Fear Of A Blank Planet

Performer: Porcupine Tree
Producer: Porcupine Tree
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Porcupine Tree: Steven Wilson (guitar); Richard Barbieri (keyboards); Colin Edwin (bass guitar); Gavin Harrison (drums). Additional personnel: Alex Lifeson (guitar); Robert Fripp (sound effects); John Wesley (background vocals). On FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET, Porcupine Tree follows up its well-received DEADWING album with another highly ambitious outing. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Steven Wilson (No-Man), and featuring keyboardist Richard Barbieri (formerly of the pioneering New Wave act Japan), the London-based art-rock ensemble continues its simultaneously heavier and more sophisticated direction, as embodied by the atmospheric and melodic "Way Out of Here," which veers into some crushingly weighty passages. Though clearly influenced by Roger Waters's Pink Floyd material, Wilson's distinctive and dynamic approach, which can be alternately understated and nearly operatic, carries FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET along its own path, making it one of the premiere prog-metal releases of 2007. Porcupine Tree makes a triumphant return to experimental, non-linear style with 2007's Fear of a Blank Planet. Maybe Steve Wilson was afraid that the comparatively poppy Deadwing and In Absentia were edging too close to the mainstream, because he seems far less concerned with overtly accessible songwriting on Blank Planet. Even still, the cerebral, atmospheric sound on this album remains enormously compelling from almost the first moment. While there is no "radio single" on the disc -- certainly nothing with a conventional pop arc like Lightbulb Sun or "Trains" -- most songs transcend their complex structure and feel as provocative as any traditional rock tune. The aptly named "Sentimental," in particular, features Wilson's trademark lush arrangement with layers of vocals, piano, ambient synths, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, live drums and sampled drums -- but cutting through its tightly contained mosaic is an expertly constructed chord progression that evokes a desperate sense of tension and longing, developing incredible emotional momentum as the track progresses. Blank Planet sounds like Wilson spent about half of his studio time on the guitar; it's full of buzzy, meticulously distorted solos that you can easily picture him folding into the prototypical Porcupine Tree amalgamation of drum machine, organ, and synthesizers during many long hours in front of the sound board. The quiet, English restraint with which Wilson croons seems to have saved his voice from the decay that so many male singers experience over a twenty year career, and lucky for us (and for him), the style still works perfectly with Porcupine Tree's sound. As a vocalist, he has an amazing capacity for juxtaposing cold, haunting moments against evisceratingly passionate ones, mostly thanks to the control he exerts over his instrument. Wilson's clear, boy's choir timbre sounds like a torrent of frenzy and hunger when he breaks free of it and explores the limits of his vox on tracks like "Sleep Together." His sleepy, melodic approach also has the benefit of ensuring that his poetic lyrics, which run the gamut from acerbic social criticisms to wrenching personal narratives, are always perfectly discernible. Though it's only six tracks long, each of the songs on Blank Planet is exquisitely crafted, even the 17-minute long "Anesthetize." Wilson has a great sense of flow, leading mournful, ambient ballads into graceful crescendos, and over long interludes that sway blissfully throughout rises and falls, only occasionally losing themselves to moments of plodding or meandering. At roughly 51 minutes, Fear of a Blank Planet is short by Porcupine Tree standards, but by measure of quality rather than quantity, it's one of the most substantial prog albums to come out in years. [A CD/DVD version of the album was also released.] ~ Cammila Albertson

Q (p.127) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[A] dramatic, wide-screen, expertly executed, even genuinely thrilling rock record..." Alternative Press (p.174) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[W]istfully, sprawlingly melodic....Rush's Alex Lifeson and King Crimson's Robert Fripp add guitar texture to the disc's already monumental sweep."

Formed in 1987, London's Porcupine Tree is one of the most highly regarded progressive rock acts in the genre. Blending influences of Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Deep Purple, Rush, and Black Sabbath, the band has released over 15 albums, EPs, and live recordings over its relatively short career. Part classic rock, part psychedelic, and part metal, Porcupine Tree also possesses a wide-ranging fan base. Though never garnering a "hit" single, the band was nominated for a Grammy in 2007.

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