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Blackfield - Blackfield CD (album) cover

BLACKFIELD

Blackfield

 

Prog Related

3.81 | 459 ratings

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Kotro
Prog Reviewer
3 stars A Pleasent Deviation

A popish deviation from one of the contemporary progmeisters (even though he himself might not like that classification) Wilson's (and Geffen's) Blackfield has its ups and downs. Made up entirely of short songs, we get ups that are really, really good, while the downs are, at best, average. The opener Open Mind and the title track Blackfield could easily find a place on one of the more "song-oriented" Porcupine Tree albums. Blackfield, especialy, is one the finnest songs Steve Wilson ever graced us with. Lullaby, on the other hand, not so much. The track preceeding Lullaby is also among one ofthe weakest, despite some interesting arrangements. The album resumes a rockier stance with Geffen's Pain, on of the "fall-in-between" tracks, although at times the chorus sounds rather like Coldplay (never a good sign). Summer is an equaly interesting song, but it looses impact compared to the tracks that follow it. Cloudy Now, This Hole in Me and Hello can easily join Blackfield, as the best songs on the album. The first features a spacey keyboard driven atmosphere, complemented by acoustic guitar, before blowing up in a heavier chorus section. The second begins rather like a baroque tune, with Geffen singing, before being joined by Wilson in a beatiful chorus. The last track of the album closes it in beauty, with a great chorus and the rare guitar solo, masterly done. Overall, this is a well made album, good pop with progressive rock (or, better said, Porcupine Tree) influences, and a generaly loving yet angry mood (unlike the despair and melancholy feel we will get in Blackfield II). Musically, its just a notch down in relation to its follower - however, its better songs overshadow anything in that album. Regarding vocals, Wilson does his usual PT routine. Geffen, however, I find harder o get into, with his nasal tone of voice and slightly unconvencing accent. A small album, it proves a very good listen, and will definitly fit right and look good on any PT fan's collection.

Kotro | 3/5 |

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