LIGHTBULB SUN

Herein contains STEVEN WILSON & CO's most consistently interesting, melodic, diverse and engaging song collections (albums). These songs are not as heavy as later PT will produce and not quite as Floydian as previous. IMHO, this is the perfect STEVEN WILSON/PT album. Yes, it's poppy, it's light. It's full of simplicity and beauty. The obvious replication of the styles and sounds of older musicians is one way in which SW excels--above ALL others--and yet, he manages to make everything sound original, modern, his own. I especially like the songs that harken back to the pop-psychedelic sounds of the 60s ("How Is Your LIfe Today," "Four Chords that Made a Million," "The Rest Will Flow"), the STEVE HILLAGE-like "Shesmovedon," the haunting NEIL YOUNG/CSN&Y-like "Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recylced," the bass work, treated piano chords, 'sitar' work, and BLACK SABBATH-like middle section (You go, RICHARD BARBIERI!), and GILMOUR-like guitar work at the end of "Hatesong," the RENAISSANCE "Midas Man" 12-string strums, amazing vocals, and Frippertronics of "Where We Would Be," the mood setting jazzy electric piano intro, slow, ominous buildup, PF vocal harmonies, strings, delicate jazz guitar and emotional GILMOURian lead guitar work, and amazing synth work of Richard Barbieri, and the heavy bass line and powerful drumming in the heavier instrumental section on "Russia on Ice," and the BEATLES-esque strings and ending Enossifications on "Feel so Low."

***** 5 stars: Lightbulb Sun, Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled, The Rest Will Flow, Where We Would Be, Russia on Ice. **** 4 stars: How Is Your Life Today, Four Chords that Made a Million, Shesmovedon, Hatesong, Feel So Low.

This is just a masterpiece of beautiful 'psuedo' proto- and crossover prog. Highly recommended. In my opinion, an essential addition to any music lover's collection.