FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

This album is the epitome of why I prefer older PT to new PT. I still love new PT, I just love old PT more. This album just seems to magnify all the reasons I prefer older PT.

A description of the music: The title track opens the album on a fairly high note. It features some nice riffs, solid drumming, but the lyrics are absolutely terrible (this will be the only time I will use this comment, but it applies to every song on the album). "My Ashes" is a slightly depressing song, and rather boring and forgettable. "Anesthetize" on the other hand is an absolute winner. It redeems the album slightly and features amazing drumming, great riffs, and some nice changes in mood. "Sentimental" is another depessing track, but its pretty good and features a nostalgic reprise to "Trains" from In Absentia. "Way Out Of Here" starts out great, but goes downhill very fast as I found the heavyness later on was pretty uncalled for and it would work better going down the path of the beginning. "Sleep Together" is a track that would be good if it was shortened. It features quiet verses, with a heavy chorus. The string section in the final stretch of the song is absolutely gorgeous.

PROS:

Drumming: This album has no shortage of amazing drumming. Gavin Harrison pulls off many great drum lines with ease.

Melodies: This album features many great catchy melodies. Especially in the choruses of almost every song in the album.

CONS:

Lyrics: The lyrics in this album are just terrible throughout. Too straightforward and no lyrical magic whatsoever.

Prog?: This is a lot more of an alt rock album than a prog album. The only truly prog track is "Anesthetize".

Mood does not change: We have the same monotonous mood present throughout the whole album. It's all just a solemn depressing mood that seems to carry on throughout the album.

Song ratings: Title track: 7/10 My Ashes: 2/10 Anesthetize: 10/10 Sentimental: 9/10 Way Out Of Here: 4/10 Sleep Together: 5/10

Recommended for: Alt rock fans. Fans of dark music.

My rating: 2 stars. I struggled whether to rate it 3 or 2, but after I got enough into my review, I decided for sure that it deserved 2.

Share this PORCUPINE TREE review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to DisgruntledPorcupine
• Report this review (#301721)
• Buy PORCUPINE TREE music online with PA partners
• Show all PORCUPINE TREE MP3/Stream
• Go to PORCUPINE TREE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Fear of a Blank Planet page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PORCUPINE TREE related discussions