Based on the story of a young woman who died alone in her flat in London, and their disappearance from the world for nearly three years remained unnoticed, Wilson developed his latest work, the highly artificial and enigmatic-sounding title HAND.CANNOT.ERASE expect worst let. But chamber, chamber, because it should turn out quite differently!
First there was a home page, which bears the title of the album, and on the imaginary one of Steven Wilson photo diary of the protagonist 'published' has been, with entries between 8 October 2008 and 2 March 2015. certificates of involuntary (?) lonely soul. Deeply moving. Fifty Shades of Grey, so to speak.
Finally came the long-awaited album itself.
Before Wilson after about five minutes for the first time raises his voice, it has already been reminiscent of Pink Floyd, The Who, Rush, Yes and Genesis. Later, other names will be added from the golden age of progressive rock; King Crimson, for example, and people who were associated in the realm of jazz-rock of the seventies. A wide field.
But the more essential at this board are the deep emotions that incredibly beguiling melodies and occasionally downright otherworldly beautiful vocal arrangements, combined with some musical outbursts that Wilson probably consider it necessary, the possibility to offer its Studiokumpanen, also times to emit without restraint , This can love, who wants, and of them it might well be diverse. At least is here, in contrast to the RAVEN album, waived annoying horn sections. Nevertheless, for example, the last five minutes of the monster track "Ancestral" the river of the panel were not particularly beneficial. But they have the musicians probably a lot of fun, and that's a value in itself. ;-)
The eternal melancholy Steven Wilson has delivered with HAND.CANNOT.ERASE a work that is much more focused than its predecessor, and the other, equally timeless 'concept albums' as QUADROPHENIA of The Who or THE WALL of Pink Floyd, which he in the 'Making of' video says on the DVD of the limited edition with almost childlike enthusiasm, will do justice.
The human tragedy of the story told by him reflected not only, as almost always with Wilson, in the lyrics, but also in his song again. Sometimes his clear voice seems to break with emotion almost. The last two pieces of "Happy Returns" (probably an unfinished letter to her brother of the protagonist) and "Ascendant Here On ...", an instrumental piece with a discreet arranged boys' choir, are so wonderful in its unkitschigen beauty that you can hardly can bear. Shocking. Staggering beautiful, like so many things on this album, which is expected to be a Gesamtkunstwerk for eternity; exemplary and unrepeatable in its kind.
'Hey brother, I'd love to tell you I've been busy, but That would be a lie, cos the truth is: The years just pass like trains / I wave, but they dont slow down' (Steven Wilson: "Happy Returns") ,
