4 ½

4 and a half is a ''mini album'' by prog icon, Steven Wilson. The album consists of tracks that for whatever reason have not made made it onto past albums, with one song originating from the Deadwing sessions all those years ago.

The album starts with the opening track, My Book Of Regrets. The song would have fitted perfectly the Hand Cannot Erase al album, with the lyrics fitting in to the concept of the album. The song itself is an incredible work. It shifts seamlessly between se sections, each section as memorable as the last. Dave Kilminsters guitar features prominently in the track, although Wilson does ge get his moment with a long guitar solo over lush chords in the middle section of the song. In the last chorus Craig Blundell pulls ou out all the stops using his double bass drum, before the song finishes all too soon.

Year of the plague is a pretty instrumental piece that wouldn't have sounded out of place on the raven that refused to sing. Happiness III follows, a catchy pop song that is one of the other highlights on the album. The song, again, wouldn't have sounded out of place on any of Stevens recent solo works.

Two instrumentals follow, Sunday Rain Sets In and Vermillioncore. Vermillioncore has a harder edge to it, and was spectacular wh when played live on the Hand Cannot Erase tour.

The final song on the album is a re worked version of porcupine tree underrated classic, don't hate me, featuring the magnificent Ninet on vocals. The song builds upon the melancholy of the original and has a great instrumental section in the mi middle of the song, making it different from the original. The trusty saxophone solo remains however.

Overall this album is great. Most artists would hope to put this out as a main album, never mind leftovers! It loses a star as it is not a perfect alum, but still a thoroughly enjoyable listen, especially just for My Book Of regrets.