LIGHTBULB SUN

This album was the bulb that enlightened my mind regarding progressive rock. No doubt about it, Lightbulb Sun presents a very melodic music focused much on more classical structures adopted especially by the acoustic guitar which is why I found it very accessible when I first listened to it. Being probably the softest Porcupine Tree record, I have to say I find it very relaxing and the way the band approaches the electronic side of their music is also very euphonic unlike the more distorted or dark one featured on other albums especially on In Absentia and Deadwing. Psychedelia is omnipresent in Porcupine Tree's music and this record doesn't lack it at all. Songs like Shemovedon or Hate Song show how the psychedelic sound contributes to the atmosphere putting emphasis on guitar solos that come along with these moments.

One thing certain about Porcupine Tree is that psychedelic songs follow a typical structure that can also be found in the music of Nine Inch Nails and, to be more precise, on the album entitled The Fragile (Porcupine Tree's official web page cites this album as a one of big influence). At first, a simple rhythm is set by the bass along with which the drums come and blast more notes here and there creating great excitement in the song. The layout then captures the listener's attention not with great technique but with great production and intelligence. It's just like Steven Wilson said in an interview, his music is not necessarily about the technique but about choosing the right sound and putting it in the right place. Moreover, I would like to add that the sound gets heavier and heavier and more complex as the track progresses because of the continuous add of new musical elements meaning samplers, guitar riffs, long keyboard notes, synthesised parts and so on.

Another important aspect of the album is that the songs are generally divers, some of them being worthy of radio transmissions, others of self discovering.

Not a masterpiece, but an excellent addition to any prog collection.