ABIGAIL'S GHOST

The first track gives a statement of intent that this is a heavier release too - shades of prog metal creep in, though again the sound still feels a little anchored in the realms of porcupine tree - this track wouldn't feel wholly out of place alongside the heavier moments on Fear Of A Blank Planet, released the same year. In the second, however, they find a mellower alt-rock groove, a feel that continues through large chunks of the album.

Overall, I like this less than Selling Insincerity, but it's still a worthwhile listen.

3/5

It's not to say, though, that this is an entirely unoriginal work. For one thing, it does feel like it blends influences from different points in porcupine tree's discography - there's echoes of the great band's earlier works in there too. In the blend, it does take on something of its own character.

Ultimately, this is very listenable, and it is a testament to the musicians at work here that it can stand up to such close comparison to a band of Porcupine Tree's stature.

3.5/5 rounded to 3/5

(or at least 'The Incident')

Comparisons aside 'Selling Insincerity' holds up phenomenally well as an album, this is not just for fans of PT but for fans of heavy prog in general. This album most reminds me of In Absentia but it does feel its own, it's a fair bit heavier and not quite as atmospheric as you would get from PT (though Abigail's Ghost certainly gets atmospheric at times).

This isn't a perfect album, a lack of any distinct sound is a knock against it. On top of that, some of the music beings to blend together after a while but it is still an enjoyable and worthy release

(3.75/5)

D_Letion is a more mature album with a hard rock influence. Although you can argue they aren't prog in the more purest sense since their songs are fairly short and simple, you can hear some intricate and tight guitar riffs that will meet some proggers' expectations. This is a young adults' prog, so much that many compare them to Porcupine Tree, probably because of their similarities in production techniques. The songs are very catchy nonetheless.

Their lyrics are very open with sexual innuendos which works well with Josh "Bones" Theriot's nasal sensual voice. This music doesn't call for anything intricate. Just a delicate touch.

"Black Lace" is a great song on this album because it's a very sweet sensual song with a lot of higher ranged notes on the guitar and much use of the drum cymbals. "Romantique Life" is one of the darkest and sexual songs on the album with lyrics such as "Show me yours and I'll show you mine" but it rocks hard (no pun intended). There is some serious drumming in this song, too. My only complaint about this album is that the drums sometimes sound too organic and could have been in the mix better.

Overall this is a very well-done album and it will get you rocking hard. It is quite an improvement from their debut album, and with the combination of their talent in the recording studio and on stage, this band has quite a future if they keep their act together, whether it be in front of a prog audience or in the mainstream.

This second album moves a bit from the debut one in its similarities with Porcupine Tree even though the basic style remains intact. I think the band has taken its musical root from the like of Porcupine Tree and they cannot move away that much from its root. No harm with it, but it bears risk for those who have been familiar with Porcupine Tree kind of music. But I can guarantee whatever your musical taste is, you will most likely love the music contains here in this album. There is nothing that you can deny in terms of music mood, for example. What I mean is that you would love the upbeat tempo and mood delivered by this album.

The opening track, who happens to be the album title "D_Letion" (5:13) is an upbeat tempo music with its dominant rifffs and drumwork. It flows nicely to "Black Lace" (4:16) in similar vein. Oh yes, you will love the third track which opens with uplifting guitar riffs that make "Romantique Life" (4:34) a dynamic tune - especially combined with tight basslines and poerful vocal work. At least you would like the combined bass guitar and drumwork. You might like the interlude part that starts on minute 2:40 which contains heavy guitar riffs, tight basslines with dybanic drumming and followed stunning (even though short) guitar work.

When the music enters track 4 "Plastik Soul" (5:47) I find it very entertaining listening to the opening dynamic drums with good basslines followed with vocal work. Oh man .. I believe you would love this track very much because it contains very dynamic drumming and nice melody. The band then tones down their music with "Cinder Tin" (5:39) followed with heavy blast of music on the next track "Gemini Man" (4:18) even though the opening is slow. "Sneak Peek" (5:47) is a slow rock composition that reminds me to bands like Pineapple Thief or RPWL."Annie Enemy" (7:20) is also another good track followed with a concluding track "Grave Concerns" (2:25) with its acoustic setting.

Overall, this is a very good album and will satisfy many people with different musical taste. Composition-wise, it's more matured than the debut album. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

It's hard to deny that this album is very enjoyable not only to those who get used to prog music but I believe those who like music in general would feel the same too. The fact is that the music in general is quite easy to digest and most of them are in upbeat mode or at least in a predictable direction. Yes, it's basically straight forward in terms of composition, you hardly find any curved segments that deviate from its tagline melody.

You might find boringness with this album if you are updated to prog music with bands like Porcupine Tree, Pineapple Thief or RPWL as they are alike in terms of style. In terms of proximity this debut by Abigail's Ghost is quite close with Porcupine Tree. Not only the music, but the vocal characteristics of Josua Theriot is in the vein of Steven Wilson. Musically, this one from Abigail's Ghost is less complex and less exploration than Porcupine Tree. That suffices to say that this album is more digest-able.

I have listened to this album in its entirety more than 10 spins and there was time when I got bored with the music as it's quite easy to predict. Maybe because I have been listening a lot of Porcupine Tree albums, sometimes when Iistened to this album I felt like saying "Enough man ...enough ..!!" In relation the music style. If there has been nothing we know about Porcupine Tree, the feeling is of course different.

The opening track "Mazurka" (1:04) is basically a tone setter that establishes the ambient of the music the album contains. It moves beautifully with an upbeat "Close" (5:48) where you get the Porcupine Tree nuances for the first time. You must enjoy this straight forward track and also the coming "Waiting Room" (please do not expect this as something horror like you find in Genesis "The Lamb" album) (4:38).

"Love Sounds" (6:48) elevates the tone in such a way that this is gonna be the masterpiece track of this debut. It starts with something ambient using keyboard and soun effects in Peter Gabriel's style. When the vocal enters, it's really a Porcupine Tree music style. You might enjoy the vocal harmony. But the peak might be when the music changes it style into upbeat one when the vocal line ends, continued with tight basslines and drumwork. Well, I also enjoy the guitar solo before this transition that happens at minute 4:33. The guitar solo that overlays this piece reminds me to Porcupine Tree, really!

"Sellout" (4:18) starts with heavy riffs followed with music in upbeat tempo. "Dead Peoples Review" (4:45) is a follow-up of previous track with speedier tempo. "Monochrome" (5:03) is a mellow track with good melody and 'easy to digest' composition.

"Windows" (4:42) starts with acoustic guitar rhythm section which brings the music in a pop outfit with nice basslines. "Cerulean Blue" (7:44) is an upbeat music in Porcupine Tree style. The two concluding tracks are very good as well, I.e. " Seeping" (5:54 and "Mother May I" (5:42).

Conclusion

Overall, it's a very good album especially for those who are quite new to prog music. For those who has been proggin' for quite a long time might get bored with this Porcupine Tree like music. It's basically like you are listening to everything like Dream Theater, and so many bands that follow Dream Theater in progmet scene. Enough is enough .... Keep on proggin' ...!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

The ingredients are intriguing, but I did find the compositions lacking. Both the harder hitting ventures and the more ballad-oriented material comes across as predictable, the compositions more or less follows a very similar structure and only on a few occasions subtle additions to the proceedings manage to conjure themes or atmospheres out of the ordinary.

There's a few strong tracks to take note of, title track d_letion and the creepy ballad Sneek Peak first and foremost, but apart from these songs the highlights are few and far between. Good songs for the most part, but lacking the finer details to make them great and quite a bit off from perfection.

Maybe this comparison can be to its good. This stays by these sounds I like, dream like synths (and light instruments), also dream-like voice + hard instruments, guitar at times. Of course, that's it. Guitars are the key to this mystery. Sometimes similar, but mostly different. In fact (I always forget), after many listens, you'll learn how to see these non PT traits.

4(+) with hope I'll give this 5 stars after more listens.

"D-letion" is a top three track. Very heavy and thick guitar intro before the drums come crashing in. Vocals before a minute. I like the chorus.Killer sound before 3 1/2 minutes and check out the guitar and drums that follow. Excellent opening track. "Black Lace" has this catchy beat with vocals. I like the spacey keys and we get some power at times. "Romantique" has this heavy duty intro before settling with some good bass as the vocals join in. It picks up during the chorus and I like the finish to this one. "Plastik Soul" has this tribal-like drumming throughout and some heaviness that comes and goes. It pretty much stays during the second half. "Cinder Tin" has a nice dark sound to it. This is mid-paced and drum led. Heavy 3 1/2 minutes in and I like the guitar solo a minute later.

"Gemni Man" is a mellow tune with reserved vocals until the guitar makes some noise before 2 minutes. A nice guitar solo late as well. "Sneak Peek" has these almost whispered vocals with keys and light drums. A tasteful guitar solo late. "Visceral" is another mellow song but it gets fuller after 1 1/2 minutes. Keys and atmosphere a minute later (yay) before it kicks in with guitar. Acoustic guitar to end it. "Easy A" is another laid back track. It kicks in at 2 1/2 minutes and I like the synths. "Annie Enemy" is by far the best track on here. Acoustic guitar to open as soft vocals come in. It kicks in around a minute and the contrasts continue. An outburst of heaviness 5 minutes in and before 7 minutes to end it. "Grave Concerns" features acoustic guitar and reserved vocals.

So lots to like here but the vocals hinder my enjoyment at times and I miss the atmosphere.