STUPID DREAM

Might be that lyrics are bit simpler, and it made many listeners to think of this as an album with "pop approach", which is certainly not true. I feel this as a concept work, although there are no strong connections between songs, but all moods in compositions are as dark as those on their previous album, Signify, and all are about human's inner world. First song "Even Less" is as psychedelic as any song from their delirium period, has got excellent warm ambient-like guitar and very good rhythm guitar, nice effects, very picturesque, great track. Another song called "Piano Lessons" needs some more time to be appreciated, but it has grown on me, and has got nice melody and interesting guitar that sounds very original. "Pure Narcotic" is dear song to me, but unusual for Porcupine Tree, not bad song, pleasant for easy listening, it has got acoustic guitar as a rhythm guitar, and cute sinths. "Slave Called Shiver" is excellent, powerful song and begins the era of heavier psychedelic sound which will be later characteristic for next band's musical period. Guitar is very juicy and it sounds like pure Trans to me. "Don't Hate Me" is one of my most favorite tracks ever, begins with extraordinary psychedelic bass line that build up whole composition and guitar sound effects, with beautiful voice of Steven Wilson. Than there comes mind-blowing flute and saxophone hits from nowhere and shot the spice of song. After that there is some ambient sound, and song finishes with warm and beautiful guitar solo. This is the solo on which even David Guilmour would be jealous. "Baby Dream In Celophane" has acoustic guitar that makes me think of some oriental instruments, like saz. Bass line fits perfect with this guitar and the whole atmosphere is amplified by sporadic guitar riff. "Stranger By the Minute" is special to me. Again there is great bass melody and it makes me to appreciate work of Colin Edvin very much. "Smart Kid" really could make me cry, mellow, sweat tune, beautifully atmospheric song of love. There is one more fantastic and emotive guitar solo there. "Tinto Brass" showed that psychedelic music has a promising future. This is "Killer" instrumental adrenaline plus delirium. "Stop Swimming" is ending song, slow, with sophisticated drumming and nice piano. All this technical ingredients of album that I managed to remember will not make you love this piece. It is something that must be heard.

This is one very well done album, combining psychedelic rock parts, nice emotive songs, some easier and more accessible tracks, in few words: diverse album. Warm and dark, usual and weird, heavy and soft, this is unique music piece.

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