Classical Composer Reacts to Anesthetize (Porcupine Tree) | The Daily Doug (Episode 126)

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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...