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Steven Wilson: Grace for drowning

13/08/12  ||  The Duff

Steven Wilson is a bit of a prodigy, we all know this. Porcupine Tree albums every two years that often span with conceptual ambition and in between releases from side-projects such as Blackfield, No Man and, most recently, solo albums the first and last of which was a breathtaking affair mixing progressive rock with ethereal soundscapes. Being no stranger to Porcupine Tree but far less acquainted to any of his side-projects other than “Insurgentes”, I was all said very much looking forward to the second chapter in his solo pursuits.

Recently, Steven Wilson has collaborated with The Fripp to re-master (I think?) and re-release some of the classic King Crimson records. This has certainly had some effect on how he has developed on “Grace for Drowning”, because not only do we have the fanciful electronica and post-rock musical euphoria of “Insurgentes”, we also have the jazz-esque orchestral sections and fat-ass riffs that will warm the hearts of any fan of songs such as “21st Century Schizoid Man”.

Once more as with any of his projects, we have a blend of harrowing darkness and uplift. Also to be found are traditional Wilson acoustic guitar parts and engaging lyrics humane, expressing vulnerability, spite, love, loss. I doubt anyone can match the beauty of a lyric like ’Cos all that matters/Disappeared when I lost you (Meatloaf doesn’t count). Overall, a fantastic mix of self-pity, self-loathing and casting off the shackles that bind and retire through years of experience.

I think most of the power of “Insurgentes” to have been with the layered, unusual vocals, which seem to have taken a step back to this new incarnation of the man. He’s stripping down the music bare to a very raw emotion but of course with the Wilson scope and spotless production values. Those vocals other than his are of an ethereal quality, very grandiose, but generally the singing on “Grace for Drowning” is kept a lot more grounded.

The music takes on many forms throughout the two disc affair, each track taking on its own identity, and one could rightfully conclude “Grace for Drowning” to be a cluttered affair. It depends on how much you admire the man’s prolific tendency to explore every facet of his inspirations, from hard rock to chilled jazz to downbeat electronica to piano lulls.

The musicianship is never off the charts, simply graciously downplayed and all the tastier for it – a tapestry of matching sounds that create something altogether very settling, typical of Steven Wilson’s work and as such a great escape, I’m sure much to Steven’s satisfaction a reason to buy albums and indulge in the full experience.

9

  • Information
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: KScope
  • Website: www.swhq.co.uk
  • Band
  • Steven Wilson: guitars, bass, vocals, piano, keys, autoharp, harmonium, percussion
  • Jordan Rudess: Piano
  • Steve Hackett: guitars
  • Mike Outram: guitars
  • Sand Snowman: guitars
  • Tony Levin: bass, stick
  • Nick Beggs: bass, stick
  • Trey Gunn: bass, guitars
  • Markus Reuter guitars
  • Nic France: drums
  • Pat Mastelotto: drums
  • Theo Travis: saxophone, clarinet, flute
  • Ben Castle: clarinet
  • London Session Orchestra, Dave Stewart: strings
  • Tracklist
  • Disc 1: Deform to Form a Star
  • 01. Grace for Drowning
  • 02. Sectarian
  • 03. Deform to Form a Star
  • 04. No Part of Me
  • 05. Postcard
  • 06. Raider Prelude
  • 07. Remainder the Black Dog
  • Disc 2: Like Dust I Have Cleared from My Eye
  • 01. Belle de Jour
  • 02. Index
  • 03. Track One
  • 04. Raider II
  • 05. Like Dust I Have Cleared from My Eye

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