SELLING INSINCERITY

4.5 stars. I guess it was a year or so ago I first heard of this band, so I checked out their "MySpace" page and was promptly amazed at how much they sounded like PORCUPINE TREE. I asked my daughter who is a huge PT fan to check out the song I was listenening to but she wasn't amused. When I finally got "Selling Insincerity" I asked her she wanted to borrow it but she politely declined. This is an album that seems to polarise PORCUPINE TREE fans, those who dismiss them as a clone band and those like me who are blown away at how good this music sounds. One thing i've noticed though is that even those who aren't happy about this record sounding like PT have to admit it's an incredible album to listen to. This record is quite heavy at times and really has that "In Absentia" / "Deadwing" flavour to it. I should mention as well that Joshua the singer and lead guitarist has vocals that are very similar to Steven Wilson although he lists Chris Corner from the SNEAKER PIMPS as his biggest influence vocally.They do thank Steven "Frowns-a-lot" Wilson in the liner notes. Haha.

"Mazurka" is the 1 minute intro before we get to "Close" one of the best tracks on here. Here we go ! Crushing guitar intro as heavy drums and bass pound their way in. Love the synths in the background.This is amazing ! It settles and vocals come in.This sounds so good.The contrasts continue. A calm 3 1/2 minutes in before it slowly starts to build to the heaviest riffs yet. Great tune ! "Waiting Room" opens with spacey synths and guitar before it gets fuller with the guitar leading the way. Vocals join in while synths continue with prominant drums. Piano comes in before 2 minutes and comes and goes. Nice guitar solo after 3 minutes. Another great song. "Love Sounds" opens with synths as piano and drums joins in. Vocals before a minute.The vocals and drumming start to dominate.Tasteful guitar 4 minutes in. It kicks into a higher gear with heavy drums and bass after 4 1/2 minutes.The guitar starts to rip it up before 5 1/2 minutes and a wall of sound follows. Killer sound !

"Sellout" opens with crunchy riffs before it settles and these soft STONE ROSES-like vocals take over.This contrast continues. Check out the bass before 2 minutes ! It gets pretty heavy-duty here and later on. "Dead Peoples Review" opens heavily and I like the keys that come in then the tempo picks up. It quickly settles with vocals.This is so good. Can't help but smile about this feel good tune. Some processed vocals and piano before 2 minutes. "Monochrome" has this mellow intro before the guitar simply soars. Gorgeous.The drums are steady as the vocals come in. Excellent guitar 3 minutes in. Like the previous track this one makes me happy.

"Windows" opens with strummed guitar and synths. Drums and vocals follow. Some harmonies in this one too. This is the third track in a row that sounds amazing and isn't heavy. That all changes with the next one called "Cerulean Blue". This would have fit well on the "Deadwing" album. Heavy bass and drums with lots of synths on this one.The processed vocals are deep and from the pit. Haha. Check out the guitar a minute in. Huge bass after 4 minutes, an all out assault follows. Back to those fat bass lines before it kicks back in. Spacey after 5 minutes then all hell breaks loose ! "Seeping" has this circus-like rhythm as vocals come in. Love when it stops and Joshua sings with more passion. Contrasts continue until it changes after 2 minutes with strummed guitar, bass and drums. It turns crushingly heavy before 4 minutes. Nice. "Mother May I ?" is spacey with keys to open. Heavy bass and drums as vocals arrive. A powerful chorus on this one. They kick ass before 4 minutes. I like the guitar that follows.

I have zero complaints about the music here, it fits my tastes perfectly. I understand their new one is coming out shortly, it would be nice if they start to find more of their own sound, but if they don't i'm not going to complain.