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

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Is this not out yet in the US? Amazon doesn't have it until October except on import, Laser CD doesn't have it listed.

Edit: remembered there was a production delay on this one. Still not really listed for sale on Amazon (you have to click through to a bunch of third party sellers). Kind of weird.

None of the local record stores in my area have it.

there were dozens of copies at my local record store in denver,,, weird!

[HOF]

I don’t really have any local shops here anyway. Maybe Barnes & Nobles has it but I doubt it.

[Metro]

Wonderful, but very dense album. Really enjoyed it. Gonna need a few more listens to digest it.

[ErHaO]

Bought the digital deluxe version (for 4 UK pounds due to a bundle sale). Good first impression! It is very much focused on electronic sounds/soundscapes, but in a different way than The Future Bites.

I will say that I did end up really enjoying The Future Bites over the years though, I ended up listening to it frequently. I was initially not that impressed with it.

Also listened to Time is Running Out Mikael Akerfelt version, always love to hear Mikael sing! His version his quite different (mainly driven by vocals and piano)

[nobloodyname]

Finally listening to it for the first time since the preview show earlier this week. Just finishing Economies of Scale. Stand by what I said a few days ago: this is a very grown up album so far. I like it.

Edit: finished now. Yeah. This is a really, really good album.

Did I dream you? Or are you dreaming me now?

[faizoff]

Bought the digital deluxe version (for 4 UK pounds due to a bundle sale). Good first impression! It is very much focused on electronic sounds/soundscapes, but in a different way than The Future Bites.

I will say that I did end up really enjoying The Future Bites over the years though, I ended up listening to it frequently. I was initially not that impressed with it.

Also listened to Time is Running Out Mikael Akerfelt version, always love to hear Mikael sing! His version his quite different (mainly driven by vocals and piano)

Is that link only for customers of the SW Store? I don't think I'm getting my boxset for another couple of weeks from Burning Shed. I don't mind buying the digital version of boxset for a few bucks but I'm guessing that option isn't there for everyone.


Is this the deluxe edition that was offered?


According to the discog page, it's just the two tracks from the deluxe edition and 6 other tracks of audio from the short story being read by SW himself.


Found it, it's on the Global store and not the US store
Official Steven Wilson Store - Steven Wilson - The Harmony Codex Deluxe Digital (stevenwilsonhq.com)


I think I'll wait for the boxset. 7$ for the album plus a few bonus tracks isn't a bad deal but I'm essentially paying for the spoken word which I don't think I'm going to really listen to much.

[PixelDream]

So I’ve been listening to The Harmony Codex and this album sounds amazing on good headphones. Also on my hi-fi set, but headphones specifically.
I’ve been hearing people rave about the album in Atmos and I believe them, but in stereo it already sounds totally immersive.

I have a hard time pointing to favourite tracks since I’m especially familiar with the pre-release singles. No song has hit me harder than Rock Bottom this year, that’s for sure. Fantastic ballad. Actual Brutal Facts is totally badass and Staircase really speaks to me on an emotional level. Also massive props to the guitar solos on this album, most notably by Niko Tsonev. They’re not as exuberant as Guthrie’s leads but I really dig his note choices and his low-gain super expressive sound.

[HOF]

Yeah, it sounds awesome just on my standard iPhone ear buds.

[romdrums]

It's been on near constant rotation since Friday for me.  I didn't listen to any of the singles prior to release, because I really wanted to be spoiler free and listen to it as an album experience.  This album is so much better than The Future Bites, and is a wonderful contrast from Closure/Continuation. I'm looking forward to doing a headphone listen as well, but man, this album is really beautiful.

[Kram]

https://www.discogs.com/release/28425214-Steven-Wilson-The-Harmony-Codex
THAT chapman stick by Nick Beggs on Staircase

Yeah it sounds sick! 

[Kram]

Bought the digital deluxe version (for 4 UK pounds due to a bundle sale). Good first impression! It is very much focused on electronic sounds/soundscapes, but in a different way than The Future Bites.

I will say that I did end up really enjoying The Future Bites over the years though, I ended up listening to it frequently. I was initially not that impressed with it.

Also listened to Time is Running Out Mikael Akerfelt version, always love to hear Mikael sing! His version his quite different (mainly driven by vocals and piano)

Agreed.  The Future Bites was more electronic sounds to create pop oriented songs, and this sounds like he's using the electronic sounds to create more of a prog record.

[twosuitsluke]

Giving this a proper dedicated listen with my decent headphones

[nick_z]

Bought the digital deluxe version (for 4 UK pounds due to a bundle sale). Good first impression! It is very much focused on electronic sounds/soundscapes, but in a different way than The Future Bites.

I will say that I did end up really enjoying The Future Bites over the years though, I ended up listening to it frequently. I was initially not that impressed with it.

Also listened to Time is Running Out Mikael Akerfelt version, always love to hear Mikael sing! His version his quite different (mainly driven by vocals and piano)

Agreed.  The Future Bites was more electronic sounds to create pop oriented songs, and this sounds like he's using the electronic sounds to create more of a prog record.

Yep, that’s a good way to put it

[PixelDream]

What an album. Incredible. Multiple listens reveal it all. The Harmony Codex; The Steven Wilson Codex. His entire musical world is in there and it flows incredibly well in spite of the stylistic diversity. Few songs have hit me harder than Rock Bottom and Staircase this year. Literally tearing up. What bigger compliment can one give to music. This album is powerful as hell.

[Sacul]

Ikr it's an excellent record, I can't believe it, but after so long, seems Steven has released something worth competing for AOTY.

[Lonk]

Posta, es alto disco, no puedo creerlo pero luego de tanto tiempo, creo que el Esteban ha sacado un disco digno de competir por lo mejor del año.

It is a good disk yeah, not sure I would say is album of the year though.

[Sacul]

I have listened to very few albums released this year so far, so the competition is not tough for me

[Kocak]

I love the second half drum layering of Beautiful Scarecrow.

[Metro]

A few more listens into this album, and I’m finding it’s just OK. And that’s just OK with me.

[SoundscapeMN]

Staircase for me is the standout part of this.

Impossible Tightrope, What Life Brings, Economy of Scale, Inclination, and Time is Running Out I like all for the most part.

TIRO the vocal line sounds an awful lot like the Self-Titled Blackfield song at points.

The title track, Actual Brutal Facts and Beautiful Scarecrow I like moments on, but I seem to have more issues with, than things I like.

of course many reviews keep popping up on YouTube and other sites..I likely will include one on mine as well soon.

[nick_z]

The title-track has a cool mood, but I don’t think it has quite enough going on to justify its (almost) 10 minute runtime…

[faizoff]

I wonder if they're having stock issues, everything at Burning Shed says out of stock, most of the items in the SW store say sold out. Either this is selling incredibly well or they haven't had much inventory.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

after the future bites only sold 1 copy they probably didn't get a lot of stock ready for this one

[The Letter M]

https://guitar.com/news/music-news/steven-wilson-guitar-players-and-tone/

Steven Wilson: “I’m constantly disappointed by extraordinary guitar players that have got no concept of how to change their tone”

-Marc.

[ErHaO]

I wonder if they're having stock issues, everything at Burning Shed says out of stock, most of the items in the SW store say sold out. Either this is selling incredibly well or they haven't had much inventory.

Weren't some editions in those stores exclusive and limited? The regular editions are available everywhere over here.

[Skeever]

https://guitar.com/news/music-news/steven-wilson-guitar-players-and-tone/

Steven Wilson: “I’m constantly disappointed by extraordinary guitar players that have got no concept of how to change their tone”

-Marc.

Wonder who he's passive aggressively taking a jab at this time

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

https://guitar.com/news/music-news/steven-wilson-guitar-players-and-tone/

Steven Wilson: “I’m constantly disappointed by extraordinary guitar players that have got no concept of how to change their tone”

-Marc.

Wonder who he's passive aggressively taking a jab at this time

probably john petrucci

mans is just jealous tho!

[Stadler]

https://guitar.com/news/music-news/steven-wilson-guitar-players-and-tone/

Steven Wilson: “I’m constantly disappointed by extraordinary guitar players that have got no concept of how to change their tone”

-Marc.

Wonder who he's passive aggressively taking a jab at this time

Rothery?

[hefdaddy42]

https://guitar.com/news/music-news/steven-wilson-guitar-players-and-tone/

Steven Wilson: “I’m constantly disappointed by extraordinary guitar players that have got no concept of how to change their tone”

-Marc.

Wonder who he's passive aggressively taking a jab at this time

Honestly, it's anyone not named Steven Wilson.

[Kram]

https://guitar.com/news/music-news/steven-wilson-guitar-players-and-tone/

Steven Wilson: “I’m constantly disappointed by extraordinary guitar players that have got no concept of how to change their tone”

-Marc.

Wonder who he's passive aggressively taking a jab at this time

Honestly, it's anyone not named Steven Wilson.

Anyone who’s a better guitar player than he is.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

it's funny because SW has a very obvious/noticeable guitar tone and has for years now

[ganpondorodf]

He's not an 'extraordinary' guitar player though so it doesn't apply to him...

I found the new album kinda dull if I'm being honest. He knocked it out of the park with his first four solo albums and I've struggled to have much enthusiasm for anything he's done since.

Last track was pretty good though.

[faizoff]

Finally got my shipping notice from Burning Shed. Album's been on repeat since release week. Still don't have a favorite, Impossible Tightrope has some really fun passages, I like the Rush parts and the keys played by Adam which Steven then added a vocal overlay based on that melody near the end of the track.

So many great moments, also love the ending of Economies of Scale.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

i really liked the album when i listened to it but i haven't had a strong urge to spin it much in the week it's come out. should change that soon

[Kram]

Not sure where I stand with The Harmony Codex after about a week with it now.  What I DO know is it's much better than The Future Bites - but it doesn't touch the greatness of Raven and HCE.  Where it slots in with Insurgentes, Grace for Drowning and To The Bone, is still to be determined.