recommend it but just don't expect an easy listening album that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Now pardon me while I go call my therapist...
3 comments:
I've only listened to the CD twice since it arrived (sorry, Trevor!). I shouldn't write a word about it until many more listenings. From your review, perhaps this is one where I'll ignore the lyrics and just listen to the music, if that's possible. I've been tacitly doing that for awhile with Porcupine Tree, actually. Because while this generation of kids has some different problems than we had growing up, what I find is that the college-age kids of today are generally harder-working, more generous with their time and energy, and more appreciative of their parents than previous ones - guess that doesn't make for a poignant song. And pessimism, when warranted, is better directed at the abuse of power by the super-rich and the super-political, and all the consequences of that corruption for the coexistence of cultures and our existence on the planet. But their day of reckoning is coming! (See, I'm an optimist!).
oh wow, well this is not at all what i expected from the long awaited review! It's incredibly honest however, as honest as it is CRAZY!!! This album is amaaazing :P No one song is bad and i count three amaaaazing songs! Track 3 is indeed monumental with more mood swings than a Barry Bonds at bat. Sentimental is an amaaaazing song (sorry the pills have made me run out of adjectives)...i especially love the filter used at the very end of the song for the chorus, and finally way out of here is....AMAAAZING!!! This is probably my favorite song on the entire cd. The thing i find most glaring about everyones evaluation of the album is that Porcupine tree is finally returning to the powerful guitar solos of Ptree's past!...Where are the acknowledgements that came with Russia on Ice and voyage 34 (yes i went that far back!)
As for the subject matter, I am in this generation and am watching what he is watching transpire. It is a little exaggerated, but not too far off! And at least! AT LEAST when SW is sad he isn't craptacular like PoS! (i am of course referring to the monumental collapse that their last album "Scarsick") Maybe that album is why I cling to this one so ardently. I understand the call for more songs like 3 (the song not the track) and collapse the light, I was a little turned off at first as well. The fact of the matter is though i don't mind being sad about the state of the world if i don't feel like beating up my peers after listening to the music. Besides, who listens to Ptree to be happy anyway?...I know that a smart kid and stop swimming are real pick me ups, but HEY!
But sleep together is soooooo depressing and, yes, the logical conclusion of what has gone before on the cd (!). Argh!
On 3 listens, Anesthetize is a tour de force. Still can't say the others have 'grabbed me' yet, but I'll keep on listening... btw, I came across the interview on youtube as well - so we, the listeners, are indeed SW's therapists :(
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