BLACKFIELD IV

Blackfield, as known, is one of Steven Wilson's altern project bands. This band is the blatant attempt to get away with progressive ideas immersed in the mainstream language of Pop. No , not the No-Man kind, the open-mainstream radio kind. The last album was an open statement of this band's influences, close and far, openly established, that was the route. In Blackfield IV, the route is mostly the same, if not exactly, due to some subdued Porcupine Tree splashes here and there. To me, Blackfield is SW project semblance of a USA prog-pop band. As such it is a challenge, but in record, the language itself, does not allow much, and that is precisely the challenge and problem. Most of the best moments (progressively speaking), are or have to be overshadowed, due to the reasonable limits of the language attempted. I repeat, that is the proposing intention. NOW , as far as composition goes, well those limits in language, are not or should not be, a limiting excuse, and this record lacks that, a self-proposing own language, and that we get not. So there are references from The Byrds, 80's Pop, The Beach Boys, PT and brushes with the corny side of USA prog-pop bands. To be honest, the only reason, I think this band appears in PA, is because it has to do with Steven Wilson... So, well produced and performed, has some great moments (the first song), but essential it is not. ***3 Stars.