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Smalls' Music Reviews

Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.

Created on 03/06/15 by Smalls
(Listen to this album on Youtube)



I'll go ahead and admit it, I was never really a huge fan of Steven Wilson's solo stuff. It just never really grabbed my attention like his other work in Porcupine Tree, but I didn't think it was bad. His solo music is great, but it never really warranted an repeated listens from me.

His newest album, Hand. Cannot. Erase., is nothing like that. It's probably a bad thing to say this because I'm sure many people will disagree with me, but I honestly believe this album is a masterpiece. It's well crafted with amazing vocals, composition, and conveys emotion really well. The lyrics in the songs can really hit close to home for a lot of people. It's also one of my favorite types of albums: A concept album. This means that it follows a story, and it's rather haunting.

For the composition of this album, before I get into the story side of it, is well done. It's mainly a progressive rock album, but it throws electronic and pop elements into the mix and it sounds amazing. As soon as you start listening you are immersed in ambient sounds and some of the most beautiful melodies and riffs you will ever hear.

The concept behind Hand. Cannot. Erase. is actually based on Joyce Vincent's death. To put it short Joyce died in her apartment in 2003, but her body was not found until 2006. It's strange because her family had no idea. H.C.E. is only based on that though, but it's still a somber story.



Spoilers!

The main character of this album is a female, pictured above. She's a loner to put it bluntly. The story explores her life, ranging from love to mundane every day routines. The story is easy to follow for the most part. The lyrics aren't that hard to interpret, but you can actually read her fake blog to get a better understanding about her thoughts.



It's a beautiful and somber story, but the blog and the album have a very ambiguous ending. You don't know if she died, just that she disappeared. Honestly from what I am gathering, her disappearance is conjured up by some sort of visitor(s). Her blog alludes to this in various posts, but it stands out most in this one and this one. It's vaguely supernatural/science-fictioney and weird, but it really adds to the experience.

End spoilers!



Hand. Cannot. Erase. is honestly a masterpiece to me. The lyrics are powerful, the story is amazing, and the composition of the music is top notch. This is an album that I believe everyone should listen to from start to finish (Also multiple times). The story is amazing, albeit a very ambiguous and weird ending, but it pulls you in. Definitely listen to it.

10/10 GotY Too much water. - IGN

(Now I just need to write a review for Periphery's amazing concept album, Juggernaut)
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