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  • Release Date:
Hand.Cannot.Erase. Image
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 161 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth solo release for the British artist was inspired by a news article about the discovery of a young woman's dead body in her apartment three years after her death.
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  • Record Label: Kscope
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Album Rock, Neo-Prog
  • More Details and Credits »

Top Track

3 Years Older
You cross the schoolyard with your head held down And walk the streets under the breaking cloud With a hundred futures cascading out It's... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Mar 3, 2015
    100
    This is a smart, soulful and immersive work of art.
  2. Mar 3, 2015
    100
    This one challenges in its immediacy, with an emphasis on melody that twists into more muscular signatures so that listeners are never quite sure of the ground they’re on. Meanwhile, in the words and music, there is spellbinding poignancy and aching beauty.
  3. Apr 22, 2015
    90
    Hand. Cannot. Erase. is an incredible addition to Wilson's body of work. Drawing from the simple and the complicated, progressive and pop, light and darkness, it proves that no force can erase his talent and standing as one of the best and most underrated musicians of today.
  4. Mar 3, 2015
    80
    It is aesthetically attractive while being emotionally and intellectually resonant; pop music can hope for no more.
  5. Q Magazine
    Mar 3, 2015
    80
    Most of what's here is great melancholy rock, but sometimes held back by Wilson's willingness to play the perennial prog-rock boffin. [Mar 2015, p.118]
  6. Mar 13, 2015
    80
    If we’re talking about Wilson in relation to his ability to piece together a meticulous concept, Hand. Cannot. Erase. is a definite winner. [Brice Ezell review]
  7. Classic Rock Magazine
    Mar 3, 2015
    80
    Lovers of rock both classic and current will be blown away. [Apr 2015, p.94]

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Jan 18, 2016
    10
    These kinds of albums don't come very often, a true timeless piece of art. Steven Wilsons current band consists of probably one of the bestThese kinds of albums don't come very often, a true timeless piece of art. Steven Wilsons current band consists of probably one of the best lineups ever... Marco Minneman, Guthrie Govan, Marco Minneman and Nick Beggs in the same band, adding to that SWs songwriting and mixing.. you cant go wrong. 10/10 even after listening to the album almost a year now. Expand
  2. Mar 20, 2015
    10
    One of the best albums out this year! Steven Wilson has created something that he himself has never done before. Steven Wilson has showen hisOne of the best albums out this year! Steven Wilson has created something that he himself has never done before. Steven Wilson has showen his great gifted way to write and find a meaning about life and death. But I hope he and his previous bandmates from Porcupine Tree make one great album together one last time just something like this album! That would be great! Anyways, Great job Steve!! Hope you the better! Expand
  3. Jun 3, 2018
    10
    Absolute genius album
    There aren't weak tracks here, there is an amazing mix of quality pop compositions, prog, a bit of metal,and even
    Absolute genius album
    There aren't weak tracks here, there is an amazing mix of quality pop compositions, prog, a bit of metal,and even electronica!
    Writing is sublime, it is all united by a concept and a loose story, but it enough good to be enjoyed without the knowledge of it (unlike most concept albums).
    Atmospheres are outstanding, as it is one of Wilson's strong points.
    Best tracks: Three Years Older, Ancestral, Routine and Happy Returns
    Expand
  4. Jun 9, 2015
    10
    This was a fantastic piece of art. It was amazing! Every single song on this album, whether it is heavy, experimental, or softer, it worksThis was a fantastic piece of art. It was amazing! Every single song on this album, whether it is heavy, experimental, or softer, it works exquisitely. This is, at least in my opinion, one of steven wilson's best works, EVER. And yes, better than In Abstenia and Fear of A Blank Planet. I cannot lie about that. Expand
  5. Mar 7, 2015
    10
    Hand. Cannot. Erase....what a magnificent, profound piece of art! It's an experience for all to live, the beauty beneath a story dealing withHand. Cannot. Erase....what a magnificent, profound piece of art! It's an experience for all to live, the beauty beneath a story dealing with isolation, love, pain, sorrow and death, the art that lies in the forgotten epoch of music: the 70s, the 80s and the 90s. Since M83's last album (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming), I have never enjoyed so much of listening to an album in my entire life.
    As always, Steven Wilson conceives and illustrates a zeitgeist of the grandiose and poignant sound of progressive rock, but there's something different in here: it's more introspective, more personal and more homemade. You can find plenty of influences in this piece of art: from King Crimson to Emerson, Palmer & Lake, going through the early Genesis's works and with the melancholia and dark atmosphere of Pink Floyd. These are melodies that will be only kept in our memories, as they're swept by the breeze.
    When we heard for the first time Perfect Life (on Youtube), many long-standing fans have doubted with this song, calling it poppy. But I think that, in my honest opinion, I was expecting this new direction. But I would not consider Hand. Cannot. Erase as a poppy album, but an anti-pop album: yes, we have some certain poppy moments, but they are beautifully blended with Wilson's musical signature.
    And the lyrics...they are mesmerizing and completely astonishing. And I dare to say they are a bit personal to me: some songs often talk about my life, MY LIFE. And that never happened to me before.

    Timeless masterpiece. This album will be remembered through years to come. And that is not a compliment; it is the truth.
    Expand
  6. Feb 15, 2019
    9
    this album is just simply brilliant in terms of musicianship and composition it really has diverse styles and genres of music , it reallythis album is just simply brilliant in terms of musicianship and composition it really has diverse styles and genres of music , it really puts Steven Wilson as one of the best contemporary ,diverse songwriters and musician Expand
  7. Dec 22, 2015
    7
    Was unfamiliar with this artist, but picked this up due to high rankings. Album was eminently listenable and great musicianship. Took meWas unfamiliar with this artist, but picked this up due to high rankings. Album was eminently listenable and great musicianship. Took me back to my high school years when I had time to listen to full album side-length tracks. Expand

See all 19 User Reviews

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