GRACE FOR DROWNING

Mr. Wilson revisits his golden era of Prog rock- the 60's wherein everything evolved from the Mother Jazz. Without being retro or paying homage to his influences, he has amalgamated his love for Symphonic Rock, (newly discovered) Jazz Fusion and his signature style of dark and heavy soundscapes from Porcupine Tree and alikes into one magnum opus. In comparison with his last solo record- he has obviously put a great deal of effort into this creation (almost 2 years). Each track is more abstract and deserves atleast a dozen of plays to let the music grow on audience's limited conscience as it exists in 2011- thereby making this album his most ambitious project to date.

Definition of 'Progressive Rock' has been evolving ever since it's germination in the 60's. What Steven Wilson has always believed in and instinctively disposed to- is to retain the essence of prog rock in terms of a sonic journey spanning over soundscapes, textures, modalities and melancholic melodies. While each track carries with it a distinct aura its feeling is nothing close to the actual feel of the whole jigsaw- the album. Do yourself a favor by playing the album over crossfades within each track and contemplate on the experience as compared to your beloved (individual) tracks.

If you are aware of Mr. Wilson's different exhibits in terms of the projects that he is a part of- you could almost feel that this creation is a perfect mix of all of his creative juices into one- while simultaneously retaining his identity- evolution and crossing boundaries of a particular music genre. Ambient, Drone, Pop/Art-rock, Symphonic Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic and Punk Rock are some of the genres that this musical genius has knitted together into an 80 minute journey. If this is not what prog means to us in 21st century- then I don't know what could.