BLACKFIELD II

A good collection of depressing rock/pop songs with Porcupine Tree influences. Well, that is obvious since Steven Wilson is one of the main musicians in this album, and sings all over the place. These influences I'm talking about is the mellotron, the symphonic feel, and generally several songwriting aspects. However, this is not really another Porcupine Tree album. While the band is clearly an influence here, the music is generally stripped down and sounds more accessible and commercial.

The opener Once shows what I'm trying to say, with a definitive Porcupine sound mixed with a modern pop/rock atmosphere. 1,000 People and Miss U might have the singing style and vocals from Porcupine Tree but the strings arrangements and simpler instrumentation sets them apart from UK's premier art rock band. On the other hand, Christenings with its slide guitar and piano recalls Porcupine Tree's Stupid Dream era and could be put into that album without it being out of place. Epidemic starts with a dull piano riff which dominates the verses, but luckily the choruses are catchy enough to save this song from mediocrity. My Gift of Silence is a very good melancholic song. I love how it starts with a simplistic guitar line, depressing piano and Wilson's voice and develops into a sorrowful tune with beautiful arrangements and melodies, and Some Day continues that mood. The End of the World is really the anthem of depression and giving up. A perfectly-produced mid-tempo ballad with unforgettable choruses. The instrumentation is depressingly beautiful and the melodies are of the highest quality.

This is a nice album if you tend to enjoy straight-forward depressing rock/pop and/or are at least a casual fan of Porcupine Tree. I don't strongly recommend it, unless you are a serious fan of Porcupine Tree and the debut of Blackfield (which I haven't heard, but it seems to be of similar quality based on reviews)

1. Once (B-) 2. 1,000 People (B-) 3. Miss U (C+) 4. Christenings (C+) 5. This Killer (C) 6. Epidemic (C) 7. My Gift of Silence (B+) 8. Some Day (C+) 9. Where is My Love? (C-) 10. End of the World (A)

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