FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

One thing I like about Porcupine Tree is the amazing consistency with their albums. Every time I'd buy a new album, it was really good, so props for that. Anyway, "Fear Of A Blank Planet" is Porcupine Tree's ninth studio album and doesn't fail to please. It's kind of a concept album revolving around technology and the effect it's having on our youth. The album continues in the same vein as the previous "Deadwing", but there's plenty of surprises here.

The album opens with a fast beat that turns into a guitar-driven song much like the title track on "Deadwing." Steven Wilson's singing keeps things moving as he fires off the lyrics that describe the type of person this album is focused on. It's really quite eerie. The song slows down to a quieter section, repeating themes previously heard in the song, and then exploding into a killer riff. The guitar solo here also resembles that found on the song "Deadwing." The song comes to an end, playing melodies that will be heard in the next song, "My Ashes."

This song is a slower, more melancholy acoustic piece that slows things down after the firestorm of the opening song. Wilson's singing is more sad and regretful which reflects the mood of the piece very well. Great vocal melodies, especially in the chorus, really stand out.

"Anesthetize" is getting the most attention among fans, and there's good reason. This 18-minute epic has three distinct sections that could stand on their own as individual songs, but it sounds so much better as one. It's really such a well done and cohesive piece it'd be pretty pointless to try and describe it. The first section is mellower, the second is heavy and features probably the most brutal metal Porcupine Tree has ever performed and the third section is mellower again, with great vocal harmonies. This is easily one of the best Porcupine Tree songs ever.

"Sentimental" has a nice piano part that reminds me "Collapse The Light Into Earth." Like the title says, this ballad as a sentimental feel to it and it actually quite beautiful. An acoustic passage at the end speeds things up a bit before going into "Way Out Of Here."

It opens up with Robert Fripp guesting, playing his soundscapes. This song has a catchy bass line and a killer chorus with the distorted guitar. While it's not the best song on the album, it's certainly very good.

I don't know about other people, but I was a little surprised by the last song, "Sleep Together." The song starts with a continuous keyboard loop and carries throughout the song. Gavin Harrison's drumming gives the song an industrial feel and Colin Edwin's bass line is catchy again. After the choruses and at the end of the song, there are some climatic strings that really enhance the song. They have almost a frantic feel. Very interesting Porcupine Tree song, but it works.

In all, this is an excellent album. Everything is very cohesive and flows seamlessly. Steven Wilson's vocal performance is very engaging and it sounds like he's really putting his soul into what he's singing. If you weren't too put off by "Deadwing", give this album a chance because you won't be disappointed.

Standout songs: "Fear Of A Blank Planet," "Anesthetize", "Sleep Together"