Amazing, sure, but their best? Nah.

Anesthetize is a great track, but Arriving Somewhere scores alot higher on my "epic song list".

The first four songs here are fantastic, but the last two kinda ruin the album's flow. Still much better than The Incident, mind you, but you should really hear Deadwing and In Absentia or, if you like their alternative side (like me), Stupid Dream. Those have better songs, more variety, and better flow respectively.

But hey, this one's still great!

EDIT: Actually... those last two songs have grown on me.

This is a good album, but I don't think it's their best. In Absentia and even Deadwing give it a real run for its money.

Why is this their highest ranked album here?

50 sublime minutes of music with added Alex Lifeson to boot. Not a wasted moment on this album - Anaesthetise is 17mins which feels like 5. Sleep Together is an awesome song - particularly good live.

Not as strong as Deadwing, this album still manages to contains a number of classic tracks - Sentimental and Anaesthetise. IMO the title track is possibly one of Steven Wilson's worst production efforts - it sounds too "messy" for my liking. I am sure it was deliberate on his part but I would prefer to hear a clearer sound from this song.

One of the best modern prog rock albums I have heard in years.

May be the greatest music achievement of the decade,it lifts me up into realms of wonder.every single track of "Fear Of A Blank Planet" is enriched by tiny details,that makes you listen to it over and over.brilliant portrait of our times.an ingenious,awesome chef-d'oeuvre.

You know you're listening to a well-written album when a 17 minute song doesn't drag. A captivating and lively conceptual piece with stellar musicianship (especially the drumming) and constantly shifting dynamics. My only wish is that the band had further explored the symphonic and electronic ideas only hinted at during these songs. Also, the figures that are sung about often come across more like empty stereotypes than real people, which is an issue since the lyrical content solely revolves around them. Not quite the incisive social commentary it strives to be, but it sure sounds good in the attempt.

intelligent lyrics, powerful music, epic atmosphere; and all have gathered in a modern masterpiece called 'Fear Of A Blank Planet'.

nice atmosphere! Anesthetize was also great