ARRIVING SOMEWHERE...

This DVD blew me away at first spin and I spin it again over and over. By now, I have spun it five times already on Disc One only. I got no chance to spin the Disc Two because I really enjoy Disc One already and has no plan to move on with Disc Two until I got complete understanding and comprehension of subtleties produced from the main disc: Disc One. After I got all discs spun then I would do a novel-long review about this amazing DVD that truly satisfies my need. That's my plan . But, I found product defect at Disc One of this DVD package so I need to write this review in advance so all of you who have purchased this DVD might help me whether you guys experience the same. Or it gives alert to those who are about to purchase.

The Show That I would NOT forget .!

The performance was filmed from the band's concert at the Park West, Chicago, USA, 11-12th October 2005. I'm not quite sure on which date this film was truly taken. It could be at the first night because right before the encore "Trains", one of the crowd shout a request "Free Bird!" and Steven Wilson replied "Not Free Bird, okay? That's tomorrow!". Whatever the exact date it was performed it's not important to me. When I ordered this DVD I actually did not expect much about this show because my favorite "Waiting Phase One - Two" was not featured in this concert. But I gave it a try anyway.

My TV screen came out with pictures in dark nuance presenting many shots in blur fashion as part of introduction of the DVD, it's basically "Revenant" (3:04). The show starts wonderfully with guitar riffs that remark the opening of "Open Car" (4:46) from the band's "Deadwing" album. From this first real track I could project that the whole DVD would be an awesome one to watch and listen to. My projection was right - this is an incredible DVD to have in prog music collection! I don't want to review on track by track basis, but let me give my rationale why this is an incredible DVD:

First, the band has successfully made their studio tracks being better performed live in concert. Well, this was actually proven with my first experience with the band music when my friend lent me a "Comma Divine" (live) album. I never heard the band's music before and I fell in love with "Waiting Phase One - Phase Two" track. From this album I moved forward exploring other albums of Porcupine Tree and finally found "Waiting Phase One - Two" original studio album. To my surprise, I'd rather listen to live version than the original studio version. This is also the case with this DVD. I found nothing special with "Open Car" when I listened to "Deadwing" studio album. But at this DVD Porcupine Tree performs it better - it has richer sounds and textures than original studio version. The extreme case is with "Hatesong" (9:14). This track I think is one of the best tracks from this DVD. Well, I don't dare to say that this is "the" only best track because many great tracks from this. Opened with Collin Edwin calm yet firm bass lines this song moves beautifully in crescendo, adventuring into wide variety of styles - from simple to complex with great combination of Steve Wilson guitar, Gavin Harrison's dynamic and attractive drumming, and Richard Barbieri's keyboards / synthesizers. I especially love the stunning guitar solo and effects (at approx minute 24). Steve Wilson is the most dynamic musician on stage - with sometimes does a headbanging while playing his guitar. The second one goes to drummer Gavin Harrison. Collin Edwin does not move his position at all during the concert.

Second, the set list is outstanding. This is not to say that each individual track is excellent but I am more to say that the position of the tracks are well crafted and carefully thought of, I believe. See for example, after two heavy songs with metal components: "Open Car" (Deadwing) and "Blackest Eyes" (the opening track of In Absentia), the band brings it down into a ballad psychedelic song "Lazarus" (Deadwing) - it's a song that my dear friend, Icann of i-Rock!, loves it. Having been entertained with slow moving song the band brings the heat up with wonderfully crafted song "Hatesong". And you know what? After this very dynamic song the band brings it down to a beautiful music of "Don't Hate Me" (one of the tracks that I adore from "Stupid Dream" album which I reviewed couple of months ago at this site). Many of you who have heard the music of Porcupine Tree might think that most of the band's music is simple and easy to digest for most people even with different music background or taste. I remember someone said that "nothing in it" commenting the music of Porcupine Tree. I never said into that extreme. But you should give a try with "Don't Hate Me". Don't look at the simple structure, comprehend the groove it produces! Awesome. And after this cool track the band brings the mood UP again with very dynamic track "Mother And Child Divided". I love the guitar effects produced by S Wilson in the middle of this track. Oh man . it's incredible!!! Well, basically the set list creates ultimate satisfaction for viewing and listening pleasure.

Third, Steven Wilson proves that he is the best sound engineer nowadays! Why? This DVD has the highest quality in sound quality as well as picture. Well, for picture quality there are others with par excellent. But for audio? Don't ever dare to challenge him, my friend! Am currently reading a book called iWOZ (a story about Steve Wozniak of Apple) where I know that he is the best electronic engineer in planet earth that has made a big change in the way people behave - invention of Apple 1, iPod, etc. And Steven Wilson is the one in sound engineering. I wildly imagine if (an only if) Steven Wilson was there already when Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon" was recorded - he might win the competition against Alan Parsons. This DVD has great sound in 5.1 technology and I'm sure that you will agree with me if you have a chance to enjoy this DVD. Even, I'm now listening to the audio (without TV). It has proven also with my Audio DVD format of "In Absentia" album (which I purchased from Amazon as well). The DTS sound is great! I believe Steven Wilson is the master of DTS recording / mixing. I have no complaint at all. In fact I never expected that my ears would be ultimately satisfied with this sound quality. Thanks a lot Mr Wilson. You are my hero in sound engineering.

Conclusion

Despite the product defect I'm experiencing, this is a masterpiece of prog rock DVD which makes elder proggers (Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Alan Parsons, Peter Gabriel, Robert Fripp, Keith Emerson etc) would be proud of. They might never expected that prog music would evolved into something as beautiful as this band's music - especially this live DVD.

FYI, on last Friday night when i-Rock! (a rock organization in my country where I have been heavily involved) presented the 4th Jam Session night at Front Row Cafe, Jakarta, Indonesia, I played this DVD for one hour just before the program was officiallystarted. Comments from the crowd about this DVD were very positive. For those who never heard Porcupine Tree music planned to explore the band's albums. It was a good thing to introduce before four local bands came on stage (one of the bands was a powerful prog band IN MEMORIAM which would be featured at this site shortly).

Highly recommended. If you have limited budget, prioritize this DVD first! This might be the best DVD in 2006. I believe. Keep on proggin'..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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Notes on The Product Defect

Sorry I have to put this upfront despite awesome band performance because I don't know how to escalate this problem. Contacting amazon.com (where I purchased this DVD altogether with The Flower Kings "Instant Delivery") is a hazzle. Their site is excellent for ordering but is lousy at giving access to customers who have problems with the orders. One example is that I cannot automatically reply the mails I receive from them because they are automated for sending message only. I browse around the menu in "Contact US" (or something like it) but could not find the friendly menu. I experienced this when my order of PALLAS "Men of Dreams" was coming late. For my problem with Porcupine Tree I'm not gonna contact amazon - it's terrible for feedback.

So what's the problem with my copy of PT "Arriving Somewhere"? At Disc One minute 49:08 when the song So Called Friend I experienced sudden lost of audio sounds for one second just like you have power off but it suddenly returns back to original sound. I thought that was problem with my power supply of my DVD player or government-supplied power. But my other electrical household things had no problem at all. So I repeated the track - the same thing happened. I brought my Disc One up stair to second floor where usually I listen to audio (without TV) and the same problem occur. It's really annoying you know. Especially, I like this track very much. This morning I played it very loud because I love the music riffs but the problem at minute 49:08 still occurred. I'm disappointed because I cannot get full sound of incredible Porcupine Tree's song. FYI, the disc has no physical scratch on it - so I think this is a recording issue and NOT damage during delivery.

Do AMAZON people or SNAPPER or PORCUPINE TREE people read this review? If so, HELP ME OUT man! I want the perfect copy of the disc because this is an incredible performance by the band! And of course the dollars I invested must be justifiable. Why bother purchasing a defective product? (BTW, I'm a Six Sigma Blackbelt so I understand that there is three DPMO - defects per million opportunities - allowed. Unfortunately, I am one of the three. Lucky me.!)