STEVEN WILSON – 4 ½ [plus BluRay bonus tracks] (2016)

Much of the 2015 Prog landscape was dominated by STEVEN WILSON and his 4th solo album Hand.Cannot.Erase. That album was the best selling release of his career and was #1 on many end of the year lists. Also a huge success was his tour, which saw him add a few Porcupine Tree songs back into the fold, as well as some unreleased tracks.
So while he is away working on album number 5, Wilson decided to release some kind of ‘mediator’ in between, in the form of a long EP titled “4 1/2“.
The collection is no less spectacular than we have come to expect for this prolific artist. In fact, it contains some of his best tracks ever.
As has normally been the way with Wilson what you expect is probably not what you are going to get…

“4 ½” includes six tracks with a total running time of thirty-seven minutes kicking off with the diverse and strong opener, “My Book of Regrets.” Comprised of an array of sounds and influence, each is attended to masterfully in both playing and audio quality.
The opening chords are not chosen at random. They could equally be heard at the beginning of any good television show or film, and by that we mean they are inviting but give a strong handshake. The song takes several twists and turns, guitar style and sound reminiscent of Eric Johnson’s ‘Trail of Tears’ alongside uncomfortable drop off points that sit well. A trick mastered also by Eels.

“Year of the Plague” is an entirely instrumental piece that both captures and sets the mood. Whether it’s 3:00am smoking a cigarette by dim light or getting the tube to work on a gloomy morning, this brief piece, based around some relatively simple playing, has an effective sway that envelops you under whatever circumstance.
Vocals are reintroduced on “Happiness III” and almost eerily so given last week tragic passing of Scott Weiland. Lyrics are sung in the same low undertone, brilliantly phrased style of the late Scott Weiland, a compliment to Wilson’s versatile vocals and an asset here to this song.

“Sunday Rain Sets In” is the second instrumental track on the album and does quite the opposite of its predecessor. Where “Year of the Plague” swayed the listener into a comfortable lull, this piece creates a painful restlessness and discomfort. Like a twisted nightmare or a bad trip that will not stop spiralling, the sense of gloom and dread here is unmistakable, As a piece that stands next to “Year of the Plague” the two work brilliantly as opposite sides of the same coin. However, as a stand-alone piece, it is not a stand out and you would really need to be in the mood for it before pressing play.

The bass guitar does not follow its stereotype by taking a back seat on these tracks. Whether it’s supporting the music, solos, riffing etc., it is always found at the forefront with the other predominant instruments.
Wilson has a talent for leaving no instrument behind and the listener never has to struggle to find what they are listening for. Ironic, given that four-piece bands usually leave the rhythm section in the dark.
Yet here Wilson manages to unite all his players into a strong wall of sound. All of which is evident in “Vermillioncore,” unmistakably driven by the bass. For its entire duration, from the opening note right down to the last note heard, its presence is undeniable, most notably just before the two minute mark where its regularly hidden power is made blatant. Everyone wants to join in and, when they do, something very special happens. But it would be unfair to unveil all the surprises.

Porcupine Tree fans are in for both a surprise and a treat as “4½” closes with a re-recorded version of “Don’t Hate Me” that spans over nine minutes and is sung as a duet between Wilson and Israeli pop-rock musician Ninet Tayeb. Fans precious about the original ’98 version may be disappointed, but this re-recorded version was based around a live recording on their recent tour of Europe with additional studio recording thrown in at a later time. Anyone with a semi open mind (which you would need anyway to consider yourself a fan here) will enjoy this haunting rendition of “Don’t Hate Me”.

If you purchase the BluRay edition of the album, you have a bunch of bonuses like Wilson singing alone “Don’t Hate Me”, an edited (and radiable) “My Book of Regrets”, and instrumental takes on “Happiness III” or “Don’t Hate Me” which are quite different, exploratory and add new musical colors.

Intentional or not, “4½” is a brilliantly structured mirror image of itself. From the opening and closing tracks, which speak as opposite ends of the same journey, to the battling instrumental pieces either side of happiness, there is more to be found here than a transitional EP of sorts.
As an introduction to all things Steven Wilson, newer fans might be better placed researching his more regular albums. But for those who consider themselves die hard, and anyone willing to approach it with an open mind, “4½” embodies a greater depth and substance than what the surface may appear to offer.
As is normally the way with Steven Wilson, what you expect is probably not what you are going to get. What you get is much, much more…

1 – My Book of Regrets
2 – Year of the Plague
3 – Happiness III
4 – Sunday Rain Sets In
5 – Vermillioncore
6 – Don’t Hate Me
BluRay BONUS TRACKS:
1 – My Book of Regrets (edit)
2 – Don’t Hate Me (SW vocal version)
3 – My Book of Regrets (instrumental)
4 – Happiness III (instrumental version)
5 – Don’t Hate Me (instrumental version)

Steven Wilson (vocals, all instruments)
Adam Holzman (keyboards)
Nick Beggs (bass)
Guthrie Govan (guitar)
Dave Kilminster (guitar)
Marco Minnemann (drums)
Chad Wackerman (drums)
Craig Blundell (drums)

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Steven-Wilson-Blu-ray/dp/B017OJG22E
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