Another dull day in the Somerset countryside (so boring) and so what to do?  Well, go to the Purple Whale and grab an album.  Deck it play it and sit back with a coffee enjoying the warm sound of Vinyl.  Getting my #vinylrush as I call it.
So, the album this morning is Steven Wilson's Grace for Drowning.  His second solo outing and what an outing it is.  It's a concept album over 4 sides of 180gsm vinyl one of 40 minutes the other 45 minutes long.  This album has the most amazing soundscapes and some exquisite musicianship.  Listen to the amazing guitar solo on "Deform to Form a Star".   DTFAS is about well, what is it about? Here's some lyrics:

Crawl into your arms

Become the night forever

Coiled and close, the moment froze

Deform to form a star

Here on earth together

I got time to share and a well used stare 

My favourite track is "Postcard" Steven Wilson writing a postcard to someone or maybe a suicide letter?  Great arrangement of Strings choral synths (arrangements by Dave Stewart who has also arranged strings and orchestra on Falling Deeper by Anathema and Storm Corrosion), and piano blend to make this an awesome song.  Just read these lyrics:

I'd like to light a cigarette but I cannot

The lighter's dead and the gas has been cut off

What does this album sound like?  Think Porcupine Tree, Blackfield but then cut across that and add in a touch of Opeth at their darkest.  For me it's a follow on from the wonderful Porcupine Tree "The Incident" album.  Darkness, death, paranoia, loneliness - are you getting it?  Outstanding jazz-feel drumming on "Remainder the Black Dog" by Nic France and amazing Bass from Nick Beggs (yes Kajagoogoo), both of whom toured this album recently. If you mix this together with fab arrangements and a near perfect production, you have Grace for Drowning.  Go buy it now you won't be at all disappointed.