Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet

Lackey · #1 04-26-2007, 11:33 PM

Anybody besides me sunk their teeth into this thing yet? IMO this album is PHENOM, and probably their best and most mature yet. Their 17+ minute "Anesthetize" is a pulsing and shifting masterpiece that makes Tool's 2 part "10,000 Days" title track seem a wee bit weak in comparison. This album is so multifaceted that I can hear references not only to the old prog and rock bands of the 70s but also newer bands like Opeth, Meshuggah, Tool, Radiohead, Oceansize, Squarepusher, Portishead, and Coldplay. Pure P Tree all the way through tho, delivered with an impossibly crisp sound and amazing production..... Gavin Harrison has drum chops for days too.....

All this, despite the fact that this might also be the most depressing album I've ever heard. Ah well, 5 out of 5 in my book! (Sentimental might be the only marginally "happy" tune on here, and the lyrics certainly aren't the cause of it!) I had hoped to hear some actual soloing by Robert Fripp too, but apparently the yet unreleased "Nil Recurring" holds the 32nd note wonders for us....

Also, I guess Colin is playing BassLab and Spectors now - he seems to switch it up every album/tour (In Absentia fretless Wals, Deadwing with Stingrays/Bongos)

Anybody that loves rock/prog/good music should check this out immediately!

stitchbass · #2 04-27-2007, 07:23 AM

Saw the boys last night in London. Probably the best gig I have ever seen.

They played the new album in it's entirety and before last night I thought the most monstrous bass sound I will ever hear would be Timmy C of Audioslave/RATM and then Colin put his Spector/EBS coombo into overdrive for the last track of the new album and OH MY ****ing WORD!!! this thing was like Tank Fire, the MOST monstrous bass sound I have ever heard.

Well yes, if you are a fan of old school prog or ever some of the newer bands that have been stated in the post above (I'd also add ISIS to that list, lots of slow wall of sound doom in the last two teacks) then get hold of this album. Be warned though, although at times it is incredibly beautiful it is very very depressing. Always sends me on a dark one...

Xoryn · #3 04-27-2007, 09:12 AM

I have had it spinning constantly at home and had it constantly playing from beginning to the end on my MP3 player. Absolutely great album, my favourite Porcupine Tree album to date. I yesterday for the first time heard it in 5.1 on my new speakers, an almost relgious musical experience.
The lyrics though very depressing are so relevent to today's world, very deep. I recommend it to any prog fan

nad · #4 04-27-2007, 12:50 PM

I'm only a casual PT fan (just have In Absentia and that Stars Die box collection), but this album has piqued my interest so I think I'll pick it up.

Twistad · #5 04-27-2007, 01:20 PM

Thanks for reminding! I will probably go buy it later. Steve Wilson and his crew rarely let you down.

Planet Boulder · #6 04-27-2007, 03:13 PM

Ordered it a few days ago and I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival. BIG PT fan here. I currently own:

In Absentia
Deathwing
Lightbulb Sun
Stupid Dream (maybe my fave - has "Slave Called Shiver" on it)
Warszawa
Signify
Metanoia
Up the Downstair

Can't wait til the new one arrives!!

James Hart · #7 04-27-2007, 03:31 PM

the new disc is great... not sure it's a best effort yet, but it's in the running

here's what I've got from the boys... well 2 recently taped shows aren't moved to the right place yet.

D:\--=={ T u n e s }==--\Porcupine Tree

Up The Downstair
The Sky Moves Sideways
Staircase Infinities
Signify Plus Insignificance
On The Sunday Of Life
Coma Divine (Live)
Stupid Dream
Lightbulb Sun
Terni, Largo Manni - Ephebia May 17
Voyage 34 The Complete Trip
In Absentia
Metanoia
Berklee Performance Center - Boston MA
Futile
Batschkapp Germany April 19
Deadwing
Warszawa
Muffathallen - Germany (Source B) - Sept 22
The Astoria - London - Sept 29
Fear Of A Blank Planet

I dig the band

Planet Boulder · #8 04-27-2007, 03:36 PM

^I've got some of their boots as well,including a soundboard from Warszawa from either the In Absentia or Stupid Dream tour.

In fact, I downloaded a boot of their 4/20 show on 4/20 - immediately after the taper got home!

Rich L · #9 04-27-2007, 04:04 PM

Downloaded from iTunes a few nights ago and haven't stopped listening to it since. Nice follow up to Deadwing, which is my favorite, but this one's growing on me : )

James Hart · #10 04-27-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Planet Boulder

^I've got some of their boots as well,including a soundboard from Warszawa from either the In Absentia or Stupid Dream tour.

In fact, I downloaded a boot of their 4/20 show on 4/20 - immediately after the taper got home!

nice! I love the internet

SlavaF · #11 04-27-2007, 09:54 PM

So far, I'm not completely blown away, but that's only because I love half of the songs, and the other 3 haven't really interested me.

"Fear Of A Blank Planet" is probably my #1 favorite song right now, I can't get enough of it - I just love the groove it has, lyrics are great and that chord progression is just genius! My other 2 faves right now are "Anesthetize" and "Sleep Together."

My only complaint is the number of slow mellow songs - basically the 3 I'm not so hot on right now. IMO they're at their best on the more upbeat, groovy songs like the title track and my other favorite of theirs "Deadwing".

Ian Perge · #12 04-29-2007, 01:17 AM

Absolutely amazing album - I actually consider myself lucky that I was given a copy of this a few weeks before its release so that I had time to "digest" it before NIN's "Year Zero" came out, the other "must have" this year so far. Between those two, the new Type O Negative, the new Rush, and new Dream Theater it's a great time for well-written, well-performed, and well-produced music.

So far the fiancee and I will be road-tripping for 4 shows this tour, which is actually her idea. Finding a woman that's a fan of progressive music is a wonderful thing. Finding a hot woman that's the above is icing on the cake.

Benjamin Strange · #13 04-29-2007, 06:20 AM

Wait... depressing prog rock? Sign me up!

Twistad · #14 05-01-2007, 12:45 PM

Wow! This album is truly beautiful. Who said prog was dead??

StanFan · #15 05-01-2007, 03:31 PM

Listening to it right now. I already heard an edited version of the title track in the music video. I like this song, and I'm currently on "My Ashes", not as good as the first track IMO, but it's just a first impression.

Mark Latimour · #16 05-02-2007, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

Wait... depressing prog rock? Sign me up!

Strange - a couple of years ago I IM'd you a couple of Porcupine Tree songs and you dug them. I thought you would have looked into the band then!

Anyway, got the new album on Monday after seeing them play live last thursday night (where they played the entire new album) I absolutely dug it live and really am liking the new album more and more with each listen.

This band should be way bigger than they are! They really rock hard. Also pick up Blackfield II if you haven't got it already!

negative theory · #17 05-02-2007, 07:40 AM

This is a great record. I'm glad I picked it up.

andrewd · #18 05-02-2007, 07:47 AM

I'm very glad I got the limited edition - the 5.1 mix is awesome. I imagine the true DVD-A version that comes out in the fall will be even better

Benjamin Strange · #19 05-02-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Strange - a couple of years ago I IM'd you a couple of Porcupine Tree songs and you dug them. I thought you would have looked into the band then!

And I did... I've got In Abstentia, Deadwing, and I saw them live two years ago. Besides being a bit on the weeny side, I think they're pretty damn good.

Mark Latimour · #20 05-02-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

And I did... I've got In Abstentia, Deadwing, and I saw them live two years ago. Besides being a bit on the weeny side, I think they're pretty damn good.

Given the last photo of you I saw, I would have thought you might have bonded with Steven Wilson in the "weeny" department!

He is the hardest rocking nerd I've ever seen