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"X-box is a
God to me, a finger on the switch,
my mother is a bitch…"
On their new album
Porcupine Tree are diving into the
darkness of the teenage character
and they circumscribe the slothfulness
of a generation without hopes, dreams
& identity. Actually "Fear
of a Blank Planet" it's about
the "blank generation".
The concept's theme has a partial
resemblance with last year's "Posthumous
Silence" by Sylvan & "The
Wall" by Pink Floyd. The cover
also reflects the lyrical content
through the picture of a TV screen
in front of the empty eyes.
Musically Porcupine Tree present themselves
with a maturity, which is based on
their ability to control and direct
their indisputable virtuosity to the
needs of the song. In my opinion this
exact element completes a great progressive
rock album and not the opposite approach
that many other prog groups have decided
to follow. Let's explore the songs.
1. "Fear of a Blank Planet":
it starts with a persistent riff and
supported in drums & keys creates
a fragile balance between anger &
inactivity.
2. "My Ashes": a rich composition
by Wilson and Barbieri talking about
isolation as a way of defence against
a world you don't feel belonging to.
3. "Anesthetize": The Song.
More than 17' duration and after several
hearings I'm not yet completely able
to discover all of its details. It
begins calmly, however it expands
nervously through the great drumming
and distorted guitars played by Alex
Lifeson (Rush). All these are happening
for about 6'. What takes place between
7'-12' it belongs to the great moments
of prog-rock. No further description
available!
4. "Sentimental": The fear
of facing time is revealing itself
in a most melancholy track.
5. "Way Out of Here": A
highly dramatic song and, thanks to
Robert Fripp (King Crimson), painted
with marvellous soundscapes and stunning
guitar solos.
6. "Sleep Together": The
catharsis comes along with the epilogue.
"This means out, leave no trace,
let's leave forever...". Built
on a brilliant refrain and stylistically
the most surprising song it seals
the album.
Finally: A fascinating mixture of
all previous musical virtues that
Porcupine Tree own with the addition
of a heavier sound (it was about time!).
Listen to it and you won't regret
it. A serious candidate for album
of the year.
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