The charming pop-ballad "Lazarus" follows, giving you a chance to catch your breath after the opening one-two punch of "Open Car" and "Blackest Eyes", and this beautiful performance makes it clear how that song could have easily outshined anything else on the pop music charts last year, had it been given the proper chance. The first real highlight of the concert shows up next via the only Lightbulb Sun inclusion, "Hatesong". This one kicks off in heavy jazz-funk mode, transitions between hard rock choruses, and eventually melts into an extended fusion jam that highlights the exceptional drumming skills of Gavin Harrison. If anyone needs convincing that this guy is one of the best drummers in the business, check out this dazzling performance. During this song, Wilson brilliantly uses the DTS surround mix to weave his guitar solo back and forth between the front and rear speakers to great effect.
The setlist only takes you back as far as 1999's Stupid Dream and one of that album's centerpieces, "Don't Hate Me", shows off some of the band's more moody, Floydian roots. This probably wasn't the best choice from that album though, considering that the song's cool flute and sax solos could not be performed. "Buying New Soul" from the 2001 B-side collection, Recordings, has quickly established itself as a fan favorite due to some incredible live performances on this last tour. The song opens with a beautiful piano and keyboard passage from the underrated Richard Barbieri, before Wilson chimes in on acoustic guitar to carry you off on a hypnotic seven-minute journey into the abyss.
Wilson also dusted off a couple of Deadwing B-sides for this set - "So Called Friend" and "Mother and Child Divided". "So Called Friend" is a fairly average rock song, for this band, and was not really a worthy contender for this DVD, when considering some of the other established songs that didn't make the cut. "Mother and Child Divided", however, is an intense prog-rock instrumental in the style of Rush's "YYZ", and was definitely worthy of its spot on this tour.
The DVD was aptly named, because the feature song of this tour was certainly "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here". This 13-minute Deadwing epic has quickly become a fan favorite and was the concert highlight both times I saw the band live. It was the absolute highlight of this DVD as well. "Halo" was the obvious choice to close out this incredible first set, with its perfect blend of psychedelic-laced metal guitar riffs, spacey synthesizer backdrop, galloping funky bass lines, and near jazz-fusion drumming that is all wrapped around another irresistible chorus. The lyrics were also displayed on the video screen as Wilson preached them, and they are some of his best, dealing with the way people use their God and religion as an excuse for almost anything. A sampling:
Article comments
1 - The Craw
Nice review! Thanks for revealing the band's unique and powerful flavor so articulately. They have been my favorite band since 1995's Signify album, which remains a favorite.
I myself quite enjoyed Lasse's video work, and didn't feel it was overblown, but we all have our personal preferences. (Oh, and "So Called Friend" is one of my favorites too, but that might be because it is so damned fun to PLAY that song. Hahaha!)
Great review, and thanks for joining the Porcupine Tree fanbase!!
I did not see any mention that this tour also included 4 or 5 songs from their upcoming new album, which gave us a look at their direction.
One 15-minute piece, tentativley entitled "The Beast" was a full-on assault much like Futile, but with lots of interwoven parts. OTher songs featured classic PTree acoustics blended with harmonies and hard riffs. AWESOME STUFF!
Oh yes, and don't forget that the new Blackfield album (collaboration with Israeli artist Aviv Geffen) drops some time shortly after the New Year!
2 - Paul Roy
Thanks. I also reviewed both of the PT concerts I attended at my personal site if you follow the link above. You are right, the 17-minute "Beast" was awesome, and the new album is shaping up to be killer.