FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

It seems pointless to review an album that has already been reviewed so many times, but it would be unfair to skip over it as it is easily in my top 5 albums of 2007. Easily PORCUPINE TREE's most progressive album since THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS, the band's more metal edge does little to detract from this. The opening part of "Anesthetize" is so grandiose, with fantastic drumming and a brilliant buildup with great solos, that it fully merits its role as the album's centrepiece. "Sleep together" is also notable as it changes from PORCUPINE TREE's traditional slow-burning ending, replacing it with powerful chords and strings. The only drawbacks might be the end part of "Anesthetize" being slightly disjointed from the rest of the song and the repetitive title track which only really takes off halfway in. These are minor flaws on a masterpiece, though, and I have no problem giving this album 5 stars.