Daeron wrote:
Well, FoaBP didn't change my opinion about the porcupine masters at all: they're one of my favourites' inner circle (about 3-4 members).
Anyway, this album didn't give me that shock what Deadwing or In Absentia gave. First stuff I heard of them was the song Signify back in some 8 years, rehearsaling with a school punk band :green: I think the first whole album I heard was Lightbulb Sun. But the mentioned 2 albums gave me what I really longed for: great progressive rock music with very nice vocals (I'm fond of vocals) which shows brilliant musical talent and all.
Compared to this two albums, Fear didn't give me more then I already knew about PT. I feel it like it has been made of a bit less time. A great album, but not as homogene as In Absentia or Deadwing. Good songs putted together on a CD.
The two "slow" songs are nice, Anesthetize is great with more moods and more faces to show (and a very good Meshuggah theme :green: ) and my fav, Way Out Of Here (because of the great refrain) - great tracks. I don't know what I miss. If I should give out points for it, it's 8/10. When the mentioned albums are 10. (they are! or 11! or more! :))
I have to listen to it again right now. Maybe I'll try to make a cleaner state of view after it.
My feelings are at the complete opposite side. To this date, PT was only a
very good band to me. I always thought In Absentia and Deadwing were great albums but somehow lacked a kind of coherency; there were brilliant tunes and the sad and dark atmosphere which i love, but also the occasional "happy" moments. FoaBP, on the other hand, is totally dark and much more coherent (not only because of "the darkness"). Like another critic said, with this album, PT's "
transition from musicianship to stardom is complete" .Now they are finally in my "inner circle".
My rating would be 92/100 or something while i'd give a 84/100 to, say, "In Absentia".
It is so good to see how bands that are around for more than a decade can still come up with their best efforts to date; like PT, or Katatonia with their "The Great Cold Distance".