FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

This album is really well made. The concept behind it speaks to/of the younger folk of our world and how they very greatly then the past generations, and what we've done with everything to make it as such.

Musically, the album is superb. The album features magnificent musicianship by all Porcupine Tree band members with complex compositions and movements with very deep lyrically. I get lost in many of the songs and just drift off, until getting crashed back into full conciseness by many of their 'surprise' movements. It adds to the whole effect of the album and the ideas being presented. The album as a whole presents a similar feel all around, from the title track to the ending movement.

There are a few drawbacks for me with this particular Porcupine Tree album. The first, and probably the only big one is the size of the last song. I understand and appreciate its length and why it stops at 7:29 on my player, but with the music being presented and played, I felt it should have lasted much longer, perhaps getting into the double digits. It's one of those songs that you completely get lost in, but the trip is always too short.

The other concern I have with this album is the song order. Each of the songs on the album are true gems and progressive musts, but Porcupine Tree has a habit of putting their 'longer' songs on the album in the middle (although on this album 'Anesthetize' fits quite well in the middle since it has movements making it feel like three songs in one). Also, after 'Anesthetize' they follow it up with 'Sentimental', one of my new favourite songs, which sounds like a finale song and not a middle pivot point.

Other then those concern "Fear of a Blank Planet" is an excellent addition to any music collection. It brings forth great music and adds amazing themes and concepts to the mind. I recommend at least a listen through to everyone, just for the experience of the music. This is as close to a masterpiece I've heard from "Porcupine Tree" and is one of my new favourit albums.

A very well earned 4 stars