A new Steven Wilson album! Ring the bells! Sound the claxon! Fire up the synthesizers! It's no secret I love this musical maven, I've pretty loved everything he's ever been involved in, even Bassinvaders, so I always have a huge amount of anticipation when he releases something new.
Previous album The Harmony Codex was his isolationist record, a more complex sprawling musical journey than previous records, it was his most experimental album since Grace From Drowning. Wilson recorded in solitude the guest appearances coming remotely.
It was quite sparse clinical collection, so it's no wonder then that The Overview, Wilson's eighth album is a warmer sounding affair, musically harking back to Tangerine Dream, Vangelis and middle period (post Saucerful/pre Darkside) Pink Floyd.
Again Wilson plays the majority of the instruments with particular focus on keys/synths/organs to set the atmosphere of this record, but moving away from the electronic influence that was present of previous albums, shifting more towards the classic prog rock he previously dabbled with on The Raven That Refused To Sing.
Wilson joined by Adam Holzman (Hammond/Rhodes/Synth), Randy McStine (guitar/keys/synth), Theo Travis (sax/flute) as the core band on the album as Russell Holzman and Craig Blundell are the two drummers, one per track. The Overview is just 2 tracks but 41 minutes of music and the concept around it deals with the cognitive shift that comes from viewing the earth from space.
So for the first track we have Objects Out Live Us, quietly beginning it's just that distinctive Steven Wilson voice and stripped back synthesizers, there's something building and then a piano comes in, then a drumbeat and things begin properly with an insistent build ala Astronomy Domine then dives into off-kilter harmony and acoustics that bring to mind the Porcupine Tree material.
Existential meets mundane, the lyrics are suitably obtuse allowing you make your own interpretation of what's happening, I believe Andy Partridge of XTC was involved with this side and it's obvious when you listen. In the middle we shift into a middle section that would be out of place on a King Crimson record, all angular guitar and jazz drums. We return to the beginning then switch to a keening guitar solo that takes us to the last dissonant moments, throughout the backing vocals of Willow Beggs spectrally joining both Wilson and McStine's harmonies.
As things fade to black the oscillating EDM thump of The Overview begins as Rotem Wilson starts to describe the largest celestial bodies in the universe by size. It's with track that the Vangelis influences are strong, much like Laibach too. But those gorgeous acoustics return and we begin things properly with an epic, cinematic scope. We float through the vast emptiness of space and let the beauty of the planet wash over us, reminding us just how important yet infinitely forgettable we are in the scope of the universe.
Upbeat tinged with bittersweet it's Steven Wilson 101, however it does seem that Wilson has mellowed since getting married, but musically he still creates innovative songs that are heavily inspired by classic prog but always carry his own seal. The Overview (song) closes with sax and smooth synth and a whiff of Shine On You Crazy Diamond.
Another classic piece of Steven Wilson brilliance, The Overview is just two tracks but will leave you in bit of awe of the talent involved. 9/10
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