DEADWING

Coming from the prog perspective, DEADWING is an unusual album to decipher. While there are a few lengthier tracks to please the prog fan, a number of the tracks seem like Porcupine Tree are trying their hardest to get some radio airplay. No further could ''Lazarus'', ''Shallow'' and ''Halo'' make cases for the last idea.

Boring ballads encompass three of the tracks, although ''Lazarus'' has interesting piano lines underneath. ''Glass Arm Shattering'' would have been a nice psych/prog ballad if it wasn't at the end of the album and if the last five minutes weren't silence. ''Open Car'' and ''Halo'' have interesting time signature shifts, but I still consider them slightly radio tilted. ''Halo'' has a funky undertone that keeps me coming back, though.

The three longest tracks are more in line with what we might consider prog. ''The Start of Something Beautiful'' and ''Deadwing'' have indie-metal riffs layered with keyboard padded buildups that make for effective heavy prog pieces guaranteed to win over fans the rock side of prog. Both seem to possess the aura that would carry over to the next album, FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET. ''Arriving Somewhere...'' sadly arrives nowhere after a nice lead in on acoustic guitar.

Strident Tree fans should have this in their vast collection of music. It's hard to really recommend this to anyone else as it's too good to skip over, but not good enough for someone to put on their next wish list. Those more in tune with metal and indie things might want to check this one out.