ARRIVING SOMEWHERE...

Arriving Somewhere shows PT in their live glory on the Deadwing tour. Unlike a lot of live giants, their show is incredibly simple and they don't run around energetically in a Rush or Who-like manner. Instead, each member essentially stays rooted to his position and ensures that the music is what comes through. And it does so masterfully on this set. My one complaint is that the director uses a host of effects that can distract from the music on the first watch. However, in some bizarre way the use of 70s effects and the general dated feel of the video fits the band's retro style.

The concert opens with Revenant as the band enters the stage. Steve Wilson looks like the clean-shaven, English arty equivalent to Kurt Cobain. Perhaps if people were more receptive to good music, Wilson could have also been hailed as a great writer, but oh well. The entire concert is a highlight, but nods must go to heavier version of Blackest Eyes, the epic Arriving Somewhere But Not Here, the riffy instrumental Mother and Child Divided, the trippy Halo, and the hands-down best song of the concert, Hatesong. The band kicks it into overdrive here, and Gavin in particular shines. They picked all of the best Deadwing songs and left the filler, and the rest of the songs are well chosen as well. The encores are all superb, with The Sound of Muzak and Even Less sounding even better than the studio versions. Before PT launches into the final number, Steve makes the first real audience interaction of the night, as he deals with a Freebird heckler amusingly. Halfway through the closer Trains, one of Steve's strings breaks st the worst possible time, leading to some more quips.

The second disc features some great Rockpalast footage, and Gavin's Cymbal Song is magnificent. Overall, this DVD is a must buy because it shows how talented each member is, with special focus on Steve, Colin, and Gavin, who all prove that they are incredibly skilled. The video effects can be annoying, but it fits in a way, so I'll still highly recommend this. It's worth the price just for Hatesong and Arriving Somewhere.

Grade: A-