Calling Steven Wilson's latest release an album is a disservice to his previous releases. Despite clocking in at just under forty minutes, 4 ½ consists of six tracks and mostly consists of material deemed unsuitable for either The Raven That Refused to Sing, Hand. Cannot. Erase. and a re-recording of Porcupine Tree's Don't Hate Me.
Whilst an easy listen, it's never a remarkable or enjoyable one. Whilst Happiness III could have easily sat on Hand... as a much needed pop interlude on the album along with the title-track, opposing instrumentals of Year of the Plague and Vermillioncore, whilst offering interesting opposites (the former a more peaceful, string based affair from The Raven... with the latter the more scatty, pulsating rock-out from Hand....), are far too long for any impact and drag out the album.
The re-recording of Don't Hate Me, whilst adding a nice layer of extra melancholy, again lacks the bite of it's original release and, much like Routine on Hand...., whilst Ninet Tayeb handles the larger notes like a pro, her pronunciation on some words provides a comical distraction on an otherwise dramatic affair.
Whilst it easy to dismiss 4 ½ as a simple cash grab or a EP of b-sides, Wilson previous releases under his solo banner have always delivered something with a bit more to salivate over, whilst 4 ½ is a disappointing one and saddest of all, a boring one, one that I would certainly not recommend for newer fans and only for those either desperate for more material or completionists sake.
4/10
H
@Retcon_Nation
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