THE EARTH IS NOT A COLD DEAD PLACE

I have to be in the "mood" in order to best enjoy this stream of extremely slow tempo music which requires patience to digest it well. Not just the slow thing that bothers me at first spin, its repetitive passages that sound boring to my ears. I force my self to "eat" the music because I have browse the net and find that this album has been critically acclaimed in the territory of post rock progressive (what is this?). It was a struggle for me with this album as I did not know which ears that I should use to digest the music? Should I take Radiohead or Muse ears? Oh no .. I'd rather use my Porcupine Tree's ears to digest and try to enjoy the music.

Actually, this kind of music is not me. but I give it a try anyway, by being patient with how long the music moves. At the fourth spin, I think, I finally can grab this kind of music, the key is really to relax while playing the music and let the musicians dictate our minds with their material. The entertaining factor of the music is when it changes from one style to another, say with the entrance of drumming, or guitar solo. Because most of the music is basically a repetition of the same chords and notes .. over and over! But I tried it hard to understand the movement from one passage to another. And I don't think there is a challenge offered by the music and I believe that there is no complex arrangements in here. But that's OK. I finally decide myself to let the music flow as it is and it grows a bit on me. I definitely need a guidance from those who love this kind of music. I know when this is played loud, it sounds better than it's played in soft.

If I give this album with two stars, I mean that this album is for those who really understand the music and it does not mean that this is a bad album. It's a matter of . I am not the right person to review because it's not the kind of prog that I get used to. I'll give it another chance and change the rating when I am ready, probably with the 10th spin!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW