Fear of a Blank Planet

Product Details

Artist : Porcupine Tree
Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0075678999444
Label : Atlantic
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 2007-05-01
UPC : 075678999444

ASIN : B000O75F7C

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. Fear of a Blank Planet
2. My Ashes
3. Anesthetize
4. Sentimental
5. Way Out of Here
6. Sleep Together

Customers who bought this goods also bought.

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.com

On Fear of a Blank Planet veteran progressive-rock act Porcupine Tree takes up the task of exploring the alienating forces of the media and its impact on our youths and ourselves. Fear's titular cut features lyrics rife with allusions to the confusing, isolating effects of TV, the X-Box, drugged out consumer escapades, and the ennui that arrives with prescription and self-prescribed numbness. "My Ashes" advances the themes of isolation, as a young person becomes increasingly estranged from himself; "Anesthetize" aptly captures dull apathy with accuracy and knowing but perhaps delves to deep into the dark depths and instead of alleviating pain and pressure instead deepens it via a track that fails to offer much emotional or mental counterpoint. The tune does feature an exceptionally lyrical guitar solo from Rush's Alex Lifeson and proves that if anyone can write a sprawling, throbbing epic it's most likely Porcupine Tree. Elsewhere, such as on the beautifully crafted "Sentimental" and "Way Out of Here," Wilson and Co. land squarely between the epic grandeur of peak-era Pink Floyd and the psychically distant cool of Radiohead, a feat that doesn't as much demonstrate how well PT echoes those bands as it shows us how expansive the English quartet's music and emotional vocabulary is. For elder listeners Fear probably won't serve as the powerful statement it wants to be--its themes have been explored to more exacting impact before and, musically, it's fairly standard progressive fare--but it is a strong and intelligent album and for a generation that's grown numb from three-minute ditties about life at the end of the country club cul-de-sac that embrace rather than rage against the dying of the light, it may serve as a wake up call and provide hope for a brighter and more color-infused tomorrow. --Jedd Beaudoin

Customer Reviews

Modern Culture (2008-08-31)

Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock group which is known for their experimental approach. This is still the case with their ninth album "Fear of a Blank Planet". The focus in this album is on the 21st Century society of video games, MTV, the internet, etc. This album takes the subject head on, and it is a real treat for the listener. This is a great album for people interested in progressive music. It was released on April 16, 2007 in Europe, and a week later in the United States.It opens with the title track "Fear of a Blank Planet", a driving piece for the first half in which the lyrics are from the point of view of adolescent who sings about his life and the lack of anything of real substance in it. Music, TV, internet, drugs, sex, and with all that the overall feeling is boredom. The second half of the piece gives the listener a break from the relentless drive, but the lyrical content leaves the listener thinking that there is more trouble ahead. "My Ashes" has the singer blaming his parents for his situation. It is a haunting tune, and yet beautiful."Anaesthetize" is the centerpiece of the album at nearly 18 minutes. It speaks to the emotionless boredom of the singer's life. His is a life of apathy, and part of him is crying out, though it too cry's out in an emotionless way. There is some excellent instrumental work in this piece as well, which holds the listener's attention throughout the piece. After the first instrumental break, the song picks up again with a stronger driving line to it and the piece really takes off from there becoming harder and more full of energy as it progresses in contrast to the apathy and the boredom which is discussed lyrically. Then, the tension breaks, as it did in the first piece, and the last part of the piece takes on a completely different feel, as if the singer has collapsed from the busy and high energy boredom of his life to find fulfillment in a small peaceful and slow memory from his past."Sentimental" is a beautiful piece, well constructed both musically and lyrically. In this piece, the singer talks about how he doesn't want to get old, basically because he wants to avoid the responsibilities of life. "Way out of Here" is about searching for a way out the life he is stuck in. The focus here is on his parents, and his inability to communicate with them. Both the music and the lyrics are disturbing at times, which leaves the listener with a sense of unease. "Sleep Together" finishes the album, and the implications of the lyrics are disturbing. The music fits the piece and is relentless in its own way as the opening of the album.Porcupine tree is Steve Wilson (vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards); Richard Barbieri (keyboards and synthesizers); Colin Edwin (bass guitars); and Gavin Harrison (drums). In addition, there are a few guests on this album: Alex Lifeson (guitar solo on "Anesthesize"); Robert Fripp (soundscapes on "Way out of Here"); and John Wesley (backing vocals). This is an excellent album for those who like experimental progressive rock, and for those who are looking to hear something different.

No fear here! (2007-10-24)

Another Porcupine Tree success. Though slightly less interesting musically than "Deadwing" or "In Absentia", this is PT"s most lyrically coherent, and accessible, album. The plight of today's disengaged youth is poignantly laid bare. Their Ritalin-riddled upbringing at the hands of their "me-generation" parents, though fortunately not ubiquitous, is perhaps as big a risk to the planet as extreme climate change. The dour subject matter is appropriately matched by the music: at times boring and shallow then grounded by menace and doom.As usual, since PT's first surround mix with "In Absentia", the 5.1 audio takes the listener to new heights. Thank you, Steven Wilson, et al, for perservering with this wonderful format when major studios are abandoning it. A great listen.

Amazing and beautiful, and very profound. (2007-05-17)

Another work of sheer and profound beauty and power. The focus is on dynamics within songs, and the production is mind-blowing and modern. Steve Wilson is a musical genius as a player, yet has all the studio savvy to go along with that. He is truly and unbelievable talent, and as a band Pocupine Tree are hard to beat in modern rock. Guitar playing, keyboards, and pianos are all propelled with conviction and grace, and the album has been produced at a very high level of professionalism. Vocals are excellent, and the bass player and drummer really keep things extra tight. Heavy and beautiful. The 17 minute track is a true centerpiece and is alone almost worth the price of the album. But it's all amazing, and all a very large step above the norm and the mundane.

Look for similar items by category

• Styles > Alternative Rock > Alternative Styles > Rock
• Styles > Dance & DJ
• Styles > Miscellaneous
• Styles > Pop
• Styles > Rock
• Styles > Rock > Progressive
• Styles > New Age

Related Link