FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

I give this album a 4 star rating, purely because a six track album needs to have no weaknesses. For me, the album is let down by the final track Sleep Together, which is a little too Radiohead in style for me. The concept of the album, covering concerns with the way modern technology seems to be detracting from creativity and negatively affecting the youth of today is a powerful one. Tracks like Way Out of Here, My Ashes and Anesthetise are stunning.

I'm not sure where Steven Wilson goes with the 'metal' sound from here. Many riffs are reminiscent of what we heard on Deadwing. Overall, not a 5 star album like In Absentia and Deadwing, but still a brilliant effort from the restless, creative workaholic that is Steven Wilson.