Tag: Steven Wilson

DELUXE HARDBACK BOOK EDITION OF PORCUPINE TREE’S ICONIC 2007 ALBUM FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET ANNOUNCED

SET FOR RELEASE ON 25th OCTOBER 2024 ON THE TRANSMISSION LABEL

Pre-order the new 2024 6-disc edition of FOABP Here:

Porcupine Tree – Fear Of A Blank Planet Deluxe 6 Disc Box Set (lnk.to)

London label Transmission have announced a new edition of Porcupine Tree’s Grammy-nominated 2007 album Fear Of A Blank Planet. With a 112-page hardback book, five CDs, and a Blu-ray disc, the new edition includes remasters of Fear Of A Blank Planet and the Nil Recurring mini album, approximately 55 minutes of previously unreleased demos, an early live performance of a still work-in-progress version of the album, as well as BBC and instore session recordings – the most complete collection of the album and related material to date.

The set consists of:

112-Page Hardback Book: The centrepiece of this collection is a 112-page book, with an in-depth examination of the process of creating the album by Stephen Humphries with interviews, alongside rare photographs from photographers Lasse Hoile & Carl Glover.

Disc 1 (CD): 2024 remaster of Fear Of A Blank Planet.

Disc 2 (CD): 2024 remaster of Nil Recurring EP.

Disc 3 (CD): Approx 55 minutes of previously unreleased demos by both band and Steven Wilson, offering a rare insight into the creative process for the album, including 2 tracks not recorded for the final album.

Disc 4 (CD): A live recording of a work-in-progress version of the album made at The Garage, Saarbrucken on 23rd September 2006, while the band were still refining and developing the material.  This has been mixed from the multitrack tapes for the first time for this edition.

Disc 5 (CD): A 5 track BBC radio session (Maida Vale Studios, 13th April 2007) plus an 8-song acoustic / unplugged in-store performance from Park Avenue, Orlando (4th October 2007).

Disc 6 (Blu-ray): Includes remastered stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes of Fear Of A Blank Planet and Nil Recurring, as well as a new 2024 documentary – ‘The Making of Fear Of A Blank Planet’. Also features 3 music videos, 3 songs performed live on film at The Palladium, Koln (4th December 2007) and 2 live visual films (‘Sleep Together’ and ‘Anesthetize’).

“an aggressively modern merger of Rush’s arena art rock, U.K. prog classicism —especially Pink Floyd and King Crimson — and the post-grunge vengeance of Tool”

Rolling Stone

Originally released in 2007, Fear Of A Blank Planet is Porcupine Tree’s ninth studio album and both band and fans alike consider it to be a high point in their catalogue. Their biggest selling album at the time, it was the band’s first album to break into the Billboard Top 100 in the USA as well as charting significantly across Europe, earning them a Grammy nomination in the process. The album includes guest appearances from Robert Fripp (King Crimson) & Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s Greatest Prog Albums Of All Time as well as being named Classic Rock’s Album of the Year in 2007.

A concept album inspired by the Bret Easton Ellis novel Lunar Park, Fear Of A Blank Planet’s lyrics address how the adolescent protagonist battles his terminal boredom and attention-deficit disorders with a regimen of prescription drugs, TV, computer gaming, mindless violence, empty sex, and self-harm.

Following the release of Fear Of A Blank Planet in 2007, Porcupine Tree solidified their reputation as one of the rock’s most celebrated bands with their 2009 release The Incident garnering critical acclaim and earning the band another Grammy nomination. After a significant hiatus while members moved on to other projects, 2022’s highly anticipated return with Closure/Continuation demonstrated the band’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of their sound.

FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET DELUXE TRACKLISTING

DISC 1

1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (2024 Remaster) [07:28]

2. My Ashes (2024 Remaster) [05:09]

3. Anesthetize (2024 Remaster) [17:52]

4. Sentimental (2024 Remaster) [05:26]

5. Way Out Of Here (2024 Remaster) [07:37]

6. Sleep Together (2024 Remaster) [07:28]

DISC 2

1. Nil Recurring (2024 Remaster) [06:15]

2. Normal (2024 Remaster) [07:08]

3. Cheating The Polygraph (2024 Remaster) [07:10]

4. What Happens Now? (2024 Remaster) [08:24]

5. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Tour Live intro) [02:02]

DISC 3

1.Fear Of A Blank Planet (Demo) [07:01]

2. My Ashes (Demo) [05:09]

3. Anesthetize (Demo) [16:49]

4. Sentimental (Demo) [05:03]

5. Cheating The Polygraph (Demo) [07:07]

6. Sleep Together (Demo) [07:26]

7. Always Recurring (Demo) [03:49]

8. Hey Sleeper (Demo) [03:36]

DISC 4

1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [09:05]

2. My Ashes (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [05:44]

3. Anesthetize (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [17:12]

4. Sentimental (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [05:07]

5. Cheating The Polygraph (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [06:58]

6. Sleep Together (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [08:11]

DISC 5

1. Blackest Eyes (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [04:27]

2. Fear Of A Blank Planet (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [07:29]

3. Sleep Together (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [07:20]

4. The Pills I’m Taking (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [05:58]

5. Halo (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [05:42]

6. The Sky Moves Sideways (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:02]

7. Even Less (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [03:27]

8. Stars Die (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:34]

9. Waiting (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [03:52]

10. Normal (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:52]

11. Drown With Me (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:09]

12. Lazarus (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:06]

13. Trains (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:28]

DISC 6

1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (5.1) [07:28]

2. My Ashes (5.1) [05:09]

3. Anesthetize (5.1) [17:52]

4. Sentimental (5.1) [05:26]

5. Way Out Of Here (5.1) [07:37]

6. Sleep Together (5.1) [07:28]

7. Nil Recurring (5.1) [06:15]

8. Normal (5.1) [07:08]

9. Cheating The Polygraph (5.1) [07:10]

10. What Happens Now? (5.1) [08:24]

11. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Video) [04:19]

12. Way Out Of Here (Video) [04:17]

13. Normal (Video) [03:52]

14. Sleep Together (Live Visual Film) [07:32]

15. Anesthetize (Live Visual Film) [17:14]

16. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Video – Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [08:37]

17.Anesthetize (Video – Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [17:14]

18. Sleep Together (Video – Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [08:03]

19. The Making Of Fear Of A Blank Planet (Documentary Film) [48:23]

The new edition of Fear Of A Blank Planet will be released on Transmission on 25th October 2024.

Pre-order here:

Porcupine Tree – Fear Of A Blank Planet Deluxe 6 Disc Box Set (lnk.to)

STORM CORROSION – THE HIGHLY REVERED 2012 COLLOBORATION BETWEEN STEVEN WILSON AND MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT – DUE FOR RE-RELEASE ON KSCOPE ON 27TH SEPTEMBER 2024

NEWLY REMIXED INTO DOLBY ATMOS BY STEVEN WILSON

A DEEP-DIVE INTO THE AVANT-GARDE FROM TWO OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK’S MOST INNOVATIVE MINDS  

As two of the leading figures in contemporary progressive music, Steven Wilson and Mikael Åkerfeldt have treated their fans to all sorts of thrillingly unconventional and atmospheric sounds over the years. But even by their own talismanic standards, the duo’s 2012 collaboration as Storm Corrosion exists in its own psychedelic lane of peculiarity, throwing listeners into a world of haunting and unsettling ambience like no other. 

WATCH THE STORM CORROSION TRAILER:

Some 12 years on from its original release, the album will be reissued on 27th September via Kscope on LP, CD and Blu Ray forms with a new Dolby Atmos remix by Steven Wilson. It will include a bonus cut of Drag Ropes – the only song they’ve performed live to date – recorded when Mikael guested with Steven and his band at London’s Royal Albert Hall in September 2015, plus extra documentary insights and footage. Given how the album clearly holds a special place in the hearts of both of its creators, and naturally their collective army of fans around the world, the new release will be a timely celebration of the ethereal magick encased within its six ground-breaking tracks.

“In many ways it’s become the cult classic we always intended it to be”

Steven Wilson

A love letter to the esoteric and abstruse sounds of the past, crossing the mystifying noises of late 60s/early 70s German groups like Tangerine Dream and Popol Vuh with the sound of British folk heroes like Nick Drake and Bert Jansch, while also embracing the eclectic oddities of cult figures like Scott Walker, it’s the kind of album that takes you on a transcendental journey that you never really come back from. For the two friends, this kind of fierce originality is precisely what they set out to achieve…

“Storm Corrosion was the 2012 album made by myself and Mikael Åkerfeldt of the band Opeth, and one which both of us considered a deeply satisfying artistic success,” says Steven. “It remains one of my favourite releases in my whole catalogue. Part of what made it so much fun was that pretty much anything that either of us suggested, the other would agree it should definitely be pursued, no matter how crazy and off the wall it sounded.”

That sense of pride is shared by his accomplice Mikael Åkerfeldt, who feels it’s easily one of the most experimental, if not bizarre, things either of them have ever recorded, and all the better for it. For him, and countless others, these enigmatic recordings seem to exist in a genre of their own – at times sounding more acoustic and minimalistic, and others infinitely more cerebral and foreboding, but in any case, always intoxicating.

“Everything about this record is strange in the best way possible”

Mikael Åkerfeldt

“Throughout all of my years as a musician, it’s very rare for me to return to a record I have participated in myself for the sheer listening pleasure alone,” notes Mikael. “Storm Corrosion is the exception. It’s such a lovely record to me. I can distance myself from my own work on it and just experience it as a fan of its music. Everything about this record is strange in the best way possible.”

“We’d talked many times over the years about doing a project with just the two of us,” continues Steven. “In 2011 we quietly got together for a week at my studio, and started to make music, not knowing where it would take us, but knowing that the last thing we wanted to do was the obvious. Instead, we found ourselves making an album of weird psychedelic chamber folk music, almost child-like in places, with lots of dissonance, orchestral arrangements and weird bits.”

STORM CORROSION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE FOLLOWING FORMATS:

Orange & Purple vinyl 2LP, gatefold packaging, 8-page booklet

(includes bonus track live recording of Drag Ropes from Royal Albert Hall in 2015)

Yellow vinyl 2LP, gatefold packaging, 8-page booklet

(includes bonus track live recording of Drag Ropes from Royal Albert Hall in 2015)

Black vinyl 2LP, gatefold packaging, 8-page booklet

(includes bonus track live recording of Drag Ropes from Royal Albert Hall in 2015)

Blu-ray edition

(includes high-resolution stereo, 2024 Dolby Atmos and 5.1 DTS-HD surround audio mixes & instrumental mixes of each track. Also includes a mini album documentary, the promo video for the track ‘Drag Ropes’, alongside two demo versions and an 8-page printed booklet. Additionally, a 2015 live recording of ‘Drag Ropes’ from The Royal Albert Hall when Mikael guested at one of Steven’s solo concerts has been newly mixed for this edition)

CD edition

(digipak CD edition includes 8-page printed booklet, plus a bonus track the live recording of ‘Drag Ropes’ from The Royal Albert Hall in 2015)

PRE-ORDER HERE:

Storm Corrosion (lnk.to)

Its impact was keenly felt the world over – so much so, that there have been on-going calls for a follow-up. It’s something both musicians are open to but given how busy they are in their main projects, Steven as a solo artist and Mikael in charge of all things Opeth, whether it happens anytime soon remains to be seen. And if the members of Storm Corrosion do end up working on new material, chances are it will be done behind closed doors, in a similar spirit to their brilliantly leftfield debut.

“I get the notion that some listeners are completely and utterly in love with it,” continues Mikael. “I really understand that, since that’s how I feel myself. It’s strange and crazy in many ways. This record has got something. It’s quite unique. I’m so happy to see it available again.”

For Steven, who first started working with Opeth as the producer for seminal albums like Blackwater Park, Deliverance and Damnation, the sheer delight he takes from working with someone as utterly devoted to the surreal and obscure is something he has been continually vocal about. They are kindred spirits, and in more ways than one – this particular masterpiece demonstrating that in the most poignant of ways.

“That security in our collaboration could only have come from a place of mutual respect and admiration, even a sense of awe at what the other was capable of,” continues Steven. “We loved the finished result. It had seemed so effortless to make it.”

Once it was unveiled to the world, Storm Corrosion created just as much excitement as it did confusion. And as anyone familiar with either of these musicians will know, that’s precisely what they were aiming for.

“I don’t know what the people expecting a full-on heavy rock album made of it,” laughs Steven. “In many ways it has become the cult classic we always intended it to be…”

TIM BOWNESS’ NEW SINGLE ‘WHEN SUMMER COMES’ OUT TODAY

SECOND SINGLE TO BE TAKEN FROM THE NEW ALBUM POWDER DRY, RELEASED 16TH AUGUST ON KSCOPE

STREAM/DOWNLOAD ‘WHEN SUMMER COMES’

Tim Bowness – When Summer Comes (orcd.co)

The sublime second single from Tim Bowness’s forthcoming Kscope label release Powder Dry is out today. The track, titled ‘When Summer Comes’, is a shimmering fusion of treated pianos, Mellotron flutes and bittersweet vocals. A quietly haunting soundtrack for a film that never was, the piece presents a potent mix of classic croon and blissed-out atmospherics.

Bowness says, “There’s a yearning, nostalgic quality to the song, I think. It’s about someone trying to convince themself that meaningful change will come, while instinctively knowing they’ll end up making the same mistakes again. It’s a cinematic ballad with hints of personal favourites such as late ’60s Scott Walker and Beehive-era David Sylvian. Inevitably, there’s some no-man (and a lot of me) in the mix as well.”

Mixed by Bowness’s partner in no-man, Steven Wilson, the evocative, abstract video for the song was created by Matt Vickerstaff.

WATCH THE NEW VIDEO BY MATT VICKERSTAFF

“This is the best and most creative of all of Tim’s albums.” – Steven Wilson

Featuring 16 pieces over its restless 40-minute duration, Tim Bowness’s eighth studio album Powder Dry represents a new beginning on a new label.

A collection of acute contrasts, the album is a vibrantly accessible and wildly experimental genre-blurring assault, embracing Industrial Rock, Electro Pop, singer-songwriter directness, haunted carnival soundscapes and more.

Entirely produced, performed and written by Bowness (a first), Powder Dry was mixed (in stereo and Surround Sound) by Bowness’s partner in no-man (and The Album Years podcast), Steven Wilson, who also acted as Bowness’s sounding board during the mixing process.

Powder Dry tracklist

Rock Hudson

Lost / Not Lost

When Summer Comes

Idiots At Large

A Stand-Up For The Dying

Old Crawler

Heartbreak Notes

Ghost Of A Kiss

Summer Turned

You Can Always Disappear

Powder Dry

Films Of Our Youth

This Way Now

I Was There

The Film Of Your Youth

Built To Last

PRE-ORDER ‘POWDER DRY’ LP/CD

Powder Dry – new album from Tim Bowness (lnk.to)

– Limited edition pink vinyl LP – exclusively available on the official Tim Bowness/Kscope store

– Limited edition yellow vinyl LP – available through indie retailers (w/ signed art print available from Rough Trade UK ONLY)

– Limited edition – 2-disc CD & DVD – includes DVD with 24-bit 48khz PCM stereo and 5.1 Dolby Digital mixes by Steven Wilson

– CD / LP / Digital

– Exclusive signed postcard included in all pre-orders from the Tim Bowness & Kscope store

UPCOMING SHOWS

JUL 27, 2024

EppyFest 11 @ Smokey Joe’s Diner, 16 Bennington St, Cheltenham, GL50 4ED

Cheltenham, UK

DEC 1, 2024

The Fiddler’s Elbow, Camden, London NW5 3HS

Prog The Forest. Tim Bowness and Butterfly Mind will headline this year’s Prog The Forest.

Artist picture by Leon Barker.

TIM BOWNESS ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘POWDER DRY’ AND SHARES FIRST SINGLE ‘ROCK HUDSON’ + VIDEO

SET FOR RELEASE ON KSCOPE ON 16TH AUGUST

Tim Bowness has today shared details of his new album Powder Dry. Set for release on 16th August, the album will be Bowness’s first release on the Kscope label. The first single from Powder Dry is the propulsive Rock Hudson, a paranoid ode to online discourse. Produced and performed by Tim Bowness and mixed by his partner in no-man Steven Wilson, the song is accompanied a vibrant abstract video by Matt Vickerstaff, which echoes Carl Glover’s artwork for the album.

Bowness says of the song, ‘Like all of the album Powder Dry, the song resulted from an attempt to capture a fleeting feeling as accurately as I could. This time the mood was dark, and there’s something of the spiky Post-Punk and Electro-Pop music of the early 1980s that captivated me as a teenager in the mix. Joy Division, The Cure, The The etc…’ 

Watch the video for Rock Hudson here:

Featuring 16 pieces over its restless 40-minute duration, Tim Bowness’s eighth studio album Powder Dry represents a new beginning on a new label. 

A collection of acute contrasts, the album is a vibrantly accessible and wildly experimental genre-blurring assault, embracing Industrial Rock, Electro Pop, singer-songwriter directness, haunted carnival soundscapes and more.

Entirely produced, performed and written by Bowness (a first), Powder Dry was mixed (in stereo and Surround Sound) by Bowness’s partner in no-man (and The Album Years podcast), Steven Wilson, who also acted as Bowness’s sounding board during the mixing process. 

‘I’ve had the pleasure to work on most of Tim’s solo albums, and for me this is the best and most creative of them all, partly because this time it’s truly a ‘solo’ album, showcasing not only his unique vocals, but also his distinctive approach to production and performance. It’s totally Tim!’ – Steven Wilson

Chronicling descents into ideological extremism, eco-apocalypse, and the all-too human quest for love in a time of crisis, the album is a constantly shifting kaleidoscope of sound; chasing feelings, searching for meanings and trying to capture the ever-elusive nowness of now.

‘Powder Dry’ tracklist

Rock Hudson

Lost / Not Lost 

When Summer Comes

Idiots At Large

A Stand-Up For The Dying

Old Crawler

Heartbreak Notes

Ghost Of A Kiss

Summer Turned

You Can Always Disappear

Powder Dry

Films Of Our Youth

This Way Now

I Was There

The Film Of Your Youth

Built To Last

Artist picture by Bryan Taylor.

Pre-order Powder Dry here:

Tim Bowness (burningshed.com)

Powder Dry’ will be presented on two beautiful, coloured vinyl LP editions – pink and yellow – alongside a bonus CD edition with 5.1 surround sound DVD included. Standard black vinyl LP and standard CD editions will also be available. Released on 16th August.

UPCOMING SHOWS

MAY 26, 2024

Load Street Studios, 3 Edwin Ave, Kidderminster UK

2 SETS – 2pm + 7pm

Only 25 tickets will be available for each set, so early booking is recommended for what promises to be a unique experience. 

Doors Open – 1.30pm and 6.30pm for 2pm and 7pm performance times.

TICKETS

JUL 27, 2024

EppyFest 11 @ Smokey Joe’s Diner, 16 Bennington St, Cheltenham, GL50 4ED

Cheltenham, UK

TICKETS

DEC 1, 2024

The Fiddler’s Elbow, Camden, London NW5 3HS

Prog The Forest. Tim Bowness and Butterfly Mind will headline this year’s Prog The Forest. 

KSCOPE ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF ‘BLACKFIELD : AN ACCIDENT OF STARS: 2004 – 2017’

A 7 Disc Deluxe Book-set with Previously Unreleased Live Show – Out March 31st 

Kscope are delighted to present ‘Blackfield : An Accident Of Stars: 2004 – 2017’, a collection of the band’s work from 2004 to 2017 released together for the first time . Housed in a deluxe book-set, with a 64-page book featuring liner notes by Anil Prasad at the center, it details the beginnings and inner workings of Blackfield’s journey through interviews and rare photos with both Steven and Aviv. This is a special, limited edition, one time pressing.

“The band’s palette is rich and assuredly dense. Strings stutter and fall, the tone can best be described as lush, gentle and reassuring” – Classic Rock Magazine

Aviv Geffen, one of Israel’s most iconic and best-selling musicians and Steven Wilson frontman of Porcupine Tree and solo artist extraordinaire have both built a dedicated global following. Working together as Blackfield, the two have cultivated a unique sound that brings together the best elements of both artists to create something completely unique, yet immediately identifiable. Something evident in this collection of their combined works as Aviv Geffen illustrates below:

“Steven and I connect across art, politics, and life in general. We’re always switching around between ideas when we’re together. That’s why our partnership works so well. You can feel the love in Blackfield.” – Aviv Geffen 

Included are the first five albums (Blackfield / Blackfield II / Welcome to my DNA / Blackfield IV / Black V) as well as a bonus disc of the band’s previously unreleased incredible show at Paradiso Amsterdam from 2011 (Live DNA).

“melancholy Art Pop” – Visions

Alongside this will be a newly produced Blu-ray which has ‘Blackfield’, ‘Blackfield II’ and ‘Welcome To My DNA’ in 24bit 44.1kHz format, ‘Blackfield IV’ and ‘Blackfield V’ in 5.1 Surround Sound and High Resolution 24-bit Stereo, plus the bands’ promo videos from this period are also included and the 2007 concert film ‘Live in N.Y’  

‘BLACKFIELD : AN ACCIDENT OF STARS : 2004 – 2017’

Contents

  1. Blackfield (2004)
  2. Blackfield II (2007) 
  3. Welcome to my DNA (2011) 
  4. Blackfield IV (2013) 
  5. Blackfield V (2017) 
  6. Live DNA: Recorded at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands on 10th April 2011 – Previously unreleased
  7. Blu-ray – Blackfield Hi-Res + Live in N.Y. & Official Promo Videos

               – Blackfield & Blackfield II – 24bit 44.1kHz

               – Welcome To My DNA – 24bit 96kHz

               – Blackfield IV & Blackfield V – 5.1 Surround Sound and High Resolution 24-bit Stereo

               – Live in NY – Visual Concert in 5.1 Surround and Stereo

               – Promo videos 

Pre-order HERE (https://blackfield.lnk.to/accidentofstars) 

Review – no-man – Love You To Bits

It’s not often that I am gobsmacked by a new release but the new album from no-man, the Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness project, left me quite a bit dumb-founded on first listen.

Like some strange symbiosis of 80’s pop, 90’s dance music and noughties prog, Love You To Bits wasn’t what I was expecting from prog’s standard bearer – Wilson – and the master of cool – Bowness…

The new album, the first studio release in eleven years consists of two connected five-part pieces (Love You To Bits and Love You To Pieces), was twenty-five years in the making and lyrically chronicles the aftermath of a relationship from different perspectives.

Adam Holzman, David Kollar, Ash Soan, Pete Morgan and the Dave Desmond Brass Quintet guest. Produced by no-man, the album was mixed by Bruno Ellingham and mastered by Matt Colton.

Steven Wilson has been very successful at re-inventing progressive rock over recent years and, with his long-term partner in crime Mr Bowness, it appears that they have decided to re-invent what would be considered ‘pop’ music to most ears.

And, to my utmost astonishment, it actually bloody works (I make no apologies for the expletive, I was that surprised!). Using the velvety, comforting tones of Tim’s excellent vocals over an EDM/electronica inspired back-beat is just genius. There’s a vibrancy that is absent from a lot of today’s music, be it pop, progressive or whatever, it just leaves a huge grin on my face.

This inventive and entertaining album never fails to surprise at every turn with elements of pulsating fusion and a wistful and poignant ambience interspersed with crashing guitars and edgy drumbeats.

I have no idea what Steven and Tim were on when they came up with the idea for this pulsating masterpiece but, by golly, can they please give some to the rest of what is becoming a very moribund music scene.

Love You To Bits is a utterly fascinating and overwhelmingly entertaining musical adventure with superb dynamism and a diversity rarely seen in the strictures of conventional music.

Just do yourselves a favour and go and buy it, you will not regret it!

Released 22nd November 2019.

Pre-order from the link below:

https://no-man.lnk.to/LoveYouToBitsSo

Review – Blackfield – Open Mind – The Best of Blackfield – by Progradar

It appears I may have dropped the ball big style when it comes to Blackfield and I’m big enough to admit my mistakes, no matter how bad they are!

I always dismissed this collaboration between the legend that is Steven Wilson and Israeli songwriter and musician Aviv Geffen as not for me (yes, pretentious on my part, I know!), considering it monotonous and well, boring! How wrong can you be eh? After listening to this compilation from their five albums it dawned on me that they are actually really rather good!

‘The collaboration, extending from their self-titled debut in 2004 to their superb return with album V produced with Alan Parsons in 2017, has proven to be a prolific partnership for creating striking and affecting music.’

Erm, yes, the promotional material hits the proverbial nail smack bang on the head, it is extremely striking and  very, very affecting. I could go on about all fifteen tracks on the album but I’ll just tell you the ones that really stand out for me. Opener Blackfield, the uber-smooth and emotive 1000 People, the energetic and dynamic Oxygen, my personal favourite How Was Your Ride with its surfeit of soul and oh so cool strings and vocals, From 44 to 48, the heartfelt Faking, the pared back brilliance of Dissolving With the Night, honestly, as collections go, it really doesn’t get much better than this.

‘Perhaps the debut album’s Lasse Hoile cover art—a bottled elixir lurking in the gloomy shadows of an apothecary—signifies that Blackfield is a dark medicine to be administered through the listener’s ear.’

I don’t know who writes this promo stuff but, damn, they’re good and so is the music, perhaps Steven Wilson himself puts it best:

“Blackfield appealed to me because it was a chance to focus firmly on the art of the classic pop song with concise songs and strong melodies, harmonies, orchestration, and a very lush ‘golden’ production.”

If, like me, you have never thought Blackfield worthy of your attention then please, please heed my advice, get your hands on this new collection and enjoy every single note!

Released 28th September 2018

Order the album, in all formats, from the link here

 

KSCOPE TO RELEASE OPEN MIND: THE BEST OF BLACKFIELD ON 28/09/18

The best of the peerless collaboration between Steven Wilson and Aviv Geffen. Features 15 essential tracks, including “Blackfield”, “Once”, “Family Man” and “Pain”.

Blackfield is the collaboration between Israeli songwriter and musician Aviv Geffen, and British musician and producer Steven Wilson. The collaboration, extending from their self-titled debut in 2004 to their superb return with album V produced with Alan Parsons in 2017, has proven to be a prolific partnership for creating striking and affecting music.

The pair makes for a formidable musical force; Geffen has worked with legendary producers Tony Visconti and Trevor Horn, has also recently performed with and hosted Jake Bugg, played as support for Biffy Clyro, and was a judge on the Israeli TV show The Voice. Wilson, after a long tenure as the leader of the hugely influential band Porcupine Tree, has since embarked on a highly successful solo career, most recently earning a #3 album in the UK Charts and #2 in the DE Charts, as well 4 Grammy nominations.

This collection, curated by Wilson and Geffen, selects the best works from an impressively rich Blackfield catalogue with each of the five records combining both sweet and tart elements. It’s an uncommonly potent mixture. Perhaps the debut album’s Lasse Hoile cover art—a bottled elixir lurking in the gloomy shadows of an apothecary—signifies that Blackfield is a dark medicine to be administered through the listener’s ear. There’s no recipe on the aged and frayed label of the bottle. Yet some lyrical ingredients can be discerned within the mix: Take a dash of childhood memory, sprinkle in some heartbreak, pour in a drop of blood from an open vein, add a pinch of angry conscience (carefully weighed), puree the dew of a kiss, and then garnish with the bitter tears of adult disillusionment.  Stir carefully and name it after the very first Blackfield collaboration: “Open Mind”.

Steven Wilson – “Blackfield appealed to me because it was a chance to focus firmly on the art of the classic pop song with concise songs and strong melodies, harmonies, orchestration, and a very lush ‘golden’ production.”

Open Mind, featuring new artwork by Hajo Müller will be released on 28th September 2018 on CD / LP  and is available to pre-order HERE

OPEN MIND: THE BEST OF BLACKFIELD tracklisting

1.              Blackfield [04:27] WATCH
2               Family Man [03:37]
3               Open Mind [03:49] LISTEN
4               1,000 People [03:54]
5               Oxygen [03:00]
6               Hello [03:09]
7               Once [04:03]
8               How Was Your Ride? [03:58]
9               Waving [03:56]
10            From 44 to 48[04:31] WATCH
11            Pain [03:47]
12            October [03:31]
13            Faking [03:33]
14            Dissolving With The Night [04:07]
15            End Of The World [05:14]

AVIV GEFFEN PERFORMING THE SONGS OF BLACKFIELD – NEW DATES ANNOUNCED

Aviv Geffen, the Israeli singer/songwriter as one half of the rock duo Blackfield with prolific British musician Steven Wilson, is taking their critically acclaimed studio album ‘V’ on a new 9-date European tour in January 2018. Following the successful Spring 2017 tour, which saw a surprise appearance from Steven Wilson on the UK dates, European shows with Biffy Clyro and shows with Jake Bugg, Aviv Geffen has answered the many fan requests for more live performances.

Blackfield’s beloved music was recently celebrated with reissues of their classic first two albums on vinyl and CD, with the second also being remastered by Steven Wilson.

19.01.18 – DE – Cologne, Luxor

21.01.18 – UK – London, Oslo

22.01.18 – FR – Paris, Le Pop Up Du Label

23.01.18 – NL – Helmond, Cacaofabriek

24.01.18 – DE – Hamburg, Knust

26.01.18 – IT – Milan, La Salumeria Della Musica

27.01.18 – CH – Luzern – Jazzkantine

29.01.18 – DE – Munich, Strom 

30.01.18 – DE – Berlin, Franz Club

Ticket details www.facebook.com/blackfieldhq

Their latest album ‘Blackfield V’, was written and recorded over 18 months in both Israel and England, and contains 13 linked songs that form a flowing 45 minute ocean themed song cycle.  The duo expertly handle the vocals, guitars, and keyboards, with Tomer Z from the Blackfield band on drums, Eran Mitelman on keys, and string arrangements performed by the London Session Orchestra. ‘Blackfield V’ is a powerful journey through catchy melodies, lush arrangements, and stunning production, with legendary producer / engineer Alan Parsons working on three of the album’s key tracks.

The pair make for a formidable musical force; Geffen has worked with legendary producers Tony Visconti and Trevor Horn, has played live with U2 and Placebo, and is currently a judge on the Israeli TV show The Voice. Wilson, after a long tenure as the leader of the hugely influential band Porcupine Tree, has since embarked on a highly successful solo career, achieving 3 UK top 40 albums (the most recent also making the top 3 in Germany, and The Netherlands), and 4 Grammy nominations.

For the release of their latest album ‘V’, Blackfield revealed two music videos, created by long time collaborator Lasse Hoile (www.lassehoile.com), for the Wilson-penned “From 44 to 48” and for “Lonely Soul”.

All artist photography by Hajo Müller.

‘LAST DAY OF JUNE’ THE OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK – CAROLINE INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL ALBUM RELEASED 1ST DECEMBER 2017

Steven Wilson has announced details of a new digital album, due for release on 1st December via Caroline International. ‘Last Day of June’ is the official soundtrack to the critically acclaimed PS4/Windows game of the same name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmdORg04D_E

Inspired entirely by the visuals and ideas from the video for Steven’s 2013 single Drive Home, ‘Last Day Of June’ is soundtracked by music from Steven’s first four albums – Insurgentes, Grace for Drowning, the Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories) and Hand. Cannot. Erase. – and his electronic/ambient project Bass Communion. All of the tracks included are specially re-edited instrumental versions created exclusively for the game (and this subsequent soundtrack), including alternate versions of Steven Wilson classics including Routine, The Raven That Refused To Sing and Deform to Form a Star. The result is a series of mesmeric, minimalist musical snapshots, each deeply evocative of autumnal melancholia.

Described by creator Massimo Guarini (from the multi award winning development studio Ovosonico) as “a game about love and loss”, Last Day of June was released in August via 505 Games. Reviews of the game praised it as “incredibly powerful… beautiful, melancholic…  an experience that I’m sure will stay with you” (Eurogamer) and “some pretty exceptional art” (Gaming Age).

Steven Wilson on ‘Last Day Of June’: “A couple of years ago I was asked if I’d be ok with some of the ideas from the video for Drive Home being used for the basis for a computer game. They wanted to explore further the characters that Hajo Müller drew so beautifully and that director Jess Cope gave life to. I had no idea how it might work, but was happy to let them show me. The game grew out of my music and that original video.

It’s been one of my long held ambitions to score a movie. In a way I feel like I’ve done it now. After sequencing these tracks – recorded all over the world with different musicians – it was amazing how much it felt like they were all written specifically for one cinematic project. I’d never thought computer games could be ‘art’ before – having seen and experienced Last Day Of June, I’m now convinced they can be.”

‘Last Day Of June’ tracklisting:

  1. Some Things Cannot Be Changed
  2. That Day by The Pier
  3. There Must Be A Way
  4. The Last Day Of June
  5. Suspended In Me
  6. Driving Home
  7. I’m Still Here…
  8. The Boy Who Lost His Friends
  9. The Crib
  10. Time For A New Start
  11. Suspended In You
  12. Under The Shadow Of My Father
  13. Accept
  14. Deceive
  15. Together, Forever Again

 

Steven Wilson’s fifth album To The Bone was released in August this year. It charted at No 3 in the UK and No 2 in Germany and was top 10 across the continent. Steven sets out on a previously announced world tour in January – the UK leg takes in three nights at the Royal Albert Hall in March (27th – 29th).

Steven Wilson website / online shop / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram/ Spotify complete discography