FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

The first is their use of layering to create the Porcupine Tree sound, if you know them you know what that means. It definitely appears in this album.

The second it their use of polyrhythms and odd meters. Look at Sentimental, the intro has a piano part in alternating 5 and 6, and a drum part that goes between 13 14 and 15. Both at the same time. It;s one of those things that theoretically shouldn't work, but somehow becomes amazing when it comes into reality.

And this album has a definite sense of overall style, no doubts there.

So without further ado....

Track One: Fear of a Blank Planet

Not a bad opening track. It's the most rock-y song on the album. It opens up, hits you with some good stuff, then gets out of the way (after a hefty 7:28) to let the other songs come in. A good tune.

Track 2: My Ashes

Kind of average. Not bad, but nothing really special as far as they're concerned. It starts off with a synth sound that is reminiscent of No Quarter by Led Zeppelin.

Track 3: Anesthetize

The epic of the album. 17 minutes in length. It goes, and goes and goes. The ending seems a bit drab, but it doesn't kill the song. This song has a lot of good simple polyrhythms and repetitions. But not too many repetitions. At the end it leaves you craving for something a little more down to earth though, it's really open-ended Pink Floyd style piece.

Track 4: Sentimental

This on is my pick for favourite song off the album. It starts off with an amazing polyrhythm in multiple changing odd meters. It soft and almost mystical or enchanting seeming.

Track 5: Way Out of Here

This one has interesting guitar parts spread around. around 4 minutes in there's a guitar duo that just is almost of of character, but works. This one keeps a good contrast and interesting juices flowing.

Track 6: Sleep Together

Good strings, catchy lyrics, kind of not as good though. Definitely one of the weaker tunes on the album, but not bad.

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