DEADWING

With a little prog, a little metal, some ambiance, and a bit of alternative thrown together, Deadwing is a terrific blend of styles and influences. The downside is that this results in an album that I find a bit too eclectic to be considered a masterpiece, but on the other hand, it makes for a fine album that remains fresh and interesting throughout.

The singles are largely enjoyable, from the heavy riffing and general noisiness of Shallow to the catchy tenderness of Halo. But the main draws for me are the extended pieces. The title track is far from a prog epic, and at its heart is basically ten minutes of up-tempo rock; however, the melodies, pacing, and variety really pull the piece together. Plus, anytime the term "up-tempo" is associated with the work of Gavin Harrison, I'm usually going to find the piece interesting.

And of course the capstone, Arriving Somewhere But Not Here. This song has meant a great deal to me personally, and it will always occupy a special place in my mind and soul. Plus, it's just a killer song. Although I normally don't care for ambiance, the beginning works perfectly by building to some wonderful vocal harmonies. When Gavin kicks in, we are off and running, and there is no turning back (i.e., stay in the car to finish the song, no matter what!). I also love the instrumental break...it's amazing how simple it really is, but almost like a Zeuhl effect, the players are pushing so hard that it's impossible for me not to get sucked in. Just fantastic stuff, and right up there with Starless and Song for America in Flucktrot's favorite mini-epics.

So, a solid album with nice variety and one massive, essential highlight. Nice work once again, PT boys!