Prog Review 761 - The Future Bites - Steven Wilson 

This album lacks bite. Totally chuffed and impressed with myself for coming up with that one.

Steven needs to get back to a collaborative project again. An actual band.

I think Wilson's problem is he lacks a collaborator, to say that's a steaming pile of shit, lets try this. He has total control of his music, with a band like Floyd Gilmour had Waters barking his disapproval. Wilson has no one and it shows, the album is ok nothing more.

I do appreciate that Wilson has gotten better and more diverse with his singing abilities. Akerfeldt did the same recently too

i remember when steven was releasing genuinely good stuff like stupid dream and lightbulb sun

The album is a refreshing change and a very clever one. Extremely well produced and engineered as well. I guess it won't be everybodies Cup of tea but for me personally this one and grace for drowning are his best solo works. This is an incredibly strong album.

Steven one more time did what he was always doing. And that's music the way he wants to do. And seems people can't deal with that fact. As it gets them out of their musical and aesthetic comfort zone. Well...tough

Personal Shopper sounds like a U2 dance remix from 30 years ago.

I've listened to one and a half songs from TFB and the words 'sophomoric,' 'trite,' and 'banal' came to mind before the phrase 'waste of time' surfaced, too. Then, I turned it off and found other things -- more important things -- to do. From what little I heard, though, I can see why it would appeal to those who have bought into the cult-of-self which seems so popular these days.

His biggest marketing mistake was all the "praise for the album" quotes. Especially for an album the was bound to piss off his loyal fanbase. Its like rubbing salt into the wound. I think a better approach would have been to publish the negative reviews. Then all his fans would have rallied to his defence and convinced themselves that the emperor indeed has clothes.

"He's obviously never heard of self-loathing." I would argue all his earlier work is based on a good dose of self-loathing. Perhaps it's his growing self-love that's been detrimental to his music.

Stop nagging about Steven Wilson's approach and not handeling his new style of music. You still can hear the incredible musicality in his music all the time , and therefore I truly like his music and this album, and I can say that I follow him for about 15 years now! And I get never bored, I am a fan and not affraid to say that I truly like this album.

This album is a grower. It's sophisticated pop with really good production. But I can also admit this is not a masterpiece...

I gave this 1 star on Amazon. How an artist can deteriorate this badly even for the mainstream success he so obviously craves is beyond me.

Kraftwerk covered all this thematic territory 40+ years ago.

Been a fan since 1st PT album and almost all his work up to TTB resonates with me deeply. I'll always be grateful. But... this album does nothing for me except maybe Count of Unease. Steven Wilson, 2017: "I've sacrificed family for music." @. Steven Wilson, 2021, proud family man: "I've sacrificed music for family."?

Fantastic review! I’m trying to get through it which isn’t a good sign.

What i want to know is...... why has he decided to put Sue Perkins on the front cover?

Thanks for the review Darren. Well done, I always look forward to reviews.

After several listens I finally think I can put my finger on both what is missing and what the true intention of this album is about. This album feels just like the shrink wrapped, prefabbed, generic, and ultimately forgettable stuff that people buy. You know, the stuff that Elton rambles on about in Personal Shopper. It is literally that kind of album. Except for the Keyboards, It is musically benign and absent of the intricate musicianship that i've enjoyed for years from SW and PT. Drums/Percussion? Forgettable. Not a single fill can be remembered after listing to the album 4 times. Guitar? Largely the same. Bass? Abesent(ia). It is truly missing the ambience, the atmosphere, and intricacy that drew me in to previous releases. I think the best way to understand what is missing is to listen the soundtrack "The Last Day of June". I know it's a video game soundtrack that borrows a lot from the back catalog, but it clearly illustrates what I'm missing from this album and why i won't be buying it. It's a shrink wrapped, mass produced, consumer product that ultimately feels shallow. Sorry Steven, not my cup of tea...

A lot of agreement with your view

Only thing wrong with a download, you can't sell it on. At least you'd have got some of your money back..

I understand the “20 years later” point, and I may also agree with that. But isn’t it like saying “hey Hopper, you painted the Nighthawks, when Van Gogh was doing the same things 50 years before”?

It is sad to be disappointed i agree Darren. Even if there are some good sonor effects on it, it's not enough to make it great. The worst for me is the sound of the snare drum machine!

Is it HCE? No. The Raven? No. Insergentes? No. Those were masterpieces. Im not sure where this is headed. But I will always cherish the aforementioned stroke of progressive genius. That music never gets old... let’s get away from “four on the floor” and get some odd tension going again; now that’s great.

Great review as always, Darren. Wilson actually said that David Essex was a major inspiration for Eminent Sleaze in one of those podcast thingys he does with Tim Bowness, so - spot on!

The bonus cd in the box set is fantastic..

I think a conversation Darren - St. Wilson would be quite good! Tag line: SW meets his greatest skeptic :-)

I like the one with the bondage cover

I wonder if he would ever review Death Grips. Have an open mind and read the lyrics and meaning.

I wrote on You tube as the singles came out and I do like SW. Heard the song once and I don't want to hear it again or need to. Got attacked for having an opinion about the Emperors new clothes.

Good review, Darren. Haven’t heard it, really. However, I will give it a listen. Although, I’m a bit biased due to certain podcast I recently watched, where the album was being somewhat praised.

I remember buying The Sky Moves Sideways back in the 90's! What happened to Tarquins Seaweed Farm?

I doubt I shall buy it. I was not keen on the last album. He did a extreme deluxe edition of this album limited to one copy and this has an exclusive track. It was sold for 10,000 dollars or pounds and the money went to a music charity. The album did have a different ending track and it was replaced. The demo of the original is in the deluxe set which in my opinion looks naff.

Thanks Darren.

He’s not telling you to do or not to do anything. He’s providing a commentary for which he fully admits he himself is the object of as well.

A few years ago Steven Wilson rued putting family and relationships aside for the sake of his music. Has he gone the complete opposite now? Putting his music aside for the sake of his [ recently new] family and relationships!

Just a quick point Darren L is a Steve Hillage album, he might want a word with you....

I highly recommended to listen deluxe version of this album. Extended versions are way better than album versions.

Very good review. I subscribed and very much look forward to watching many more.

Forget Essex...Harry Styles more like🤣

Maybe with the social media direction he could of covered cyber bullying, uploaded suicides, snuff and porn clips in messenger and how youtube censors music (from your video for example) but finds it acceptable to include videos of cruelty to animals or extinction videos. Made it a whole lot darker and Sleep Together heavier. And by Sleep Together, I mean the Porcupine Tree song.

Strangely, I find Stupid Dream to have better catchy pop (Piano Lessons, Stranger by the Minute, Pure Narcotic). The electronic aspect in TFB is often grating to me. I don't want to shit on him, I respect him so much. I just have lost a lot of interest unfortunately.

Just watched someone unbox a limited edition box set of this record that he paid $13,000.00 for.

Steven just wants to go through a pop phase just like all his prog heroes did in the 80s. Another two of these albums and we'll see him go back to his "roots" in the future.

You definately don,t hold back no fear of the progressive rock community about the wunderkind steven wilson glad for the review.

SW Genius

Album was too short. Eyewitness is better than The whole album

Well, I do hope you feel better now...

Ugg. He’s not saying it’s bad. He’s saying it shouldn’t run our lives. Of course we have to buy things!!

I think Arcade Fires Everything Now is a good example of a recentish mass media moan of a record lyrically...which works a bit better as a listen...than future bites...don't forget the irony that you are currently validating social medias super powers....as am I ....as we all are...I hate David Essex...the Elton bit felt like a rebellion against 50 Words for Snow...😶

So Darren, who died and made you the arbiter of all things prog? Oh I dunno, but it seems if it's not Math Metal, then it's crap in your estimation. The only disappointment I have with "TFB" is that the album sessions had so much more material (some of it quite superior), that didn't make the cut. Unlike you, I like the fact that each release of Wilson's solo work doesn't repeat what came before. That said, I will continue supporting and buying the 'crap' of the artist known as Steven Wilson no matter your biased opinions.

Steven Wilson says the guitar is dead as a creative tool, uh if this is what he is on about without one then count me out... Ugh !!!!

I guess this is the common opinion about this album. Steven's work always had the same soul no matter if it is a PT album, a Blackfield album, a solo album, etc. Always had a distintic sound and feeling above music genres. This just not. Of course has a few good moments but not much. It's kind a sad.

Liking the album so far. For me, the slightly emotionless vocals, lack of depth in the lyrics and clean production fits the subject matter perfectly.

Top Review - to my ears it has its moments but i get much of what you are saying, its good but not a stand out OMG that is an amazing album! For me i take my hat off to Mr Wilson for his work both as song writer, remixer etc as he has done some outstanding work, but to be honest i am not a fan of everything he has done - when he gets it right though he gets it right. I do like the overall electro pop feel in parts of this album, almost Pet Shop Boys with in parts, am sure some will shoot me down on this! For me so far after a couple of spins the best track is King Ghost and i liked the Tangerine Dream Remix of that as well. Cheers all, Mick

First hearing tonight, very strange but not boring, very brave, again we can hear intentions, influences, but he's what he is. I like the man, I like the musician, I give him credit to not make the same album again an again. Who knows he'll be in the future, perhaps stopping music, being a baker ;-) First hearing, not able to judge. Ok pop album must be immediate but Steven Wilson is always more deep than we can see at first sight. Try another time.... ;-)

Hi Darren its been a while since i tuned in, always enjoy your banter, I don't always agree...but that's the whole point...keep up the good work.Whos going to rate your new album? Mr Weasel ha ha ha!

i love your indifference to this album, and agree with most of what you say, its just so meh.

this isn't prog rock, its like 80s synthwave with some artsy lyrics. i guess its not bad, but i hear better tunes from youtube synth compilations with the cool backgrounds. good production, i guess. only possible silver lining is if he doesn't market this under prog. but i dont know or care enough to check.

A negative review, from you, his biggest fan, of all people.

I agree there are too many crappy songs on this album, but dude you're wearing a Queen t-shirt lmao

Alvin Stardust ? Don't you mean David Essex ?

Sterile Album

Sounds like Simple minds in there commercial years...

I really can’t stand Eminent Sleaze. It’s so bad I deleted it. I disagree with the hate that TtB gets. It has a lot of excellent tracks on it like Refuge, Detonation and Song of Unborn but this album doesn’t have any excellent tracks.

Look at it from the bright side man, streaming music often screws the artist

Yeah I listened to it last night. Yawn.. I like Porcupine tree. Very good review I agree with your assessment

Well. Just decided to have a gander at this album to see what all the fuss is about. It's nothing special I have to say! The whole thing from the packaging through to the tracks themselves is very devoid of anything other than self indulgence. That's fine, a lot of artists over time have been self indulgent in their music, but don't forget your audience in the process. It comes across as a smug "look I can produce anything and people will buy it". Or is that the joke? I think the best SW album I have is The Raven..,but only because I've lost the CD, (which was a copy anyway).

It's funny cause most of reviewers pick the 12 things I forgot as the highlight of the album, but for me it's his lamest and corniest song I've heard. Am I that wrong? I love King Ghost from the CD and I am Cliche from DeluxeBoxSet. Bonus tracks and B-sides are genuinely all better tracks than the ones on the regular edition.

As you did I've streamed it a few times and apart from 12 things it hasnt really grabbed me yet - I may try it a few more times just in case something suddently clicks though not necessarily holding out too much hope. Steven WIlson is lne of htose artists taht I feel I should like more than I do but dont, as back in the day friends of mine used to tell me that I must really like Porcupine Tree (bad move - never tell me what I must like, let me experience it and come to a decision based on what Ive heard filtered through my personal prefernces and tastes, by all means suggest or make a recommendation based on knowing what I like so I may like it, but dont tell me I must and have to like it and am mad if I dont ) - while the music was ok I never liked the vocals - if he'd had a better singer then its possible I could have really got into them, but as it was I didnt. I did get the Raven that refused to sing ( I probably streamed that or may have heard some of it without knowing who it was and so when I found out took a punt and bougt it, and to be honest I think it is pretty good , not that its made me want to go back and rediscover Porcupine Tree though, nor did it make me go out and buy Hand Cannot Erase. I like that you havent fallen prey to the 'Its Steven Wilson therefore it must be great' brigade and I've decided to subscribe to your channel as i'll need to watch a few more of your previous posts to see whether your tastes align in any way with mine so that I'll have some degree of assurance on your opinion should you review something I've not heard.

lol prog nerds are the worst

I think you're a bit harsh about the album's music in places, but I agree that it is thematically banal / derivative. TBH, I think SW is much better at the mechanisms of the mind than the mechanics of society. Noice.

It's good for Steven Wilson to set himself new challenges, but I think he should stick to Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson music pre To the Bone. The new music has been done to death before and the ideas are nothing new.

Actually I liked the album musically, but I agree about the lyrics and theme being corny and uninspired

It that what you call a review.. Hmm OK brilliant.

Self loathing nihilism an increasingly modern disease. Wilson has always projected that but it works better with this type of soulless production. I've listened to it a couple of times and quite enjoyed it to be fair, though I know it's a pop tart and you soon get sick of those for breakfast every morning. Oh I didn't buy it by the way, streamed it like yourself...taking Steve's advice..why would I buy something I'm only going to listen to a couple of times? An album that only just manages to give me a wry smile before being tossed to one side and forgotten about like his last?...Oh sorry, didn't buy that either.

My question is... who is this album for? People who buy $300 box sets? People who are stuck in those social media echo chambers? It just comes off as daft and way too on the nose. Far too direct for my taste. Minimal instrumentation isn't bad in of itself, and I think some of it here is quite nice (especially when the music is being streamed and compressed to hell). Wilson successfully managed to overproduce the album's minimal instrumentation while underproducing the ideas and concepts that make up the songs. Some lyrics are cleverer than others, but I really feel like this is a step backwards in pretty much every way.

Hard to imagine that the album can be as uninspired as this review is...

The Ask Jeeves Generation. :D Hilarious. As a Wodehouse fan, part of me wishes AskJeeves.com would have won out over Google. What a pity.

Steven Wilson is mega boring. Good at remastering, but his own music isn't interesting.

Well I like it

Thanks for the review 👍 I'll not be listening to this album as I no it will be shite .......

It's insulting to the listener, especially Personal Shopper, Jesus Christ.

Haven’t watched your channel in a couple of years and you look good. Did you lose weight?

192 comments and they all look like hatred towards the album and artist. Odd.

Spot on review. Maybe Steven is trying to be ironic. I think Steven is describing himself. TFB cringe worthy.

i do not rate Steven Wilson,tried listening to his stuff n i dont like it,give me the flower kings or the tangent any day,thanks for upload Darren

I'm only watching because you look a bit like John Peel😏...Not because you are doing a negative Steve Wilson review...lol

OK, streamed it before watching your review, as I wanted to make my own mind up. Oh my god, unbelievable just how bad this album is. It's so boring. Six form lyrics, terrible. Music doesn't go anywhere, doesn't do anything, bland. Heard a couple of singles early on, tried to keep away after a bit because I thought they sounded awful. Waited to hear the complete album and I can't believe just how bland it is. This album is amazing just how bad it is. It'll sell like hot cakes, until people actually hear it and they'll never buy another one, lol. So then watched your review. Absolutely spot on, exactly the same as I thought. 20 to 30 years too late and it's bland and boring. Spot on review. 👌👍

Boring album indeed

Terrible album

Blasphemer

Up there with Hand Cannot Erase and The Raven. Far better than Porcupine Tree ever released.

I enjoyed it. Bash me if you will.

Just the music sample on the advert for The Future Shite before this review played, put me off listening to it 😂 Honestly, watching a 40yr old something guy tryna be pop by pretending to be 25 isn’t ideal to me Production sounds a bit bland as well, and that is me judging from a small minute sample from a trailer Just not on is it? 🤔🤷‍♂️

Yawn. He's boring. He seems to lack any self awareness in his lyrics. 'It didn't offend me, I'm indifferent' is the worst thing an album should be. Listened to Wudruna's new album. Now that's good. Traditional norse music with modern production. Just more pleasant than rock music.

Hmmm...been going downhill for a while now and this is disappointing - it’s a desperate mix of influences and you'd be better off buying the original material by Japan (that’s ironic), the the, Keane, Prince, frankie etc. However, help is at hand...all you need to do is download all of the available material (legally of course) then create a new playlist which goes like this...unself (long version), 12 things I forgot, eminent sleaze, in pieces, ha bloody ha, follower, king ghost (extended), i am cliche, wave the white flag, every kingdom falls, move like a fever, eyewitness, in floral green, man of the people, hey sleeper, count of unease...and you can add an edited version of the “pleasure deceives” (additional audio) at the end to taste. And there’s still the missing track from the ultra delux version to add when it is uploaded eventually. This gives you a 79 minute album which sounds uncannily like an electronic modern sibling of “insurgentes” - believe me. The good news is that you never have to listen to the awful personal shopper or self again.

I don't really understand why you've posted this review Brother John. You are obviously not a fan so why bother...go and put out a positive review of somebody you do like.It seems this album has gone right over your head especially Personal Shopper which is not Steven telling us what we should spend our money on but stating the things that we all as a species spend our money on and that includes himself. I agree its very different from his other albums including To The Bone but I think it's fine that he spreads his wings to other genres.The 5.1 mix that he's put out sounds brilliant by the way!

Was this a review? Or just a have a dig at the artist because you just simply don't like it? Why review it if you don't like him? You were biased from the off. You should perhaps also do some research before reviewing an album? For example in more than one interview he has said that Personal Shopper isn't about telling you not to buy things. It's observational more than anything. He alluded to his awareness of the irony as he's responsible for much of the crazy reissue box set thing. Perhaps dig a little deeper than "I've streamed the album" And to say its weak production wise?? Seriously?! Are you a producer?? The production is excellent. Also I see Keane mentioned here in the thread. Yeh that'll be because the mixer/co producer did Keane's most recent record. I think Wilson is great musician and writer. The album is great. It takes a few listens and time spent. You know like we used to do before our attention spans disappeared along with Facebook and Twitter. And he's been pretending to be Prog? WTF? is there suddenly a special union you have to be a member of to be considered 'Prog enough' ? I also read comments such as 'Never hear him on the radio' as if that's a marker of success? The guy sold out the Albert Hall. He's made music and a career purely of his own making never compromising and always having freedom to do what he wants. Long may that be the case. My review of this review? "Poorly researched, bland and uninteresting and I'll never get that twenty minutes of time back in my life"