Released: 2008

Genres: Progressive Rock, Experimental Rock, Noise Rock

The Musiquarium’s Insurgentes Review Score: 4/5

After being the frontman and principle songwriter for Porcupine Tree over the past two decades (as well as being a member of other projects, like No Man and Blackfield), Steven Wilson was ready to spread his wings and fly solo.

Where Porcupine Tree started as a spaced out, Pink Floydian psychedelic outfit, eventually turning into the definitive British progressive rock band of the 2000s, Insurgentes has Wilson using his newfound solo career to explore previously unexplored sounds, with noise and drone music being the case on Insurgentes. That’s not to suggest that this album is akin to Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music or quite like Sonic Youth or my bloody valentine, but you will find common elements in some of the songs.

Harmony Korine (named after the indie filmmaker) was the only single from the album, and one of Steven Wilson’s best songs yet, from any project. Abandoner has an industrial edge, crescendoing into a noisy climax. No Twilight Within the Courts of the Sun has Wilson flexing his bass guitar skills. Significant Other sounds like a noisier take on late nineties Radiohead. The title track is a piano ballad that reminds me of the piano pieces on Aphex Twin’s Drukqs.

Insurgentes is a great debut album from an artist hot off the heels of one of the best runs of rock albums of the decade.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Steven Wilson on Discogs.

Back to the 2008 Album Guide or the Steven Wilson Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard