I've seen Wilson about a half dozen times in concert. One of the things he consistently says is that sad songs are the most powerful because we can identify with them. And that's true. This song, Routine, Drive Home, The Watchmaker, even back to his Porcupine Tree days with songs like Heart Attack in a Layby and Stop Swimming are all both identifiable and powerfully done. The animation was done by Jess Cope, she's pretty incredible, too.
Great reaction. There is a great line from one of Stevens concerts where he says, ‘this song is miserable, but with a sing along chorus…..the next song is just miserable! ……’ no one does sorrow better or with greater musical skill than Steven Wilson. There is other brighter and up tempo stuff but he is at his best when dealing with difficult or troubling subjects.
Hi Wesley - I too am enjoying your journey with the genius that is Steven Wilson. Luminol is a complete mind blower - as is Ancestral. But a quick tip - for anything SW - whether his solo stuff such as these 3 songs or Porcupine Tree - (his band) - you MUST check out the live versions. If you do check out Luminol or Ancestral check them out on the Home Invasion concert at Albert Hall. At the same concert though - if you wanted to check out some more truly beautiful and powerful thought provoking tracks/stories - check out Refuge and Song of Unborn from the same concert. Mind-blowing stuff. Keep up the journey. You will NOT be dissappointed.
I know its difficult for a reactor but the home invasion concert is so well filmed and such great sound that it really is worth sitting down and streaming it or better still watching the Bluray in surround sound. In the meantime for the channel checking out the tracks suggested here on YT will give you a feel for what its like. I would also add, ‘Pariah’ and Home invasion/regret no9 to the list. For porcupine tree then the classic live tracks on YT come from a Chicago concert in 2005 and the amazing Tilburg concert in 2008. Frankly anything you find from those will be worth listening to. The PT songs ‘Anesthetise’ and ‘Arriving somewhere but not here’ rank with the best progressive music ever written.
Really interesting reflections, I'm very much enjoying your reactions! The part of the chord progression that's grabbing you is probably the switch between major and minor. If I recall correctly the song is in the key of C, and the last chord of the cycle varies between ending on C major and C minor. Not sure if it's your cup of tea or if you're already aware of Jacob Collier, but I would love to see your reaction to his arrangement of 'Moon River' :)
I've seen Wilson about a half dozen times in concert. One of the things he consistently says is that sad songs are the most powerful because we can identify with them. And that's true. This song, Routine, Drive Home, The Watchmaker, even back to his Porcupine Tree days with songs like Heart Attack in a Layby and Stop Swimming are all both identifiable and powerfully done. The animation was done by Jess Cope, she's pretty incredible, too.
Does she do any other animation work besides these?
@@rwesleyslaven She worked on Frankenweenie, the stop animation movie as well as a few other projects with Hollywood and other musicians.
Great reaction. There is a great line from one of Stevens concerts where he says, ‘this song is miserable, but with a sing along chorus…..the next song is just miserable! ……’ no one does sorrow better or with greater musical skill than Steven Wilson. There is other brighter and up tempo stuff but he is at his best when dealing with difficult or troubling subjects.
It’s refreshing in a way. Music is to show emotion and he’s showing some of the more powerful ones, even if it’s sorrow.
Would love for you to react to Steven Wilson song Luminal (live in Mexico).
I’ll check it out!
Another vote from me!
Hi Wesley - I too am enjoying your journey with the genius that is Steven Wilson. Luminol is a complete mind blower - as is Ancestral. But a quick tip - for anything SW - whether his solo stuff such as these 3 songs or Porcupine Tree - (his band) - you MUST check out the live versions. If you do check out Luminol or Ancestral check them out on the Home Invasion concert at Albert Hall. At the same concert though - if you wanted to check out some more truly beautiful and powerful thought provoking tracks/stories - check out Refuge and Song of Unborn from the same concert.
Mind-blowing stuff. Keep up the journey. You will NOT be dissappointed.
I'll look into it. He's such an awesome artist, makes me feel things I didn't know i needed 😂
I know its difficult for a reactor but the home invasion concert is so well filmed and such great sound that it really is worth sitting down and streaming it or better still watching the Bluray in surround sound. In the meantime for the channel checking out the tracks suggested here on YT will give you a feel for what its like. I would also add, ‘Pariah’ and Home invasion/regret no9 to the list. For porcupine tree then the classic live tracks on YT come from a Chicago concert in 2005 and the amazing Tilburg concert in 2008. Frankly anything you find from those will be worth listening to. The PT songs ‘Anesthetise’ and ‘Arriving somewhere but not here’ rank with the best progressive music ever written.
Plz do reaction do The Dirty Mac-Yer Blues
Really interesting reflections, I'm very much enjoying your reactions! The part of the chord progression that's grabbing you is probably the switch between major and minor. If I recall correctly the song is in the key of C, and the last chord of the cycle varies between ending on C major and C minor. Not sure if it's your cup of tea or if you're already aware of Jacob Collier, but I would love to see your reaction to his arrangement of 'Moon River' :)
That may be what it is? It just feels so... tense. Like the coin flipped but is still at the same spot on the table.