Steven Wilson solo career thread - v. The Harmony Codex in 2023!

[Schurftkut]

hmmm not feeling this song. the beat is cool and all, but it lacks a certain something?

[gazinwales]

Just had a listen to the new single, it's a bit slow, more like an album closer than a lead single.
Didn't hear any real drums either 

[The Letter M]

Just had a listen to the new single, it's a bit slow, more like an album closer than a lead single.
Didn't hear any real drums either 

Were there *fake* drums at least?

-Marc.

[nobloodyname]

Preorders are up, folks. Get in quickly for that deluxe boxset. Nicely priced at £55 (although you get absolutely gouged by Burning Shed for shipping, as usual. Side note: never understood why people hold Burning Shed in such high regard).

[Fritzinger]

Got my coke bottle clear vinyl, one more for a friend, one CD for a friend and the bluray. Hope I am not too late to get two of those singed prints.

Finally a new SW album 

[The Letter M]

Tracklist (of the Deluxe set):

Disc 1  - THE HARMONY CODEX
 
1 Inclination (7.15)
2 What Life Brings (3.40)
3 Economies of Scale (4.17)
4 Impossible Tightrope (10.42)
5 Rock Bottom (4.25)
6 Beautiful Scarecrow (5.21)
7 The Harmony Codex (9.50)
8 Time is Running Out (3.57)
9 Actual Brutal Facts (5.05)
10 Staircase (9.26)
 
Disc 2 -  HARMONIC DISTORTION
 
1 Codex Theme #7
2 Economies of Scale - Manic Street Preachers remix
3  Codex Theme #9
4  Inclination - Faultline remix
5  Impossible Tightrope - alternate version
6  Codex Theme #6 4
7  Beautiful Scarecrow - Meat Beat Manifesto Excursion 1
8  Codex Theme #8
9  Time is Running Out - Mikael Åkerfeldt version
10 Staircase - Interpol Remix
11 Codex Theme #3
12 What Life Brings - Aug 22 mix by Roland Orzabal
13 The Harmony Codex - long take
14 Staircase - Radiophonic Workshop remix
 
Disc 3 – THE HARMONY CODEX BluRay
 
1. HIGH RESOLUTION STEREO (96/24)
2. 5.1 MIX (96/24)
3. ATMOS MIX (48/24)
4. STEREO INSTRUMENTALS (96/24) *
5. 5.1 INSTRUMENTALS (96/24) *
6. ATMOS INSTRUMENTALS (48/24) *
 
* exclusive to this edition
 
10 track album in:
 
1. HIGH RESOLUTION STEREO (96/24)
2. 5.1 MIX (96/24)
3. ATMOS MIX (48/24)
 
ECONOMIES OF SCALE video (Directed by Charlie Di Placido)
THE HARMONY CODEX video (Directed by Crystal Spotlight/Miles Skarin)

And as for the vinyl edition:

Side A - 15:12
1 Inclination (7.15)
2 What Life Brings (3.40)
3 Economies of Scale (4.17)

Side B - 15:07
4 Impossible Tightrope (10.42)
5 Rock Bottom (4.25)

Side C - 15:11
6 Beautiful Scarecrow (5.21)
7 The Harmony Codex (9.50)

Side D - 18:28
8 Time is Running Out (3.57)
9 Actual Brutal Facts (5.05)
10 Staircase (9.26)

Guess I'm ordering this one. At 63:58, this is his longest solo album since HCE, and his third longest solo album overall. I wasn't expecting over an hour of music! Here's hoping it's a good near 64 minutes!

Preorders are up, folks. Get in quickly for that deluxe boxset. Nicely priced at £55 (although you get absolutely gouged by Burning Shed for shipping, as usual. Side note: never understood why people hold Burning Shed in such high regard).

Huh, when I ordered, it was £45.83 before shipping, and even after shipping and using the cheapest shipping option (insurance and signed-for delivery), it ended up being just £61.21 (or $80.40 USD). Still a bit steep but not the most I've paid for a SW Deluxe set.

Also, looks like another song will be released next week:

Next week something completely different, the mostly instrumental 11 minute hybrid of progressive rock, spiritual jazz and electronica that is Impossible Tightrope. I couldn’t be prouder of this album and I think you are going to enjoy it too!

-Marc.

[gazinwales]

Huh, when I ordered, it was £45.83 before shipping, and even after shipping and using the cheapest shipping option (insurance and signed-for delivery), it ended up being just £61.21 (or $80.40 USD). Still a bit steep but not the most I've paid for a SW Deluxe set.

Also, looks like another song will be released next week:

Next week something completely different, the mostly instrumental 11 minute hybrid of progressive rock, spiritual jazz and electronica that is Impossible Tightrope. I couldn’t be prouder of this album and I think you are going to enjoy it too!

-Marc.

That's because you are outside the UK/EU and are not paying the 20% tax that NBN is coughing up.

[ReaperKK]

Just listened to Economies and yea, I don't really care for it. Sounds like it could've been left over from Future Bites.

[PixelDream]

I’ve heard portions of 1-2 seconds of Economies and the other single that’s due to release next week. Not enough to really get a feel for it. I’m trying to stay away from singles until the album drops but I’m already having a hard time.

[faizoff]

Preorders are up, folks. Get in quickly for that deluxe boxset. Nicely priced at £55 (although you get absolutely gouged by Burning Shed for shipping, as usual. Side note: never understood why people hold Burning Shed in such high regard).

Huh, when I ordered, it was £45.83 before shipping, and even after shipping and using the cheapest shipping option (insurance and signed-for delivery), it ended up being just £61.21 (or $80.40 USD). Still a bit steep but not the most I've paid for a SW Deluxe set.


-Marc.

Burning Shed shipping was kinda reasonable I guess with the $20 option. Plus they had the deluxe set a bit cheaper than SW's site making the whole thing $80.
Never ordered a deluxe set for any of SW's albums before. Always just got the standard Bluray.

[Buddyhunter1]

Just listened to Economies and yea, I don't really care for it. Sounds like it could've been left over from Future Bites.

It could have, though I think the quality's a step up. The vocal layering in the second half was excellent.
Sounds like this will be a pretty varied album from how he's describing it, so I'm interested. It does sound like most of it will have an electronic foundation though.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

gotta say, i'm really digging the vibes on this one. the way the instruments blend together and the way his vocals just flow along, it's all pretty darn captivating. not gonna lie, i've had it on repeat since it dropped. if the rest of the upcoming album is anything like this, then i think we're in for a real treat. cheers! 

[The Letter M]

Preorders are up, folks. Get in quickly for that deluxe boxset. Nicely priced at £55 (although you get absolutely gouged by Burning Shed for shipping, as usual. Side note: never understood why people hold Burning Shed in such high regard).

Huh, when I ordered, it was £45.83 before shipping, and even after shipping and using the cheapest shipping option (insurance and signed-for delivery), it ended up being just £61.21 (or $80.40 USD). Still a bit steep but not the most I've paid for a SW Deluxe set.


-Marc.

Burning Shed shipping was kinda reasonable I guess with the $20 option. Plus they had the deluxe set a bit cheaper than SW's site making the whole thing $80.
Never ordered a deluxe set for any of SW's albums before. Always just got the standard Bluray.

Yeah I saw what he was changing at his own store and I'm glad I went with Burning Shed. They're pretty impeccable too. I ordered the In Absentia Deluxe re-releaae and it arrived with a dent on the back cover, so they sent a whole other large Deluxe artbook (sans discs) at no extra charge. Great service!

As for other SW Deluxe sets, IIRC, I've gotten HCE and TFB from his solo stuff, and Anesthetize and the IA and Deadwing re-issues from PT. They're large, gorgeous artbooks with amazing art and photos.

-Marc.

[faizoff]

Anesthetize had a large artbook? Didn't know that I think I have just the regular version. Only deluxe PT edition I have is the C/C one which is pretty good.

[nobloodyname]

(WRT Marc's post) Wow. That is totally different to my experience of them. Horrible, stuck-up company. In fact, I dislike them so much, I've cancelled my pre-order and gone through the official store instead.

As for The Harmony Codex, he's all over social media saying he wants people to view it as a piece of musical cinema, from start to finish, and yet he's releasing tracks out of context which I think is a real shame. Given the whole idea of aural cinema, I'm not going to listen to any of it before release. I'll wait for the Atmos mix.

[nobloodyname]

"Live shows have yet to be announced, with Wilson planning a series of residencies in intimate venues, rather than a traditional tour. “I’d like to take the immersive aspect into the live situation and play smaller rooms, maybe 600-capacity,” said Wilson. “I’d install an amazing spatial audio system, then somehow have the audience be inside the band, with light installations and projections. I’d like to create an environment for a performance to take place in.”"

Wow!

From this article: https://www.nme.com/news/music/steven-wilson-interview-harmony-codex-economies-scale-manic-street-preachers-porcupine-tree-3490247

Another passage:

""I’ve tried, but I just can’t do it. Early on in Porcupine Tree, we were signed to Atlantic in America. We were pressured to try to write a grunge radio anthem. I did it, but I felt so dirty. The audience saw through it too.""

Anyone know what song he's referring to?

[faizoff]

I've had the same experience as Marc with Burning Shed. I don't really order much from them, but the few times I have, had no issues. I once didn't get a disc from them and they sent the replacement right away.

[hefdaddy42]

I thought the new single was fine but unexciting.  I imagine it's better within the context of the whole album.

[jammindude]

"Live shows have yet to be announced, with Wilson planning a series of residencies in intimate venues, rather than a traditional tour. “I’d like to take the immersive aspect into the live situation and play smaller rooms, maybe 600-capacity,” said Wilson. “I’d install an amazing spatial audio system, then somehow have the audience be inside the band, with light installations and projections. I’d like to create an environment for a performance to take place in.”"

Wow!

From this article: https://www.nme.com/news/music/steven-wilson-interview-harmony-codex-economies-scale-manic-street-preachers-porcupine-tree-3490247

Another passage:

""I’ve tried, but I just can’t do it. Early on in Porcupine Tree, we were signed to Atlantic in America. We were pressured to try to write a grunge radio anthem. I did it, but I felt so dirty. The audience saw through it too.""

Anyone know what song he's referring to?

In the past, he’s hinted that Shallow was the culprit. But personally I think that song is badass.

[The Letter M]

Anesthetize had a large artbook? Didn't know that I think I have just the regular version. Only deluxe PT edition I have is the C/C one which is pretty good.

https://www.discogs.com/release/4254603-Porcupine-Tree-Anesthetize-Live-In-Tilburg-Oct-2008

It's a *thick* hardcover, cloth-bound book with only 5000 copies, 4000 with the grey cover (in the link), which is the one I have. Includes four discs, DVD, BD, and 2CD of the show.

(WRT Marc's post) Wow. That is totally different to my experience of them. Horrible, stuck-up company. In fact, I dislike them so much, I've cancelled my pre-order and gone through the official store instead.

As for The Harmony Codex, he's all over social media saying he wants people to view it as a piece of musical cinema, from start to finish, and yet he's releasing tracks out of context which I think is a real shame. Given the whole idea of aural cinema, I'm not going to listen to any of it before release. I'll wait for the Atmos mix.

Sorry to hear that. I guess I've been lucky? Then again, I've also rarely had issues with Neal Morse's Radiant Records but everyone else seems to be fed up with them. 

As for the album experience, given that it's about a month from release, I think I can probably get by with listening to the "singles" once and then wait for the whole thing. Don't want to over-do it on the spins so the whole album is fresh when it comes out.

And speaking of its release, perhaps we can get the thread title updated to reflect the album's release date, now that the pre-orders are up?

-Marc.

[Samsara]

"Live shows have yet to be announced, with Wilson planning a series of residencies in intimate venues, rather than a traditional tour. “I’d like to take the immersive aspect into the live situation and play smaller rooms, maybe 600-capacity,” said Wilson. “I’d install an amazing spatial audio system, then somehow have the audience be inside the band, with light installations and projections. I’d like to create an environment for a performance to take place in.”"

Wow!

From this article: https://www.nme.com/news/music/steven-wilson-interview-harmony-codex-economies-scale-manic-street-preachers-porcupine-tree-3490247

Another passage:

""I’ve tried, but I just can’t do it. Early on in Porcupine Tree, we were signed to Atlantic in America. We were pressured to try to write a grunge radio anthem. I did it, but I felt so dirty. The audience saw through it too.""

Anyone know what song he's referring to?

In the past, he’s hinted that Shallow was the culprit. But personally I think that song is badass.

"Shallow" is a phenomenal song.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

I thought the new single was fine but unexciting.  I imagine it's better within the context of the whole album.

as someone who enjoyed the single, i think i agree with you. feeling excited for what's to come with this one, now!

[faizoff]

Anesthetize had a large artbook? Didn't know that I think I have just the regular version. Only deluxe PT edition I have is the C/C one which is pretty good.

https://www.discogs.com/release/4254603-Porcupine-Tree-Anesthetize-Live-In-Tilburg-Oct-2008

It's a *thick* hardcover, cloth-bound book with only 5000 copies, 4000 with the grey cover (in the link), which is the one I have. Includes four discs, DVD, BD, and 2CD of the show.


-Marc.

I recall that now. I remember it was I think the beginning of the special and deluxe edition phase of everything.

[The Letter M]

Anesthetize had a large artbook? Didn't know that I think I have just the regular version. Only deluxe PT edition I have is the C/C one which is pretty good.

https://www.discogs.com/release/4254603-Porcupine-Tree-Anesthetize-Live-In-Tilburg-Oct-2008

It's a *thick* hardcover, cloth-bound book with only 5000 copies, 4000 with the grey cover (in the link), which is the one I have. Includes four discs, DVD, BD, and 2CD of the show.


-Marc.

I recall that now. I remember it was I think the beginning of the special and deluxe edition phase of everything.

You're probably right to have felt that way because I think nearly every SW release (solo and with a band) since then has had some sort of over-sized deluxe edition set. I don't own all of them, but I'm happy with the ones I do have! I also forgot about the Closure / Continuation deluxe set that I got last year as well!

-Marc.

[goo-goo]

Were the signed prints listed separately as bundles? Or did the option popped up once you had a couple of items purchased? I went online at 630am but couldn't find the signed print option anymore.

[nobloodyname]

Were the signed prints listed separately as bundles? Or did the option popped up once you had a couple of items purchased? I went online at 630am but couldn't find the signed print option anymore.

They were only offered as part of any of the bundled deals in the official store.

Edit: just checked and can confirm they're gone now.

[goo-goo]

Were the signed prints listed separately as bundles? Or did the option popped up once you had a couple of items purchased? I went online at 630am but couldn't find the signed print option anymore.

They were only offered as part of any of the bundled deals in the official store.

Edit: just checked and can confirm they're gone now.

Thanks. Shit, must of gone pretty fast since I logged in at 630am. Managed to get the boxset with the gray tshirt.

[gazinwales]

(WRT Marc's post) Wow. That is totally different to my experience of them. Horrible, stuck-up company. In fact, I dislike them so much, I've cancelled my pre-order and gone through the official store instead.

As for The Harmony Codex, he's all over social media saying he wants people to view it as a piece of musical cinema, from start to finish, and yet he's releasing tracks out of context which I think is a real shame. Given the whole idea of aural cinema, I'm not going to listen to any of it before release. I'll wait for the Atmos mix.

What is exactly is your beef with BS?
How are they horrible and stuck up?
I've never had any issues with them and shipping anything to AU from England is expensive.

[SwedishGoose]

Preordered the deluxe set.... hope it's worth it

[Kocak]

I thought there were going to be no singles for this album. He had said as much in earlier interviews.

[Kram]

I thought there were going to be no singles for this album. He had said as much in earlier interviews.

That's what I thought too. I listed to Economies of Scale, and well was less than impressed. But as others have mentioned, it could very well play better in context of the album. I think I'll hold off on listening to next weeks single (though the description sounds more up my alley), and just wait for the album to be released. Hopefully these are the only two singles he's releasing prior to the album dropping.

[Kram]

From the article nobloodyname posted above -

"Other guests on ‘The Harmony Codex’ include Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino, Jack Dangers of dance/hip-hop veterans Meat Beat Manifesto, Kneebody drummer Nate Wood plus longtime Wilson associates Ninet Tayeb, Craig Blundell and Adam Holzman."

So it looks like he's confirmed there are some actual drummers on the album.

[Fritzinger]

From the article nobloodyname posted above -

"Other guests on ‘The Harmony Codex’ include Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino, Jack Dangers of dance/hip-hop veterans Meat Beat Manifesto, Kneebody drummer Nate Wood plus longtime Wilson associates Ninet Tayeb, Craig Blundell and Adam Holzman."

So it looks like he's confirmed there are some actual drummers on the album.

Ninja'd, I was just gonna post this. This shapes up to be one of those "Steely Dan albums" by SW again, with a lot of guests and collaborations. Where you could think that he wrote a song and then wondered "who could be the best guy possible to play drums on this?"  After The Future Bites, where he did a lot on his own, I think this is VERY good news!

[Anguyen92]

"Live shows have yet to be announced, with Wilson planning a series of residencies in intimate venues, rather than a traditional tour. “I’d like to take the immersive aspect into the live situation and play smaller rooms, maybe 600-capacity,” said Wilson. “I’d install an amazing spatial audio system, then somehow have the audience be inside the band, with light installations and projections. I’d like to create an environment for a performance to take place in.”"

Wow!

From this article: https://www.nme.com/news/music/steven-wilson-interview-harmony-codex-economies-scale-manic-street-preachers-porcupine-tree-3490247

Another passage:

""I’ve tried, but I just can’t do it. Early on in Porcupine Tree, we were signed to Atlantic in America. We were pressured to try to write a grunge radio anthem. I did it, but I felt so dirty. The audience saw through it too.""

Anyone know what song he's referring to?

In the past, he’s hinted that Shallow was the culprit. But personally I think that song is badass.

Oh, no wonder that song shows up in various post-grunge radio playlists that I listen to on Spotify at times.  I do like that song as well.

As for the Economies of Scale, this is going to be one of these artistic dance kind of songs isn't it?

[Metro]

I’m avoiding any singles until the album comes out. But I also preordered the box set, so we’ll see if that was a good decision.