INSURGENTES

When this album came out I gave it very little attention or credit as I was too ensconced in Steven's Porcupine Tree approach to prog. At first I was turned off because my previous connection to Steven had been through the Porcupine Tree releases and this felt like a direction I did not like--more simplisitic, straightforward rock, especially when compared to the final PT release, the extraordinary "Fear of a Blank Planet." Over the years I have given this album some attention and it has grown on me.

Four star songs: 6. "Significant Other" (4:32) (8.5/10); 10. "Insurgentes" (4:04) (8.5/10); though simply based, there are some excellent displays of musicianship in #5. "No Twilight Within the Courts of The Sun" (8:38) (8/10); 4. "Veneno para las hadas" (6:01) with Jordan Rudess' delicate piano work (8/10); 2. "Abandoner" (4:43) (8/10); 1. "Harmony Korine" (5:07) (7.5/10); 8. "Twilight Coda" (3:28) (7.5/10); 3. "Salvaging" (8:17) (nice strings, Dave Stewart) (7.5/10); 9. "Get All You Deserve" (6:20) (7.5/10), and; 7. "Only Child" (4:27) (7/10).

Stiil, only a good album; three stars; recommended fans of all things Steven Wilson.