DEADWING

This was my first PT studio album, and as such it still remains my favourite - and I love the haunting cover. Every so often I just get it out and stare at it, and it gives me a warm feeling. And this all thanks to your website, and my wife criticising me for living in the past (and being fed up with my constant ramblings about Pink Floyd). I was looking for a current band that sounded like PF, and your website informed me that PT would be a good choice. I actually started with Coma Divine - and I wasn't disappointed!!!! Thank you Prog Archives!

However, it wasn't until I heard this that I was truly converted - on receiving this as a Christmas present in 2005. As you can see I have waited a long time before giving this review - and this album has not waned. Maybe a little less like PF than Coma Divine, but by now PT have devleloped their sound to an awesome mix of beauty, grace, icy atmospheres, georgeous melodies to raw rock and power - such a fusion!! Aren't "fusions" like that the definition of Progressive Rock? And also the defintion of new Prog - the artist plays it, and then denies it's Prog (all the best Prog artists do that !!) - makes out it's just rock and quite simple really!! (Hmmm.... simple?? I certainly can't play it). The beauty of Steven Wilson's music is simply the fact that he thought of it all in the first place!!!!

There are a lot of heavyweight riffs in this, and I know a lot of you don't like that, but personally I don't see it that way - it totally rocks and is something you certainly don't feel embarrassed with when playing to your teenage sons!!! Try playing early Genesis or Yes to them and you'll see what I mean - don't get me wrong genesis and Yes are fabulous, but the next generation doesn't understand)

Another complaint is that PT's last 3 albums have been worked to a similar formula (In Absentia, Deawing and Fear of a Blank Planet) - but when you have found such a fantastic formula (a mix of icy atmosphere and heavyweight riffs and lush melodies) why the heck would you want to change??? I mean every other artist I know has always done such. I love all these 3 latest albums, and am desperately waiting for more in the same vein!! Nil Recurring was also magnificent!! Anyway, over the years PT HAVE been changing their formula bit by bit until they at last now have found their feet (they are not confused as some would say).

I love the 2000's PT style and it really works - and I beg you all to try and see it my way.

Come on everyone - you can't fail to like this! I mean 77% of the contributors in this site rate this as 4 or 5 stars! That makes it 3 chances in 4 that you'll love it...

A review of the tracks....

Deadwing - a truly awe inspiring piece of 10 minutes of iciness, melody and metal - a piece that defines the album ahead (one odd thing - I've never heard a live version of this one - has anybody?) 10/10

Shallow - this is pure rock, an amazingly powerful song - not for lovers of symphonic prog, but something "you can shake your a*** to" !! 9/10

Lazarus - a beautiful piece of modern psychedelic pop (something that PT do best) - great piano, great melody. One my wife really likes (see comment above). 9/10

Halo - a most peculiar rocker. Love the way Steve plays the guitar next to the machine heads on this. A great lyric (even if you are religious like me). A good one for fans of the Halo game on the Xbox. Fabulous live - a great encore piece. 9/10

Arriving Somewhere.... A deep gasp of breath on this - totally moving. THIS IS PORCUPINE TREE'S FINEST MOMENT (well 12 minutes of moment!). The greatest track ever!!! Although Anaethetise on fear of a blank Planet competes with this. Everything I have said above combines in this - PT's defining song - this will convert anyone! This has a melody to make you come out in goose-pimples! Lsuh guitar work, fantastic drumming, icy atmosphere and metal riffs to die for - I can't imagine PT will ever beat this. 10++++/10

Mellotron Scratch. I think this is subtly Steve Wilson's complaint against Prog rock. A very interesting and different piece of music - quite different!!! Give this a chance - you may not like it at first, but it really grows on you. 8/10

Open Car - A real georgeous rocker - this has become a bit of an anthem for some of my son's teenage friends. Again -0 fabulous live track. 9/10

The Start of Something Beautiful - I totally love this - a very moving and deeply sad lyric (have you seen the awesome movie with those weird metal robots that goes with this). Truly progressive - lovely melody, great depth, amazing guitar. What a masterpiece!! 10++/10

Glass Arm Shattering - my least favourite track on the album, but a nice gentle ending to wind down on after listening right through, and still very good. Soft, melodious - not one for the metal-heads! 8/10

Overall, after two years - a masterpiece - there's no doubt - I cannot recommend it enough!

There are rumours of a screenplay - anyone know of this? (I can't wait!) The whole concept of the album is strange/ bizarre - can't get my head around it - but I feel it's generally about sadness and things not working out in your life....

LONG LIVE PORCUPINE TREE!!!