Insurgentes

by Steven Wilson

Overview

It caused a stir when it was announced: Steven Wilson (of Porcupine Tree and No-Man fame) was to release his first-ever full-length solo album. The first question to pop up was: why? After a couple decades of activity under his belt, and two handfuls of bands and projects past and present (including several solo outfits, like Bass Communion), why would he release an album under his own name, and what would that album be like? Well, as it turned out, Insurgentes is basically a Porcupine Tree album in which Wilson wrote all the songs and made all the decisions, including the one to not include all current members of Porcupine Tree in the project. Is that a problem, fans might ask? Not at all. In fact, Insurgentes is an excellent slab of progressive-tinged alternative rock, and a logical next step from Fear of a Blank Planet, PT's last album at this point. The songwriting is sharp and punchy in the short tracks, and atmospheric and contrasted in the longer ones (the wall-of-guitar entry in "No Twilight Within the Courts of the Sun"), with maybe a tad bit more input from Wilson's experimental project Bass Communion filtering through in the textures department. Despite featuring only Wilson and PT drummer Gavin Harrison, the leadoff track, "Harmony Korine," would have been perfect as a hit single for the next Porcupine Tree record. "Abandoner" is Wilson at his creepy best: stark electronica beat, aerial vocals, and twisted ambience (enhanced in the 5.1 surround mix version by a tricky placement of acoustic guitar attack and backward effect). Theo Travis guests on flute on this track. Other guest musicians include Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess delivering a stunning piano solo in "No Twilight Within the Courts of the Sun," King Crimson bassist Tony Levin, singer Clodagh Simonds (of Fovea Hex) adding wordless vocals to "Significant Other," and Michiyo Yagi on koto (a Japanese traditional zither-like instrument) on the title track. Accessible yet boundary-pushing (in a pop/rock format), Insurgentes is one of Wilson's finer moments. And it must be heard in 5.1 surround sound for its full richness to be experienced, as the man has become a master of the surround mix. ~ Francois Couture

Product Details

Release Date:	04/07/2023
Label:	Snapper / Transmission
UPC:	0802644734125
Rank:	61216

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steven Wilson   Primary Artist,Bass,Noise,Piano,Vocals,Celeste,Soloist,Harmonium,Keyboards,Mellotron,Percussion,Synthesizer,Glockenspiel,Guitar Loops,Guitar (Bass),Sound Effects,Piano (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
London Session Orchestra   Primary Artist,Strings
Pamelia Kurstin   Theremin
Stuart Bogie   Sax (Tenor)
Colin Atwell   Piano
Dirk Serries   Drones,Guitar
Sand Snowman   Recorder,Percussion,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Clodagh Simmonds   Vocals
P@   Zills
Sirnee   Vocals
Tony Levin   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Mike Outram   Guitar,Soloist,Guitar (Electric)
Clodagh Simonds   Vocals
Gavin Harrison   Drums,Cymbals
Jordan Rudess   Piano
Kimmo Pohjonen   Accordion
Markus Reuter   Bass
Cenk Eroglu   E-Bow,Guitar,Strings,Percussion,Synthesizer
Pat Manske   Help
Theo Travis   Flute,Clarinet
Susana Moyaho   Vocals,Voices
Adrian Benavides   Guitar
Todd Simon   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Andy VanDette   Mastering
Colin Atwell   Audio Engineer,Piano Engineer
Dirk Serries   Remixing
Dave Stewart   String Arrangements,Arranger
Lukasz Langa   Mixing
Masaki Sasaki   Engineer
P@   Zurna
Pat Mastelotto   Remixing
Mark Prator   Guitar Engineer
Jneiro Jarel   Remixing
Maki Sasaki   Engineer
Steven Wilson   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,String Arrangements
Pat Manske   Mixing
John Wesley   Guitar Engineer
David Andrew Sitek   Remixing
Bert Baldwin   Piano Engineer
Engineers   Remixing
London Session Orchestra   Performer
Carl Glover   Design
Lasse Hoile   Photography
Steve Price   Engineer