NIL RECURRING

The valuable currency of Porcupine Tree is that over the last two decades they have offered a wide variety of sonic landscapes from which to choose. If your mood lends itself to more introspective music, Up The Downstair might be right for the moment. However if you are in th mood for a bloodletting, this EP with its crashing guitars, Frippisms, and solid rock drumming by Gavin, may just be the right ticket.

It seems many people attempt to take ownership of PT in a sort of smug, "I was there in the beginning and saw their vision and embraced it" sort of way. This can lead to bitter feelings when the band explores different ways of musical expression. It also appears that there may be a backlash to the heavy marketing of the band (read "selling out") that some folks think is anathema to prog rock. Yes, this EP is expensive and aimed at parting you from your hard earned prog dollars, but, for MY money, I love it. This is not an album I put on when I have a dinner date, but it sure is, when, me and the lads are getting ready to go to a hockey game.

Enjoy this spectacular 28 minutes of heavy prog when the mood is right.

4.6 stars