PINEAPPLE THIEF

As expressed by a bevy of seasoned reviewers, there are two facets to Pineapple Thief, a proggy epic style that is wholly exhilarating and a poppier/alternative style that is perhaps less sonically enthralling but full of edge (U2 pun!) and bravado by infusing some psychedelic flavorings. Frankly, both tendencies are most interesting in their absolute originality. Between the 2 massive epics there are 6 outright songs like that follow this brighter, sweeter formula, each tune different, adorned with multi-hued little glares of beaming light and acute interest in tweaking the listener's ear. Slick and adventurous like the electro-synth intro of "No One Leaves this Earth", which nods towards parent band Vulgar Unicorn, loaded up with ingenious effects , whispering words and anomalous sounds. When the twangy lead guitar kicks in, the Manzanera effect becomes noticeable, screwing the notes tighter and tighter into a 6 string vise! "Punish Yourself" is a masochist anthem that has some metal garbage can beats that are quite appealing, this is nevertheless very dark and brooding, not something I can really get off on! The structurally quixotic "Everyone Must Perish" selects glittering synths to create the initial melody (and quite compellingly), a hypnotic assemblage of effects that swerve, float and occasionally vanish only to reappear suddenly, again very far from your readily available commercial pop but still weird. Even on a more up-tempo ditty like "Judge the Girl" , both the guitar and the bass remain simply stunning even though I care little for the wonky vocal. This where the truth finally arrives, clear and concise: I love the music, the style and the originality but these whining vocal stylistics are not my preference (which explains why I have no Radiohead and Pumpkin records in my huge collection). My loss I guess! The mesmerizing "Parted Forever" is definitely the highlight reel track here, a glittering prize (as the Simple Minds would put it) of ozonated sound and spectral effects where the synths and e-guitar are simply fabulous. Because of the wide berth given to explore various sonic realms, Soord really gets to stretch out comfortably in a variety of directions, using his axe as a tonal directory of exalted soloing and having loads of fun in the process, nothing ever feeling forced or contrived. One of my favorite tracks ever!

In my opinion, this aspect of Pineapple Thief is really the most alluring reason why a progfan should investigate further. I must say that "Variations" was a strange disappointment to me, still cannot figure out why I just cannot click with it, outside of the final 16 minute "Remember Us" !

This has 4 horned kidnappers in my book.

Yes, that is indeed one way of looking at it, but frankly who cares about labels anyway? It is just a way of describing music so that someone reading a comment might get an idea of what the music is about and then may make a decision based on that. In this case it is definitely a case of if you enjoy the bands mentioned above then this is an extremely polished rock album that you will gain a great deal from and you ought to investigate further. www.pineapplethief.com

The Pineapple Thief, initially a vehicle for main man Bruce Soord's solo work, have been going as a band proper since around 2002 (or around 3000 days, more of which later) and have released a number of fine albums leading to this, their most compelling work to date, literally hot offf the presses! Comparisons have been made to Radiohead, but luckily they lack that band's tendency to stray into pretentiousness. Even on TPT's longer songs the basic song-writing craft is never far from the surface. You can't ever imagine TPT doing an avant jazz album without actually knowing how to play jazz for starters.

Bruce's lyrical themes are similar in a way to Thom Yorke's - there's a lot of regret, obsession, and a sprinkling of paranoia, and if you're not one for melancholic lyrics don't be put off, as the music is often of an epic scale and lifts the whole thing to another level.

This great album kicks off with Nothing At Best - welcome to the pulsebeat - it rocks! This is one of the three standout tracks for me, and should be played at neigbour annoying levels! The next track has an almost glam-like feel to it in places, and builds to a suitably intense climax. The most satisfying track for me at the mo', given that I've only played the cd a few times so far, is Preparation For Meltdown, an epic of great electronica programming with a very noisy scratchy guitar chaos ending. Lovely. Barely Breathing - Lighters aloft for a slower acoustic led number following the noise fest of the previous number. Show A Little Love is an epic song of love and regret and storms along. Another immediate favourite is 3000 Days, which is also the title of their must have career spanning compilation of a few months ago. This song is an epically (that word again) constructed stadium sized anthem, to the point where around two minutes from the end an almost Zep like riff crashes in. The neighbours are hammering on the walls by now. The closer, So We Row (as in boat, not argument) is a slow burner and a good ending.

Now for some theorising. Throughout the album their are lyrical pointers that seem to suggest that Bruce Soord has, after over ten years of releasing music, come to a point where he might be feeling he's had enough. Lines like "And is. Is no-one listening" (title track), "I've been running around in circles, running into the ground.....We've barely found the time to waste our precious lives" (3000 Days) "I want to say how much I need just a break" (So We Row) suggest to me this is a man who's worn out trying.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong, and possibly a little paranoid. It would be a crying shame if this great band did not find the success they sorely deserve, especially when there's bland rubbish like Coldplay, etc out there dominating festivals and making the big buck.

BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!!!!

Showcasing their Someone Here Is Missing album from earlier in the year, the album also includes many highlights from earlier in their career. Some of the songs here are extended versions of the originals, and as such give one a good idea of the band's live dynamic.

Some nice wah guitar features in Tightly Wound, So We Row veers into space rock territory, the 14 and 1/2 minute Too Much To Lose is a lesson in building and releasing musical tension, 3000 Days has a great almost Zeppelin-like coda with some fine guitar thrashing from Bruce. Wake Up The Dead is the song that comes in for the dreaded Radiohead comparison in other reviews here, but ignore that and take it on its own pulse-beat driving merits and it will have you jumping round the room. A great song to put on while getting ready to hit the town methinks...I was young once you know!

Unfairly compared on these pages to Muse & Radiohead, Pineapple Thief have over many years developed their own distinctive sound, and those who think otherwise are maybe blinded by their own prejudices. While probably more indie rock than out and out prog, the only similarity to Muse and Radiohead is the sharing of a modern post rock sound, but PT's songs stand on their own. Pineapple Thief lack the overblown pomposity of Muse, and write more melodic material than Radiohead, a band that often fail to live up to their ambitions in my opinion.

Now to the rating - although I've given this only 3 stars, that is from the criteria stipulated, as this album is not an "Excellent addition to any prog collection" as you will not find weird time signatures or stunning displays of musical dexterity here. As a general rating however, and without the constraints of the prog definition I would give it 4 stars as it is a mighty fine post- rock tour de force.

For someone unfamiliar with this band this is as good a place to start as any, and I highly recommend it.

Actually, if I were a great fan of indie and post rock, or certainly writing a review for such a site, then this would probably rate at least a good album. However, on both criteria, I am not. This is a prog site, and i have to say that the only prog related reason this album is on the site is because of the painfully obvious similarities to Muse & Radiohead. I am not a fan of the former, so cannot really comment. I certainly do love Radiohead, and the simple fact of the matter is that that band do this type of stuff in a vastly superior manner to Pineapple Thief.

There are many culprits on this album, but if there are any worse derivative tracks than Wake Up The dead, then I would like to hear them. Basically, this is Yorke and greenwood, plus production effects, without the genius associated with those two.

If you have to own every single album by this band, then you will need to buy this. I do not.

Two stars for a decent enough (but not that good) indie album, but one that contains barely a hint of any form of progressive rock whatsoever.

I believe fans of simple, melancholic pop-rock with electronic arrangements will find this album quite attractive. Musicians are competent, songs have something what could be counted as melodies, vocalist's voice is dreamy and even romantic in moments. You can drive your car (if you have one, or if you are old enough to have driving license), make your homeworks,etc. and listen this album. Really not too much annoying background sound.

Yes, to be more attractive guys adding some (very stereotype) heavy rock elements to their sound. Not like their music really needs it, but possibly it's more like salt and pepper in your everyday soup.

From positive side I must to say, that comparing with myriads of their market competitors they are really above average in sense of musicality level and even arrangements. And for sure they are full head higher of such simplified pseudo-prog releases, as Gazpacho. Hey, beside of synth they even have some scratching guitars (not too much, they would never shock your Grandma if she will hear what kind of music you're listening).

All in all, nice indie-pop band with few proggy moments, targeted to indie-pop fans with some interest to a bit more progressive music, than their regular menu is. My rating is 2+, hardly interesting album for true prog rock fan