GRACE FOR DROWNING

How can someone, anyone, make such beautiful music? I only know that this is beautiful music and that Steven Wilson can consistently deliver in this regard. Good craftsmanship can be defined as attention to detail. All of Mr. Wilson's music has a sense of perfection and mastery of detail - Grace for Drowning is no exception. Case in point: No Part of Me is just one song of many on this album that is put together musically and lyrically like a swiss watch. It looks good (Mr. Wilson has a penchant for visually stunning soundscapes) and sounds good (all the sounds fit together nicely as if they were made for each other - tick, tock) and is like a watch on the wrist that must be referenced frequently to get one's bearings (his music must be constantly looked at to get one's bearings in the surrounding musical landscape). Raider II finds Mr. Wilson at his cinematic best. The beauty of his music is that it requires patience, but not too much - never pretentious or ponderous, just nuanced perfection.

I am a relative recent fan of Steven Wilson.I got into Porcupine Tree about 3 odd years ago and therefore am more familier with his PT catalogue, this is my first experience of his solo work and I must say I'm completely blown by it.

I will not give detials on songs as most of the reviews have covered the songs pretty well. I will give an over all feel of the album from the perspective of a PT fan listening to Steven's solo work for the first time.

Though not as mainstream as the PT albums in respect to the riffs or the vocal consistency there are elements in this album that reminds one of PT (the slower ballads). That said, this album is far greater in breadth and depth and though a casual listener may not be able to appreciate this album much any investment of multiple listens will give the listener pleasure as great if not greater than the more popular PT releases. The intricacies and depth of some of the songs is mind boggling. Small twists and build ups with classic melody and instrumental passages at times slow that work towards atmosphere creation with keys, Synths (not being a musician I may be a bit off track here) guitar and background vocals and at other times jazz/70's influenced passages.

As indicated in other reviews the first CD is more mainstream, the second is darker and far more experimental with the exceptionally brilliant 23 minute 'Raiders II', a slow snail paced start to a fantastic instrumental build up with flute (or flute sounding instrument) and quite a few twists and turns. If you are willing to put the effort and give time to this song it will more than repay you with many listens with ever changing favourite parts for you. I disagree with some posts stating this song is too long and would have been better if shortened. To me this could be amongst the real great 20 minuters ever.

All in all this album needs a few listens to grow on you as any good progressive album should. Steven Wilson has not disappointed and has made a gem, the production of the album is fantastic a forgone conclusion given that Steven is at the helm. Opeth's 'Heritage' is also a great record to come out at this time and comparissons between the two is bound to happen considering the close association of Steven with Opeth. I personally feel that this album is more fulfilling than 'Heritage' as it is keeps the listener guessing all the time and flows better.

Overall wonderfull stuff, very rare to get mainstream musicians bringing albums of this quality on personal releases. I feel this will be a classic in the days to come. A fantastic effort by Mr. Wilson