New Steven Wilson Album Details

[Haruspex Carnage]

http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/new-album-details/

i'm cautiously optimistic...Luminol doesn't do much for me as did the live-studio clips...i still say replace Minnemann (who to me is more of a speed player [his out-of-place ride work on the DVD is a bit much i think]) with Harrison add Barbieri on samples and Porcupine Tree isn't exactly missed/Wilson can still DO that material live...and better!

[Scott Bails]

I haven't really followed Wilson's solo career, but the idea of Guthrie Govan + Nick Beggs has me intrigued.

[polmico]

From his FB page:
The new album by Steven Wilson and band “The Raven that Refused to Sing (and other stories)” will be released on Kscope on 25th February. The album was written between January-July and recorded in Los Angeles in September with Steven’s current band line up of Guthrie Govan – lead guitar, Nick Beggs – bass guitar, Marco Minnemann – drums, Adam Holzman – keyboards, Theo Travis – saxophone / flute and engineered by legendary producer/engineer Alan Parsons. More details on StevenWilsonHQ.com -


I'm looking forward to this. Add whatever kind of adverbs, adjectives and hyperbole you want to that sentence.

[polmico]

I haven't really followed Wilson's solo career, but the idea of Guthrie Govan + Nick Beggs has me intrigued.

Have you seen this, Scott?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3MpGBwGdVk

[Grimjack]

Stoked!

[jkelman]

http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/new-album-details/

i'm cautiously optimistic...Luminol doesn't do much for me as did the live-studio clips...i still say replace Minnemann (who to me is more of a speed player [his out-of-place ride work on the DVD is a bit much i think]) with Harrison add Barbieri on samples and Porcupine Tree isn't exactly missed/Wilson can still DO that material live...and better!

If you read my interview with Steven from back in September, he made a couple of very important points (whether or not you like Marco; I do) that suggest otherwise:

1. The music he is writing for his solo projects is not music that he feels the members of Porcupine Tree would want to play:

"I think the difference is that I would never ask the guys in Porcupine Tree to play music that I did not feel they would enjoy playing," says Wilson. "Whereas the difference, when you're hiring guys, is that although you still want them to enjoy playing the music, because they know it's my thing, they are more willing to try their hand at something else. Sort of like, 'You know, it's not what I'm into, but you know what? I'll go with it and I'll play it.'

"When you have a band that's been together as long as Porcupine Tree, there are all sorts of internal politics, and I simply wouldn't want to be performing something with them if I didn't think they were enjoying it," Wilson continues. "By definition, that then becomes the band sound, and although that is limiting, I use the word in the sense that it can also be positive. Porcupine Tree has a very distinct sound which people instantly recognize, and that sound comes from what we can all agree to play. Another way of putting it might be to say, if you took an artist like Frank Zappa, can you imagine a catalog that eclectic being made ever by the same group of musicians? That sort of democracy is just not possible. Only a solo artist could create such an eclectic catalog. In many respects, he's been my role model—to be able to be in a situation where I can surprise people with my next move. I think that's the difference. I mean, this is a band, but it's not a band [laughs]; and this time I'm going to keep it that way."

2. While trying to say it in the nicest possible way, he also suggests that, with the exception of Harrison, the members of Porcupine Tree would not be able to play much of the music he's written for his solo albums (and especially the new record, which was very much written with and for this particular group of players in mind).

3. With his new band, more than ever, Wilson is interested in improvisation, something that hasn't been what PT has been about since it's early years:

Suddenly it all came home to me again that, other than in the very beginning, when it was more psychedelic, and there was a little bit of improvisation going on, Porcupine Tree had become quite regimented, quite clinical. I'm not saying that this is necessarily a bad thing. That's the sound of the band. But I realized that I was missing something in my own music, which made me fall in love with a lot of these bands. And not just progressive bands, but some of the Kraut Rock bands, for example, with that spiritual quality—the improvisation, the living for the moment.

4. When Wilson suggests others in PT are not at the level to perform this new music, he includes himself, so he's not suggesting he's any better than they are. What he is saying is he can, as a writer, compose music that requires more advanced musicians to perform it and, in doing so, it's also raising his own game as a player:

"One of the reasons why think it doesn't happen in the rock- and pop- music world is that the musicians are just not good enough, and I include myself in that category," Wilson admits. "If I was in a band of people all at my level, there would be no way we would consider making a record like this, in this way. I think that's another thing that was brought home to me by working on all those records [surround remixes]: how good the bands were and how they could do it. This band can definitely do it; I'm going to be in the control room a lot of the time for these sessions—I'm not even going to be playing. I'm writing the material, and I'll sing the material, but I'm going to be taking more of a director's role a lot of the time because they're way better musicians, and in a way, I have always dreamed of being in this position. Zappa was so good at it; his players were always much better musicians than he was. He had the ideas, and he wrote the music, but he got other people to play it who were better at playing it than he was. At the same time, it was kind of mutually beneficial; they all enjoyed playing music by the guy who had the ideas—those fantastic ideas.

"What this has done is make me raise my game as a writer," Wilson concludes. "Because the stuff I've written for this band to play—I mean, it's not complicated, but it's more complex than anything I've written before—I think that to be able to write for musicians of this caliber does make me start to think, really, at the very peak of what I'm capable of imagining and writing. That's been great to challenge myself. What can I write that Marco will actually find difficult to play? Not a lot. I'm not trying to suggest I'm writing difficult stuff just for the sake of it, because I really loathe that whole concept of complexity for its own sake. But at the same time, I like stuff that works on both levels. I like good songs that also have a level of intricacy, which means you can appreciate them from a musical perspective as well. And that's something I'm definitely doing for this record that I've never been able to do before. I mean, Gavin [Harrison, Porcupine Tree drummer] is extraordinary, but myself, Richard [Barbieri, keyboardist] and Colin [Edwin, bassist], are all more restricted in terms of our musical technique, so we have to limit ourselves in terms of what we can play and what we can pull off in a live context. With this band, it's a whole different ballgame, and I'm loving that."

Personally, I can't wait for the new record; having seen the group one (without Guthrie) and been knocked out, the idea of a record written for these guys means it could well top what he's already done.

Best!
John

[Scott Bails]

Great stuff, John! Thanks for sharing.


Matt - no, I haven't seen that yet. I'll have to check it out sometime.

The more I read about this, the more interested I'm getting.

[FrippWire]

It's SW. I'm totally in. Autobuy. All hands on deck.

[roddenberry]

Most probably followed by a tour. Looking forward to see Mr. Wilson live again! his shows are always thoroughly entertaining! :D

Robert

[Progatron]

Looking forward to this one! I liked Insurgentes and really liked Grace For Drowning, I think this one will be the biggie.

[AncientChord]

PT or solo, it doesn't matter to me. It's SW, the new Robert Fripp. Whatever he does just turns into prog gold. I haven't missed ANY performance he's done (whether PT or solo) in Los Angeles since first seeing PT in 2005. But I'm again still hoping for a return to PT, possibly in 2014? I just picked up the new Octane Twisted live album, which is simply an awesome, blistering performance. Some of the best live PT I've ever heard IMO. And I sense from listening that the band had an idea that a hiatus was coming. I believe SW's long-term plans musically have been laid out for quite some time now.

[progcd54]

PT or solo, it doesn't matter to me. It's SW, the new Robert Fripp.

Fripp and Wilson should form a comedy act. And what would they call it...why "Frip-Wilson" of course! (I gonna send Kee-lah afta you!) :lol

[AncientChord]

Fripp and Wilson should form a comedy act. And what would they call it...why "Frip-Wilson" of course! (I gonna send Kee-lah afta you!) :lol

Do you like my avatar photo? Don't they look cute together? God and Jesus together? But they are martyrs to even less, or as 21st Century Schizoid men, nothing they got they really need? Gotta love em' both! ;)

[gpeccary]

John, that interview was stellar, really well done by both of you. One of the best ones Ive read involving Wilson for sure.
I thought luminol was off the hook. Minnemann was sofa king good it was ridiculous. I thought he was perfect for the new direction. And dont get me wrong, I adore Harrisons playing, i try and buy anything hes involved with.

Wilsons site indicates a tour starting in March I think in Europe.

[skysaw]

The album title kinda tips its hat to previous Alan Parsons projects. (Let's just hope that SW wasn't tempted into using the vocoder.)

[Musitron]

I really like the music of PT but the last Steven Wilson Grace For Drowning is even better.

615

[jkelman]

John, that interview was stellar, really well done by both of you. One of the best ones Ive read involving Wilson for sure.
.
Thanks, man, much appreciated, though the credit really belongs to Steven, who was ready to talk and let the conversation go wherever it wanted to. The original plan was for a 30-minute catching up kinda piece, but we started talking..and ninety minutes later we were done. As Anil, Sid and Aymeric will, I am sure, confirm, the best interviews are ones that don't feel like interviews. I mean, yes, you do your prep and you've got a bunch of questions, but if it goes right, it's really just a focused conversation that, as things continue and you quickly scan your questions, you realize you've covered most of them without ever actually asking them...plus a whole lot more.

It was a real treat to speak with him, that'll for sure.
Thanks again,
John

[NogbadTheBad]

Like GfD a lot and this band is a killer line-up. Love Govan and Minneman in Aristocrats, chops to die for, Beggs & Travis are also excellent. I'm very hopeful.

[Haruspex Carnage]

Thanks, man, much appreciated, though the credit really belongs to Steven, who was ready to talk and let the conversation go wherever it wanted to. The original plan was for a 30-minute catching up kinda piece, but we started talking..and ninety minutes later we were done. As Anil, Sid and Aymeric will, I am sure, confirm, the best interviews are ones that don't feel like interviews. I mean, yes, you do your prep and you've got a bunch of questions, but if it goes right, it's really just a focused conversation that, as things continue and you quickly scan your questions, you realize you've covered most of them without ever actually asking them...plus a whole lot more.

It was a real treat to speak with him, that'll for sure.
Thanks again,
John

OK that makes more sense (your interview which was good) and kind of confirms my suspicions/criticisms a bit? That being said i still prefer Harrison over Minnemann overall as far as drumming goes - and yes, before anyone goes there, i am familiar with M's solo stuff.

The more i read from SW the more he seems to have a really good head on his shoulders about all his approaches to making music in this world we live in...him, John Zorn, and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (although truth be told OR-L's experiments have been falling really short lately with all solo albums since Noctourniquet and Bosnian Rainbows)...from a sometimes wavering performing perspective but writing-wise, i have a huge amount of respect and admiration for all of them.

[ChrisXymphonia]

Most probably followed by a tour.

Most probably? Dates are already up for this spring.

[davef]

Looking forward to this new cd ..big time!

[100423]

The new album "The Raven that Refused to Sing (and other stories)" is now available to pre-order in 4 different formats from Burning Shed:

The deluxe edition comes in the form of a 128 page book, illustrated by Hajo Mueller, and features lyrics and ghost stories. It includes the 6 track 55 minute album on one CD, an exclusive additional CD of demo versions (which themselves are full band studio recordings effectively presenting a full alternate version of the album, with different performances, solos and ideas), a Blu-Ray including high resolution 96K/24bit stereo, 96/24 instrumental versions, a 5.1 surround sound mix also at 96/24, photo galleries and additional artwork, and a studio documentary filmed by Lasse Hoile (some of which has already been previewed on the SW youtube channel). A DVDV is also included for those without Blu-Ray players, although this does not include the instrumental versions and the 5.1 mix is a DTS compressed version. This limited edition 4 disc deluxe book edition is presently available for a special early bird price.

There are also standalone Blu-Ray, CD/DVDV and 2LP vinyl editions.

Dutch and German fans; please note that the deluxe edition will also be available shortly from local mail order companies, so if you hang on for details on that you may save a lot on international shipping.

[Paulrus]

[I]The new album "The Raven that Refused to Sing (and other stories)" is now available to pre-order in 4 different formats from Burning Shed:

---> Insert insane number of options here <---



Steven Wilson is supposed to be a student of classic prog bands like King Crimson, but clearly he hasn't learned the first lesson:


Hold back alternate versions of your albums as long as possible so as to maintain a steady reissue strategy that will provide an income for the rest of your life.

[Progatron]

I'm not going to bother with that 4-disc set. I doubt I would listen to the demos and instrumental mixes more than once or twice. I'll probably do the CD/DVD version. My Grace For Drowning is the standalone blu-ray but I kind of miss having the CD. For one thing, I tend to forget about it when scanning the shelves because it is with the DVDs in a different spot - silly, perhaps, but true.

[polmico]

Whew! $26 to ship the super deluxe edition? Man, I got really think about this one.

[FrippWire]

I'm under-employed but I just went for the CD/DVD/BR box and the vinyl. Fakk...

[polmico]

And I thought about it.

Pre-ordered deluxe edition. Dammit. I'm a sucker.

[frippster]

And I thought about it.

Pre-ordered deluxe edition. Dammit. I'm a sucker.

Same here. Knew I'd kick myself if I didn't. Plus, I got to pay $30 for shipping. Awesome!

[3LockBox]

Probably the best thing I've heard from Wilson in a while. I'll hold out for more camples though.

[JSS]

Looking forward to hearing this one. Not gonna pre-order though, grown tired of that lately.

[Magog]

Just finished listening to the whole thing. Thoroughly impressed.

Matt

[boilk]

Great to hear, Matt. At, or near, the top of my want list, for sure.

neil

[Haruspex Carnage]

On one listen i was more impressed with the shorter than the longer tracks.

[AncientChord]

Just heard my first listen last night...OMFG!...If SW can get any better than this he will become Prog God...if he isn't already! Just my cup of wonderful dark prog! :up:up

[Dedatolo]

totally different impression here: heard the album, bored to death (Luminol is way, way better live), 100% of already-heard-zillions-times music from him or other proggers.
I can't stand listening to the mellotron anymore...PT were totally on another level, Barbieri is ADDING new sounds, I see "progression" there. SW is going back to the '70s, making a big salad of what we have digested many and many times...

[Haruspex Carnage]

i still stand by what i said and i kind of have to agree with Dedatolo...the shorter tracks are far more tasty and all the awash Opeth-at-acoustic sections just drag the longer songs out, particularly The Holy Drinker and The Watchmaker (although the ending to the latter is cool)...i will say that i like the studio cut of Luminol more, especially those cool semi-beat displacements Minnemann throws in...this HAS been a disappointment overall though i'd say...Drive Home (which features quite a guitar solo) and the title track are the sole stand-outs for me personally...Grace For Drowning was a stronger effort.

[XanaFloyd]

i still stand by what i said and i kind of have to agree with Dedatolo...the shorter tracks are far more tasty and all the awash Opeth-at-acoustic sections just drag the longer songs out, particularly The Holy Drinker and The Watchmaker (although the ending to the latter is cool)...i will say that i like the studio cut of Luminol more, especially those cool semi-beat displacements Minnemann throws in...this HAS been a disappointment overall though i'd say...Drive Home (which features quite a guitar solo) and the title track are the sole stand-outs for me personally...Grace For Drowning was a stronger effort.It seems to me that Wilson lost the art of write songs instead of something that sounds like a very good "jam session"... The album is good to me, but not that great. What i loved in PT was the balance between the complex structures and more concise songs... Still missing here...

[Spiral]

It seems to me that Wilson lost the art of write songs instead of something that sounds like a very good "jam session"...

Actually, this is the reason I've been curious to hear what he'll do with this band. There's nothing wrong with the concise-songs approach of PT, having everything fit into its place, but at least he's doing something different here by adding more flexibility. I'd say that's also a really important component of writing in its own way--a willingness to include others' contributions, having a feel for what certain people can add and giving them the right space to do it.


already-heard-zillions-times music ... SW is going back to the '70s, making a big salad of what we have digested many and many times...

OtOH, this is the exact reason GfD was such a disappointment. I don't think it'll stop me from buying this one sooner or later--there's nothing wrong with using familiar elements in and of itself, depending on how it's written & executed--but it's not terribly encouraging that he still seems to be looking backward more than forward.

[Wisdomview]

How are people hearing the album? Has it been leaked? Just curious as I'm fine waiting until the late February release date to get a copy.

[LeFrog]

How are people hearing the album? Has it been leaked? Just curious as I'm fine waiting until the late February release date to get a copy.

Yes it seems it has leaked already...

[Camelogue]

I thought Porcupine Tree was one of the few modern "prog" bands that did write songs. I concur that Wilson solo material has not had that flow. Good music but not quite memorable. Not a complaint, just an observation.

[AncientChord]

How are people hearing the album? Has it been leaked? Just curious as I'm fine waiting until the late February release date to get a copy.

Really a no brainer...it's all over the net. But I don't feel guilty at all since I just bought two tickets for an upcoming show, AND will purchase the official release. ;):up

[Wisdomview]

Really a no brainer...it's all over the net. But I don't feel guilty at all since I just bought two tickets for an upcoming show, AND will purchase the official release. ;):up

Thanks dude. Guess I must not have a brain.....................;)

[polmico]

I'm ok with waiting until it is released.

[BobM]

Judging from the last PT album, I would say that Stevie got tired of coming up with new licks and hooks. So he's going in a different direction with some more open writing and letting incredible musicians put their added spin to it all. Maybe too jazz influenced for some rockers?

I don't know, I haven't heard it yet, but then, I like jazz.

[prognoir]

this cd rocks grace for drowning sucked i hated it although his first solo cd is still his best effor imho

[gpeccary]

Found Drive Home on youtube yesterday. Its gone now, but I thought it was great! Its not PT, Its Steven Wilson, doing what he wants to do, and I like going for the ride. He's said he was growing tired of the harder side of PT. I would suggest if you're looking for PT then listen to PT. Otherwise, as indicated above, there will be disappointment. I happen to dig his solo and side project work. A lot. I also dug Storm Corrosion as well. I like that Wilson doesn't stay put, he stretches out, tries new things. He stays curious and keeps me interested. Totally looking forward to this album and the subsequent tour. His last tour caved my skull in.

[katondepena]

Really diggin’ the new album. I’m a casual Wilson listener. I own a lot of his work, mainly because my friend used to work for WEA and he would give me PT promos. I prefer, their early, spacey work to the heavier material. I’m a huge metalhead and always felt their riffs were too generic to my ears. The new album hits home as it’s free of the “metal” riffs and it’s a lot more complicated, compositionally. And bring on the Mellotron – I will never tire of those sounds. Will be picking up the vinyl when it’s released.

[cupwonder]

Am looking forward to hearing this when it's released. I missed him on tour last time, but I'm strongly considering seeing him this time.

[davis]

A friend of mine dld this album (w/n 24 hrs the torrent had been taken down) & sent me a copy. I'm not a huge fan of SW but the album is great. We're both pre-ordering.

it's not available to order yet, but when it is it's on sale here: http://www.importcds.com/Search/Results?type=2&searchtext=steven+wilson

[Dodie]

Just pre-ordered it from Amazon. I don't go weak at the knees at the mere mention of Steven Wilson, but I liked 'Grace for Drowning' quite a lot (and more than anything Porcupine Tree have done for a while).
So I'm reasonably confident I'm not wasting my money on it, regardless of how earth-shattering or not it turns out to be.

[davis]

^ sounds to me like you have a good attitude toward this topic

[Wisdomview]

I pre-ordered the CD/DVD set from Burning Shed last night. I'm very much looking forward to it!

[eporter66]

I liked Grace for Drowning but was not blown away. I am looking forward to this, but also hoping PT will be back.

[ScottAM]

So, aside from rehearsing for his upcoming solo tour, what do you all think that Steven's been doing from November '12 - February '13? Writing for a new PT album? Even sending material to the other PT guys? No-Man? Storm Corrosion II? Finishing touches on Blackfield's next album (he's still involved in that to some extent)? Or merely remastering other classic prog albums in 5.1? The possibilities are endless!

Personally, I hope he's not waiting until the end of his tour to even start contemplating writing for PT again...that would be a long wait.

[polmico]

I'd like to see Storm Corrosion II next. I really dig that album, which put me in opposition to the other half of the people who really hate this album. Haters gonna hate. :)

[jkelman]

Posted this on facebook, twitter, myspace and google plus in varying forms (because of varying length restrictions):


Thanks to Andy Leff, I am listening to Steven Wilson's The Raven That Refused to Sing (and Other Storiies) for the first time now, and all I can say is: Wow. Ok, ok, I can say more. If Insurgentes was the first salvo to suggest he had more in him than any one of his many projects, and Grace for Drowning reflected the time spent remixing the King Crimson catalog (especially Lizard), then The Raven - with the benefit of a band for whom he can write *anything* (and Guthrie Govan? At last - the missing piece!) - is the culmination. Beautifully written, stunningly arranged and outrageously performed (congrats Theo Travis, Nick Becks, Adam Holzman and Marco Minnemann, along with Guthrie!!), I cannot wait for April 25 and the chance to catch the band again in Montreal. Review most certainly to follow Oh yeah...and congrats Steven!!

[Scott Bails]

Personally, I hope he's not waiting until the end of his tour to even start contemplating writing for PT again...that would be a long wait.

I had the impression that he had no interest at all in doing anything for PT for a while. It's just not where his mind is these days.

[davis]

I understand the desire for something new, but there's plenty of PT already. Have a look and listen to something you haven't heard in a while or maybe something you haven't heard at all. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porcupine_Tree_discography

:)

[davis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTiLoiyHDRI

[progman1975]

Is the new Prog in stands yet w/Wilson on the cover. Very Dark. Kinda get the feeling alot of this record deals with his father's death.

[jkelman]

I had the impression that he had no interest at all in doing anything for PT for a while. It's just not where his mind is these days.

From my September, 2012 interview:


"For me, right now, the things that are really enjoyable are the solo project and continuing to work on remixing classic records," Wilson says. "Those things have become the most enjoyable over the last three or four years. I never wanted to feel like that my career was becoming a machine, and the problem with the rock music world is that happens a lot—a lot of my friends are stuck in this tour-album, tour-album rut. That's not why I became a musician. I became a musician because I love making music, I love making different kinds of music, and I love making different kinds of music with different people and traveling and meeting people. That's what I love the most. Doing the remixing work has enabled me not only to work with a lot of people but also to meet and get to know a lot of the people who inspired me to make music in the first place. And doing the solo thing, for me, has been so inspiring, has made me confront a lot of my own habits and break patterns that I could easily have fallen into.

"I think one of the worst things I could've done would have been to go straight off the back of the last Porcupine Tree record into another album, another tour," Wilson continues. "It was just beginning to feel like it was becoming repetitive, like a sausage machine. I'm probably about halfway through my career; I've been doing it for 20 years, and let's say I've got another 20 years. Time to get into some different things, you know? And it's funny, again, how much resistance there is from the fan base. You know, I've done this for 20 years, I've made plenty of albums with this band, and I want to do some different things now, and really, there have been some quite hateful and offensive responses, though fortunately in the minority.

"It's a cliché for an artist to say that the new album they're working on is the best thing they've ever done," Wilson continues, "but in a way it's logical because whatever you're doing at the moment is the thing that reflects most closely where you are in your life and your emotional state in that moment. I feel very remote from things I made five years ago, let alone fifteen years ago. I don't recognize the person that made them, and the reason I don't recognize that person is because I'm not that person anymore, so it makes sense that whatever you're working on now is closest to your heart.

"But the fans' relationship to the music is very different from your own relationship," continues Wilson. "Some people take it very personally and are taking the Porcupine Tree thing very personally. I'm not particularly inspired to make a record with Porcupine Tree right now; therefore, the worst thing I could do would be to make a Porcupine Tree record. Who wants to hear a Porcupine Tree record made by people who are not really inspired to be making a Porcupine Tree record? The answer: a lot of people; there are a lot of people who would rather I made an album with Porcupine Tree that I'm not really into than an album under my own name, which I'm really inspired to make. I can't change that fact.

"Thankfully, this is a minority," Wilson concludes. "And I think most people do get it. I think I've engendered a career in which people expect the unexpected; certainly, with Porcupine Tree, we've reinvented the band several times, and so people have come to expect that. But, again, it's amazing how much the brand name is in some ways more important to people than even the sound changing. If you do something with a different name, it's more upsetting than if you completely change your sound. It's very strange to me—all the politics that go on. Anyway, I'm working hard; I'm almost trying to overachieve, I think, even with the tour. I'm going out with a production that's even bigger than Porcupine Tree. I'm overachieving to try and convince people to take it seriously. And I think I'm winning the battle."

I think that makes it pretty clear.

[Sean]

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/250329_544317652253770_1506227087_n.jpg

[kenpierce]

Hey friends, my colleague Skeleton Pete and I had the honor of attending a preview listen to the new "Raven That Refused To Sing" the other day and Pete wrote up a little something about it. Check it out.

http://skeletonpete.com/?p=5638

[Dan Marsh]

Is the new Prog in stands yet w/Wilson on the cover. Very Dark. Kinda get the feeling alot of this record deals with his father's death.

According to an email I got, it is out on the 23rd.

[progman1975]

Thank You!

[Sean]

Don't expect this in the US for over a month. The previous issue hasn't even hit the shelves yet but probably will this week. Check it out, something groovy is in it.

[No Pride]

Don't hate me for it, but I'm not a PT fan. I've listened to In Absentia and Deadwing and a compilation of other PT stuff that a PE friend made for me and it's just not my thing. However, I've been fascinated with the vids I've seen of SW's new band and I expect I'll be getting this album when it comes out. I'm generally more of a jazz and fusion fan than a psych and metal fan and I think this album will be very satisfying for me. And kudos to SW for pushing and expanding his own boundaries!

[wideopenears]

I like "Signify," it's got a mix of atmospheric, trippy, psychedelic stuff and grooves, textures, etc. And it sounds like a band, not a solo album. I'm interested in some of the earlier PTree stuff, the more psychedelic stuff, which I haven't heard...I have Fear of A Blank Planet...and I seem to have inherited Deadwing, and don't enjoy those as much--they seem crunchier and less varied--though I like the narrative feel on Deadwing....that's the extent of my experience.

I'm also more of a fusion fan, and the line-up on the new Wilson album bodes well.....looking forward to hearing it soon.

[Scott Bails]

wideopenears - have you heard/do you have Lightbulb Sun and In Absentia?

LS is my fave, and seems to carry on in the direction of Signify, while IA seems to be a bridge between Signify/LA and what came after - the psychedelic/songwriter stuff to the more metal stuff.

[wideopenears]

Haven't heard either one of those, Scott.....will check samples when I get some time.

[wideopenears]

Or...camples. Yeah, that's it...

[Spiral]

Let's not forget Stupid Dream. It and Lightbulb Sun just go together sooooooo well.

[NogbadTheBad]

In Absentia is probably my favorite. I'm really looking forward to the new one.

[Oreb]

Confessions of an Old Fart, Vol. 49

I don't get the appeal of listening to leaked versions on crappy computer files. When a new album comes out by an artist I respect I like to hear it for the first time on my good stereo system with the box/book/lyrics/whatever near by and a glass of good red to keep me company.

It's a ritual that I enjoy.

[Oreb]

Don't expect this in the US for over a month. The previous issue hasn't even hit the shelves yet but probably will this week. Check it out, something groovy is in it. My subscription copy arrived last week.

You scrub up pretty well for an old guy ;)

[polmico]

Confessions of an Old Fart, Vol. 49

I don't get the appeal of listening to leaked versions on crappy computer files. When a new album comes out by an artist I respect I like to hear it for the first time on my good stereo system with the box/book/lyrics/whatever near by and a glass of good red to keep me company.

It's a ritual that I enjoy.

Same here, man. Can't wait to open this one up and dive into the book.

[Scott Bails]

Let's not forget Stupid Dream. It and Lightbulb Sun just go together sooooooo well.

Gah! I did forget Stupid Dream. For whatever reason, I always confuse that one with Signify.

wideopenears - check out Stupid Dream, too! :lol

[JKL2000]

Wilson's deluxe editions ARE quite expensive, aren't they? Even more than the Marillion deluxe editions, which are preordered to fund the recording, etc. Even forgetting the postage and exchange rate, they're considerably more. I wonder why Burning Shed charges so much more than Marillion - I'm trying to think of other comparable releases...

[VickiLynn]

My "Get All You Deserve" deluxe edition was well worth the money, though. I don't have many vices, so I don't mind spending money on quality music ;)
I could do without the shipping...

[Sordel]

Confessions of an Old Fart, Vol. 49

I don't get the appeal of listening to leaked versions on crappy computer files. When a new album comes out by an artist I respect I like to hear it for the first time on my good stereo system with the box/book/lyrics/whatever near by and a glass of good red to keep me company.

It's a ritual that I enjoy.

I agree ... it's been sort of annoying to hear people talking about leaked/preview versions of the new Steven Wilson and Nick Cave albums, but I'd rather wait until I can sit down with the finished product.

[JKL2000]

I actually have to admit I'm way behind in my Steven Wilson - I hadn't even removed the shrink wrap on Grace for Drowning till yesterday. But I had a couple of good listens to disk one over the last two days and it's excellent. I was only somewhat of a fan of P Tree, being one of those who preferred the earlier stuff. But I loved The Incident, so I'm back on the bus but slow in catching up. Wilson also keeps me away with all the limited editions, singles, albums of unreleased stuff, etc. It's not that I mind that kind of stuff, but I can't keep up with him. But anyway, disk one of GfD sounds great, and I'm excited for the new one. I also really need to listen to Insurgentes, as I only gave it a cursory listen. Storm Warning sounded good to me, but that too I need to listen to more.

He's definitely a talented guy, but the metallic PT stuff was totally unintereresting to me and that's where he really lost me musically. But he's back on track now, I'd say, probably because he's doing exactly what he wants musically.

[VickiLynn]

I actually have to admit I'm way behind in my Steven Wilson - I hadn't even removed the shrink wrap on Grace for Drowning till yesterday. But I had a couple of good listens to disk one over the last two days and it's excellent. I was only somewhat of a fan of P Tree, being one of those who preferred the earlier stuff. But I loved The Incident, so I'm back on the bus but slow in catching up. Wilson also keeps me away with all the limited editions, singles, albums of unreleased stuff, etc. It's not that I mind that kind of stuff, but I can't keep up with him. But anyway, disk one of GfD sounds great, and I'm excited for the new one. I also really need to listen to Insurgentes, as I only gave it a cursory listen. Storm Warning sounded good to me, but that too I need to listen to more.

He's definitely a talented guy, but the metallic PT stuff was totally unintereresting to me and that's where he really lost me musically. But he's back on track now, I'd say, probably because he's doing exactly what he wants musically.
I liked many tracks on Grace For Drowning, but Get All You Deserve just blew me away. If you haven't already done so, check out some of the songs from that tour on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL61k2o-EA4

[Dave (in MA)]

I agree ... it's been sort of annoying to hear people talking about leaked/preview versions of the new Steven Wilson and Nick Cave albums
And yet you're in a thread called "New Steven Wilson Album Details" for some reason.

[Sordel]

And yet you're in a thread called "New Steven Wilson Album Details" for some reason.

Well, touché I guess, but this thread dates from the time when the only details available were those revealed by press releases and the discussion was restricted to the usual baseless speculation. It's only recently that people have started posting actual impressions.

Moreover, it's not as though someone is going to tell me that Rosebud's the sled or anything: it's unlikely that I'm going to read a real spoiler.

It's just that I can remember a time when (for example, on the Richard Thompson list) there was a moratorium on posted impressions of a new album until a few days after the official release date, so that everyone could still stay in the discussion but remain able to form their own impressions of an album. That wasn't such a bad thing (though, I acknowledge, very difficult to operate on a general board with a large number of users).

[ScottAM]

From my September, 2012 interview:
I'm not particularly inspired to make a record with Porcupine Tree right now; therefore, the worst thing I could do would be to make a Porcupine Tree record.


I think that makes it pretty clear.

Thanks for posting that excerpt from your SW interview. Yes, that covers it really well, and who can argue with that? It's great that SW has always had so many musical outlets for his diverse tastes and expressions, and I guess now that he gets them all wrapped into one band (his solo band), it must be supremely satisfying for him.

[jode]

it's not as though someone is going to tell me that Rosebud's the sled or anything


Whaaaaaaaa........?

[Spiral]

Moreover, it's not as though someone is going to tell me that Rosebud's the sled or anything: it's unlikely that I'm going to read a real spoiler.

Pssssst. "The Holy Drinker" is actually a ten-minute polka.

[Plasmatopia]

Whaaaaaaaa........?

It's a reference to the movie Citizen Kane.

Citizen Kane (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/)

Triple obscurity points if it's actually a reference to William Randolph Hearst.

[JKL2000]

***SPOILER ALERT***














http://com-blackberry-us-5p.wwwa.com/devjournals/resources/journals/sep_2006/scale.jpg

[N_Singh]

***SPOILER ALERT***














http://com-blackberry-us-5p.wwwa.com/devjournals/resources/journals/sep_2006/scale.jpg

What is that? Could it be the dreaded bass clef? Why it is, who knew? I remember that Johnny Smith wrote his method book for guitar using the Grand staff, and other guitar teachers were warning him to not use it, saying it would kill sales Sort of like the publishers told Hawking that any actual math would kill sales of *A Brief History of Time*.

I guess a more modern FBish version of this notation joke would be to flash it in front of a *lead guitarist* (has anyone ever met a *lead pianist*?) , forcing him or her immediately stop playing. :)

I got a question: the Burning Shed store lists the Deluxe version of this set to include a 120 page book. I presume this must be standard fare for Wilson, to offer a hardcover book of some type. What are these books like? Insightful? Full of art and pictures? Useful essays?

I bought the blu-ray version of his last 2 albums, and a redbook CD version of his studio album (actually at a Best Buy, if it can still be believed). I only bought the CD because I can't burn the blu-ray to itunes and place it on my phone.

I've given some thought to getting the deluxe package: blu-ray, DVD, and CD and book. Just wondering what's usually in the book.

[Sordel]

I've given some thought to getting the deluxe package: blu-ray, DVD, and CD and book. Just wondering what's usually in the book.

I don't know about 'usually' but the Grace For Drowning book is mainly photos, with the lyrics every now and again. To be honest, I didn't find it to be anything special, but your mileage may vary.

[polmico]

"The new album “The Raven that Refused to Sing (and other stories)” is now available to pre-order in 4 different formats from Burning Shed. The deluxe edition comes in the form of a 128 page book, illustrated by Hajo Mueller, and features lyrics and ghost stories."

http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/new-album-pre-order-details/

The artist for the book is the same one who designed the "Drag Ropes" video for Storm Corrosion:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=manW5v-AR7U

SW has put some stills for the new video being worked on for this album. Here's an example:

992

I thought it was worth picking up because I like the style. The extra music (some demos I think) don't really make it worth it.

[Dave (in MA)]

Well, touché I guess
No, I was only clowning around.

[Haruspex Carnage]

Even though i still find the album in and of itself kind of disappointing, i think it's ranking highest in my '13 albums thus far...the new Riverside i think (in some ways i compare SW and MD as contemporaries), is pretty...missing what their other albums had.

[Corbie]

PT were totally on another level, Barbieri is ADDING new sounds, I see "progression" there.

I'm not so sure. I have every respect for your opinion and you might even be quite correct but, it's maybe not so clear cut. After all, these new sounds that Barbieri is adding (and don't get me wrong, I'm a huge admirer) are pretty much the same new sounds that he's been generating since the early 1990s with Mick karn. Earlier than that even. SW's return to the mellotron can be seen less as a knowingly "retro" move than simply the decision to use an instrument that has its own distinctive sound as well as, yes sure, a lot of musically associative weight. The use of distorted electric piano and wah wah and so on is similarly "vintage" sounding but always in the service of the music and Wilson is no strnager to combining the ambience of that more contemporasry Barbieri-esque musical landscape and marrying it to the sounds of the 1970s.

Sometimes I think that - rather than wallowing in nostalgia - certain artists who use the sounds of that era are simply reclaiming them, rehabilitating them for a new audience.

[zombywoof]

I've been on a Porcupine Tree binge for about a week. I've been mostly listening to In Absentia (which I think stands high above the rest of the PTree albums in my collection) and Grace for Drowning. Both are really great, but quite different. In Absentia is more riff based and progressive in the Rush or Pink Floyd way and perhaps more simplistic, whereas GfD is much more complex and arguable more progressive in the King Crimson way.

[JKL2000]

My limited edition arrived today. Looks pretty nice (I haven't heard a note of it yet).

[JIF]

Found Drive Home on youtube yesterday. Its gone now, but I thought it was great! Its not PT, Its Steven Wilson, doing what he wants to do, and I like going for the ride. He's said he was growing tired of the harder side of PT. I would suggest if you're looking for PT then listen to PT. Otherwise, as indicated above, there will be disappointment. I happen to dig his solo and side project work. A lot. I also dug Storm Corrosion as well. I like that Wilson doesn't stay put, he stretches out, tries new things. He stays curious and keeps me interested. Totally looking forward to this album and the subsequent tour. His last tour caved my skull in.If he was growing tired of the harder-edged PT, why didn't he just change PT back to the way they were in the pre-IA days?

[JIF]

I've been on a Porcupine Tree binge for about a week. I've been mostly listening to In Absentia (which I think stands high above the rest of the PTree albums in my collection) and Grace for Drowning. Both are really great, but quite different. In Absentia is more riff based and progressive in the Rush or Pink Floyd way and perhaps more simplistic, whereas GfD is much more complex and arguable more progressive in the King Crimson way.In Absentia is the PT cd that I return to the most. I also have Signify, Fear Of A Blank, and The Incident.

[polmico]

If he was growing tired of the harder-edged PT, why didn't he just change PT back to the way they were in the pre-IA days?

Because he was tired of PT. The interviews he's given recently have clearly stated that.

[N_Singh]

Because PT cant' actually play the tunes he has in his mind, these days? :) (well, maybe the drummer can, but he's just the drummer :) )

[JKL2000]

Wow, just had my first listen to this. IMO it's Steven Wilson's best album ever. I know several years ago he said he was going to drag prog kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but I think Prog dragged Steven kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Yet, he retained all him own idiosyncrasies. Amazing album! I can't wait to become truly familiar with it.

[Toothyspook]

SENSATIONAL !!!

[sidetracked]

i got the new issue of prog w/wilson on cover at barnes and nobles yesterday in salem, nh...haven't had time to look at it yet though

[jode]

It's a reference to the movie Citizen Kane.

Citizen Kane (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/)

Triple obscurity points if it's actually a reference to William Randolph Hearst.

Thanks man but I was feigning horror at the revelation rather than showing ignorance of classic cinema ;-)

[Plasmatopia]

I don't think I've ever made it all the way through the movie....but I watched a great documentary on it (which covered a lot about Hearst and Orson Wells) a couple of times.

[jkelman]

Because he was tired of PT. The interviews he's given recently have clearly stated that.
And, more importantly, PT may have begun as a solo project but it became a band. From my interview:


"When you have a group of musicians, you're inherently a democracy; the area you all meet on is, by definition, relatively small. By that, I mean the area upon which we can all agree— this is the kind of music that we want to play—becomes relatively small. And that, in a way, is what gives the band its identity. And I'm not knocking it. I'm not saying that this is necessarily a bad thing, but it is a thing that makes us different."

And later....


"I think the difference is that I would never ask the guys in Porcupine Tree to play music that I did not feel they would enjoy playing" says Wilson. "Whereas the difference, when you're hiring guys, is that although you still want them to enjoy playing the music, because they know it's my thing, they are more willing to try their hand at something else. Sort of like, 'You know, it's not what I'm into, but you know what? I'll go with it and I'll play it.'

"When you have a band that's been together as long as Porcupine Tree, there are all sorts of internal politics, and I simply wouldn't want to be performing something with them if I didn't think they were enjoying it," Wilson continues. "By definition, that then becomes the band sound, and although that is limiting, I use the word in the sense that it can also be positive. Porcupine Tree has a very distinct sound which people instantly recognize, and that sound comes from what we can all agree to play.

and....


"It was just beginning to feel like it was becoming repetitive, like a sausage machine. I'm probably about halfway through my career; I've been doing it for 20 years, and let's say I've got another 20 years. Time to get into some different things, you know? And it's funny, again, how much resistance there is from the fan base. You know, I've done this for 20 years, I've made plenty of albums with this band, and I want to do some different things now...

What is also interesting, given how some folks can't let PT go, is this:

"When I was going to do my first solo tour, I was told by Steve Hackett—someone who has had very good experience with of this whole kind of thing—that when you go out on your solo tour, expect your audience to fall by 80 percent. So expect 20 percent of your audience to go with you, and it doesn't matter how much you are associated with it.

"Roger Waters found this when he left Floyd," Wilson continues. "In this business, brand name is everything. You can be the guy that writes everything, produces everything, plays everything, but the minute you stop using the brand name and go out under your own name, you lose so much of your audience. It was a brave thing for [Jethro Tull]'s Ian Anderson to do it with Thick as a Brick 2 (Chrysalis, 2012); he was probably tempted to do it as a Tull record, but he didn't. These kinds of things— economic things, commercial things—in my situation, I did better than a lot of people expected; we probably had about 50 percent of the people that bought Porcupine Tree records buy my solo records. It was amazing. I was very pleased with that, but it's tough getting people to take it seriously, that this is not just a little side project. That's also a struggle, but I'm winning that battle, and I don't want to make it out like I'm not. I am winning that battle, but it's hard, and I'm constantly reminding people that this is not a side project; it's the most important thing I've ever done.

"In a way, it's history repeating itself, because that's exactly what happened with Porcupine Tree," Wilson continues. "The first three albums were de facto solo records, other than the occasional guest performance. The band came together in order to play live. I liked the way it sounded live so much that I decided to make it a band and started to write with the band in mind. So, in a way, it's simply the same thing again. The difference, this time, is I decided that I had the confidence to do it under my own name."

This ought to answer some of the questions surrounding PT and SW.

[eporter66]

I'm one of the 20% that will continue to follow Wilson's musical journey. I am bummed to hear PT may be ending, but I understand him from those quotes.
As I wait for the new disc I have been listening to GFD a lot. I don't know if it is just now really connecting with me for the first time, but I am loving it. Wilson is something special in my book.
I am really looking forward to seeing him live this spring.
BRING ON THE RAVEN.

[Arkangel3]

My disc was brilliantly sent into a snowstorm by the US Post office...to Indiana from NJ. God only knows why, but I anxiously await its arrival.

[progmeister]

After 5 listens I must say I'm blown away. It's a real band now. Is it coincidental that my first 2 early contenders for album of the year, this and LIFESIGNS share bass player extraordinaire Nick Beggs? Hmmm...I think not.

[VickiLynn]

I'm one of the 20% that will continue to follow Wilson's musical journey. I am bummed to hear PT may be ending, but I understand him from those quotes.

BRING ON THE RAVEN.

I'm also a die-hard Steven Wilson fan. I love that he isn't afraid to experiment and express himself. You can't appeal to all people all the time, and I'm glad he doesn't try. Some people just have more open minds ;)


After 5 listens I must say I'm blown away. It's a real band now. Is it coincidental that my first 2 early contenders for album of the year, this and LIFESIGNS share bass player extraordinaire Nick Beggs? Hmmm...I think not.

I'm glad Nick is finally getting the recognition he deserves; I think he's phenomenal

[Troopers For Sound]

On about listen number 4....and really enjoying it. So far the shorter songs are my favourites, but i'm really enjoying the nod to early Genesis at the start of the Watchmaker. It sounds as though Anthony Phillips popped into the studio in LA:) Anyone else stumbled across the "lounge" version of Drive Home yet on the Blu Ray??

Matt.

[JKL2000]

Are the contents of the DVD and Blu Ray identical (apart from format)? Anyone know?

[N_Singh]

Are the contents of the DVD and Blu Ray identical (apart from format)? Anyone know?

Still waiting for my blu-ray. How are people getting their copies already, my order from Amazon is not officially released yet? I'll have to double check, agin. I think they should be the same, but the audio and video resolution should be better and uncompressed.

THis just in, from the Official Steven Wilson FB Page:

"As you may be aware an early review copy of The Raven That Refused To Sing (and other stories) was leaked on to the internet several weeks ago, and rapidly spread, with tens of thousands of downloads taking place. This was very frustrating for all those involved in making the record, and anyone that took advantage of the opportunity to download is respectfully encouraged to purchase the record in acknowledgement of the tremendous effort, expense and planning that went into creating the album.

Unfortunately leaks of this kind are almost inevitable these days, but we sincerely hope that fans will want to have the full experience of owning a genuine copy. Steven is meticulous and pays huge attention to every detail of each version of the record, where the music, the sonics, and the artwork all come together to create the total experience that cannot be fully appreciated with an unofficial download. We hope you also believe that musicians should be paid for their work just as in any other profession. Above all, however you choose to hear the album we hope you enjoy it!

https://www.burningshed.com/store/stevenwilson/

Downloading the album for free means no lunch for Steven…

[Dave (in MA)]

Are the contents of the DVD and Blu Ray identical (apart from format)? Anyone know?
Instrumentals (Blu-ray only):

1. Luminol (instrumental)
2. Drive Home (instrumental)
3. The Holy Drinker (instrumental)
4. The Pin Drop (instrumental)
5. The Watchmaker (instrumental)
6. The Raven That Refused to Sing (instrumental)

Bonus track:

Drive Home - lounge version (Blu-ray only)

[N_Singh]

Here is the listing on Amazon: it ships 2/26/13. So, Tuesday.

DVD-V - 96/24 Stereo LPCM of the album, plus 2 x 5.1 mixes of album (DTS 96/24 5.1 surround & Dolby AC3 5.1 surround
Art Gallery (images by Hajo Mueller)
Photo Gallery (photographs by Lass Hoile)
Studio Documentary (filmed and edited by Lasse Hoile)

Blu-Ray - 96/24 Stereo LPCM of the album, plus 2 x 5.1 mixes of album (96/24 5.1 LPCM & DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
Instrumental versions of the album tracks (96/24 Stereo LPCM),
bonus track (`Drive Home' - lounge version, also 96/24 Stereo LPCM).
Art Gallery (images by Hajo Mueller)
Photo Gallery (photographs by Lass Hoile)
Studio Documentary (filmed and edited by Lasse Hoile)

[Proghound]

I havent read this entire thread, but if it wasnt mentioned already, Minnemann will not be on the US portion of the tour. Chad Wackerman will be handling the drum duties. Being big fans of both drummers, I think this will add yet another monster player to the mix. Minneman is touring with Joe Satriani (with Bryan Bellar on Bass and Mike Keneally on keys and guitar) Then the Aristocrats are touring in the Summer after the Satriani tour.

[Plasmatopia]

I probably doesn't matter, but there's another thread about the tour where that has been discussed.

[Magic Mountain]

How are people getting their copies already

Laser's Edge posted it on Wednesday at their website www.lasercd.com (where I got my copy). I know others have gotten theirs from Burning Shed and I believe the European release was earlier than the US.

The new CD is stunning. This is the first time in a while that a highly anticipated CD (by me), exceeded my expectations.

[LASERCD]

They are selling like mad but we still have a small quantity of the deluxe mediabook on hand. Stunning package.

https://www.lasercd.com/node/9593

[JKL2000]

Why include content on the BluRay and not the DVD?

I agree that the album exceeded expectations. I wasn't expecting something so different from GfD.

[JKL2000]

I haven't read all the stories in the book yet, but somehow that story about the birthday party seems awfully unoriginal. I know of at least two stories about a hide and seek game at a children's birthday. One is a Graeme Greene horror(ish) story and one was some Dutch short film I can't remember too well.

[jkelman]

Why include content on the BluRay and not the DVD?

I agree that the album exceeded expectations. I wasn't expecting something so different from GfD.

Space?

The only thing not on the DVD are the instrumental versions of the album, plus the "lounge version" of "Drive Home," though you can extract those files using software like Xilisoft, so now I've got effectively three CDs worth of material: The album, the demo versions of the album + one track of unused ideas, and an instrumental version of the album with the "lounge version."

I've been loving this record since I got a review set of files before the beginning of the year, and the Deluxe Edition lives up to all expectations. Now that I have it I'll be writing my review tomorrow.

Best,
John

[JKL2000]

Space?

The only thing not on the DVD are the instrumental versions of the album, plus the "lounge version" of "Drive Home," though you can extract those files using software like Xilisoft, so now I've got effectively three CDs worth of material: The album, the demo versions of the album + one track of unused ideas, and an instrumental version of the album with the "lounge version."

I've been loving this record since I got a review set of files before the beginning of the year, and the Deluxe Edition lives up to all expectations. Now that I have it I'll be writing my review tomorrow.

Best,
John

Seems kind of unlikely that they couldn't also fit that stuff on the DVD. But, how are the instrumental versions? Do they seem at all essential?

I just watched the "making of" featurette, and unfortunately it seems like one viewing is enough for life. But that's typical enough.

[ombasan]

In Absentia is the PT cd that I return to the most. I also have Signify, Fear Of A Blank, and The Incident.

You're missing "Stupid Dream" then.
(And also "Lightbulb sun");)

[VickiLynn]

You're missing "Stupid Dream" then.
(And also "Lightbulb sun");)
And Deadwing

[Corbie]

Mine arrived this weekend. I only had the chance to give it one spin (and that while I was cooking a big family dinner on Sunday) but... Jesus, I love it!

[gpeccary]

An amazing album. There have been posts around here somewhere that its too much of the same thing from him and that he should go to school and take some composition courses or something. Ok. I guess. But to my (thankfully) uneducated ears, this guy topped himself with this one for sure. If this is an album of poor compositions I cant imagine what his great ones will be like.

[warrplayer]

An amazing album. There have been posts around here somewhere that its too much of the same thing from him and that he should go to school and take some composition courses or something. Ok. I guess. But to my (thankfully) uneducated ears, this guy topped himself with this one for sure. If this is an album of poor compositions I cant imagine what his great ones will be like.

I don't know the posts to which you are referring, but perhaps what they aren't saying his compositions are poor, but merely that they are all drawing from a limited pool of compositional tools, and that his music could be enhanced if he broadened that tool set. I have enjoyed what I have heard, but some of it sounds like it wouldn't be out of place on a PT album. that surprised me.

[JKL2000]

IMO, this new album is very different from all the other albums he's done (with and without PT) and it's my favorite. My other favorite is The Incident, and that was also not well received, so what do I know, I guess?

[gpeccary]

The Pin Drop and especially Drive Home are emerging as my favorites. The solo Govan does about 5 minutes in is astounding.

[boilk]

Man, you guys are driving me crazy with these great reviews! Hopefully, I can get mine from the local brick and mortar tomorrow!

neil

[VickiLynn]

Just gave the album my first listen through and I can't rave enough! I can't think of an adequate adjective to describe this album :)
Guthrie's guitar solo on Drive Home is amazing, and I loved The Watchmaker. TRTRTS is a thousand times better than the youtube version I listened to. I cannot wait to see/hear these songs performed live!!!

[polmico]

Still waiting for my copy. Bummer.

[Sean]

Checked it out on the "Drive Home" today. Good stuff. I can't say I am totally amazed, at this point (10+ years) SW's writing seems familiar to me, so it's more of what you have grown to love from SW, the next phase if you would. This band and these tunes are an enjoyable step up from his last one, and it was quite good. This is a bit more energetic and that makes for a fun listen. Alan Parsons engineering never hurts either. More as I digest this.... There's some delicious layers of goodness on here. You could love it for that alone.

[N_Singh]

I guess Amazon is officially releasing it tomorrow. Happy to wait. Dig the ballad, dig the Genesis song so far.

[Sean]

I know a place that likes to sell early.

[Wisdomview]

It arrived from Burning Shed today. Hope I get a chance to check it out tonight!

[JIF]

I guess Amazon is officially releasing it tomorrow. Happy to wait. Dig the ballad, dig the Genesis song so far.What's the Genesis song?

[Sean]

It's not a Genesis song per se. There is one that reminds me a lot of the Musical Box though- starts with pretty arpeggiated guitars and then builds with the whole band and 'tron. Best vocal delivery and lyric on the CD, methinks.

[JIF]

It's not a Genesis song per se. There is one that reminds me a lot of the Musical Box though- starts with pretty arpeggiated guitars and then builds with the whole band and 'tron. Best vocal delivery and lyric on the CD, methinks.Cool. I'm a sucker for a Genesis song. I might just get this cd. Does Best Buy have it?

[Wisdomview]

Hmmmmmm, the internet....................... :) http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Raven+That+Refused+To+Sing+(CD%2BDVD)+(Limited+Edi tion)+-+CD/21000111.p;jsessionid=CACF7B1EBF46C58286A1634F44E1 0152.bbolsp-app01-124?id=2654322&skuId=21000111&st=steven wilson raven&lp=2&cp=1

[jkelman]

Seems kind of unlikely that they couldn't also fit that stuff on the DVD.
Not sure why you think that; capacity of a dual-layer DVD is 8.5-8.7 Gb; dual layer Blu-Ray is 50Gb; given the space that the surround sound mixes take (and the instrumental versions on the blu-ray are offered in the same three versions - Stereo 96/24 LCPM, 5.1 96/24 LPCM and 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, offering the album in both instrumental and regular versions would seem impossible to offer on DVD.


But, how are the instrumental versions? Do they seem at all essential?
Depends on what you consider essential. I certainly listened to them a lot when writing my review, which should be up sometime next week. Will most folks listen often? I doubt it. To be honest, the demos are more revealing, but the real reason to own the deluxe edition is the book itself; between the stories (which are good) to the artwork (which is great), and having the music in CD form and surround on Blu-Ray, I'm happy I made the investment (and yes, I did buy the deluxe; I get the music advances in digital form and, had I not ordered the deluxe, they'd have sent me whatever other edition I wanted, but with the Deluxe being limited they can't offer that, but honestly, I think that from a presentation perspective Wilson has redefined what a deluxe edition can and should be, so I've no problem helping him keep it up by paying for it).

[jimmynelson]

The Pin Drop and especially Drive Home are emerging as my favorites. The solo Govan does about 5 minutes in is astounding.

'Drive Home' has become a soundtrack for me, over the last days. There's just an exquisite darkness to this album. It's easy enough, I suppose, to point to Poe ... what with The Raven title and all. But I wonder where his inspirations actually came from. I'd love to dig deeper into whatever is on Wilson's reading list ...

[Sean]

There's just an exquisite darkness to this album. Much like in the majority of his work. I don't think he's made a "happy" album since Stupid Dream.

[Wisdomview]

Sat back with a single malt and listened to the 5.1 mix late last night. Wow!! I loved it on the first listen, but I'm sure that there will be many more listens before I can fully absorb it.
Being a fan of SW since he mid '90s, I do hear some new ideas going on along with Wilson's usual stamp. I really like how he gave the players the freedom to improvise a lot. Very cool.

[JSS]

Dammit, gotta quit reading these threads. Y'all will have me build it up in my head to something my ears might not agree with. :)

[polmico]

Funny that y'all are mentioning how one of songs sounds like a Genesis tune. "Luminol" sounds like it could be a Yes song to me--maybe something off Tormato. Anybody else get that vibe off it?

[100423]

The mailman just delivered mine.
Mmmmmm....

[Sean]

Well, they deliberately asked Parsons for a Squire bass tone on Luminol, so that isn't a stretch to say it's Yessish.

[proggy_jazzer]

Funny that y'all are mentioning how one of songs sounds like a Genesis tune. "Luminol" sounds like it could be a Yes song to me--maybe something off Tormato. Anybody else get that vibe off it?
Most definitely! Very much has echoes of 'Tempus Fugit' to me in the opening.

[Jerjo]

Ordered from Amazon and because I live out in the sticks, it'll be at least next Monday before I see it. Damn, damn, damn.

[NogbadTheBad]

Ordered from Amazon and because I live out in the sticks, it'll be at least next Monday before I see it. Damn, damn, damn.
I'm waiting Amazon getting to me as well.

[ScottAM]

I'm really enjoying this new release, definitely my favorite solo CD of his yet.

"Drive Home" would have been a perfect Blackfield song. I guess he's keeping all of those for himself now. I enjoy "Luminol", the longest song, far more than "Raider II", the longest song on his last album. "The Watchmaker" is also fantastic (I guess the one that people are referring to as a bit 'Genesisy'?) and "The Pin Drop" has been a real nice surprise, too. I love the way the title track builds and builds.

Yes, there's a lot here that are similar notes to what Steven has done before. But the band really fleshes it out quite a bit, it's delicious! I'm looking forward to growing into this one, but it's off to a magnificent start. I'm glad he's going to play the entire album live in his upcoming tour. Should be over the top!

[boilk]

Picked up mine from Sunrise Records tonight! First spin, coming up!!

neil

[nosebone]

totally different impression here: heard the album, bored to death (Luminol is way, way better live), 100% of already-heard-zillions-times music from him or other proggers.
I can't stand listening to the mellotron anymore...PT were totally on another level, Barbieri is ADDING new sounds, I see "progression" there. SW is going back to the '70s, making a big salad of what we have digested many and many times...


I agree.

The production & mix is stellar, love the flutes, the keyboardist and the CSN vocal harmonies, but the writing bores me to tears.

[zombywoof]

I just got it today. The first three tracks are excellent, the last three will have to grow on me.

[Corbie]

It's great on first listen and grows better each time you play it. The band is the star here in a way. While Wilson's songwriting has been criticised for not having grown much, I don't see this as a barrier to enjoyment: These are GOOD songs and they are played by a superb band. Getting to grips with what these guys do with that material will be a listening pleasure for years to come.

I'll be at the festival hall on Monday to see the boys live. Can't wait!

[N_Singh]

[QUOTE=Corbie;58923]. Getting to grips with what these guys do with that material will be a listening pleasure for years to come.

/QUOTE]

And this is exactly why I love fans of progressive music. We care. We care a lot.

[gpeccary]

It's great on first listen and grows better each time you play it. The band is the star here in a way. While Wilson's songwriting has been criticised for not having grown much, I don't see this as a barrier to enjoyment: These are GOOD songs and they are played by a superb band. Getting to grips with what these guys do with that material will be a listening pleasure for years to come.

I'll be at the festival hall on Monday to see the boys live. Can't wait!

Yeah to all the above! Cant wait to hear your review on the show!!!!

[polmico]

And this is exactly why I love fans of progressive music. We care. We care a lot.

About Transformers, fires, floods and killer bees.

[jimmynelson]

Much like in the majority of his work. I don't think he's made a "happy" album since Stupid Dream.

So true. Haha.

[jimmynelson]

... I wonder where his inspirations actually came from. I'd love to dig deeper into whatever is on Wilson's reading list ...

Found it! Headed over to Amazon now ... haha.

"There’s a school of British writers from that time, people like M.R. James, Algernon Blackwood, Arthur Machen — who I guess, in their own way, were inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. But they had a very peculiarly British twist, a kind of intellectual approach to the idea of the ghost story — very understated, as only the British can do. I loved that. I started out, in fact, by trying to do my own kind of stories in that kind of vein and style."

From an interview published yesterday that I found here (http://somethingelsereviews.com/2013/02/26/something-else-interview-steven-wilson-on-classic-1970s-sounds-progs-rebirth-and-his-amazing-new-album/).

[N_Singh]

About Transformers, fires, floods and killer bees.

Transformers started in 1984 and was well after the end of the Classic Era (1976). We are now in the year 37 C.E.. Think instead of J.R.R. Tolkien characters, and a 20 minute adaptation of *War and Peace*.

[NogbadTheBad]

Found it! Headed over to Amazon now ... haha.

"There’s a school of British writers from that time, people like M.R. James, Algernon Blackwood, Arthur Machen — who I guess, in their own way, were inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. But they had a very peculiarly British twist, a kind of intellectual approach to the idea of the ghost story — very understated, as only the British can do. I loved that. I started out, in fact, by trying to do my own kind of stories in that kind of vein and style."

From an interview published yesterday that I found here (http://somethingelsereviews.com/2013/02/26/something-else-interview-steven-wilson-on-classic-1970s-sounds-progs-rebirth-and-his-amazing-new-album/).

The last Future Kings Of England album was also inspired by 'Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You my Lad' by M R James

[Wisdomview]

The first 2 that really jumped out at me are 'The Holy Drinker'and the title track. IMHO, each are great, but for different reasons.

[Kcrimso]

I got this today. Wow... just wow!

[Sean]

I got it two days ago. Mom.... just MOM!

[No Pride]

The production & mix is stellar, love the flutes, the keyboardist and the CSN vocal harmonies, but the writing bores me to tears.
Ughh, I was afraid of that! I never cared for PT, but I've been on the fence about getting this one because I thought the stellar cast of players would make all of the difference. I know your tastes and mine intersect often and now I'm even more reluctant to get this. We'll see...

[Sean]

He's right. I won't say it's boring me to tears, I like it. But yeah, the production exceeds the writing. I know your tastes. You can always spin it at YT first.

[Corbie]

Found it! Headed over to Amazon now ... haha.

"There’s a school of British writers from that time, people like M.R. James, Algernon Blackwood, Arthur Machen — who I guess, in their own way, were inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. But they had a very peculiarly British twist, a kind of intellectual approach to the idea of the ghost story — very understated, as only the British can do. I loved that. I started out, in fact, by trying to do my own kind of stories in that kind of vein and style."

From an interview published yesterday that I found here (http://somethingelsereviews.com/2013/02/26/something-else-interview-steven-wilson-on-classic-1970s-sounds-progs-rebirth-and-his-amazing-new-album/).

I've been revisiting this fiction myself over the last few years. Guys like Machen were hugely influential for writers such as Lovecraft as well. I recently re-read Algernon Blackwood's collection of stories featuring his recurring character John Silence, a kind of psychic detective. These fit alongside William Hope Hogson's stories about Carnacki the ghost hunter and Aliester "The Beast" Crowleys' stories concerning the adventures of Simon Iff. I love these recurring characters and feel that the film industry is missing a bet not adapting some of these. I'd love to see a BBC adaptation of some of the Blackwood or Hodgson tales.

[No Pride]

You can always spin it at YT first.
I didn't realize the whole album was there. Thanks, Sean!

[Nearfest2]

Excellent album on first spin.

[nosebone]

I didn't realize the whole album was there. Thanks, Sean!


Let us know what you think.

[mpoll]

I've had the chance to listen to it once: Outstanding musicianship for sure, and I think the songs will grow on me with time as have the first two solo efforts. My first impression is that this release is complex enough that it will remain an interesting listen for quite a while (especially for those who bought the super-deluxe-coffee-table-edition; because of its size it CAN'T just be forgotten in the recesses of their large collections!). BTW, I'm very content with my standard-size CD/DVD Deluxe set. |)

[3LockBox]

I gotta agree with the detractors here - I'm sure the production is as stellar as people are saying it is, after all, it is what Wilson was shooting for. But given what I've heard on YT its another one of his textural explorations that make me wanna go nighty-night. If I didn't already own Grace For Drowning then maybe it'd be a keeper, but then again, that's why I traded Insurgentes when I got GFD.

Great engineering and production is always a bonus for music I love, but I'd rather listen to poorly engineered music I liked.

[boilk]

First listen last night. Really strong start with Luminol. Great bass riffs on this track and, despite what many are saying, to my ears at least, this song does not sound that much like anything SW has done before. The second song, Drive Home, has a beautiful melody to it and The Holy Drinker has some great guitar work.

The next two songs, including the Genesis one, didn't hit me quite as strongly but it's early days yet. The album closer, the title track, is very hauntingly melodic and is a fitting end to things.

I'm not sure where this will rank with me in comparison to his other work, but first impressions are there's a lot to like and I'm looking forward to more spins.

neil

[eporter66]

I'm just getting through my first listen and I am finding it very impressive. I will need time to absorb everything, but I really like what I've heard. "Drive Home" made a great first impression, and I had already heard Luminol and the title track. I really like the addition of the flutes / sax / clarinet, and Govan plays some absolutely smoking lead guitar throughout.

I enjoy the songs, not sure why the writing is being critisized, I do think he is trying to expand, and the band is certainly helping him stretch out. I love the Mellotron, and I think it is used quite well in these tracks.

I am seeing him with Opeth (the only time they are playing together on tour) and I hope he gets to play the full CD.

[Sean]

I wish more modern progressive artists had the thoughtful attention to detail Steven has. He really stands apart.

[Wisdomview]

I wish more modern progressive artists had the thoughtful attention to detail Steven has. He really stands apart.

Tru dat!

Anyone else notice the different style vocals in the beginning of 'Pin Drop'? SW's voice sounds very different than what we're used to and I really dig it.

[VickiLynn]

Anyone else notice the different style vocals in the beginning of 'Pin Drop'? SW's voice sounds very different than what we're used to and I really dig it. My husband, who's "gone off" SW, made disparaging remarks about his vocals, but I thought he sounded great, and I appreciate his willingness to try new things.

[Neek21]

first spin, and I say wow...great recording!!!

[Haruspex Carnage]

Tru dat!

Anyone else notice the different style vocals in the beginning of 'Pin Drop'? SW's voice sounds very different than what we're used to and I really dig it.

This bit always struck me as very Toby Driver.

[N_Singh]

For those of you who charge him of recording a record that is *samey* (I hear that term a lot here, and it reminds me of when Harry Connick was a guest judge on one of those music shows--American Idol?--when Simon Cowell accused a contestant of being *pitchy*, Connick snapped back, "pitchy? That is not a musical term--it's either flat, sharp, or it's the wrong note") or is otherwise deficient in the writing department, I'm curious to know what you mean, concretely.

I mean, a ballad is a ballad, a melody can fall in various directions, be comprised of notes that can be conjunctive (usually, excessively scalar) or not (intervallic leaps) and doted with enough chromaticism (which essentially means *Colorful*) to make it interesting, it can have melodic counterpoint, in which the counter melodies can move in three basic directions (in parallel, obliquely, or in contrary motion). It can be harmonized in certain ways, with multiple voices. The accompaniment supports the melody and has a harmonic and rhythmic component (i.e., chords, rhythms, and counter-melodies), and it can be textural, dynamic developmental, and;or or static and filled with basic ostinati figures (i.e., riffs). The arrangement of the music can allow for breaks that bring other soloists to the foreground. Or, alternatively, the arrangement can allow for breaks that allow for intense ensemble interaction, shifts in tempo and dynamics, double-time, modulation, et al.

So, for those of you who are more versed with Wilson's music, what about the music is *samey* or otherwise lacking in terms of composition? It just strikes me as odd to set forth other superlatives (the keyboard player was great, the production was masterful, great drummer, etc) and summarily dismiss the compositions. In specific, what in specific about the compositions and/or arrangement are found lacking? And how do they show a lack of musical growth on Wilson's part? I just discovered him in 2009 when he remixed the Crimson collection, so I am not well-versed with his prior output.

[Harbottle]

I love it. The first track reminds me of Soft Machine during the Bundles era.

[LeFrog]

For those of you who charge him of recording a record that is *samey* (I hear that term a lot here, and it reminds me of when Harry Connick was a guest judge on one of those music shows--American Idol?--when Simon Cowell accused a contestant of being *pitchy*, Connick snapped back, "pitchy? That is not a musical term--it's either flat, sharp, or it's the wrong note") or is otherwise deficient in the writing department, I'm curious to know what you mean, concretely.

I mean, a ballad is a ballad, a melody can fall in various directions, be comprised of notes that can be conjunctive (usually, excessively scalar) or not (intervallic leaps) and doted with enough chromaticism (which essentially means *Colorful*) to make it interesting, it can have melodic counterpoint, in which the counter melodies can move in three basic directions (in parallel, obliquely, or in contrary motion). It can be harmonized in certain ways, with multiple voices. The accompaniment supports the melody and has a harmonic and rhythmic component (i.e., chords, rhythms, and counter-melodies), and it can be textural, dynamic developmental, and;or or static and filled with basic ostinati figures (i.e., riffs). The arrangement of the music can allow for breaks that bring other soloists to the foreground. Or, alternatively, the arrangement can allow for breaks that allow for intense ensemble interaction, shifts in tempo and dynamics, double-time, modulation, et al.

So, for those of you who are more versed with Wilson's music, what about the music is *samey* or otherwise lacking in terms of composition? It just strikes me as odd to set forth other superlatives (the keyboard player was great, the production was masterful, great drummer, etc) and summarily dismiss the compositions. In specific, what in specific about the compositions and/or arrangement are found lacking? And how do they show a lack of musical growth on Wilson's part? I just discovered him in 2009 when he remixed the Crimson collection, so I am not well-versed with his prior output.

I'd be unable to analyze his composition technique, but I think it's a common problem with musicians who have a strong musical identity. They will eventually be accused of sounding too much like themselves.
I think Neal Morse had the same problem when he seemed to be everywhere in the early 2000s, and he still suffers from it today. He's just so instantly recognisable and often uses the same compositional "tricks". That doesn't make his music bad, but there are people who will never tire of him and those who consider they've heard enough. To me SW is now in the same situation.
As far as I'm concerned, I was starting to think SW was stuck in a rut on the last 2 or 3 PT records. For me, the new one is exactly what I hoping from him: still unmistakably Wilson, but a different direction nonetheless. I think the jazzy bits add to his music much like the metal riffs did at the time of In Absentia.

[nosebone]

So, for those of you who are more versed with Wilson's music, what about the music is *samey* or otherwise lacking in terms of composition? It just strikes me as odd to set forth other superlatives (the keyboard player was great, the production was masterful, great drummer, etc) and summarily dismiss the compositions. In specific, what in specific about the compositions and/or arrangement are found lacking? And how do they show a lack of musical growth on Wilson's part? I just discovered him in 2009 when he remixed the Crimson collection, so I am not well-versed with his prior output.

I'm not a Steve Wilson expert, probably because everything I've heard from him or PT never grabbed my attention.

I owned Grace for Drowning and In Absentia but let them go.

He got a legendary producer, a seasoned jazz keyboardist, and the king of shred on guitar, but at the end of the day I hear late 60s KC, 70s Pink Floyd and some of that 90s NIN, Tool, KC heaviness.

He's not bringing anything new to the table, no surprise's in the chord progressions or twists & turns in the melody department.

Again, very professionally put together and I imagine this band will sound amazing live but after three listens to Raven , I think I've heard it.

FWIW, "samey" is a word I use to describe music with little variation to tempos, key signature and harmonic change.

And on American Idol, "pitchy" is what the judges say to contestants who are wavering around the melody.

Whether this is true or not, I don't know.

Unlike myself,my wife watches the show faithfully but all the singers sound the same to me.

[Nearfest2]

But given what I've heard on YT its another one of his textural explorations that make me wanna go nighty-night.

Not even close. Don't knock it 'til you try it.

FWIW, I feel that way about Storm Corrosion. It's nice and all, but I don't understand on the hoopla over that one.

Also, has anyone noticed the similarity between the slamming bass riff that Nick Beggs is playing at the beginning of "Luminol" and the bass line that Geddy Lee throws down during the instrumental break in "Headlong Flight"?

[N_Singh]

I'm not a Steve Wilson expert, probably because everything I've heard from him or PT never grabbed my attention.

I owned Grace for Drowning and In Absentia but let them go.

He got a legendary producer, a seasoned jazz keyboardist, and the king of shred on guitar, but at the end of the day I hear late 60s KC, 70s Pink Floyd and some of that 90s NIN, Tool, KC heaviness.

He's not bringing anything new to the table, no surprise's in the chord progressions or twists & turns in the melody department.

Again, very professionally put together and I imagine this band will sound amazing live but after three listens to Raven , I think I've heard it.

FWIW, "samey" is a word I use to describe music with little variation to tempos, key signature and harmonic change.

And on American Idol, "pitchy" is what the judges say to contestants who are wavering around the melody.

Whether this is true or not, I don't know.

Unlike myself,my wife watches the show faithfully but all the singers sound the same to me.

My blu-ray should arrive on Monday. I've only listened to 2 songs, one of which I identified as the long lost Wind and Wuthering/Trick of the Tail song. Apparently, there is also a Yes song on the bill (!)


I don't have a problem with the retro-sound--I still love the sound of Trons--, unless it's straight out paint-by-numbers, cookie-cutter neo-prog.

The ballad I heard I really dug, even if it was very simple, melodically and harmonically. Hell, even a knuckle head schmo like me was able to transcribe the melody.

I'll wait further judgement, depending on how integrates the soloists players to the tunes. Maybe it a case of "he does what he does, but he also allows the players wide latitude to do what they do" . Usually, that works out much better live than in the studio. Think Grateful Dead.

And I've never watched a single episode of American Idol. Nor do I know who the band "the Killers" are--I was actually reprimanded by someone for that. Go figure. I vaguely remember NIN--I think I stopped listening to all rock from the late 90s to the mid 00's, and when I returned, I reconnected to all the great prog and 70s music I always loved.

[proggrl]

Also, has anyone noticed the similarity between the slamming bass riff that Nick Beggs is playing at the beginning of "Luminol" and the bass line that Geddy Lee throws down during the instrumental break in "Headlong Flight"?

Nope, I did catch the Geddy Lee baseline from LVS in The Watchmaker tho. Tons of Rush in that track. In Luminol, it's all Chris Squire and could have come directly off of Drama.

Drive Home is pure Blackfield, second album.

While I'm still having this issue with his solo work (hearing direct rips from other artists or things he's done before), I think this album is the best of the three for me. The title track being the standout so far after a few spins. I'm loving Theo's contributions on this. We'll see if this one sticks more than the last two or not.

[Plasmatopia]

We'll see if this one sticks more than the last two or not.

That's what I'm wondering as well. I thought Grace For Drowning was okay, but I don't find myself coming back to it much. I love the production (stellar as expected) and playing (also stellar as expected) on Raven and I like the songs well enough. It's a very good album. Maybe I'm just getting jaded or something, but in a couple of weeks or months I wonder how motivated I will be to come back to this. Would love to see the live show though.

[Spiral]

He's not bringing anything new to the table, no surprises in the chord progressions or twists & turns in the melody department.
Yes, I've always gotten the impression that this is what people generally mean by terms like "samey" when it comes to SW (and it's really not the right word). Not that the things he does tend to keep covering the same ground, which is ludicrous, but that none of it is truly original or groundbreaking. (Which is fine--I don't mean it as a criticism.)

[nosebone]

Yes, I've always gotten the impression that this is what people generally mean by terms like "samey" when it comes to SW (and it's really not the right word). Not that the things he does tend to keep covering the same ground, which is ludicrous, but that none of it is truly original or groundbreaking. (Which is fine--I don't mean it as a criticism.)

You use the word jaded..., and so am I.

I've amassed so much music over the years that it really takes something extra special to impress lately.

[N_Singh]

You use the word jaded..., and so am I.

I've amassed so much music over the years that it really takes something extra special to impress lately.

I generally agree with this assessment. It's a form of musical exhaustion, in a way. I'm around Wilson's age, therefore, 10-15-20 years younger than most people on this board, who grew up in the late 60s and 70s with a lot of this music. But even people my age are pretty well attuned to all that has come before-prog-fusion-Canterbury-RIO-Kraut-CTI-the end is listless.

Which is why Radiohead is not such a big deal to many people. How much ground remains uncovered? Not much. Outside of jazz, I don't buy a lot of new music, these days. And now that I have all the box sets I could have ever wanted (how much Mingus/Trane/Milies/Monk remain uncollected? Shit, I bought all of Miles' boxes, and then went out and bought the 72 CD box, which duplicates everything), my jazz buying has slowed down, too. To be honest, most days, if I want to hear music much of the time, I just try to play it myself.

That said, a good song is a good song. The trick is, with all that is coming and going, what actually sticks with you?

[nosebone]

I generally agree with this assessment. It's a form of musical exhaustion, in a way. I'm around Wilson's age, therefore, 10-15-20 years younger than most people on this board, who grew up in the late 60s and 70s with a lot of this music. But even people my age are pretty well attuned to all that has come before-prog-fusion-Canterbury-RIO-Kraut-CTI-the end is listless.

Which is why Radiohead is not such a big deal to many people. How much ground remains uncovered? Not much. Outside of jazz, I don't buy a lot of new music, these days. And now that I have all the box sets I could have ever wanted (how much Mingus/Trane/Milies/Monk remain uncollected? Shit, I bought all of Miles' boxes, and then went out and bought the 72 CD box, which duplicates everything), my jazz buying has slowed down, too. To be honest, most days, if I want to hear music much of the time, I just try to play it myself.

That said, a good song is a good song. The trick is, with all that is coming and going, what actually sticks with you?

:up Right on!

For years I was buying 20-30 CD's a month!

I think I bought ten in 2012...., time for an ebay store!

[100423]

This bit always struck me as very Toby Driver.

I noticed that this morning after you said it.

[Wisdomview]

Parts of 'The Watchmaker' remind me of a modern Hatfield and the North. I don't think can say that about any other SW/PT/Blackfield/No-Man song.

[playbass]

I'm not hearing the Genesis in "The Watchmaker". I love the new album though, it's definitely my favorite of his solo records so far. I don't think I like it better than my favorite PT albums though.

[Sean]

You sure? The first few minutes kinda reek of the Musical Box.

[N_Singh]

I'm eager to hear the longer jam oriented tracks -- if he really wants to revisit that great era of music with a fresh coat of paint and musically interface with his group of capable players in a way to adroitly use their skills, I expect him to utilize some pedal point and vamps, which were the ubiquitous live gateways to blowing/jamming in the 60s and 70s

[No Pride]

Let us know what you think.
I listened to about half of it. Glad people are digging it, but I won't be amongst them. Ah, well...

[zombywoof]

I've been listening to it for a couple of days and here's my opinion...

Luminol. Great track, but a part of me wishes he'd not released it before hand. A lot of what makes an album special to me, is pressing play on that first track, unaware of what's to come. I live for that moment! I guess I could've just simply ignored it or skipped over it when watching "Get All You Deserve", but I just can't help myself when it comes to new music. Anyway, it's cool to finally have a studio version of it and I really dig the sound of the old KC mellotron. It somehow gives the track a more authentic feel. I also like the extra layers of production on this track, just to make it different from the live version.

Drive Home. I really like this one and I think it will soon find it's place among the great SW ballads like Trains, Sentimental, No Part of Me, Lazarus, etc. The guitar solo is fantastic and I sincerely hope it's extended live with more solos.

Holy Drinker. This one really surprised me. It's more 'rock' than I expected from Steven, but I think it works. I also like the 'dragged down to Hell' section, which is very reminiscent of VdGG's "White Hammer".

The Pin Drop. I'm not entirely won over by this one. I'm not wild about SW's delivery and the 'chorus', though Theo's solo is good.

The Watchmaker. I really like the way this one builds and the solos are excellent. Not at all crazy about the end, though. I'd liked to have seen a more soaring ending, as it just seems to build and build to a climax that isn't very interesting to me.

The Raven That Refused to Sing. I like the idea of the song, but its construction just doesn't work for me at all. I'd like to have seen it go somewhere, but it seems to take too long to build, but doesn't really pay off for me.

Overall, it's a solid and well produced album. I hope that it grows on me so I can appreciate it like others, but to me seems a bit uneven. It's certainly more original than GfD, but it seems to lack the songwriting and melodies that album had. Also, as a ghost story album, the tunes don't seem to give me that chilling feeling like a good ghost story should. I'll have to listen more and see if the last three tunes grow on me, but for right now, "The Raven" isn't completely a winner.

[playbass]

You sure? The first few minutes kinda reek of the Musical Box.

Yeah, ok. I just listened to it a again and there is a touch of Genesis with the acoustic guitar arpeggios. Now, if it had been a 12 string acoustic guitar...

[jkelman]

So, for those of you who are more versed with Wilson's music, what about the music is *samey* or otherwise lacking in terms of composition? It just strikes me as odd to set forth other superlatives (the keyboard player was great, the production was masterful, great drummer, etc) and summarily dismiss the compositions. In specific, what in specific about the compositions and/or arrangement are found lacking? And how do they show a lack of musical growth on Wilson's part? I just discovered him in 2009 when he remixed the Crimson collection, so I am not well-versed with his prior output.

I only began following him around 2008, picking up some PT. Personally I think his solo records are both inevitable consequences (how could they not be? PT started as a solo project and grew as a band came together) of his work with PT, but each record, from Insurgentes to GfD to The Raven, demonstrate significant compositional growth while, at the same time, showing the influence of other things, in the case of GfD, his work on the Crimson catalog and on The Raven, having a band for whom to write, which should not be dismissed. It makes a huge diff. Yes, many of them appeared on GfD, but not as a collective and not recorded, for the most part, live off the floor which gives Raven some of the energy that distinguishes it from GfD (which I still love; I just think Wilson is demonstrating an upward trajectory).

I, like Nav, don't get the "everything is great except the writing." How, pray tell, would everything else be great if it didn't start with good writing? That's like saying an actor gives a great performance, the cinematography is terrific but the story sucks. While there are some exceptions, for the most part, actors excel in movies where the writing gives them something to excel at; same here. The playing is outstanding but would be less so were they not given some great grist in the first place.

[nosebone]

I, like Nav, don't get the "everything is great except the writing." How, pray tell, would everything else be great if it didn't start with good writing? That's like saying an actor gives a great performance, the cinematography is terrific but the story sucks. While there are some exceptions, for the most part, actors excel in movies where the writing gives them something to excel at; same here. The playing is outstanding but would be less so were they not given some great grist in the first place.

The writing is cliche to my ears, but everything else is amazing.

It is a rare occurrence, but it happened.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

I only began following him around 2008, picking up some PT. Personally I think his solo records are both inevitable consequences (how could they not be? PT started as a solo project and grew as a band came together) of his work with PT, but each record, from Insurgentes to GfD to The Raven, demonstrate significant compositional growth while, at the same time, showing the influence of other things, in the case of GfD, his work on the Crimson catalog and on The Raven, having a band for whom to write, which should not be dismissed. It makes a huge diff. Yes, many of them appeared on GfD, but not as a collective and not recorded, for the most part, live off the floor which gives Raven some of the energy that distinguishes it from GfD (which I still love; I just think Wilson is demonstrating an upward trajectory).

I, like Nav, don't get the "everything is great except the writing." How, pray tell, would everything else be great if it didn't start with good writing? That's like saying an actor gives a great performance, the cinematography is terrific but the story sucks. While there are some exceptions, for the most part, actors excel in movies where the writing gives them something to excel at; same here. The playing is outstanding but would be less so were they not given some great grist in the first place.

Not to make this too tangential...but there are alot of times where I find a story in a movie lacking but the actor performs well, or the movie is shot well...the writing I find is the most difficult part. Similarly in music, but I can still say that someone performed a piece of music very well even if it's a 'boring' or 'simple' or 'blah' or whatever piece of music.

Just a note, I haven't heard The Raven... yet, so this is not a comment on this album or SW specifically. Just more of a general observation.

[N_Singh]

The Guardian: 5 stars out of 5.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/feb/21/steven-wilson-raven-refused-review

Post PT, SW has been..... "revelling in the genre's limitless possibilities"

"The Raven That Refused to Sing explodes into life with a stripped-down art-rock thud before morphing seamlessly into all manner of wildly evocative soundscapes, melodic crescendos and mellotron-drenched fever dreams"

" this album shows Wilson to be one of modern rock's most cunning and soulful protagonists."

"Limitless Possibilities"---best and most concise definition of *you now what* ever. :)

[jkelman]

Just a FYI I posted a link to my AAJ review, published today, with more information, here (http://www.progressiveears.org/forum/showthread.php/2508-AAJ-Review-Steven-Wilson-The-Raven-That-Refused-to-Sing-(And-Other-Stories)?p=60267&viewfull=1#post60267).

[gpeccary]

hey J, I'll look into the interview more later, but upon a brief scan, I noticed you said there was already some uproar about Marco not doing the North and South American shows. What other sources are there about this??

[jkelman]

hey J, I'll look into the interview more later, but upon a brief scan, I noticed you said there was already some uproar about Marco not doing the North and South American shows. What other sources are there about this??
The uproar I cited was from here. Nowhere else.

[gpeccary]

Ahh, a rant started by yours truly. Looking fwd to the interview!

[N_Singh]

The uproar I cited was from here. Nowhere else.

I can just imagine Jo and Joe Schmo picking up the latest copy of USA Today, the top headline on Page 1 being " Wackerman Replaces Marco! Satriani to Blame!" .

They say to each other , " boy I know what the big discussion's gonna be around the water cooler today at the office". :)

[VickiLynn]

Just a FYI I posted a link to my AAJ review, published today, with more information, here (http://www.progressiveears.org/forum/showthread.php/2508-AAJ-Review-Steven-Wilson-The-Raven-That-Refused-to-Sing-(And-Other-Stories)?p=60267&viewfull=1#post60267).
Do you mind if I post the link to your review on my fb page? It's very well-written ;)

[jkelman]

Do you mind if I post the link to your review on my fb page? It's very well-written ;)
Thanks, Vicki, and of course you can - you can even quote part of it, as long as it ultimately links back to the review at AllAboutJazz.com, we're happy to have folks spreading the word.

Best!
John

[bobert]

I love this new album by Steven Wilson (and band), for me this is his best solo album yet, great songs and a fantastic band, to say the least.

I also have to comment on the Blu-Ray version , which is the one I bought. The sound quality is stunning , one of the very best sounding surround albums that I have ever heard, just brilliant.

[Sunlight Caller]

I'm quite late to this thread, but I have had the album a week and I think it's wonderful, nothing on it that I do not love, and I can never get enough of Guthrie's tasteful guitar. Yes there are a few parts that hark back to earlier times, I too hear the Yes / Drama influence in Luminol, that first vocal refrain is almost Tempus Fugit, and I hear Narnia in the acoustic at the start of the "Genesis" track, but that's not to quibble, it's one big prog melting pot after all.

I never quite gelled with Grace For drowning, and have returned to Insurgentes more frequently, and of course there are hints of Blackfield and PT, pretty hard not to when the voice is distinctive. I must have played it ten times this week and it's still growing. I've read a few comments that the title track is weaker, but I think the refrain that completes it is beautiful, just love it. Only wish I had been a bit more awake around here lately, as I see from Corbie's post that I missed a gig in Lpndon, truly gutted!

[eporter66]

One thing we should not forget, what is most important is the enjoyment that music brings in our lives. There is so much over analysis (I am guilty...), but what is it that made us music lovers in the first place? It was just that natural reaction to hearing something that for whatever reason reasonates within you. When I was first getting into music, the last thing in the world that would cross my mind was muscial cliche or being derivative. It was how the music made me feel. I understand that comparing the magic that happens with those young ears to now when many of us have been music lovers for many years, it is difficult to listen to an album/artist and make not comparisons. Every review defines the music, and tells you this track sounds like so and so etc... Again - I am guilty of this as well. But, ultimately, music should be about fun, enjoyment, and the magic that happens when you hear something that connects with you.

All I can say is that I have been listening to "The Raven..." for the last three of four days, and enjoying it more each time. There are moments that remind me of music from other artists, but I really get something from the music, and every track has something that really strikes me. I can't say I hear much music that is groundbreaking anymore, all I can respond with is how the music speaks to me personally. There are bands/artists that may dip too deep into the well of their influences, but I honestly hear SW using his influences and trying to create and grow with this release (and GFD).

I guess I am trying to listen with new ears these days, I dont expect everything to be unique or original, I just want to find something that moves me. This record is doing the trick right now.

[Corbie]

Only wish I had been a bit more awake around here lately, as I see from Corbie's post that I missed a gig in Lpndon, truly gutted!

All is not lost. The gig is on Monday night on the South bank. No idea what the state of play is as far as remaining tickets, though!

[Corbie]

One thing we should not forget, what is most important is the enjoyment that music brings in our lives. There is so much over analysis (I am guilty...), but what is it that made us music lovers in the first place? It was just that natural reaction to hearing something that for whatever reason reasonates within you. When I was first getting into music, the last thing in the world that would cross my mind was muscial cliche or being derivative. It was how the music made me feel. I understand that comparing the magic that happens with those young ears to now when many of us have been music lovers for many years, it is difficult to listen to an album/artist and make not comparisons. Every review defines the music, and tells you this track sounds like so and so etc... Again - I am guilty of this as well. But, ultimately, music should be about fun, enjoyment, and the magic that happens when you hear something that connects with you.

All I can say is that I have been listening to "The Raven..." for the last three of four days, and enjoying it more each time. There are moments that remind me of music from other artists, but I really get something from the music, and every track has something that really strikes me. I can't say I hear much music that is groundbreaking anymore, all I can respond with is how the music speaks to me personally. There are bands/artists that may dip too deep into the well of their influences, but I honestly hear SW using his influences and trying to create and grow with this release (and GFD).

I guess I am trying to listen with new ears these days, I dont expect everything to be unique or original, I just want to find something that moves me. This record is doing the trick right now.

Says it all for me.

[JKL2000]

Am I wrong, or is the Laser's Edge (and I'd assume Wayside too ) price for this a lot lower than the Burning Shed price was, even taking into account exchange rate and shipping?

[boilk]

Great post, eporter. Agree completely.

neil

[Sunlight Caller]

All is not lost. The gig is on Monday night on the South bank. No idea what the state of play is as far as remaining tickets, though!

Wow thank you, there are balcony seats available it would seem, just a logistical mess to unravel to be able to attend on Monday, but I am very keen to be the, so fingers crossed... I am quite resourceful!

[100423]

I guess I am trying to listen with new ears these days, I dont expect everything to be unique or original, I just want to find something that moves me. This record is doing the trick right now.

Very nice post. I was thinking the same thing. I think a lot of the vocal parts on this album (the title cut in particular) have an emotionally quality that Steven hasn't had before for me.

[N_Singh]

Very nice post. I was thinking the same thing. I think a lot of the vocal parts on this album (the title cut in particular) have an emotionally quality that Steven hasn't had before for me.

Bingo. I also dig the wordless vocals, the melody to which are often doubled by instrument(s). This is a very seamless, well thought, developed, and organic record, everything just flows very nicely.

[Sunlight Caller]

All is not lost. The gig is on Monday night on the South bank. No idea what the state of play is as far as remaining tickets, though!

Andy I owe you a beer for the tip off. I grabbed a couple of tickets this morning, rear row of the balcony, but hey I'm in! If you fancy saying hello, can buy you that beer beforehand!

I haven't been to the RFH since I saw my daughter sing there with her school choir, so has happy memories. Big school connection tomorrow as Guthrie was at my school too!

Thanks.

Chris

[Corbie]

Andy I owe you a beer for the tip off. I grabbed a couple of tickets this morning, rear row of the balcony, but hey I'm in! If you fancy saying hello, can buy you that beer beforehand!

I haven't been to the RFH since I saw my daughter sing there with her school choir, so has happy memories. Big school connection tomorrow as Guthrie was at my school too!

Thanks.


Chris

Hi Chris. That sounds like a plan! I'm coming up from the coast so not sure yet exactly what time I'll be rocking up at the RFH but will PM you with my mobile number if you like. If you give me yours I can text you with an ETA!

Cheers,

Andy

[Rand Kelly]

I'm aiming at the blu-ray on this one. I love Insurgentes and it's 5.1 as is all of his stuff that I have bought has been dvd-a. He did a marvelous job with K.C. and ELP. I don't understand why he needed Mr. Parsons though.

[JKL2000]

It's too bad the Making Of film doesn't have footage that shows things like Alan Parsons' role in making the album. Sadly that's one of the lamest making-of films I've seen.

[zombywoof]

I invited my buddy over yesterday to listen to the full album in 5.1. He's a big SW fan (much bigger than I am) and we followed it up with a long discussion. Not that its a bad album, but we both agreed that there's something missing. So, we popped in the Get All You Deserve DVD and loved it. Afterwards, we had another long discussion. Is it possible that maybe The Raven is a tad bit overproduced? The band is absolutely on fire live, but the studio album seems ... I don't know, too polished? Too pristine? Too many layers? Even listening to Luminol, there's something about the live spirit and energy of that track that is missing on the record. Maybe the band works better in front of people? Who knows. Maybe we're the only ones!

I'll keep listening, folks, but its still not grabbing me like its grabbed many of you. GfD was a really great album that I instantly connected with, because it had some great tunes. There's just something missing here for me and I'm not sure what it is...

[jkelman]

I'm aiming at the blu-ray on this one. I love Insurgentes and it's 5.1 as is all of his stuff that I have bought has been dvd-a. He did a marvelous job with K.C. and ELP. I don't understand why he needed Mr. Parsons though.
Here's what he said in my interview:


"It'll be quite old-school, and the reason I've hired Alan Parsons is because the way those guys made those records in the '70s is kind of a lost art," Wilson continues. "It's an art which is dying because we do have this new generation of producers and engineers who are used to ProTools and making records on computers. You get each musician in, in turn, they play to a click, and they don't interact with each other. You get separation, but I'm fed up with that. I've done records like that for 20 years, and now I realize one of the reasons I love those old '70s recordings: so much of it is because the drummer is speeding up and slowing down; there is leakage from the guitar into the drum mikes; some of the guitars are out of time and out of tune; not everything's perfect. And that's what make those records live and breathe—or, at least, it's one of the reasons why they live and breathe. So the combination of Alan and this group performing the stuff live off the floor, this is another risky thing for me. But one thing I've learned from last year is that it's paid off for me, trying to challenge my established habits. It's worked great so far, so we're going to keep on doing it.

I think it was a case of Steven wanting to learn how those old records were made so quickly, and how to record live off-the-floor, which I don't think he's done with a full band before (could be wrong). One of the reasons I respect Steven so much is that he's always looking to learn, to expand and improve his skills in all areas.

[Sunlight Caller]

Does anybody know how limited the deluxe version with the book etc was? It's out of stock at Burning Shed, I can't find it anywhere, and it's only been out a week! I'm hoping it may be at the merchandise stand at the London gig tomorrow, as I really want to read the stories that accompany / inspired the songs.

[zombywoof]

Here's what he said in my interview:



I think it was a case of Steven wanting to learn how those old records were made so quickly, and how to record live off-the-floor, which I don't think he's done with a full band before (could be wrong). One of the reasons I respect Steven so much is that he's always looking to learn, to expand and improve his skills in all areas.

Well, that throws my 'overproduced' theory out of the window...

[Sean]

When they go to the IV chord in the chorus Holy Drinker= a fave moment. It's sort of poppy and that isn't bad. Reminds me of some of his mid period PT work and a dash of that sensibility in this rather dark mix is very nice. By mix I mean the vibe of the record, not the "mix" mix, which is of course stellar.

[eporter66]

I invited my buddy over yesterday to listen to the full album in 5.1. He's a big SW fan (much bigger than I am) and we followed it up with a long discussion. Not that its a bad album, but we both agreed that there's something missing. So, we popped in the Get All You Deserve DVD and loved it. Afterwards, we had another long discussion. Is it possible that maybe The Raven is a tad bit overproduced? The band is absolutely on fire live, but the studio album seems ... I don't know, too polished? Too pristine? Too many layers? Even listening to Luminol, there's something about the live spirit and energy of that track that is missing on the record. Maybe the band works better in front of people? Who knows. Maybe we're the only ones!

With a band like SW has assembled, I dont think there is any question that experiencing them live is the best platform. I look at albums differently than live performance, and I am not much for watching live shows on DVD (although I have some and enjoy them). I have seen many bands live over the years and have been blown away, yet often times let down by their studio output. There is nothing like seeing a great band live.

I look at the albums differently. I had a different reaction than you, GFD took a long time to grow on me (I now love it), but it did not hit me immediately. The Raven.... however was the exact opposite experience, I immediately connected with it. I cant wait to see this performed live, and I think it will be stunning in the live setting.

There are a lot of layers to this album, but personally I dont find it sterile at all. "Luminol" literally jumps out of the speakers with that opening bass riff. I think the sound is gorgeous, and the songs have a real presence that is often lacking in todays overproduced music. I understand why so much time and effort is spent trying to get everything just right, in the wrong hands it just turns into a lackluster album. To me, I really like what I hear.

All personal opinion of course

Eric

[zombywoof]

When they go to the IV chord in the chorus Holy Drinker= a fave moment. It's sort of poppy and that isn't bad. Reminds me of some of his mid period PT work and a dash of that sensibility in this rather dark mix is very nice. By mix I mean the vibe of the record, not the "mix" mix, which is of course stellar.

I really like The Holy Drinker a lot. Not a bum note in the piece, in my opinion.

[bobert]

There are a lot of layers to this album, but personally I dont find it sterile at all. "Luminol" literally jumps out of the speakers with that opening bass riff. I think the sound is gorgeous, and the songs have a real presence that is often lacking in todays overproduced music. I understand why so much time and effort is spent trying to get everything just right, in the wrong hands it just turns into a lackluster album. To me, I really like what I hear.

All personal opinion of course

Eric



I'll go along with this.

[Sunlight Caller]

I must have played the title song 20 times this weekend, something about it just moves me completely, and so in tribute, I have a new Avatar... so bored with all the Yes references surrounding my PE personality!

Oh and Andy (Corbie) I've even posted a pic to my profile so we can spot each other for a beer tomorrow night.

[Spiral]

Does anybody know how limited the deluxe version with the book etc was? It's out of stock at Burning Shed, I can't find it anywhere

There are some floating around Ebay (in the $160-180 range).

[Corbie]

I must have played the title song 20 times this weekend, something about it just moves me completely, and so in tribute, I have a new Avatar... so bored with all the Yes references surrounding my PE personality!

Oh and Andy (Corbie) I've even posted a pic to my profile so we can spot each other for a beer tomorrow night.

Genius! I'll be in touch as I say and we can arrange a mutually agreeable spot to hook up.

[jkelman]

Well, that throws my 'overproduced' theory out of the window...
Well, what they did was one track per day for six days. Then the band went home and Steven and Alan remained to do some more overdubs. Further overdubs were done back in England, both at SWHQ and DGM (the Crimson Mellotron). So there is additional production, but just as records were done in the day, the "bed tracks" were all done live. That's why I found your comment odd, as I actually think this record captures live energy much more than Insurgentes or GfD....

But, of course, to each their own...but also to tell you your feeling may not be entirely incorrect as it's not as if there wasn't any post-production done. I just don't feel what you feel.

Best!
John

[jkelman]

There are some floating around Ebay (in the $160-180 range).
Man, I hate it when folks go out and buy these limited editions with the only intention to hold onto them to sell for exorbitant prices when they go oop. I know it's a free market, but when folks who would really, really enjoy owning something like this can't because someone buys one or more copies to just hold and turn around for a profit, well, it kindsa pisses me off.

I collect limited edition books from specialty presses of writers like F Paul Wilson, Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum, Robert McCammon, Stephen King, Clive Barker and others. Some of these books have appreciated almost frighteningly (I've books I paid $40-$60 that are now selling for $700+ - and in ex-lib condition, when mine are as-new). Yes, it's nice to know I'm sitting on a couple of bookshelves that could be worth some pretty substantial coin, were I to hit a financial crisis and need to liquidate; but that would be the only time I'd consider selling them, if I really, really needed the money to survive.

When I reviewed a Japan-only Jaco Pastorius box that included a seventh bonus disc of unreleased solo bass performances, some guy either emailed me or contacted me on a bulletin board, trying to get me to sell just that disc to him. Sorry, but no could do.

Again, I know it's a free market, but part of me objects to music or books being bought and raising the price beyond the reach of many of the people who would really enjoy owning them.

It is interesting, though, that the equally oop LTIA 15-disc box, while more expensive than what it sold for originally, is not so outrageously marked up. I guess the market for SW is a different beast.

[Progatron]

I think the album is the best of the three solo albums he's made. In fact this one sounds the most like a 'band' album to me. I *love* the title track, and "The Holy Drinker" and "Luminol" are both great too. The others are good, although "Drive Home" sounds like something he's already done before. Can't put my finger on a specific track, it's just very... well, Steven Wilson.

Very good album.

[3LockBox]

What I usually mean by "samey" is that his last few albums/projects have sounded too much like one another. Its not that any one of those projects are bad taken on their own merit, but the differences between the last couple of PT albums and his solo albums are subtle, nuanced, not at all what most of us were used to regarding a Wilson project. Take for example the differences between PT albums from Up The Downstair thru Deadwing - each one very distinguishable from another. There are points in the newer material that if I put his solo CDs in a changer and walked away and came back in half an hour, I'd have to consult the player to know what song is playing or spend a few minutes listening closely to ascertain which song it was. If that says more about how unengaged I am from his solo works than anything regarding his writing, then so be it, but I used to want to hear everything the guy ever did and now I feel haven't heard anything different since Deadwing. I'm glad I haven't pulled the trigger on the new one. Listening to the songs on YT I feel I already own it.

[Esoteric]

Totally fantastic live last night. Lots reminded me of King Crimson and one big difference I thought to PT was tremendous vocal harmonies. Quite heavy in parts but I really dont think it can get better than this and anything else is nit picking. If you dont like it then fair enough, dont go-- but around 1700 people seemed very happy last night and hes a remarkably relaxed guy on stage these days too.

[Troopers For Sound]

Awesome show! Funnily enough, my least favourite tune before going in to the RFH was the Holy Drinker...but that was my top tune last night. Great to see SW playing bass. And Nick playing tambourine and shaker:) Nice balance of tunes old and new (and in one case VERY old).

Matt.

[Sordel]

Totally fantastic live last night. Lots reminded me of King Crimson and one big difference I thought to PT was tremendous vocal harmonies.

Those harmonies were all faked I think ... I wouldn't swear to it, but I couldn't see that anyone else on stage was mic'd.

[Thebigdipper]

Those harmonies were all faked I think ... I wouldn't swear to it, but I couldn't see that anyone else on stage was mic'd.

I'm positive that Nick Beggs was singing when I could hear a harmony vocal and he did have a mic.

Norman

[Jvalvano]

I think the album is the best of the three solo albums he's made. In fact this one sounds the most like a 'band' album to me. I *love* the title track, and "The Holy Drinker" and "Luminol" are both great too. The others are good, although "Drive Home" sounds like something he's already done before. Can't put my finger on a specific track, it's just very... well, Steven Wilson.

Very good album.

I agree. I love the album and think its his best solo effort. Can't stop listening to it.

[Dean Watson]

Do you think they're playing to a click track then? I wouldn't think so.