|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 'sullen and bored the kids stay' Nov 23, 2009
Fear Of The Blank Planet is definitely a concept album. We all agree with that. So what is the concept? It is an album about a teenager who told his doctor he was having problems falling asleep, received a prescription medication which altered his perception and attitude towards life. Or is it about something deeper? This album combines the hard sound with an equally heavy tone of the message the music carries with it. It is sad, depressing but it only fascinates and involves us so much because we know that the picture painted by Steven Wilson can be found in so many family albums of the 21st century and the problem becomes more prevalent every year. Sure, Steven is painting a picture which is a bit of a worse case scenario, but 'sullen and bored the kids stay' more and more in our culture of video games, reality tv, bad movies and a drug industry equal in power to our congress, with a cure for every mood we feel. Our disappearing walks in the park or a forest or at the beach, unread books by even Mark Twain, Hesse and Dostoyevsky, and an overall lack of focus on a big picture of life which we seem to be too busy and distracted for...affect our children. Steven is bringing our attention to this fact from the eyes of our kids hoping that such vision could open our own eyes. Perhaps next time we see our child glued to a video game we can visualize the outcome of such upbringing. I had read somewhere that Steven's concept was influenced by a book called Lunar Park. So I have read that book (no, I stopped 4/5 into it, it was not worth another evening) and I seriously doubt there is any truth in that, and reading such books is just a step away from watching a reality show - a complete waste of time. The music of Fear Of A Blank Planet is very even. However, being one of those long time lovers of Porcupine Tree I miss their gentler side (The Incident brought more of it back to a growing crowd of us) and my favorite songs here are The Ashes, Sentimental, Way Out Of Here and Anesthetize for its emotional values and Sleep Together for Richard's incredible ending. But that only leaves the title song and that is a great song, we all agree.
So appropriate it was for Steven to bring Alex Lifeson along to contribute towards this album. Such brilliant move increases the size of our crowd introducing new fans to the work they can appreciate, but it also brings along a man whose words are perfectly placed to become a motto we can all relate to after listening to The Fear Of A Blank Planet: 'life is just a candle and a dream must give it flame'. And by dream I don't mean wishing away....
I have a bit of wishing away of my own... First of all, I would like to add that keyboards parts are fantastic. I can hear Richard Barbieri's sounds of organic keyboards building up under the radar, adding to landscapes making us so dependent and hooked on this music. The final moments of the album are fantastic. I am a big fan of Richard Barbieri's from his time with Japan, David Sylvan and their Rain Tree Crow and I have to say that I am patiently waiting for a day when I could hear a few songs of Porcupine Tree with David Sylvan as guest musician and vocalist singing along Steven Wilson, or vice versa. It might never happen but it does not hurt me to ask.
Simply Superb Sep 30, 2009
What else can I say that wasn't said before on the comments -- a simply fantastic album with lush soundscapes and musical genius. I love it!
5 of 11 found the following review helpful:
 Repetitive pubescent whining Jun 19, 2009
I feel misled by the other reviews. The same pathetic lyrical content is recycled through every song: I am a bored teenager who hates my parents and wonders the mall stoned with no other purpose in life than to play XBox and feel sorry for myself. I don't know what motivated Steve Wilson to devote an entire release to this theme, but my copy is now in the round file. The music is OK, but not any better than previous PT. I recommend buying a different Porcupine Tree album if this is to be your first. I honestly enjoy Deadwing and still am interested in other material by PT and Steve Wilson.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 They Mastered Prog-metal with this one BUT..... May 27, 2009
Well, let me just say that this album instrumentally is FLAWLESS. First listen was such an amazing experience, and it does sound like the PT we all know, but some parts are heavier than they've ever been! Which i don't mind at all being a huge Progressive metal fan. And yes, the trippy pink floyd type feel remains.
My only beef with this album is the Lyrics...
Steven Wilson has shown in the past to be an incredible lyricist. But it feels like he was catering to 17 year old basement dwelling boys who lack the necessary social skills to keep them off their PC or X box all day. For example... Steve sings "much easier to talk to my PC" ... or "Xbox is a god to me/ A finger on the switch/ My mother is a bitch/ My father gave up ever trying to talk to me"
I'll move on to the songs as wholes.
Fear of a Blank Planet - Reminds me a lot of Deadwing's opening title track. Great fast paced acoustic guitar riff that eventually leads into some beautiful prog metal heavier riffs. But this song contains some of the worst lyrics in my opinion ever to be released. It's about a terminally bored teenager on drugs. 8/10
My Ashes - The softest on the album, but WILL be stuck in your head. Fantastic feel, and a hooky chorus that seems to flow so smoothly, which we know is trademark Porcupine Tree. 8.5/10
Anesthetize - Almost 18 minutes long. The word EPIC comes to mind. This song builds and builds over top of steven's mediocre lyrics about a bored teenager with the curse of "there must be more", however this doesn't seem to hinder the song's ability to captivate. THis lies all in the instrumentals. Very heavy at times. Great guitar solo from guest ALex Lifeson of Rush. Awesome/ definately a hightlight. 9.5/10
Sentimental - This is my favourite track on the album. Beautiful rolling piano instrumentals begin the song as steven sings "I never want to be old/ And I don't want dependence, Anymore". The song leaves you very contemplative, not just because of the lyrics but also the instrumentals' raw power. (though you will notice that the "Trains" riff is recycled here). 10/10
Way out of Here - Ok, the depressed teenagers must LOVE this album! We've mentioned boredom on most songs and gadgets/ schools are mentioned again on this one. Despite it's terrible lyrics, the song does pull through with awesome building instrumentals and some of the best drumming that we've heard from Gavin Harrison. He's a song saver. 8.5/10
Sleep Together - Upon first listening to this song, i wasn't too impressed, and i'll blame it on reading reviews before hand that said it was unimpressive. After more listens, i totally disagree. This song has a very raw sound and eerie sound, especially in the chorus. After the halfway point, the song takes a build that proves to be very satisfying, and even orchestral instruments are used to give the song its monstrous feel. Great Ending! 9/10
Overall, If you listen to Porcupine tree for their fantastic and often relatable lyrics (in absentia comes to mind), then you may not love this album. HOwever, if they're incredible instrumental musicianship always amazes you (much like myself) you will most like thoroughly enjoy this album. A short but sweet six song Prog-assault on the mind. Great!
1 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Not my cup of tea May 06, 2009
Porcupine Tree: excellent musicianship, vocals, etc. It's just not my cup-of-tea so to speak, a shade too negative for me. I love dark but negative is something totally different. I rated it three stars to be as neutral as possible since the work itself is excellent but just not my taste.
|
| |
|
![Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V%2Beipy8-L._SL75_.jpg "Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]")
![Across the Universe [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51T24FuHPEL._SL75_.jpg "Across the Universe [Blu-ray]")
![Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F27VzUl%2BL._SL75_.jpg "Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]")
![Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RQUEopdlL._SL75_.jpg "Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]")
