THE INCIDENT

I write these few lines after assisting yesterday night to PT's concert in Barcelona. I need to listen to an album played live (any album, but mostly the most "difficult" ones, like this) before forming a full opinion on their value. Thus, I can frankly say that THE INCIDENT is a masterpiece of progressive rock, all ages, all styles, period. Mainly because it puts together jn oen piece of music (the title track) all those things we love about the band: the experimental edge (The incident, Kneel and disconnect, Octane twisted), the power (Occam's razor, Circle of manias), the seventies' feeling (the iccomensurable Time Flies, Kneel and disconnect), and the melody (Drawing the line, I drive the hoarse, black house). But it so does in non- predictable, highly creative ways. This record is more balanced by the previous records, like the "too pop" Stupid dream and Lightbulb sun, or the "too metal" FOABP and In Absentia, and does not let down the lovers of the band's most experimental period. For me, the Sky Moves Sideways remains the "dream album" of the post-seventied but The Incident is probably the best and more mature effort. Among the EP songs, I was particularly stricken by Bonnie the Cat and its splendid live rendition. Hands down, well done, Steven & company. PS majestic performance also by John Wesley yesterday, by the way.