WILD OPERA

I'm going to assume that most of the readers of this review are fans of PORCUPINE TREE and Steven Wilson and are now looking to collect No-man's back catalog to 'get more' as is, was my case. Well, I think you will get more with Wid Opera. I'm still collecting No-man, and probably the main question is, what is it like in comparison to PT? Well, much of it is similar to early PT works, ambient soundscapes with the very mellow, pretty, smooth voice of Tim Bowness and of course great lyric. The lyrics are usually somewhat surreal, and allegorical in nature. It also looks as if in the earlier No-man works, drum machines, and a more techno-dance background is present. Now it seems that Steven has grown tired of drum machines and has limited them in the later No-man works going for a more ambient sound. That said, WILD OPERA would belong to the earlier No-man catagory. It's a crazy Wilson,soundscape with various sax, bass, piano, guitar, violin, well, all sorts of sounds, and samples, drum machine and some real drums, I think? 'Housewives Hooked On Heroin' has to be a standout, if even for the title alone. This album has so many flavors and sounds that will remind you of many things, yet it has a very unique feel. There are some jazz moments, techno, Brian Eno new wave, all kinds of stuff.This is a great bunch of songs and I would assume any fan of PT would grow to really enjoy Wild Opera. I loved it, first spin.