 | Insurgentes | | Artist: | Steven Wilson | Label: | KScope | | Format: | DVD-Audio | Release Date: | 15/11/2008 | | Description: | Insurgentes is the first Steven Wilson solo album, recorded all over the world between January-August, and due for release in November as a special deluxe multi disc mail order version. The special multi disk edition will be available as a 2 CD/1 DVDA version (limited to 3,000 copies), and a 4 x 10 inch vinyl version (limited to 1,000 copies), both with hardback book. Both editions will only be available to order from this website. A standard retail CD+DVDA version will be issued early in 2009 and is now available on pre-order at Burning Shed and Amazon | |  |
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Reviews| Insurgentes | The first thing that struck me is the sound production. It’s the best thing SW has done so far in my opinion. This is the kind of CD that AKG develop their high-end headphones for. Even the heavily distorted parts come across crystal clear – I know that is a paradox.
The second thing I find amazing is that, although combining pop, rock, prog, electronica, shoegazer, jazz, krautrock, soundtrack-like soundscapes and even grunge, the album defenitely has a flow to it. All songs connect flawlessly. If you appreciate all those styles and genres that is.
The album is very very diverse, and if that fits your listening habits, you will love it. If not, you probably have difficulties listening to the whole thing. The fact that in every review of Insurgentes people mention different stand-out tracks proves this.
[Martin Hartmann @ Sputnikmusic]
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| | | Insurgentes | Insurgentes is every bit as gorgeous sounding as the tantalizing bits of music on that original trailer hinted it would be. Speaking of which, the music used there (seen below) is from the album's opening track, "Harmony Komine." This song kicks off the album with the sort of chiming guitar that wouldn't be at all out of place on a U2 record, before kicking into a wall of sound highlighted by Wilson's own angelic sounding vocal wails. It's just gorgeous sounding stuff. [Blogcritics]
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| | | Insurgentes (Ltd Edition) | There are albums that you can listen to casually, which offer no real depth. By contrast, there are albums that reward the attentive listener, which can be a chore to listen to. Then there are albums that manage to exude both of these traits, and Insurgentes is one of them.
Insurgentes captures a wonderful balance between introspective examination, playful, meandering melody and disciplined-yet-subdued rhythm a counter-punctual foray into structured psychedelia. Insurgentes is grounded solidly in Porcupine Tree territory, but its tether is long enough to allow rooting around in the corners yet short enough to keep it from falling too far into the deep end.
The song structures are at once simple and complex. The music is all about duality and balance. The bottom line is that it is just plain enjoyable, and I know it is only going to get better after repeated listening. All the obvious influences stand out, but if I had to boil it down I’d say Insurgentes sounds like a heady mix of Porcupine Tree, King Crimson and Loop.
The surround mix carries the dualistic nature of Insurgentes even further. Except on occasion, the surround mix never overtly exerts itself onto the music. Indeed, for the most part I was never aware that I was listening to a surround mix unless I consciously forced myself to concentrate on it. The surround mix simply presents the perfect environment for presentation of the music. Said another way, Insurgentes offers the perfect synergy between music and surround-sound.
The film bit is a very nice inclusion and serves to help tie all the various elements together instead of feeling tacked on and disjoined, like so many “bonus” elements feel like in other presentations. Steven Wilson speaks intelligently and concisely about the state of music downloads and his preference for the less convenient yet more engaging world of LPs and physical media. I couldn’t have said it better myself. The integrated destruction of not one, not two, but three iPods blends with the message, and again, does not feel tacked on or gratuitous.
Of course, the icing on the cake is the beautiful hard-bound book, chock-full of wonderful imagery that absolutely complements the music, mix and video a splendid package for presentation of the music as the art that it is.
All-in-all, a perfectly executed artistic package from virtually every conceivable angle. [Cai Campbell @QQ]
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