DEADWING

I can start this review by saying easily that if it wasn't for this album, my love for Porcupine Tree would be non-existant. I purchased 'The Sky Moves Sideways' before this was recommended to me, and I just COULD NOT get into TSMS. At all. Then I listened to Deadwing and it really made me appreciate the intense musicianship Porcupine Tree puts into their music. Now onto the review...

"Deadwing" kicks off the album with an excellent instrumental passage that has some nice chord progression, but the singing is where this song is at. Wilson's lyrics (on the whole album in fact!) just make me tremble because they are so distraught yet beautiful at the same time. "Shallow" is the next song, and it is one of the hardest songs Porcupine Tree has recorded. Wouldn't be out of place on In Absentia. "Lazarus" is next, and it is the most beautiful song I have heard in my life, by a mile. Wilson's voice is so elegant here and this song just gives me the shivers. "Halo" is next, and it is another semi-heavy track. The chorus is excellent, with great music and words, but the whole computer-ish voice alteration and techo beats take away from the seriousness of the song. "Arriving Somewhere But Not here" is obviously the epic of the album, at 12+ minutes, and it does not disappoint. The opening sequence isa tad bit boring, but again, when the lyrics kick in the song takes off! "Mellotron Scratch" is a soft song with more semi-altered voice patterns. In my opinion it is the worst song on the album, but it has a nice chorus and is still listenable. "Open Car" is the third heavy song on the album, and one of my favorite by Porcupine Tree. The bass is outstanding and this is just one of those songs where you can tell everybody in the band just clicks. "The Start Of Something Beautiful" really is what it says. For a song with a softer introduction, it really picks it up at around 2:15 and some traces of "Open Car" can be found in it. "Glass Arm Shattering" closes the album in a fine way with its ambient explosions and technical lyrics and progression.

One of the best albums from 2000-present. If this isn't in your collection already, it is an absolute must buy! 5 stars!