DEADWING

To be honest, I didn’t expect even a good album after a masterpiece In Absentia, but Deadwing is definitely a success. I really like this album. Some moments are perfect, but I am not able to give it 5 stars, because it’s actually not a masterpiece. It’s just excellent.

The main difference between this one and In Absentia is … inspiration. In Absentia was a sincere, upright and natural, while Deadwing is a bit forced album. It can be noticed in some parts of Deadwing (the song), The Start Of Something Beautiful and Glass Arm Shattering – just compare these songs to Blackest Eyes, Wedding Nails or The Creator Has A Mastertape, where each second is in the right place and wasn’t written just to fill the space… Got it?

1. Deadwing (7,5/10). Well, it’s a good song, but a bit monotonous and repetitive. Though, some moments are perfect (especially the riff at 3:02 and the solo – really reminds me of the In Absentia days).

2. Shallow (7/10). Some kind of easy-of-access song, nevertheless well-written.

3. Lazarus (7,5/10). Very slack and unconstrained track. I like acoustic guitar at 2:40 – it’s just beautiful. Moreover, pedal-steel guitar sounds comes in handy.

4. Halo (9,5/10). Cool intro, interesting lyrics, inspired chorus. Overall, my favorite track off the album, again because it reminds me of playfulness, coolness and madness of In Absentia.

5. Arriving Somewhere But Not Here (8,5/10). The first 4 minutes are a bit tiresome, but the following solo is very good. When the tracks reaches 6:00 – the show begins: a collection of great riffs and psychedelic metal music! Well, middle section is just a killer!!! Also, I love the solo at 8:50 – it’s so beautiful!

6. Mellotron Scratch (9,5/10). Oh, the second favourite track off the album! The songs starts in a calm way, but then it grows heavier - and at 5:00 we can hear one of the most beautiful PT’s melodies! Excellent track!

7. Open Car (9/10). A short, quick and heavy track. The acoustic passage at 3:00 is amazing!

8. The Start Of Something Beautiful (7,5/10). Well, this song is nice, but the rhythm is just too repetitive and unchanging throughout the whole song.

9. Glass Arm Shattering (6/10). Overextended! Too overextended! I know, Steven could have done much better than this way! Though, again a calm and long final of the album.

Conclusion: Excellent album, even one of the best PT’s works, however Steven Wilson didn’t manage to repeat the success of In Absentia.