Hand.Cannot.Erase.
by Steven Wilson
  • Record Label: Kscope
  • Release Date: Mar 3, 2015
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Record Collector
    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.
  2. The Guardian
    Mar 3, 2015
    100
    This is a smart, soulful and immersive work of art.
  3. No Ripcord
    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.
  5. PopMatters
    Mar 13, 2015
    85
    With Hand. Cannot. Erase., Wilson has crafted another [flawed] masterpiece that won’t soon be forgotten. [Jordan Blum review]
  6. PopMatters
    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]
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  8. 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]
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  9. AllMusic
    Mar 3, 2015
    80
    It is aesthetically attractive while being emotionally and intellectually resonant; pop music can hope for no more.

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2015
58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 161 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 147 out of 161
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 161
  3. Negative: 11 out of 161
  1. black_dice94
    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!… Full Review »
  2. Noiseblock
    Mar 16, 2015
    8
    Hand.Cannot.Erase is one of those singer-songwriter albums that manages to suck you in right in the first moment and doesn´t lose its gripHand.Cannot.Erase is one of those singer-songwriter albums that manages to suck you in right in the first moment and doesn´t lose its grip after multiple listenings, just like every Porcupine Tree/ Steven Wilson album before it. Steven Wilson once again created another typical Porcupine Tree/ Steven Wilson album album centered around the favourite Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson topics: death,technology, fear, isolation and preliminary isolation in our modern society. By now, I guess you understand what I´m trying to say...
    However good his songwriting on Hand.Cannot.Erase might be, Steven Wilson really seems to be treading water. He has said so many things about these topics by now that I would wish he would deal with some other things from time to time. For though Hand.Cannot.Erase is outstanding in terms of songwriting in every possible way, if you have been listening to his former efforts you may find it really hard to discover something new or at least some new approaches. It´s basically same-same on the highest level and if you´re content with that, Hand.Cannot.Erase may possibly be Wilson´s best album of the last few years (Porcupine Tree albums taken into account). However, if you hoped for some changes or experiments on the music, songwriting and guitar-play, you may actually be left a bit disappointed, since there really is almost no change in style. So I guess it all coheres with your expectations; if you wanted more of pure Steven Wilson-Songwriting, here you go. If you wanted a bit of dissociation from the former albums, you´ll be left disappointed to some extent...    … Full Review »
  3. hamos786
    Mar 13, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. A Masterpiece from Steven Wilson. It's been really long since I have listened to an album like this. Each and every song is just scintillating. The story of this album is amazing and with a touch of class by Steven Wilson, the whole album becomes Emphatic. Definitely, Hand.Cannot.Erase can never get erased off my head.… Full Review »
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