ABDUCTING THE UNICORN [AKA: ABDUCTED AT BIRTH]

Just like I said in my review for "Variations on a Dream" Pineapple Thief is a band wich seems to split the progheads into two parts. On the one hand you can say that Pineapple Thief makes interesting and innovative prog but on the other hand you can say that they have similarities to the "Smashing Punpkins" and sound like regular alternative rock. Both opinions have their eligibility because in some way both of them are true.

Just like on "Variations on a Dream" you will find two different types of songs on "Abducting the unicorn". There are songs like "Private Paradise", "Everyone must Perish" and the almost 19 minute long epic "Parted forever" wich can be described as innovative prog with a touch of "Porcupine Tree", but when listening to songs like "Judge the Girl", "Drain" or "What ever you do - Do nothing" you get the impression that these songs are nothing special, even no prog at all. These songs sound like alternative rock songs written and sung by the "Smashing Pumpkins". But don't get me wrong, even these songs are far from being bad, the only thing is, that they don't seem to be prog but alternative rock. The first songs I mentioned are innovative prog and I even like to think that this is the way "Porcupine Tree" would sound like if Steven Wilson never discovered metal riffs. A melotron is featured on some of the songs wich is an enrichment for the sound. The good thing about "Pineapple Thief" are the guitar solos, not very technical or difficult to play, but they sound really beautiful. The highlight of this album for sure is the melancolic "Parted forever" wich is almost 19 minutes long, a terrific song. The mystirious bonus track seems to be a track without a title and the band was consequently by not mentioning the song. I often saw it called "Untitled".

So "Pineapple Thief" is hard to recommend because of the differences in their style. Some people like them, some do not. Some call it prog, others don't think so. I think that you should listen to some songs before you buy it. Don't buy it without informing you. I think that some of the songs show the future of prog, how it could sound like in a few years when all the great old pioneers are too old and stop to make new music. So wich album is the better one? I don't know but I would say that you should start with "Variations on a Dream" if you want to have an album of this band.