LIGHTBULB SUN

This is an album I really tried hard to love. Porcupine Tree stand as being one of my favourite bands of all time, and records such as 'Fear Of A Blank Planet' and 'Deadwing' stand as being some of my favourite albums of all time. 'Lightbulb Sun' on the other hand, came to me highly recommended. However, while I do find it enjoyable, it took me a fair while to truly appreciate it.

While Porcupine Tree has certainly never been the most progressive band out there by any standard, many of these songs definately lack the prog element. That is not to say however, that I do not like them. 'The Rest Will Flow' for example, is a wholly unprogressive singer- songwriter piece from Wilson that I greatly love. The title track is also a great song thats perfectly representative of the band's sound and style.

However, theres alot of material on 'Lightbulb Sun' that has either not hit me quite yet, or never will. 'Russia On Ice' while definately aspiring to be the 'epic' of the album, comes across as being immensely overdrawn to the point of being drowsy and tedious. For 12 minutes, it's more or less the same riff, with variations along the way.

'Hatesong' is another one I found a bit uninspired. While it's the most progressive song on the album in terms of style and structure, theres very little of that beauty that Wilson is so good at bringing out in his music.

While 'Lightbulb Sun' is definately dissapointing, this isn't to say however that I do not enjoy it. I do (being it's Porcupine Tree) and I would figure that if this was my first Porcupine Tree experience, I would fall in love with it... However, knowing that there are much better offerings of the band out there, I will have to give 'Lightbulb Sun' a good, but imperfect rating... Although I was certainly close to rating it four stars on several occasions listening to it.

UPDATE: After a few months since purchasing 'Lightbulb Sun' and after having given it many more listens, I have to say the album has grown on me quite a bit. Still doesn't compare to 'Deadwing' or 'Fear of a Blank Planet' but I'm really liking it! FOUR STARS.

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