Album Review : Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning.

After a gap of 3 years, Porcupine Tree’s mastermind Steven Wilson is back with his second solo album ‘Grace for Drowning‘. His epic debut solo effort, “Insurgentes” was every bit as gorgeous sounding as the tantalizing bits of music which paved way to dominant atmospheres of darkness. Wilson’s creativity has always been around the golden period for music around late sixties and early seventies, when releasing an album became the primary means of artistic expression, when musicians liberated themselves from the 3 minute pop song format, and started to draw on jazz and classical music especially, combining it with the spirit of psychedelia to create “journeys in sound”. So better get ready because ‘Grace for Drowning’ is exactly in the same zone.

Track Listing:

Disc 1: Deform to Form a Star

1. “Grace for Drowning” 2:00

2. “Sectarian” 7:45

3. “Deform to Form a Star” 8:00

4. “No Part of Me” 5:45

5. “Postcard” 4:30

6. “Raider Prelude” 2:30

7. “Remainder the Black Dog” 9:30

Disc 2: Like Dust I Have Cleared From My Eye

1. “Belle de Jour” 3:00

2. “Index” 4:45

3. “Track One” 4:15

4. “Raider II” 23:15

5. “Like Dust I Have Cleared From My Eye” 8:00

Apart from Wilson on vocals and other instruments, he has collaborated with many musicians which includes Nic France on drums, Steve Hackett on lead guitar, Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Nick Beggs and Trey Gunn on warr guitar, Theo Travis and Jordan Rudess and some jazz musicians. So when you have list of legendary musicians you have something EPIC to look forward.

The album is divided into two discs namely Deform to Form a Star and Like Dust I Have Cleared From My Eye respectively. First progressive assault starts with title track Grace for Drowning which sounds so damn beautiful that makes you feel dissolved and their you enter the world of Steven Wilson. A typical lullaby sound that paves way for goosebumps. Sectarian is an instrumental torn and twisted with riffs which reminds me of King Crimson. With 8 minutes of sizzling Piano work on ‘Deform to Form a Star‘ with breezing melodies and ‘No Par of Me‘ which reminds me of Blackfield sounding absolutely creepy leads to entry of some intense progressive feel and jazzy vibe. Rest of the songs from the 1st disc are delightful and all his influences from 70′s are clearly heard and cherished. Each song doesn restrict to one genre which for me is something only Steven Wilson can do perfectly. Nothing is out of place nor sounds average. Its one emotional roller coaster ride after another.

Second disc ‘Like Dust I Have Cleared From My Eye’ starts of with “Belle de Jour” and “Index” which makes you feel and enter the avant garde jazzy world filled with intense progressive moments. The best usage of mellotron on Track One(haunting to be precise) and finally 23min heavy “Raider II” is so intense, creativity to the fucking core and one of the best way to exchange the musical mammoth. The disc closes with title track which finally ends the 80 min+ epic feeling. Its melodic, its chilling, monumental, stunning and yeah its lengthy but you will never give a fuck about it because these are probably the 80+ minutes of life you will cherish. 20+ years into progressive music and influences, this album stands out with incredible musicianship. If you are a Steven Wilson fan or not, this album will directly go into you music list right at the top until you alive. Its truly remarkable without any fillers.

I’ve been anticipating this release for a long time and it really delivered for me. The 120 pages book looks beautiful and I haven’t gotten around to checking out the DVD yet, but I’m very very happy with the music. I actually loved hearing the elements of all of Wilson’s other “projects” on Insurgents and to some extent in this record too. Its a record worth listening more times to actually get the hold of what Wilson has created. To be precise, Its an adventurous affair.

Double thumbs up for another epic history created by Steven Wilson which will be cherished for years and years to come. Go ahead, buy the CD and trust me you will LOVE IT.

RATING: 9.5/10