PORCUPINE TREE
FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET (Album)
2007, Roadrunner Records / Transmission


1. Fear of a Blank Planet 07:28
2. My Ashes 05:07
3. Anesthetize 17:42
4. Sentimental 05:26
5. Way Out of Here 07:37
6. Sleep Together 07:28

Total playing time 50:48


Unitron : 8/20
-Under Edit

2015-05-28 07:05:49


Vinrock666
I consider Porcupine Tree's Fear of a Blank Planet to be among the top ten metal albums of 2007. The music is very engaging, which is required, in order to take you on this uneasy and eerie journey into the drug and television induced emptiness currently residing in a growing number of today's generation. Although this album isn't a conceptul piece in classic form, the lack of breaks between songs and similar subject matter linking all the lyrics throughout produce this singular theme. The background sounds relentless and constatntly useasy no matter how hard or soft the songs get. This impression is often very complimentary to the lyrics as well, so that even if one were to zone out to the complex tones and movements of the record's longer than average songs the language of the music still speak to you. Highly progressive, emotional, and spatial, this record works for anyone who wants to be challenged as a listener to those who prefer a musical backdrop. The highlight of the recording should be track three: Anesthetize, which includes a solo from Rush's Alex Lifeson. The song has so many elements parellel to the stylings of Rush that reading the Lifeson credit is equal to proving a guess that Lifeson played guitar in the song in the first place. Overall, the entire album is flawless with many peaks and valleys, a dual and constant easy and uneasiness in it's tone throughout with no filler and no throwaways to speak of. In time, Fear of a Blank Planet, should be regarded as a classic.

2008-05-18 00:00:00


JakeDaSnake : 19/20
I learned about Porcupine Tree through Opeth, because of the keyboardist doing work for both bands, and each group being close to the other. They’re a progressive metal band from the greater area of London, and have so far come out with about 9 full releases. They have been known as progressive rock as well, because of their interesting sound, which kind of crossed back and forth in my opinion. Fear of a Blank Planet was the first album I’ve heard by them, and I was definitely impressed by it.

A defining feature of this album is its lyrics and eerie theme. The lyrics are actually very interesting (surprisingly) and discuss many taboo subjects of the modern age, like drugs, pornography, death, and romance, among others. It fits along with the whole theme of the record and represents very well. As for the music, its whole sound is very relaxing a lot of the time, and really puts images into your head and feeds you alternative emotions as you listen to it, which is exactly what makes music truly great in the first place. I also gotta hand it to the bassist, he definitely knows how to make a great groove and be creative with the directions he takes in his notes, which seems to be a rare quality in bassists nowadays, as most bassists I’ve heard in modern rock just follow a simple 4/4 beat pattern, and rarely stray from that. I also enjoy how this album really likes to add a neo-jazzy feel to their music, which really brings out a lot more of the creativity you find in many progressive metal or rock bands. Also, this album wouldn't be as good without the keyboards, which develop great melodies in songs such as My Ashes and Way Out of Here (The most popular track off the album).

Personally, I think that this album is brilliantly played out, tightly timed, and has the best of qualities that makes music very interesting. I’d have to give this album an 19/20.

2011-02-18 01:30:54