Album, Prog Blog, Prog Rock, Reviews, Song by Song
Song by Song: Steven Wilson – 4 ½
September 30, 2017 - Album, Prog Blog, Prog Rock, Reviews, Song by Song
The latest EP release by Steven Wilson parks closer to the Porcupine Tree curb than some of his previous solo releases. Though this is essentially an EP, the reason we probably get ½ in the title is that it feels more like a full set of music. I suppose the 37 minute length helps that cause.
The opening song, My Book of Regrets has the classic PT sound, with beautiful melodies with passages of strong guitar chords. There are nice keyboard and guitar solos and the fairly long length of the song promises and delivers some great transitions throughout the song. I love the “don’t let it bring you down. Just wait ‘til the morning comes” breaks. Excellent opener!
Year of The Plague has a Windam Hill sound to it. It is an instrumental which draws on the atmosphere of some of the old new age masters. A very soothing piece which possibly outs Wilson as a George Winston or Tingstad and Rumbel fan? No problem, I am too!
Happiness III brings us back to PT town. It is a compact tune but has Wilson’s signature edge to it.
Sunday Rain Sets In is a smooth, somewhat jazzy creation. This is more like the variation that we expect when listening to Mr. Wilson going solo. But wait…PT does that on occasion and there is an outburst of sorts in the song. Great song anyway.
We love you, @StevenWilsonHQ! And we love that you closed 4-1/2 with a PT remake. Click To Tweet
Vermillioncore…huh…This isn’t Porcupine Tree? (Checks the CD cover). Sure sounds like it.
Don’t Hate Me. No, we love you, Steven Wilson! And we love that you closed this release with a PT remake. This version features Ninet Tayeb singing duet style. (Don’t Give Up with Peter/Kate comes to mind).
Overall a great effort and essential addition for any Wilson/Porcupine Tree fan.
All for one and one for the vine!
~Sebastian
Author
When I was in elementary school I wore out my vinyl copy of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells and that started me off on this musical journey. Along came Genesis, and I was hooked! Along the way, I developed an appreciation for Saga, Yes, and many others. This site is a labor of love as I stumble across new music in the genre, as well as reminisce about the bands whose music I turn to time and again...and always discover something new. All for one and one for the vine!
2 Comments
Nick
Great analysis of Steven Wilson’s EP. I was quite taken with it as well. Had to laugh at the Windham Hill comment, as yes, I am a George Winston fan, too!
While I’m here, I’ve been meaning to ask where you get the imagery for your mixes?
Sebastian (Author)
Hello, Nick! I saw George Winston with my wife a while back when he played in Berkeley. It was an amazing concert. When he played the quiet pieces, you could hear a pin drop in the concert hall. I love when crowds have respect for the music like that. As far as the Steven Wilson EP, I think it’s brilliant. I prefer it over his latest release. I wish he had just expanded upon this and made it a full album. As far as the imagery that I use, I will be writing a blog post soon about that. Keep an eye on the site. Thanks!~Sebastian