Steven Wilson - The Harmony Codex (Virgin Music Group)
I find myself in a bit of quandary with the new Steven Wilson solo album. It wasn't immediate for me like his others are. Yes there's always work to do uncovering layers etc, but seeing as he and Porcupine Tree are in my favourite artists list, I'm always able to latch on to at least a few songs on the first listen.
The last album, The Future Bites, didn't have this problem despite being sparser, more cynical and moodier than To The Bone (his pop album), but on the initial listen to The Harmony Codex, I enjoyed what I was hearing but nothing stuck out. Perhaps that's because there is a major focus on synths, the guitars are used as an accompaniment, perhaps Wilson grew bored of using them throughout the extensive Porcupine Tree album/tour cycle. I get an idea that with that band reactivated that he is now free to be more experimental with his solo work.
That's not to say he hasn't been before, on Grace For Drowning especially but with The Harmony Codex, Wilson has indulged in his love of electronic based music. Perhaps fitting that this is his first album on Virgin Records as there's a strong vein of Mike Oldfield in the musical layering and use of repetition, while there's also influences from Tangerine Dream, Jean Michel Jarre and Vangelis. Take a look at the credits and see how many analog synths, organs, Moog's, theremin and pieces from the ARP catalogue he uses and you'll understand why I make these comparisons.
Supposedly written and composed in relative solitude, the album does feature guest performances from current and former bandmates/collaborators; Craig Blundell, Adam Holzman, Nick Beggs, Ninet Tayeb and even his wife provides some spoken word. As most of the collabs were remote, you do get the feeling that The Harmony Codex is Wilson exploring his own psyche though the medium of music. Almost as if he's retrying those first few Porcupine Tree 'bedroom' sessions but with all the knowledge as a performer he has now.
It means The Harmony Codex is possibly his most experimental offering, from the Middle Eastern opening to Inclination, we're offered this electronic sound, Vangelis the definite inspiration, as it feels like soundtrack, before shifting into some trip-hop meets chillout that's very Nineties. From here we go into What Life Brings, I'd say the song that grabbed me first seeing as it probably the most familiar 'Steven Wilson' sound, on later listens though there's a lot more going on cutting dead before the oscillating Economies Of Scale, swirls with repeating patterns but it's Impossible Tightrope that gives the album it's first jaw drop moment.
Beginning with a huge orchestral swell, the drumbeat moves in like yet more 90's dance music as the building guitars and sax make me think of Pink Floyd or early Pure Reason Revolution. Bloody hell this is good! Those initial fears overcome after a multitude of listens, Impossible Tightrope the first open mouth moment. A thrilling mostly instrumental offering that just brings together so much, not quite the middle of the album but a definite end of the first half.
With a breath taken, the more restrained Rock Bottom comes next and features Ninet Tayeb's brilliant vocals, the duet between her and Wilson as well as the lyrical content reminds me of a more modern telling of Don't Give Up. Ah yes Peter Gabriel another huge influence on this album, pioneer of using synths and samples, you can pick out the places where Gabriel is a guiding light such as Beautiful Scarecrow.
The title track takes the cake for most atmospheric song on the record, the layers of synths creating that Oldfield soundscape with more than a flavour of The Orb too. It's devilishly simplistic but cuts you to the core while Time Is Running Out goes back to the more traditional Steven Wilson style. As we come to the close Actual Brutal Facts could be a No Man or BassInvaders cut, industrial and eerie, it's also reminiscent of In Absentia-era Porcupine Tree meets Joy Division.
Closing out with the twitching, propulsive Staircase (another BassInvaders throwback) The Harmony Codex is the most eclectic, experimental album Steven Wilson has created, nothing immediate, which is why I initially had my doubts, but with a lot of repeat listening you can really love what is on offer here. 9/10