Hand.Cannot.Erase. Afterthoughts (and live)

The new album from Steven Wilson is here.
For those who do not know... well it is hard to sum up the workload of this musician.
 He comes here with his 4th solo album. It is a (almost) concept album based on a true story of a girl found dead in London 2 years and an half after her actual death...And a young one with still family on top.
 As usual, Steven Wilson use the childhood and dark theme to weave a new CD  with a now constant line up (Govan, Minnemann, Begg et Holzman et Travis plus a female singer Ninet Tayeb on some songs.).
The music is still prog rock but as always reflecting most of Wilson's early career, like the very no-manesque Perfect life or the pop blackfieldish title  track.
 The highlight comes mid way with Routine (which is back up with a nice visual very ...depressing. Never gonna wash up the plates again...)
The rest is great songwriting with killers solos from Govan until the final song and it's coda with, as usual from Wilson, never goes out with a Bang but in a whimper.
A very good and tightly produced records that, to my taste is the best solo album produced by Steven.
Very cinematic record full of great songs and wonderful (though kinda depressing) mood.


Live , the show is also a success not only by the usual great talent of the musicians but by the visuals provided (mostly by Lasse Hoile). Most of the songs have short movies attached  to them enhancing greatly the mood conveyed.

Here's the set list from Paris :

1. First Regret
2. 3 Years Older
3. Hand Cannot Erase
4. Perfect Life
5. Routine
6. Index
7. Home Invasion
8. Regret #9 
9. Lazarus
   (Porcupine Tree song)
10. Harmony Korine

1. Second part
11. Ancestral
12. Happy Returns
13. Ascendant Here On...

1. Encore
14. The Watchmaker
15. Sleep Together
    (Porcupine Tree song)

1. Encore 2:
16. Sectarian (Lucky us, seldomly played on this tour..)
17. The Raven That Refused to Sing