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Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (CD)

Fear of a Blank Planet
$8.98 - $21.86
4.5 out of 5.0 stars 2 Ratings (2 Reviews)

Album Details: Fear of a Blank Planet

Release Date:04/24/2007
Label:Roadrunner Uk
UPC:016861801120

Other Available Formats: Fear of a Blank Planet

User Reviews: Fear of a Blank Planet

  • Overall:

    Lyrics:

    Music:

    What a Jewel, Fantastic Music

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 22, 2007

    Pros: Everything

    Cons: The fact that they didn't promote the album well enough so it can dominate the charts, ah Steve Wilson...

    Porcupine Tree prove they can play with the best of 'em. Remarkable Music, Fantastic Lyrics. Best Album of 2007. Best buy for anyone with a good taste in music!

  • Overall:

    Lyrics:

    Music:

    Porcupine Tree Flies Low, Stands High

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 30, 2007

    Pros: The lyrics are just as deep as before. The guest spot from Alex Lifeson adds even more to the record.

    Cons: This is a rare album that has little to no cons.

    Progressive rock bands are not exactly among the most well received groups in the music inudstry. Porcupine Tree is among those bands considered progressive. These bands are shunned by radio and even MTV here in America. Why? Because the songs are lo...nger than 3 minutes. Because the lyrics are actually thought provoking without being gutteral, seemingly throat wrenching screams. It is music that people can listen to and both understand and appreciate. Bands such as these are shunned by mainstream American radio both because of the length of the songs, and because they have more than a bunch of chords and bridges. And even though they are among those unfairly shunned groups, ask the members of Porcupine Tree if they care, and they will likely say no. Their new album, "Fear of A Blank Planet" is proof of why they have little reason to worry; that and their worldwide legions of fans. This is an impressive album in that it takes the sound that they created on both their American breakout, "In Absentia" and even on their most recent release, "Deadwing." The lyrics are rather thought provoking. The band takes a look at the youth of the world in songs like the album opening title track, and the 17+ minute album anchor, "Anesthetize." The latter also has an impressive guest spot by (Rush guitarist) Alex Liefson that adds so much to the song and the album. What better way, by the way, to promote his band's new album than by doing a guest spot on a record that came out only a week before that of his band. The noted combined elements of this release make for a record that fans of real rock will fully embrace, whether for the lyrics or music. Read more Less

Pro Reviews: Fear of a Blank Planet

  • All Music Guide

    Porcupine Tree makes a triumphant return to experimental, nonlinear 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 17minute 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, All Music Guide Read more Less

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Biography

Porcupine Tree

Though he initially came to wider attention (at least in the U.K.) with No-Man, his long-running collaboration with Tim Bowness, throughout the 1990s, singer/guitarist Steven Wilson has gained as much of a reputation for Porcupine Tree. Embracing and exploring prog rock inspirations while always keeping an ear out for newer musical connections, thus sidestepping the poi... Read more