So ya think I like these guys or what?
You know what it is they say about discovering new bands? Well no, in all likelihood you probably don't — so please allow your friendly neighborhood Rockologist to clarify.
For music obsessives like yours truly, the experience of discovering a really great new band can be quite disarming. It's the sound that gets you first. It grabs you by both shoulders and shakes you as if you had been asleep up until that moment. In the really extreme cases, the experience can be life changing.
Like meeting that special someone you have been searching for all your life, a really great new, unheard of before sound can have the effect of making you wonder something like "where have you been all of my life?"
Like that potential soulmate — and yes, contrary to popular perception even us music obsessives have been known to enjoy healthy love lives (well, at least some of us) — you find yourself suddenly wanting, and in fact needing to learn everything there is to know about this wonderful new discovery.
It was like that for me the first time I saw the Beatles as a seven-year-old boy on the Ed Sullivan show. It was like that again when a friend dragged me to see the great white hype that was Bruce Springsteen on his 1975 Born To Run tour.
And it was like that yet again, when earlier this year I discovered an amazing British progressive rock band called Porcupine Tree.
Prior to this year I had never heard of Porcupine Tree — a fact which is now somewhat hard to fathom considering how I pride myself on keeping up on such things. Thank goodness I have friends right here on Blogcritics who are always looking out for the best interests of your Rockologist.
So when a few of those same friends picked up on the fact that there was an old progressive rock fan waiting to come out again in some of my reviews here (the Marillion review had to be the first clue), they rightfully, and thankfully pointed me in the direction of Porcupine Tree.
Article comments
1 - Mike
Welcome to the fold Glen. PT is a very well kept secret, and for the life of me I don't know why. But WE know, and it's our duty has fans to "spread the disease." I was lucky enough to be a DJ when our station got a copy of Stupid Dream and we played Piano Lessons. Next, we were lucky enough to have the band play in our humble city at a club, and all who were there were blown away. I've been a huge fan ever since. They just keep getting better too, which is a plus. I actually just saw them Thursday Night in Albany NY and of course, they were stellar. This band makes me want to scream at people who act and say that they know music, like; "If you know so much about music then who is Porcupine Tree?!" Alot of people still don't have a clue, but they will. If you're really into them check out their fansite Residents Of A Blank Planet. It's a growing Fanclub through the band and all members so far (1336) are very dedicated fans... Peace AND PT forever...
2 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Mike. And thanx for the Digg submission (at least I'm assuming that was you).
-Glen
3 - Tim Kozusko
I discovered PT in the pre-concert tape loop before Roger Waters in 2000 and was an instant fan. I've seen them twice since and they are amazing. Welcome aboard!
4 - Mike
Hey Mike,
Nice review! I agree with what you said here! A friend of mine told me....who is this Steven Wilson and why does he have over 300 releases? Why have we not heard of him here in the US?
Another band he is part of....a more melancholy band...is no-man. Check out their music! It will draw you in ......listen to it while driving through the countryside! Chilling out relaxing....it envelopes you....draws you in until you are captured forever.
Wild Opera, Returning Jesus, Together We're stranger specifically in 5.1 surround! WOW!
Hope you enjoy!
5 - Mike
Hey Glen,
Sorry about calling you Mike...I meant Glen!
Another interesting phase of Steven Wilson is his work on the side project I.E.M. Stands for Incredibly Expanding Mind@#ck. It's his salute to the Krautrock era of music! Also very cool!
Peace!
Mike
6 - Tom Johnson
Really glad we got you turned on to PT, Glen. Now I'm anxious to see what you have to say about no-man and IEM, although the latter's stuff is pretty hard to find. At least do yourself a favor and get, as Mike suggested, Returning Jesus and Together We're Stranger, two really sublimely beautiful albums.
7 - Pico
Lol, Glen, you're such a fanboy.
And so am I.
8 - Glen Boyd
Guilty as charged Pico. And with no apologies I might add. Tom and Mike, yeah I know I need to check out no-man. I just wish that Wilson wasn't such a prolific sumbitch ya know? I mean this whole Porcupine Tree adventure this year has been loads of fun and all, but man is it ever getting expensive.
By the way Tom, I finished getting that little sumptin sumptin we talked about last week burned for ya. Keep an eye on your mailbox next week...
-Glen
9 - Tracey
As others have said, welcome! I'm a relatively new fan myself, having discovered them through Rush fandom in 2004 or so. I thought I'd gotten too old to be a real fangirl of anyone, but PT showed me otherwise. It's been nice having a band I can truly embrace wholeheartedly rather than sort of like rather unenthusiastically, as has been my experience since college. I saw them in Nashville on Oct. 9, and the crowd was small but enthusiastic.
And thanks for the videos. I hadn't seen some of those.
10 - P.G.
I discovered PT almost by accident last year and became a huge fan almost immediately. I have a never ending desire to listen to their music and am captivated continually by the writing, the playing and the whole PT experience. I've turned several of my friends on to PT and they have all been floored. Let's hope that Steven and PT continue this wonderful journey for a very long time to come. I feel very priveleged to be along for the ride...
11 - Dave
Having gotten into the band with Stupid Dream, I have to be completely honest - their recent output disappoints me. It seems like when Steven Wilson started working with Opeth, heavier elements started to creep in to the music. Combine that with the myriad of side projects and the end result is what I perceive is a steady decline since In Absentia. As nice as it is to hear Steven Wilson tackle different genres and ideas, I'd really be refreshed to hear what a more focused Steven Wilson can do.
12 - Kris Deering
Nice to see another PT fan join the fray. I missed the Seattle show as well, though I had tickets. My day job had me on travel that week and I didn't find out until the last minute. I got Arriving Somewhere the next week and it only reminded me of how great of a show I probably missed.
If you haven't had the chance you should try and check out their releases in 5.1. You mention a lot about their layering and soundscapes and being a fan of a lot of 5.1 music I must say they have some of the best recordings out there. Steve personally oversaw the mixes. I just got FOABP in 5.1 but I haven't had the chance to listen yet but I plan to this week. In fact, since I am a Washington resident as well and only a short ferry ride away I would be more than happy to host a 5.1 listening group for Deadwing, In Absentia, Stupid Dream and FOABP to anyone who may be interested. I have a dedicated state of the art theater/music room that can accomidate at least 5 easily.
13 - Glen Boyd
As long as you supply the beer Kris...
-Glen
14 - Kris Deering
I imagine I could wrangle up some.
15 - duane
When I saw the title to the the article, I figured that Glen was going to go on and on over the lyrics or the vocals, and ignore the rest of what makes PT so damned good. But he didn't do that. Good call on Gavin Harrison, Glen. Harrison is blessed with both technical sophistication and good taste. He never overplays, but kicks ass when it's called for.
16 - Pico
I second duane's comments about Gavin Harrison, especially since I happen to be listening to his new release with 05Ric called Drop, right now. The material doesn't come anywhere close to PT's but Gavin's playing there, like with PT, is world class.
17 - Kyle
You should talk about or just hear "Lighbulb Sun"..and also to many at least, "In Absentia" is their greatest achievement (I'm not personally of that feeling, but it's worlds more relistenable than FOABP).
You also should check out the band dredg if you dig PT so much.
18 - Jkinabru
Gavin is a drum god!!!!!Peace....
19 - Steven Gute
Glen,
Your articulate review paralled many of my thoughts and opinions about Porcupine Tree since I saw them open for Opeth in July of 2003. I was there to see Opeth, who still to this day is one of my favorite bands, but I left with a newfound appreciation for the opener PT (who played two encores). The set at the time was mostly from the In Absentia album, yet it was diverse and included tracks like Waiting, Slave called Shiver, Russia on Ice, Lightbulb Sun, and the highlight when they closed with an amazing rendition of Trains. Since then, Porcupine Tree has become my band. Ive followed them on tours up and down california, and tried to spread the gospel of PT to my friends and family.
I think the reason that they havent caught on in the US yet is they refuse to conform to a radio friendly prototype, that keeps the general public from discovering them. And while I cant say that anyone I have ever showed at PT song to has said they disliked the music (even ex girlfriends who had little to no taste in music), the music is very confrontational and disarming. Melodies range from beautiful major passages to diminished scary motifs that can be unsettling to your average listener that hasnt heard much progressive/art rock (like the gregorian chants from Signify you mentioned).
In the documentary "Lamentations" about Opeth, Steven Wilson is interviewed several times about his work with Opeth, specifically his involvement in the Blackwater Park, Deliverance, and Damnation albums. Something he said has stuck with me and I'm sure I will grotesquely misquote him now, but seeing as this is just a casual response to your article, it will do. "What makes Opeth special is their music has amazing contrast. There are moments of harsh brutality, but then they are often times juxtaposed with fleeting moments of beauty. Life is the same way." And while I dont want to take anything away from Opeth's composing, I feel what he said was more a window into his song writing thought process than a commentary of Opeth. Porcupine Tree's music is somber by nature with fleeting beauty, this is evident both musically and lyrically. All of the work Porcupine Tree has created has combined so many different genres, yet it has all had a strange glue that has held it all together. Even the first album Up the Downstair and the awe inspiring Voyage 34 have the same melodic characteristics of that of the new school of PT. Its simply all brilliant.
The part of your article that resounds the most to me and mimics that of pretty much every article I have ever read about PT, is that they are the best kept secret in music. Everyone who discovers them, no matter at what stage of PT's development, wishes they had found them earlier.
Thanks for your article Glen, and keep digging through the PT catalog. Dont forget about the improv album Metatonia that gets largely overlooked by PT fans as well (recorded during the Signify sessions). They have also recorded several other live performances, my favorites are Coma Divine (look for the brilliant live rendition of the Sky Moves Sideways) and Warsawa.
SW is also an amazing producer, and his work with groups like Paatos, Opeth, and Orphaned Land (I cant wait for the new album) is truly inspiring! Thanks again for the article!
Steve
PS - Gavin Harrison is amazing, but Id like to also mention Chris Maitland, who played with them up until In Absentia. He was a pivital part of the band, and is also an amazing drummer.
20 - faye
nice review! I love seeing people getting the same kick out of certain bands as I do, espesh when it's such a well hidden band. I've loved pt for about 3 years now and can't imagine my life without listening to them, they are only equalled in my opinion by dream theater, but no other bands come close to the genius that is steve wilson. ive seen them 3 times and met SW, wesley and barbieri too :) the fact that there are 20 years of albums to listen to is amazing, it's only even in the past few months i've started to properly appreciate and grow to love albums like stupid dream when I previously was obsessed with deadwing and voyage 34. anyway yeah awesome!! X
21 - Alexia
Nice to see someone else had that soulmate reation to their music... I thought I was alone... Glen, there is a PT Seattle Demand It button on my MySpace page (see URL)... Please go hit the button and I'll see you at the show (when they finally get here - I think we're up to 88 hits).
22 - Glen Boyd
I've already signed it Alexia. So I have a question for you: How did you discover this post? The reason I ask is because I find it interesting that it seems to be getting a lot of hits over a week after I first posted the article. I'm curious where they are coming from. Anyway, hope to see ya at P Tree's next show here. Cheers!
-Glen
23 - Alexia
Hiya Glen!
The Steven Wilson Streen Team posted the link on MySpace in a bulletin a few days back.
24 - Cosmik Chris
Hey everyone, the vid of "Dark Matter" performed in Mexico City was mentioned here. P. Tree hasn't performed the glorious DM live as often as their other gems. However, you can watch a verzh of it at the end of a free concert webcast on studiomlive.com. It's part of a 2-song encore, along with "Tinto Brass" and both are Porcupine Tree in all their psychedelic glory.
The stage is very dark and you can see Steven hunched over his guitar much of the time, presumably straining his eyes to see his guitar strings in the smoky light. Both songs are amazing, and the entire concert features exceedingly high sonic and visual quality. The concert was in Baltimore, 2002, so it's heavy on "In Absentia" material (which is a good thing). (-:
Rock on, the Tree! There has never ever been a band as ah-some as Porcupine Tree, and I will continue to turn on as many people to them as I can while on this planet...
--Cosmik Chris
25 - Dushyant Goel
Its funny how after you listen to a band after ten years of listening to music and it just changes your perception of music.
I love Porcupine Tree. If you do not like them, I'm afraid there is a problem. The guitar solo in Lightbulb Sun, Always Never..the confused depression in Stop Swimming, pure psychaedelica in Voyage 34 and Sky Moves..the sheer landscape of Trains.
The band can take you places in your mind. It opens your mind to music, listen to each and everything thing, this amazing artist has recorded.
For the sake of music.