Steven Wilson - Drive Home

Sometimes, in this world where everything seems chaotic and relentless, you need a little something that takes the edge off. Some turn to isolation, time away from the hustle and bustle. Others to meditation and mindfulness, creating a place where they can exist in peace. Some get absolutely tonked out of their minds on one or more substances until the frogs in their garden start talking to them. Me? I find a mix of the three is most effective – but there is a fourth option in progressive rock music. Granted, it can be combined with the third option.

When it comes to prog rock, there are plenty of bands to wrap your ears around. You may or may not have heard of Porcupine Tree, a true shoe-in candidate for “best band you’ve never heard of” but lead singer Steven Wilson knows his way around a track. That’s putting it lightly; the Englishman has more Grammy nominations than limbs and can play the hammered dulcimer, which I’m pretty sure isn’t even a real instrument. Basically put, when his name pops up, it’s going to be something that music as a whole would be proud to give a member’s jacket to. 

With that glazing over and done with, you’re about to see why it was so deserved. Drive Home is a gorgeous melancholy experience, brimming with all sorts of flourish and talent that really need to be heard at least once. From Pink Floyd to Alan Parsons, it runs the gamut of prog greats that proves it deserves a seat at the table instead of feeling like cheap imitation. And that guitar solo by Guthrie Govan? Otherworldly. Set yourself aside nine minutes today (you’re worth it, I promise), put your headphones on and just experience this one from start to end, uninterrupted. And if those pesky YouTube ads get in the way? We know a guy who knows a guy who can cry on command, so we’ll send him to YouTube HQ to make them feel bad. All’s fair in love and war.