To the Bone
by Steven Wilson
  • Record Label: Caroline
  • Release Date: Aug 18, 2017
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 64
  3. Negative: 3 out of 64
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. lucasbassotto
    Aug 18, 2017
    10
    The most different album from Steven Wilson. He really put his efforts on it, and bring to us a completely psychedelic pop art of work. His writing really improved compared to his others works, he made easy, accessible and at the same time deep lyrics. To The Bone isn't a conceptual album, but has many interesting themes about the crazy society we're living nowadays, and make we reflectThe most different album from Steven Wilson. He really put his efforts on it, and bring to us a completely psychedelic pop art of work. His writing really improved compared to his others works, he made easy, accessible and at the same time deep lyrics. To The Bone isn't a conceptual album, but has many interesting themes about the crazy society we're living nowadays, and make we reflect with our truths. Steven Wilson became a legendary musician of this century. To The Bone is his most fantastic work, not his most complex and progressive but this work has it's value for representing the Steven's journey for exploring his own musically personality to bring us a great experience. Doesn't makes sense to compare this albums to the other ones.… Expand
  2. jk47
    Aug 19, 2017
    5
    Though much has been said of his pop-direction, Wilson has displayed pop influence before. He has plenty of catchy hooks on albums like Porcupine Tree’s In Absentia and Deadwing. With exception of a couple songs, this album doesn’t push as far in the direction of pop music as I had expected. To the Bone ends up sounding less like a new direction and more like some of his more poppyThough much has been said of his pop-direction, Wilson has displayed pop influence before. He has plenty of catchy hooks on albums like Porcupine Tree’s In Absentia and Deadwing. With exception of a couple songs, this album doesn’t push as far in the direction of pop music as I had expected. To the Bone ends up sounding less like a new direction and more like some of his more poppy Porcupine Tree and Blackfield songs.

    There’s much to like about To the Bone, which has the tough task of following up his 2015 masterpiece Hand.Cannot.Erase. The album begins with a steampunk-esque harmonica over guitar and percussion that is reprised throughout the album and his love of music and wide range of influences is evident throughout. there are some good pop songs as well. “Permanenting” has a nice Abba feel to it and provides a nice change to Wilson’s usual melancholic atmospheres. “The Same Asylum as Before” has a catchy chorus and a falsetto verse reminiscent of Muse’s “Supermassive Black Holes”, although the vocals in the verse seem forced and outside of Wilson’s comfort zone. “Refuge” builds up to an emotional guitar solo reminiscent of Porcupine Tree, while songs like “Nowhere Now” draw from the pop-rock sound of Blackfield.

    These bright spots show great potential, but the lack of direction really hold the album back. One of my favorite things about his previous album, Hand.Cannot.Erase, was its unpredictable song structures. This album also has surprises, but it often transitions clumsily from one part to another. There’s a lot of promising moments in the album, but they never quite come together cohesively, making To the Bone feel more like a rough draft than a prog-pop masterpiece. A good example of this is the first single released, “Pariah”. There’s elements to like: The verses are beautiful and the guest singer, Israeli popstar Ninet Tayeb, provides powerful vocals on the chorus and bridge. While they do work okay together, it feels like both parts would work better if they were expanded into their own song. The chorus disrupts the flow of the verse a bit and the verse squelches the power of the chorus. It isn’t until the second chorus flows into the bridge that the song feels consistent. But what really kills the track is the lyrics. Though Wilson often puts a lot of thought into the concepts of his songs, his lyrics have always been a weakness, though he has improved in this regard over the years. “Pariah” is a step backward lyrically, with reminiscence of Porcupine Tree’s Fear of a Blank Planet–an album so incredible musically that it was able to overcome its trite and uninspired lyrics. The same can’t be said of “Pariah”.

    Overall To the Bone has all the good ingredients of being a great album, but lacks a cohesive recipe.    … Expand
  3. AdamChristing
    Aug 29, 2017
    10
    Here are many of the best elements of RUSH, Pink Floyd, and SO-era Peter Gabriel.
    And yet it feels quite original. Listen to it 3 times and you will listen to it 300 times. And the lyrics? Tremendous. "Great God, I don't believe in you, But still I will do What you want me to..."
  4. itsprobablyali
    Aug 18, 2017
    8
    After Wilson's strong return to form with Hand. Cannot. Erase., To The Bone feels like a far cry from his 2015 masterpiece. Understandably, Wilson has taken to the more pop oriented route. But to discredit him for this current album would be shy of a felony. Though not matching up with his previous release, Wilson still manages to invoke his unique musical prowess while also trying to findAfter Wilson's strong return to form with Hand. Cannot. Erase., To The Bone feels like a far cry from his 2015 masterpiece. Understandably, Wilson has taken to the more pop oriented route. But to discredit him for this current album would be shy of a felony. Though not matching up with his previous release, Wilson still manages to invoke his unique musical prowess while also trying to find a perfect medium for appealing to the broadest audience. As albums go, this may be Wilsons' most eccentric and accessible album to date.… Expand
  5. Music_Observer
    Sep 12, 2017
    8
    Wilson showed his veteran savvy by delivering one of the year’s best straight-up audacious albums with a brash and vibrant sound anchored by strong electric guitar builds, surprising texture shifts, and intricate harmonic journeys that did well to overcome the slight drawback of melody mostly lacking a pivotal role. My Score: 141/180 (Solid) = 7.8/10
  6. vicus
    Aug 25, 2017
    10
    Definitely this album is Steven's most commercial/mainstream sounding album so far. While being a die-hard fan of prog rock I will probably always prefer listening to the previous Hand.Cannot.Erase. album, I have to say, To The Bone is a masterpiece which should and probably will bring more listeners into the prog realm. A bit of electronica, a bit of UK pop, mixed with energetic riffs andDefinitely this album is Steven's most commercial/mainstream sounding album so far. While being a die-hard fan of prog rock I will probably always prefer listening to the previous Hand.Cannot.Erase. album, I have to say, To The Bone is a masterpiece which should and probably will bring more listeners into the prog realm. A bit of electronica, a bit of UK pop, mixed with energetic riffs and even an Allan Holdsworth style solo, this album is not the usual "almost conceptual" Wilson album. Still, what a great album..… Expand
  7. Benjaminhadley
    Aug 30, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As an artist grows older, tastes, likes and dislikes shift. This in fact feels less like a shift in direction or a bow to the the knife of mediocrity and rather a current space in his mind and as much of a personal album as always, from a growing man. Even with its pop undertone, listening to wilsons music makes everything else taste like hard, sappy candy. Finally a Wilson album to put on over dinner for the deprived without horrifying them and hopefully opening the door to go backward into his illustrious and deep body of work.… Expand
  8. JLuis_001
    Sep 6, 2017
    8
    He dared to change his sound without caring to please his fans. I respect that a lot.

    Some songs are weak no doubt, but overall is a cohesive and good listening.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Record Collector
    Sep 14, 2017
    80
    With enough reference points for old heads to spot and enjoy, but enough invention and melody to stand entirely on its own two feet, To The Bone--with its tales of paranoia and love in the fake news era--is thoroughly recommended.
    Read full review
  2. No Ripcord
    Sep 12, 2017
    80
    This record’s strength is its directness. It may lean more towards the mainstream than usual, but that makes it another fresh move in a career full of them. No matter what styles he tries, Wilson excels. In that case, To The Bone is not so different at all.
    Read full review
  3. The Quietus
    Aug 30, 2017
    50
    To The Bone exposes and splinters insular communities and their ideas of elitism. But by observing the album through this prism alone, its real nature is obscured--that of a flawed and powerless homage.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »