Steven Wilson – On Track / David Bowie – Constellation ‘Heroes’

Author:Nick Holmes, Hans Meertens

Steven Wilson’s career as part of Porcupine Tree has already been covered in an earlier book in the On Track series, but here we have the first of a two volume look at his subsequent solo work. This covers the decade from 2008’s Insurgentes set to 2017’s To The Bone, a period where Wilson experimented with a number of different musical styles, from the prog leanings of The Raven That Refused to Sing to the much more listener friendly 80’s influenced To The Bone. It’s a period that includes what for me remains his masterpiece, 2015’s Hand.Cannot.Erase, and another ser I really like from the same year, the compilation set Transience, which is a great introduction to his more accessible work, focussing as it does on shorter pieces. For those unfamiliar with his music, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s all prog, because these early years also feature jazz, electronica, indie rock and even pop. This is a good, solid look at this part of his career, written by an author who is obviously very well versed in his music, so it’s certainly worth your time investigating this title if you’re a fan as it offers a detailed forensic analysis of not just the five solo albums but also the associated EP’s and the plethora of bonus tracks.

Constellation ‘Heroes’ is a detailed examination of the seminal 1977 Bowie record, which featured in supporting roles, Eno, Robert Fripp and Iggy Pop. Although the title track has become one of those songs you’ve now heard so many times it’s almost over familiar, it has lost none of its power over the subsequent decades. Not only does the author, as you’d expect, examine all the songs in some detail, he also looks at the recording process itself and how the individual pieces were shaped, before delving into the cultural context and lasting legacy of this iconic album. He picks up many interesting cross connections from the sights and sounds of the divided Berlin of that time, and illustrates how those factors inexorably and inevitably infused Bowie’s collage of sound and language. Well worth a read if you’re an ardent Bowiephile, as the book is more than just a linear exploration of the album itself, it also an immersive and deeply considered overview of the creative influences that fed into the music.

Length of Read:Short

Might appeal to people who enjoyed…

The work of these artists.

One thing you’ve learned

I really enjoy these deep dives into albums.

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