I haven't really been into the last couple of Steven Wilson albums. Progressive pop is just not for me. He certainly doesn't owe anything to the heavier music community, his ties to metal being tenuous at best. Still, when I heard that The Overview was a return to prog rock, my ears perked up. After one listen through (and it only takes one listen to know if something is anywhere near your paddle box), I dig it. It's as proggy as the day is long. In fact, it might be too proggy. I'm not against repeating a chorus here and there. But that's trivial speak. The lyrical focus on space exploration is so very Steven Wilson. The Overview is comprised of two protracted movements, much like Blood Incantation's Absolute Elsewhere. Actually, both albums could be seen as companion pieces. Different moons within the same orbit? Yeah, that sounds deceptively intellectual. Heh, I just summed up this entire website. Deceptively intellectual dot com.
I should caution fans of concept albums such as Hand. Cannot. Erase. and The Raven That Refused to Sing. This doesn't seem to loiter in that stratosphere. Okay, I'm running out of space words. The Overview is groovy. Full stop.
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