Blackfield - Blackfield II

The sophomore release for this melodic duo (actually a five piece band, but the leads are Steven Wilson and Aviv Geffen) based to some degree on the progressive sound of Porcupine Tree covers much of the same ground as their debut. The sound is still firmly in the realm of progressive rock, with hints of The sophomore release for this melodic duo (actually a five piece band, but the leads are Steven Wilson and Aviv Geffen) based to some degree on the progressive sound of Porcupine TreeRadiohead and Oasis. Unlike the previous album which was recorded off and on over a 2-year span, this one was recorded in one short stretch, and shows somewhat more consistency in tone as a result. The album opening Once has a particularly Radiohead-like vibe and a bit of heaviness, but the development of the album works into other veins as well, with large string movements, light piano accompaniment, and a generally melodic guitar approach. Somewhat 80s-influenced sounds come and go slightly, a touch of Pink Floyd comes through now and then (particularly on Christenings), and a general melancholy hangs over the album as a whole. Aviv Geffen has taken a larger role in lead vocals here with good effect (particularly in a handful of tracks he had composed, eventually translated from Hebrew). The overall effect is a fine one -- this album has more of what fans of the duo will enjoy and make a fair introduction for newcomers. That said however, newcomers would likely do better with the debut album first, and the short nature of the album (coming in around 42 minutes) will almost certainly have some of the fans wishing for more.(FTP)