Album Review: Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.

Considering Wilson’s tendency to dissect the atypical or just downright eerie, the true story of a woman who died alone and remained undiscovered for some years is a tailor-made concept piece for the venerable Englishman.

While defined somewhat by the singer-songwriter’s ‘70s prog roots, it’s not confined by them. The 13-minute Ancestral is contrasted by a memorable title track underlining off-kilter pop sensibilities. Soundscapes and Israeli singer Ninet Tayeb’s eerily melancholic presence weave in and out; Guthrie Govan’s leads on Regret #9 stun. For those with a penchant for the haunting and dense.