In Steve Wilson's own words: Revolver: Was there any specific incident that informed the lyrical themes on Fear of a Blank Planet? Steven Wilson: There were many things that coalesced at the same time, but the main thing was reading the last Bret Easton Ellis Book [2006's] Lunar Park. The central thing is a father's relationship with his son, who is very much the role model for the character in Fear of a Blank Planet - this kind of terminally bored kid, anywhere between 10 and 15 years old, who spends all his daylight hours in his bedroom with the curtains closed, playing on his PlayStation, listening to his iPod, texting his friends on his cell phone, looking at hardc*** p*** on the Internet, downloading music, films, news, violence... He's also on prescription drugs. Parents these days seem to deal with their kids' problems not by sitting down and talking to them but by sending them to the doctor and getting them prescription drugs - which is kind of tragic, really. The song has three parts: 1)"Anesthetize" 2)"The Pills I'm Taking" 3)"Surfer" In my opininion the 3rd part is about the protagonist thinking back to a happy day on the beach somewhere. It is also the opposite to the other parts of the song: Passive media consuming indoors vs being active outdoors. Anesthetize your feelings with drugs vs. being happy.

This song is better than most band's careers, I'm not kidding.

Gavin Harrison KILLING it. As usual.

this was the last song that my dad showed me before he passed away ... this song has great sentimental value for me .. and it is sensational

How can anyone watch this video and not comment on Gavin Harrison's insane masterclass in progressive drumming? Not even once?? :D

When I saw them Live in Amsterdam a month ago, this song alone was worth the ticket price. Magnificent.

Every time I hear Gavin Harrison play, I'm amazed at his genius

It was great to see you play along realtime and improve to the wonderful sound of Porcupine Tree. I was surprised you didn't comment on Gavin Harrison's incredible drumming.

Arriving Somewhere but Not Here should be the next in your Porcupine Tree list. Another incredible musical journey awaits you there.

I like how in the part from 7:00 to ~8:10 Doug talks about the unusual lack of a lead melodic instrument. And all i am focusing on is the insanely good, dynamic drumming which is absolutely dominating this part and makes a lead melody solo 100% redundant. Gavin Harrison is something special and even though he is "only" the drummer without him Porcupine Tree wouldn't be what it is. And then again, in Prog no member of the band is "just the drummer" or "just the vocalist". Everyone plays a vital role in making the sound and music a whole and this song is a prime example of exactly that.

10:57 That look you get when your drummer just busted out a lick that couldn't have been made by a human.

One of the greatest live performances I’ve ever heard. Absolute colossal performance. Harrison is one of my favorite drummers too.

I had the pleasure of seeing them on this tour. The venue was packed and you could hear a pin drop during this song. I’ve never been to a live rock show where the audience was completely quiet, such is the power of this song. Reminds me of the first show they played in Florida, there may have been 50 people there. This was before they made a big splash with In Absentia. The next show a few years later they grew exponentially in attendance. I feel privileged to have seen them in such an intimate show...absolutely genius level songwriting.

This is the best song in the world and Gavin is a drum deity. I hear this song for more than ten years now and i never get tired of it. The absolute masterpiece.

Riverside - second life syndrome next! If you like porcupine tree, pretty sure you'd like riverside too.

Love seeing the Porcupine Tree! BTW, on the studio version, Alex Lifeson (of Rush) does the solo in the middle

Steven Wilson is a master of modes. He creates new scenes and turns your mind like a magician. This is one of my top 5 favorite tunes. Brilliant drums by Gavin. A bass that both drives the beat and creates harmonies. 17 minutes just flies.

Such an amazing piece of work by Wilson and the rest of PT. Great analysis as always Doug, just one thing I wish you would have done is give props to how amazing Gavin Harrison is. A lot of time you give drummers grief about their 16th note double bass drumming, yet here Gavin uses his double bass drumming in such an original way- crickets...

Steven Wilson - Home Invasion/Regret #9. What a great journey this is, you should hear it!

I had to pause another Doug video to come listen to this as soon as I saw it posted. This whole filmed concert is incredible, but this song is on another level.

I’ve been a drummer 45+ years and have to say no modern drummer blows me away with their technique, sound and musicality these days like Gavin does. Seen him live 6 times going to see PT in a few weeks.

The overall theme of the album is ADD and bipolar disorder in children. I think this song is about the over medication of kids as a way of addressing their problems without actually addressing the underlying causes, and the toll it takes on their ability to experience and connect with the world around them. Wilson's lyrics are often a bit inscrutable leaving a lot of room for the listener to fill in the blanks. Porcupine Tree's live performances are always incredible. Wish I'd gotten to see them more than the two shows I was able to catch. I saw them open for Yes in 2002 and Yes made them take the stage earlier than the concert start time printed on the tickets so their set was half over when most people made it into the venue. I'm still bitter about it all these years later and they've said in interviews that this wasn't a one show thing. Yes treated them very poorly. My girlfriend and I left part way through Yes's set. Compared to PT it just felt rambling and self-indulgent.

I'm a big Stephen Wilson fan and I can tell you that this song anesthetizes probably their best song out of all of their catalogs. I've met him several times and his band I've seen them do this live multiple times. By far this is a masterpiece.

Such a great live performance. Gavin Harrison is one of the best drummers of our time without a doubt.

This is the song that got me into Porcupine, and made me the great fan that I am now, and it was because back then, I learned that Alex Lifeson played on Anesthetize. One more thing to thank Rush!

Spock's Beard - The Great Nothing is an awesome long epic of a song.

Been waiting for PT, Steven Wilson is just amazing also Gavin Harrison is just my favourite drummer of all time. Thanks Doug.

Drums are the lead instrument like most of the time when Gavin Harrison plays

This song is so damn good. One of the best pieces over written and an amazing live performance. I highly recommend thank you scientist. One of the coolest prog bands playing today.

it never gets old, what a track

Richard Barbieri is so underrated. I’ve been a fan of his since ‘Gentlemen Take Polaroids’- Japan. There’s obviously a reason Wilson has him aboard such a mountain of talent.

A true magnum opus of a band at their height. Gavin Harrison has energy beyond. A rare drummer in the mould of Bill Bruford and Neil Peart

It looks like long songs are back on the menu boys! ARE WE READY FOR DREAM THEATER-OCTAVARIUM or A CHANGE OF SEASONS?

Can't go wrong with that band. Wilson is a genius.

man Doug, you're doing such great songs lately. Opeth yesterday and now this. I am kinda addicted to this kind of analysis even though I don't really know much music theory myself. keep them coming! This version is of the song is absolutely amazing

Alex Lifeson from rush wrote the guitar solo

Its cool watching you pick out the melodies/harmonies while you listen.

14:30 and onward is one of the most perfect grooves. Tonally, melodically, percussively, it's hypnotizing.

Gavin Harrison is the lead instrumentalist during the break in the middle. If you see the isolated footage of him playing this song live you would not believe the things he's doing to that drum kit. Great reaction as always!

Loved the reaction, and that you joined in on the piano on occasion. This is a fantastic song by a band I fear will never be surmounted in terms of sheer musical skill.

Ive watched this video more times than I can count, seriously some of the best live recording ive ever heard! so excited to see you react to this

Steve Wilson put out the best songs I have heard in decades. I was brought up on Yes, King Crimson, and Genesis. So, I don't usually give such high praise to an artist.

This might be may fav reaction I've seen from the channel, but I always love how you seem to have perfect pitch and can dial in on the notes and chord progressions so easily. The piano bits you added to the song enhanced everything and I was blown away

Leprous- Cast Away Angels. The vocals were recorded in one take, which is insane.

Doug, your music theory approach to reacting is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Favorite band ever, just a stunning lineup, been to several live shows including solo live... always perfect recording and put on a spectacular show!!

An outstanding video! I've been listening to Porcupine Tree for years and the one thing I love the most about these guys is how they use dynamics to make the music much more interesting. I have to say that when you started playing along with that acoustic piano it added a whole new dynamic that damn near brought tears to my eyes and the stink face you had while listening to the more interesting parts was awesome. I hope you got to see them live since they have recently put a new album out.

Thanks for playing and saying the chords in the song. I watch a lot of reaction videos from musicians, and the fact that you actually say what they are doing - most other KZfaq reaction people don’t, was unexpected. I went to music school for 4 years (but it’s been a while and I forgot more than I know lol) , so hearing these terms was refreshing to hear. Nice video. I am now a subscriber!

Just discovered this channel, I am mesmerised, thank you for analysing one of the most important songs of my life ❤

I love your fiddling with the notes on the piano. Makes such a beautiful and satisfying sound

You totally ignored Gavin 😭. Talking to the camera during his most amazing fills.

Wow, this was actually my recommendation, that I've sent to you a few days ago. Thank you for reacting to this song! :)

what a cool response video...thanks for it!!!! love your approach!

I saw them live back in October last year in Mexico City and they blew away, I had high expectations and they exceeded them like it was nothing, I love Gavin’s drumming and their overall master musicianship.

This just introduced me to my new favorite prog band. Holy crap, where have I been?

The drumming in anesthetise is amazing.

He's very good at floating between major and minor to seamlessly put the heroic and uplifting chorus with the sinister riffs

Delighted to see back-to-back Opeth and Porcupine Tree videos from Dr. Doug tonight! So much of my favorite music has been appearing here and I've really enjoyed the compositional/musical perspective as a long-time amateur musician myself. Can't wait to see what else is coming, and need to warm up a few suggestions too!

You have to listen to "Change" off of Sound Awake by Karnivool. Absolutely killer band that doesn't get talked about enough.

Damn, Doug... The songs you've picked lately are on fire! Got to love opeth, porcupine tree, etc. And I really like how you use piano to analyze these songs and jam with the band.

I've watched pretty much every analysis of this song on KZfaq, and yours is probably the best of them. In my opinion, there is no such thing as the 'perfect song', but this 17 minute masterpiece is as close as humans will ever get. Great work.

Such a wonderful reaction to this masterpiece/masterful performance! 😍

This is the first video I saw from you Doug and I am loving it so much! You are a true master sir!

One of many masterpieces of Porcupine Tree, Wilson it's a genius. Doug, excellent analysis and reaction, specially 'cause you played with the band, and the sound of your piano at the end felt like add more perfection to a perfect song.

This is my first time visiting your channel, and what a pleasure to see and hear you react to one of my all time favorite songs, and a favorite performance of it as well. I was raised by a jazz pianist (father) and a classical pianist (mother), both of whom had both amazing taste and a breadth of knowledge of music, and I'm reminded of when I was twelve years old, and had just gotten Emerson, Lake and Palmer's album Tarkus, and took it over for my dad to hear. As was his custom, he heard it through pretty much without comment, as we had an informal rule in my family that upon first listening we let the music speak for itself; after which he acknowledged that, while it wasn't his music, he understood why I liked it so much, because of their outstanding level of musicianship. It was the first time I recall hearing the concept of musicianship, but it has helped to inform my love of certain musicians ever since, as well as my approach to my own music. As for the meaning of the song, I should note that, like me, Steven Wilson is an old album rock guy, and you really have to listen to the entire album of Fear of a Blank Planet to get the entire meaning; particularly the title song. The short version is that it was an observation of how, by anesthetizing our children, with Ritalin, antidepressants and the like, we are robbing them (and often ourselves) of the ability to FEEL deeply, and to respond in a deeply human way to life around them. In a supreme irony, the song and video of Fear of a Blank Planet, which dealt with with over-medicated kids bringing a gun to school, were released on the same day as the Virginia Military Academy shootings; and while the band immediately pulled the video off of their website, upon hearing what happened, when later interviewed regarding his feelings about the coincidence, Wilson said that he felt somewhat vindicated, regarding what he was witnessing happening in our society. Interestingly, at least to me; I love playing with anagrams, and when doing anagrams of Wilson's name one day, I discovered that one of the anagrams for Steven Wilson is: Novel Witness. And, having been a serious fan and connoisseur of Wilson's music since 2006, I can say without hesitation that he is, in fact, one of our most Novel Witnesses of all, which is in large part what makes him so very effective as a songwriter. Thank you for posting this video. I'll definitely check out more of your content, particularly regarding your OWN compositions!

I could definitely be studying for ap us history exam tomorrow, but nah I’ll watch Doug play beautiful piano over one of the greatest prog songs of all time

You are amazing, and I am grateful to have found your channel. Thank you.

Love your analysis. Keep up your great work!

I love it when you work out and play a few of the chords....and take so much pleasure in doing it.

You are amazing Doug, keep up this wonderful work!

No mater how many times I've seen this performance I still shake my head in disbelieve and awe at what Gavin pulls of here... Such a rare combination of pure skill, insane musicality, precision and power. Only equaled by Guthrie Govan. Still waiting for someone like Wilson to bring those two together.

Very, very nicely done, Doug! I loved your analysis. I've watched a couple of other "a person affiliated with genre X reacts to stuff that they haven't been exposed to before" channels, and yeah it's kind of fun to see the "expert's" reaction to a song you know is going to knock their socks or knickers or teeth out, but it becomes predictable and boring quite quickly. Your analysis of the songs you listen to, however, is something deeper. You use music theory to make sense of the song, and vocalise what you're thinking, and I think that's really helpful. You don't restrict yourself to "a piano player reacting to piano stuff", but you consider it all: lyrics, vocals, drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, rhythm, chords, harmonies, the meaning and the emotion: the music. I applaud that! Great stuff!

Classical Genesis should be a nice addition... The Fountain of Salmacis, Firth of Fifth, Suppers Ready or even Can Utility and the Coastliners...

you are good and I appreciate your interest in this kind of music Regards from POLAND 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

Thank you Doug for doing this. Your reactions with your expertise makes me feel like I should be paying for this channel.

Enjoyed your analysis. Very cool. Thanks!

Thanks Doug - love the detailed analysis.

Hi Doug. I've watched far too many reaction videos, but yours are, to my mind at least, peerless. I love your holistic approach. I remember watching your reaction to Pneuma by Tool. It was a drum cam video and yet you had still listened to the lyrics and brought that into your review, which blew my mind. It's a pleasure to watch your videos and hear your insights. I wouldn't call your work reactions, they're more interpretations and I'm thankful you invest your time in such a pursuit. I'm a life long music lover and I find your videos a great learning experience. Thank you. K

I can't believe I recommended this yesterday and not 24 hours later you uploaded this video! One of my favourite songs ever! Hard for me to recommend the 'right' Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson songs because I know your base angle of critique is from a melodic theory perspective and I'm not educated enough (yet) to recognize which songs you'd find the most interesting. I love Fear of a Blank Planet though. Thanks for the content and have a good one! :)

I feel like going from a minor chord to a major chord a half step lower while keeping the same note as the third of both chords is something Wilson and Åkerfelt do a lot.

I love hearing your perspective and hearing you dissect the chords and whatnot but darn it, Now I have to go find this song so I can hear it in it's entirety. :). I've never heard this band. I've heard of them but never heard their music. Thank you for introducing me to Porcupine Tree!

Doug, your awesome big daddy... I love when your playing along, I’m getting a free education with your analysis brother... good stuff boss!

My head in the clouds and I'm zoning out! EVERY TIME I HEAR THIS! 😉 Thanks for doing this Doug! My favorite PT song.

Instant sub, no second toughts or anything. Such good content!

I do enjoy a lot watching your reactions and comments. Its always nice to learn something!

Hello Doug, it's me, once again, suggesting "Rainbow - Stargazer" to be in your music rotation. Some upvotes would help, if you could. Thanks and have a nice day!

Props to drummer Gavin Harrison for his incredible work here. The way he underpins the accents in the chord progressions and attenuates the overall dynamic at other parts to serve the next buildup, along with how he complements the bass lines, shows some astonishing musicianship.

You got musical ears that never experienced before. You pick out the chords so fast.

Thank you very much dear Doug for your very clear english. English is not my native language and I can understand you perfectly without subtitles. A musician from Argentina greets you.

The final section of this song is just so beautiful, one of my favorite pieces of music ever.

I greatly appreciate your reviews, Doug. Your insight is greatly enjoyable. This is one of the best long progressive songs out there. I'm glad that you were able to immerse yourself to the point of not knowing if FEELING long...

Doug's the real deal, man! I love watching him match the chord progressions on the fly!

This is awesome content. Porcupine tree is such an underrated band. One of the greatest concerts i have ever been to, and now they arent together anymore, I’m so glad that i went.

This is a great song off a great album. Nice to see it reviewed. It's more like three distinct songs, all three of which are excellent. I managed to see them on the tour for "Fear of a Blank Planet", and they also have excellent videos showing on the screen in the background. I must admit I totally missed what the last two songs on the album were about until I saw the videos. ... but getting back to "Anesthetize", I really like the chorus in the middle-song.

I'd like to attempt to digest this in the context of tonnetz moves. Thanks for this Doug, you're amazing!

13:40 just couldn't resist the urge to jam along, huh? It's okay, this piece has that same effect on a lot of people ;)

Wow! Those piano notes sounded incredible...This makes me excited to become a musician some day and I'm a 40 year old dude who has never played an instrument before (as well as a big PT fan)

I’ll never get tired of that ending solo and last section. Goosebumps every time. Years later.

So I am a drummer and I am blown away by Gavin's drumming. But your insight completely changed my mind. For the first time, I was hearing the song beyond drumming... And Doug, thank you for that :)

Fabulous as always