Great review Pico. PT is just about my favorite band right now. After discovering them and writing about them, I took the advice of several people who commented on my review and ended up snatching up about half their catalog. Right now, I can't stop listening to this great band.

The thing about "Blank Planet" is that it strikes the perfect balance between the heavier stuff and the texture. I fell in love them first when I heard the track "Sentimental." Those haunting minor chords on the keyboard just grabbed hold and wouldn't let go.

Speaking of texture, you really should give "Deadwing" another chance. "Lazarus," "Halo," and especially "Arriving Somewhere" have nuance aplenty. Great review Pico.

-Glen

nice review. i still haven't digested this record yet. sooo much going on in there.

I think I've genuinely gotten myself addicted to these guys. I haven't had time to check out Fear of a Blank Planet yet. But then again, I haven't had time to fully appreciate the older stuff yet either.

Glen, admittedly, I didn't give Deadwing as much playing time as I have for the current release, so I'm open to the idea that it needs some time to sink in, too. I still think I'll find Planet to be superior because all the songs are so well tied together, both thematically and musically (notice how the title track nicely segues into "My Ashes," for instance).

Mark, there is indeed a lot going on, here. It's like listening to a good jazz record, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the comments, guys.

By the way, folks, Glen has already covered the CD in its entirety, and did a mighty fine job at it, I might add:

Glen's kick-ass P Tree Review

Great write-up on a great song, Pico. I've been mulling this album over for some time and plan a review along with Blackfield's second album at some point in the future, as they seem to present two sides to Wilson's personality now. (And if you haven't checked out the new Blackfield yet, DO! It's absolutely incredible. Better than Fear, actually!)

And, um, psst - Gavin Harrison is PT's drummer. Chris Maitland was dumped back in 2002 after he reportedly assaulted Wilson. Maitland was good, but Harrison is god-like.

Listen to Glen and give Deadwing a few more spins. Blank Planet is certainly a fine album, but to me it doesn't quite reach the grandeur of Deadwing. "Arriving Somewhere..." gives me chills!

TJ, I had forgotten about that line-up change, a simple check of the CD credits could have avoided such a silly error. Thanks for setting me straight on the drummer.

I have the first Blackfield and it didn't do much for me (although there were a few bright spots). The second one is gonna have to be a whole lot better to best Fear, but I'm more than willing to find out :&)

Have no fear, Pico - Blackfield II is leaps and bounds better than I. There's a small bonus to Porcupine Tree fans in that "Christenings" is actually a PT recording that was put on this new Blackfield album (why, I don't know, but I do know it was leftover from the Deadwing sessions.) I'm not even sure if Aviv Geffen recorded anything extra for that track or if it's just the original PT version as-is. Either way, the album should not be missed - tracks like "Once" and "Epidemic" are a couple of the year's best.

Thanks for the pocket review, TJ, II is on my list!

Mine too! (Blackfield II that is).

So far I've bought six PT CDs and theres no sign of stopping. I'd still put FOABP and Deadwing at the top of the list, but I also like The Sky Moves Sideways. The guitar on that one is just insane its so good.

-Glen

Alright, Blackfield II is much better than the debut, as advertised. Very consistent. But better than FOABP? I dunno about that, man. The P Tree album is deeper, more nuanced and also tops II in the muscianship department (yeah, I know there's a lot of overlap in musicians, but they 're challenged more in PT).

But, hey, it's still a fine record. There doesn't seem to be any limit on Wilson's talents. Thanks for the heads up, Tom.

Aw crap, you mean in addition to the zillion or so PT records I still need to buy, now I have to get these damn Blackfield discs too?

Its a conspiracy I tell ya...

-Glen

Interesting note about Chris Maitland leaving Ptree in 2002. I have found no info on any assault, but it seems unlikely, given that Chris played some drums on the first Blackfield album.

My understanding is that Chris comes from a more jazz-oriented background, and was not as interested in the heavier direction that Steven was going with the new albums...

By the way, Steven also releases discs under his own name on the Headphone Dust label. Each disc is a cover song and an original. These are great slices of music and show another side of his work....all great stuff!

I am continuously amazed to learn of all the various projects Wilson works on in addition to recording and touring with both P. Tree and Blackfield. And it's consistently good to great quality stuff.

And for whatever reason Maitland left the band, I've very happy they have Harrison, now. Gavin is an absolute monster.

Thanks for passing that along, The Craw.