Blackfield - V

  by Lisa Torem

published: 3 / 4 / 2017

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Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) met Aviv Geffen in Israel back in 2004 and they clicked. The first couple of Blackfield albums made enormous use of both their talents—Geffen’s pop persuasions and natural resonance and Wilson’s bittersweet themes and adoration for lush orchestration. Thereafter, their mutual art often lacked fluidity. but with 'V', the duo have circled back with perfection. Producer Alan Parsons’s immaculate touch graced several of the tracks; this album was destined to be a winner. The semi-classical ‘A Drop in the Ocean’ is mesmerizing, although fairly short. ‘Family Man’ has a gloriously, infectious hook. “Stand still, slow down,” the lyrics warn. “Your rescue team is miles away.” Tension continues with each stanza: “Chasing your dreams, paying your bills…” At first, parenthood sounds like a total drag, but when the firm voice takes a breath and cries: “No, it’s not a shame to be a family man,” the depth of the theme courses through our veins. Wilson’s confident but gentle voice makes this one totally authentic and believable. The lovingly spare ‘How Was Your Ride?’ is an acoustic guitar-driven treasure. The unhinged progression, alone, makes one want this ballad to last forever. Geffen shows he is a true romantic when singing ‘We’ll Never Be Apart’. ‘Lately’ takes the team slightly up tempo, but still retains a dream state quality. ‘Salt Water’ is a graceful and evocative instrumental, which gives Geffen some down time before ‘Jackeye’ and Undercover Heart’ boast his writing acuity. The melody of ‘Sorrys’ is worth the price of the album alone. It recalls Michael Andrew’s touching version of ‘Mad World’. “You were born in the shade, beautiful and pale,” begins this lovely portrait. Stop washing the plates and sink into an armchair so you can enjoy the elegant harmonies. Wilson explains, “From '44 to 48’ is a song about growing older and letting go of dreams.” Oddly enough, this listener felt truly uplifted by this grand finale; not disillusioned one iota. But that’s the charm of a totally, creative collaboration. We, as the audience, can extract the beauty in our own deeply personal way.

Track Listing:-

1 A Drop in the Ocean
2 Family Man
3 How Was Your Ride?
4 We'll Never Be Apart
5 Sorrys
6 Life is an Ocean
7 Lately
8 October
9 The Jackal
10 Salt Water
11 Undercover Heart
12 Lonely Soul
13 From 44 to 48

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/blackfieldhq/

Label Links:-

http://www.kscopemusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Kscopemusic
https://twitter.com/kscopemusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/kscopemusiclondon
https://www.burningshed.com/store/kscope/

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