Ever since I was recently reintroduced to the music of Marillion — a band I used to like quite a bit in the eighties that I'd long since forgotten about — I've been repeatedly hearing the name of another prog-rock band called Porcupine Tree. In e-mails and in comments on my articles about Marillion people have been telling me that this is a band I need to check out.
So earlier today as I was doing my laundry, I stopped into my neighborhood record store as my clothes were drying and saw a promo copy of Porcupine Tree's Fear Of A Blank Planet in the used CD rack and picked it up. And you know what? They were right. I haven't been able to stop listening to this CD since I got it home several hours ago. In fact, Porcupine Tree has just officially become my favorite new band.
In a sense, this kind of pisses me off on at least one level since they played here two weeks ago and I passed on going because I couldn't drum up any interest in going from my friends. The guy I usually go to shows with these days passed because — like me — he hadn't heard any of their stuff. Based on what I have heard on this CD, I hope they come back soon.
Musically speaking, Porcupine Tree are all over the map on this album. On Blank Planet's seventeen minute long centerpiece "Anesthetize" alone, they go from a lilting melody centered around light bells right into metallic riffage straight out of Tool territory. The sound here just washes itself all over you. Somewhere in the middle of all that, Rush's Alex Lifeson provides a great guitar solo.
What is even more interesting about these guys though is the lyrics. Steven Wilson sings about everything from drugs to pornography on this album, but mostly he sings about drugs. From the title track, there is the line "the pills that I've been taking confuse me." Later in the song he lyricizes about a friend in a band that "sound like Pearl Jam, the clothes are all black, the music is crap." I knew there was something about these guys I liked.
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Article comments
1 - Jared Wright
Great review.
"This is just great stuff, and Porcupine Tree is a band that I can promise you I will be exploring much, much further."
Good, Start here, and happy exploring. You'll have to let me know what you think of PT's work as you find more of it. They're really a bright spot in a genre that's getting less progressive by the day.
2 - Glen Boyd
Jared,
So "Absentia" is the best place to start then? Based on album artwork, I was kind of eyeing Warszawa, but since your a fan, I'll take your word for it. And I'll try and get back to you with what I think. Glad you liked the review and thanx for the comment.
-Glen
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
..for someone so few people have actually heard of..
I believe that's a misconception with PT. They are pretty well known it's just that they are Musician's music,which as Jared pointed out, they may be moving away from the whole "prog" thing. I don't buy it,though, because when you listen to this album it may seem light on the surface but there quite a few odd arrangements. The fact that he did work with Mr. Lifeson & Mr. Fripp could prove my point but that's my opinion.
Glen, I bet if you dig a bit further you'll see Steve Wilson has a habit of working with the big guns(O.S.I,Opeth,etc)
Still, they are a great band... You may find In Absentia to be an album with a harder edge.
4 - your wiki guide
this is what I really like about BlogCritics Magazine. weekly reviews simply updates me and introduces me to the newest and truly great music!!! if the Cd has still the promo or not, I would love to have it played next...
5 - Tracey
I'd urge you to google some of Steven Wilson's recent interviews about Fear of a Black Planet. FoaBP is kind of a concept album, and most of the lyrics are in the voice of a young teenager who's disconnected, halfway stoned on the ADD meds his parents make him take and just passing time with porn and violent video games. It was inspired by Bret Easton Ellis' "Lunar Park."
And yeah, happy exploring. You're in for quite a ride.
6 - Glen Boyd
Thanx for pointing that out Tracey. That actually explains a lot. I;m still something of a newbie to this band (as I point out in the review) and knew nothing of the back story when I sat down to listen to this album. So yeah, knowing that clears a lot up. Thanx again for tipping me off to that.
-Glen
7 - Peter
Great review and as some already told you: you are in for one hell of a great ride!!
Porcupine Tree is my second favourite band after Marillion but closing in fast!!
Fear Of A Blank Planet is already my 3rd favourite album from them; In Absentia and Stupid Dream come still first. You really need to listen to both these albums; showing a very different side from the band.
And when you are in for some more new music [ if you haven't heard them already ] I suggest you check out Riverside Just begin listening to The Curtain Falls and Dance With The Shadow and I think you will be impressed.....
8 - nana
Hey, Glen, I agree with starting with In Absentia, but get Warszawa, too. Steven has stated that it's their best live album as far as sound goes, but this was before the Arriving Somewhere...DVD and soundtrack. OH, wait, dang, get Deadwing, too, you've GOT to hear Arriving Somewhere But Not Here and Open Car studio versions. Wait! Get the Stupid Dream remaster...no, wait for the Lightbulb Sun remaster to come out this year...no, go way back and get The Sky Moves Sideways or Signify or the XM sessions I and II. Actually, go to Burning Shed and download Futile, there are some free tracks there as well.
hahahahahahahaha!!!! Have fun!!!!
nana
9 - Glen Boyd
Thanx for clearing that up for me Nana. No, really...thanks so much. LOL ---
-Glen
10 - Glen Boyd
Well so far, I found In Absentia and The Sky Moves Sideways (2 CD) in the used bin at my CD store, so I guess I'm off and running.
They also had Metanoia which I passed on (only had about twenty bucks to spend). Did a little searching online too and I think I'll also be looking into the live DVD based on the YouTube videos I saw (didnt like the way a lot of them switch from color to black & white though). Maybe some Blackfield too...liked the bits I heard there as well.
Yeah, quite an adventure. I think these guys are definitely gonna become a favorite new band of mine. Thanks to all for the suggestions.
-Glen
11 - Glen Boyd
Three words for The Sky Moves Sideways Phase Two: Oh ::: My ::: God.
-Glen
12 - Tom Johnson
Glen, as others have pointed out, you're in for quite a ride. PT has been growing album after album, and Wilson branches out with his Blackfield project with the "lighter" material that doesn't fit PT anymore. I'll second the recommendation for In Absentia and Stupid Dream as those are my favorites as well. Also highly recommended is the double-live album Coma Divine. I really think PT has settled into their true sound with the latest three albums, however.
As for Lightbulb Sun, I don't think it's a great album - good, but not great. A step down from Dream, as if Wilson wasn't quite sure what to do next. It's out of print now and will be reissued some time in 2008, at the earliest, from what I read.
13 - Glen Boyd
Tom (and everybody else),
Thank you for all the recommendations. So far, I've picked up about six albums, plus the live DVD. I'll rank em' as I see em' below:
FOABP: Great. I love all of the texturing on this record from the heavy stuff to the more nuanced. Favorite tracks are "Sentimental" and "Anesthetize"
DEADWING: Another great one. Love "Lazurus," "Halo" and especially "Arriving Somewhere From Here"
THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS: This one is just nuts and I love it. The second "phase" of the title track sounds like nothing I have ever heard--and definitely not the same band as on the more recent albums. The guitar on this is just insane.
IN ABSENTIA: Didn't grab me nearly as hard as I've led to believe by those recommending it, but is still quite good. I probably need this one to grow on me a bit more.
UP THE DOWNSTAIR: Another one from what I'm guessing was PT's "psychedelic period." Its spotty, but again it does have a few standout tracks -- my favorites being "Synthesia", "Always Never" and "Fadewaway"
METANOIA: I understand this is some sort oof companion piece to "Signify." I'm just gonna call this one "interesting" and leave it at that. Can you say Spinal Tap "jazz oddysey"?
So I have fallen in love this band. When every single record sounds different as is the case with these guys, each new listen becomes a new experience. I can't stop listening to this band. Thanx to all for the recommendations.
-Glen
14 - Timmo
You must get "Stupid Dream."
The best of their albums, save, for me, FoaBP now.
Very different, very "song oriented" and melodic, but definitely with a "bite," just not a "metallic" one.
15 - Tunefreak
Well, you've been bitten by the bug now, there's no turning back. A great band waiting to happen on a large scale, even though some of thier fans don't want them to get big. I just wish that "radio" would give them some play...
P's,
Mike