Porcupine Tree
Fear of A Blanket Planet
Ninth studio album
16 April, 2007
Roadrunner Records
6 tracks long
Length: 50:48
‘Album of the year’
Porcupine Tree. A band that has received worldwide critical acclaim for most of their albums they have put out, their two Roadrunner albums receiving the fair share of acclaim. They are highly underrated but highly respected (or they do receive enough credit), notably for the comments made about how impressive their albums sound in the process winning them a few awards for it. Fear of a Blank Planet is their debut for Roadrunner Records after signing with them, and continued to move upwards in terms of musicality, it also the follow up to 2005′s Deadwing.
It is hard to sum up an album like this. It’s hard to get across the musical brilliance with just words alone and no accompanyning music, or at least something for you to listen to. This is perhaps, and I’m brave to say it, my favourite Porcupine Tree album. One question pops up in my mind: Why? Why is this my favourite album? Ok, let me explain.
I love the entire concept of this album as it’s focusing on today’s youth I guess, it’s talking about alienation and drugs and mostly how teenagers would normally feel; I somehow can relate to it. This is also an album of immsense brilliance and perfection, but it also pays homage to the bands of the 1960′s and 70′s where the album feels like an entire piece of music, flowing from one into the next. You can listen as a casual listener or you can sit and really get your claws into this album. It’s not a lengthy album but it has “progressive” tracks – take, for example, the centrepiece of this album “Anesthetize” (17:42). Any other band trying to write this song and it would seem tame, but with everyone’s contributions this turns into an absolutely which I can’t help but admire and love, just the whole the idea with the three clear sections is just genius.
The rest of the album seems to be also matching the same perfection. Although the lyrics are somewhat dark, so it’s really a bonus for any music fan, though they’re not all fun as you’ve come to expect with Porcupine Tree over the years. Mainly it picks at dark subjects none of which are to be laughed at lightly, and the music only helps to further it. With the direction this album took it needed the help of a video which received a lot of controversy and also there was, it is important to note, not any singles from the album at all.
Porcupine Tree, it must be said, have set themselves apart from any other rock act in their most interesting career, and to know their history is is to understand where they have come from — the days of merely being just a side project for a bit of fun then turning into a worldwide renowned, pioneering progressive rock band. To merely dismiss this album after the first listen or two is absolutely absurd to me as even it takes a good few listens to really understand the depth of this album, it really starts off well with the title track. An acoustic guitar then proceeded by a simple drum beat by Gavin, then with the keys/mellotron entering and finally the song blooming fully — lush textures floating over another battling for supremacy, whilst Steven’s lyrics portray that maybe the kids aren’t all right after all…
I have tried reviewing this album a few times over the course of time, each time being unsatisfied of how my words came across — too loving of this album, or afraid not being fair and just. I’m trying not to rabble on but it’s hard for an album that I’ve fell in love with, but it’s easy to understand why this album has left such a mark on me. The album is amazingly written by masters of their instruments: Steven’s vocal and guitar work not too much and just right; Richard’s keys and synths playing a key part in this album, helping to make it that bit more prog; Colin’s bass work is solid, grounded and played brilliantly; Gavin’s drumming…flawless.
Whilst the four members of Porcupine Tree deserve all the credit and give credit where it is due, there are also a few guest musicians on this album. Alex Lifeson (of Rush) plays the guitar solo on “Anesthetize”; Robert Fripp (of King Crimson) introduces soundscapes on “Way Out of Here” and plays the lead guitar on “Nil Recurring” (found on the Nil Recurring EP released in the same year); John Wesley provides backing vocals; Ben Coleman plays the electric violin on “What Happens Now?” (vinyl and DVD-A editions).
Overall, Fear of a Blank Planet is just an amazing album when all facts are taken into account. If this was/is the height of Porcupine Tree’s ability then I am happy with that. This album really is a gem, if taken the time to digest it. For me it took at least maybe ten listens to really “get it”, as it’s probably one of the best albums this era of progressive rock/metal. The cover artwork is matching the album perfectly, those blank eyes looking at you. Highly, highly recommended.
RATING: 5 / 5.
