DEADWING

When I was waiting for the songs of Opeth's Damnation album to download from iTunes, I was reading some reviews of the album, and noticed one reviewer mentioned someone named Steven Wilson who produced and wrote a song on the album. They also mentioned Steven Wilson's band Porcupine Tree. Immensely enjoying the Damnation album, I decided to check out Porcupine Tree. Deadwing was the first album I decided to get, mainly because of the strange cover. It was fantastic and was soon followed by other greats such as Fear of a Blank Planet and In Absentia.

Porcupine Tree has been around since the 90's and has gone through three stylistic changes. Their first decade was primarily influnced by psychedelic rock and shoegaze. Their second style was their combination of alternative and progressive rock. They style they are trying now combines more metal and grunge elements to their music. Deadwing marks the end of their second phase and almost a bridge into their third phase.

The opening title track gives a very good feel for the album. It is mostly instrumental and lacks a chorus, but each musician shows their skill in this track. The lyrics are mostly non- sensical put enjoyable, but they sometimes manage to put an eye opener ("Yes I'd have to say I like my privacy. And did you know you're on a closed circuit TV? So smile at me").

The next song Shallow is a hard rock (some have called it nu-metal) song. While it is definitely enjoyable, it is the weakest song on the album. It seems as if they put it their just to please the "scene" kids (who should just go back and listen to Slipknot or something). The next song Lazarus is the complete opposite. Most likely the first PT song people here, it is a soft piano ballad. Halo is a wonderful alternative rock song with great bass/drum opening.

The middle song, Arriving Somewhere but not Here, is a twelve minute epic that ranges from psychedelic and metal. Mikael Akerfeldt provides a guitar solo in the song that sounds very similar to the guitar solo in their song Hours of Wealth. This song if definitely the highlight of the album. If you can, listen to it when the sky is clear in the afternoon. I don't know why, but this just magnifies the song.

Mellotron Scratch is the power ballad of the album. Open Car, like Shallow, it a hard rock borderline nu-metal song, but is far more enjoyable. The Start of Something Beautiful is a song similar to Deadwing with bitterly ironic lyrics. The album closer, Glass Arm Shattering, almost returns to the band's roots and gives us an ambient, psychedelic piece.

Those who are looking to get into Porcupine Tree are recommended to start with either this album or Stupid Dream. Not only progressive rock fans will enjoy this. Alternative rock fans will find something to enjoy as well.