This is the 2007 release on KScope, which is the companion piece to Fear of a Blank Planet. These songs were written at the same time and were part of the concept for the album, but were deemed not to fit with the original piece and were finished after the recording of Blank Planet. That’s not to say they are bad songs, as they are not, most bands would be ecstatic to have them.
Things get moving pretty quickly with the instrumental title track, with a heavy riff that builds with some wild drumming from Gavin Harrison into an odd middle section with out-there guitar from Robert Fripp. Next up is Normal, which has the same chorus/melody as Sentimental from the Blank Planet album. If anything, Normal is a heavier piece with some fat heavy riffs. Cheating The Polygraph is next, which is my favourite track. Again we have a great heavy riff with some industrial drum grooves and odd time signatures. This is such a great song. Last but not least is the beautiful What Happens Now, with an atmospheric beginning that builds into a really cool groove and a wonderful odd time signature. This track fits with Way Out Of Here on Blank Planet, as What Happens Now is referenced in the lyrics.
So at 29 minutes in length and only 4 songs, we are in Van Halen- Diver Down territory. You may feel it could be longer, but it was only intended as an EP and the quality of the material is so good it gets.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
