INSURGENTES

Where does one draw the line between a Steve Wilson solo album and his bands like Porcupine Tree or Blackfield? It can be hard to tell. Having been listening to this album on MP3 for the passed couple of months, and finally now on CD, I feel that many of the songs on this album could easily fit on a PT album or any of his other musical experiments so in a sense there is nothing new here but that is what I expected. Steve Wilson has created, to me anyway, an easily recognizable sound that permeates all his music ventures and I wasn't expecting a dramatically different direction on his solo debut. I am sure many of theses songs are leftovers built up over the years from his other projects that he has finally given full form to on this album.

While he didn't take any risks, he does offer his fans a solid album of at one moment ambient beauty and moments later, a frantic wall of sound. This isn't an album to propel a boring party into some semblance of exitement but rather something to put on late at night, dim the lights, pour youself a single malt and savour the experience, both musically and with drink.

The production is up to the high standards we have come to expect from Wilson. To me this album is worthy of 4 stars and should please any PT fan anxiously awaiting their next album. While I take in the CD, I am really looking forward to the delivery of the limited 2 LP set Kscope has offered for even more sonic enjoyment.