NIL RECURRING

Porcupine Tree fans who have already heard the acclaimed Fear Of A Blank Planet album will likely know what to expect from this EP of inconsistent songs recorded during the same sessions. Normal is the pinnacle song here, closely associated with Sentimental from the original album, it stands up as one of the strongest tracks to emerge from the entire sessions. The rest of the Nil Recurring is a rung below, Cheating The Polygraph and What Happens Now? characterised by their growling basslines and edgy, wah- laden guitar solos are both interesting but never quite a reach a level of true genius. Surprisingly the weak link however is the title track, an unmemorable instrumental that not even a guest appearance from veteran Prog Lord Robert Fripp can save, Wedding Nails (From In Absentia) is just so much more accomplished. Fear Of A Blank Planet die hards may be more enthusiastic towards Nil Recurring and while decent Porcupine Tree have certainly done better.