FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

The first time you do something new in your life is always special. Everything from learning to ride a bike for the first time to your first kiss. This is my first review on this website and therefore after a lot of consideration I have chosen to review an album that is special to me. Fear of a blank planet is the latest album from the mastermind Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree. The theme throughout this album is concerning the new generation of youth and how media, drug use (and abuse) and apathy is influencing them in a negative matter. The lyrics are quite straightforward and it works quite well because it is a message that is straightforward in general.

And now over to the musical content of this album. The production is simply breathtaking. Steven Wilson has a good reputation as a producer and he has produced albums for Opeth in the past. He is currently producing albums for Anathema and Orphanded Land so it is safe to say that he is a magician when it comes to producing albums. Another point that stands out with Porcupine Tree is that even though it is progressive in terms of taking music to new limits, Porcupine Tree's main focus is to make good songs. Good songwriting should be the essence for making any kind of music. This results in a very emotional album. Music is simply put an expression of emotions and Steven Wilson proves again that he manages to reach out to the listener and he gives us the message which he intends to say. Another special mention need to be addressed to Gavin Harrison. He is simply one of the best drummers in the music scene today. He does not overdo anything and if it suits the music he often use the less is more principle. The level of details and the memorable drum passages is simply outstanding on this album.

A brief introduction of the songs of this album.

1. Fear of a Blank Planet: It starts with a rocker. The song contains some very memorable melody lines and it is the perfect opener for this album 4.75/5

2. My Ashes: The first time I heard this song I though i had put on No Quarter by Led Zeppelin. The opening is very similar to the theme of this song. It is an emotional and nice track. Again the thing that stands out is Steven Wilson's ability to make excellent songs. It is simple in its structure but there are so many levels of detail that makes this song to a very good ballad. 4.5/5

3. Anesthetize: This is a composition that is very had to describe with words. It is simply an experience. I will not describe it minute by minute because it will not do any justice for this composition. It contains everything that is expected for a progressive epic track. Tempo changes, memorable melodies, rhythm passages that will make the Goosebumps come crawling and incredible vocal work. This track also contains some of the heaviest passages Porcupine Tree has done to date and association to Pantera can be heard on a couple of occasions. One word to describe this composition: masterpiece! 5/5

4. Sentimental: Sentimental is another mellow track. A beautiful piano opens this track with some very nice drum passages. The lyrics are very memorable. This track is somewhat similar to some of the songs from Steven Wilson's side project Blackfield. Again it is a very simple structure with focus on emotion and melody. 4.75/5

5. Way Out of Here: I have been talking a lot about music's relation to emotion in this review. Way out of here is one of the most emotional songs I have ever listened to. The lyrical theme of this track is the decision of escaping in various forms. Again words will not do the justice for this amazing track. It is perfect. 5/5

6. Sleep Together: The weakest track but it is still a very strong track. It continues at the same structure as the previous track but it fails to reach the highs that Way out of Here did. It is a nice closure of a memorable album. 4/5

This is simply a post- modern classic. The lyrical content reflects the challenges and problems that we face today in an excellent way. Essential: a masterpiece of progressive music.