FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

This highly anticipated album from an astounding band of growing popularity sees its release today. I've had the album for two days now, and must have given it what must be close to ten listens.

What best describes this album is a combination of heavy progressive rock and beautiful, lush compositions and melodies. It is essentially a 51 minute piece split into six parts, but each track is different in its own way. The concept is the modern day's technology influencing children to the extent that they become too distracted to become productive enough and contribute to society, but a very sympathetic view is also shown from the view of a ten year old child. Issues covered are terminal boredom, video games and prescription drugs.

Definetely the most impressive track is Anesthetize, the heaviest track on the album which has many movements and complex layering. It is the most obviously inspired track on the album, with influences drawn from Meshuggah, Tool and (perhaps stretching it) Opeth show through. Other very good heavy tracks are "Way Out Of Here" and "Fear Of A Blank Planet".

And then there's the very sad but mellow "My Ashes" and "Sentimental" which are probably my favourite tracks after Anesthetize as the soundscapes are simply refreshing (and eternally depressing to the point of sounding like PT's interpretation of Radiohead.)

An essential purpose, and the first great album of 2007.

9/10 = 5 stars...