LIGHTBULB SUN

It's the weakest of Porcupine Tree's Radiohead trilogy (yes, worse than the B-side album), but that's probably just due to the lack of a major standout. "Russia on Ice" flirts with being that standout through its incredible opening half, but then spins off into an uninspiring psych rock jam, complete with a corny as all hell wah section. This is a repeated problem here, and something that Steven would fortunately rectify later. It's odd that a man so against the institution of guitar-centrism feels the need to pack his songs filled with so many drab solos.

But the good parts from Stupid Dream are still here - the sweet britpop hooks, the awesome use of simple-but-effective drum/bass grooves, and there are even some great inclusions of strings to top it all off. Some of these tracks do feel a bit like attempts to ride the coat-tails of britpop, but pop hooks were always Steve's biggest strength, whether sincere or attempting to create a hit. Some of these probably should have been hits, but I'm glad he abandoned this sound when they failed, because it could have ended up in a long run of diminishing returns if this was continued.

7.8 (11th listen)

Share this PORCUPINE TREE review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Gallifrey
• Report this review (#615418)
• Buy PORCUPINE TREE music online with PA partners
• Show all PORCUPINE TREE MP3/Stream
• Go to PORCUPINE TREE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Lightbulb Sun page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PORCUPINE TREE related discussions