GRACE FOR DROWNING

Although there are some people that don't get this album, I feel that within the next ten or twenty years, Grace for Drowining will be remembered as one of the strongest releases by a musician of this decade. In this album, Wilson gathers from his enormous palette of musical influences, and musically, lyrically, and emotionally, delivers one of his finest, if not, his finest album of his career.

Grace for Drowing has some surprises in store for its listeners. Wilson embraced many different people with diverse musical backgrounds to help him achieve his musical visions on this album. I was shocked, floored, and felt downright punched in the jaw when the choir entered on Sectarian. Also, the addition of jazz musicians complement the music nicely, especially in "Remainder the Black Dog".

Never before has music reached me in such a way that Grace for Drowning does. In some of the songs (in particular, Sectarian, Postcard, and Belle De Jour) I have literally felt before like I was being sucked into the heart and soul of Steven Wilson (as cheesy as it sounds), almost as if I was seeing the world through his eyes. Some of the lyrics, but, in particular, the melodies are so poignant, they make me feel an incredible amount of sadness and sympathy for Wilson. I don't know what has happened in this man's life, but this album truly captures his sadness, melancholia, and hearbreak, with a little bit of hope scattered here and there. If you are looking for a happy, upbeat, and optimistic album, look elsewhere. What you will get in Grace for Drowining is a musically diverse album that is deeply personal, honest, touching, genuine, and hauntingly beautiful.

5 stars without a doubt!