Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet

Year of Release: 2007
Label: Roadrunner
Catalog Number: RR 9011-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 50:52:00

The sound of someone typing on a laptop begins PT's first new album for Roadrunner, the follow-up to the successful Deadwing release two years ago. It's as if we are witnessing Steven Wilson's goodbye e-mail to his former record label, followed by a rush of adrenalin that translates itself into the rhythmic opening title track. PT still manages to sway from one atmosphere to another in a matter of seconds, as is witnessed by the soft babbling "My Ashes" under which orchestral soundscapes, courtesy of the London Session Orchestra, find their way, combined with Richard Barbieri's ingenious carpet of synth sounds.

Wilson's often whispering vocals nicely contrast with Gavin Harrison's repetitive tribal rhythm in the opening section of the lengthy "Anesthetize." As a fan of Opeth and having produced several of their albums, Wilson also incorporates heavy riffs during this epic, whilst Rush's Alex Lifeson delivers a nice solo. Contrary to a lot of long tracks, this one doesn't bore you one second; in fact, it surprises you that it's over that quick! Halfway through there's this catchy chorus out of which some deep bass lines by Colin Edwin escape, all backed by more incredible drumming from Gavin. His heavy metal outbursts make way for Floydish approaches filled with nice melodic vocals.

The idea behind Fear Of A Blank Planet is to warn youngsters that they should treat the world with more respect, that they should take time to explore certain elements in order to really value books, music or art in general. Instead their interest for certain topics is stirred up by the Internet, computer games and video clips. That's why this Porcupine Tree album doesn't last for 75 minutes, as this is way too long to keep someone interested throughout. Instead the band opts for a good quality album of 50 minutes, where not one single second is too much. "Sentimental" is kind of the ideal mix of the ballad side of PT with Blackfield: perfect, fragile and breathtakingly beautiful.

From a musical perspective "Way Out Of Here" is taking yourself to the edge of a cliff and then hang-gliding towards the deep end by using synthetic wings. During your peaceful flight you encounter some heavy winds and demons along the way, yet in the capable hands of Wilson and Co., you're certain of a safe landing. The final track "Sleep Together" steers towards an Arabic feel, extra powered by the symphonic orchestra and the final drum fill from Gavin. The result gets close to Zeppelin's very own "Kashmir."

Porcupine Tree is like the egg of an alligator: at first innocent and harmless, then when the shell starts to crack full of expectation and curiosity. Cute and playful they evolve towards an all-devouring creature which trusts no one, lies still as long as it needs to and then goes for the kill. PT is dangerously addictive so don't say we never warned you!

Tracklisting:
Fear Of A Blank Planet (7:26) / My Ashes (5:07) / Anesthetize (17:42) / Sentimental (5:26) / Way Out Of Here (7:37) / Sleep Together (7:28)

Musicians:
Steve Wilson - guitars, vocals, piano, keyboards
Richard Barbieri - keyboards, synths
Colin Edwin - bass
Gavin Harrison - drums

Guests:

Alex Lifeson ? guitar solo (3)
Robert Fripp - soundscapes (5)
John Wesley - backing vocals

Discography:
On The Sunday Of Life... (1991)
Voyage 34 (1992)
Up The Downstair (1993)
Voyage 34: Remixes (1993)
Staircase Infinities (1994)
Moonloop E.P. (1994)
The Sky Moves Sideways (1995)
Signify (1996)
Coma Divine - Recorded Live In Rome (1997)
Stupid Dream (1999)
Voyage 34 - The Complete Trip (2000/2004/2005
'4 Chords That Made A Million' (2000)
Lightbulb Sun (2000/2008)
'Shesmovedon' (2000)
Lightbulb Sun - Special Edition (2001)
Recordings (2001)
Stars Die: The Delerium Years 1991 - 1997(2002/2005)
Metanoia (2002)
In Absentia (2002)
In Absentia (European version) (2003)
Warszawa (2005)
Deadwing (2005)
Porcupine Tree (2006)
Fear Of A Blank Planet (2007)
Nil Recurring (2008)
The Incident (2009)

Arriving Somewhere... (DVD) (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: May 21st 2007
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.porcupinetree.com
Hits: 4280
Language: english