VARIATIONS ON A DREAM

Pineapple Thief is a band wich tends to polarize. On the one hand they play a really fresh and new, innovative kind of prog but on the other hand they are not prog enough for some tastes, maybe a wee bit too much alternative rock in their sound. Influences seem to be amongst others, The Smashing Pumkins but also a moderate breeze of Porcupine Tree. I like to think that this is the way Porcupine Tree would sound like if Steven Wilson never discovered Metal Riffs.

"Variations on a Dream" features some excellent songs as well as songs wich tend to be too alternative and too less prog, sure the mellotron is featured but the general sound seems to differ very conspicuously. Songs like "We Subside", "Vapor Trails", "Resident Alien" and the epic "Remember Us" are innovative prog for me and show the direction for the future of prog. Songs like "Run me Through" or "Sooner or Later" seem to be good alternative rock to me. But a very positive point about this album are the guitar solos. Maybe not technically brilliant but they sound so beautiful. In general this album is, like the title foreshadows, an album wich encourages daydreaming because it sounds truly beautiful.

So "Variations on a Dream" is a good but non essential album that delivers insight in how prog could sound in the future. Some of you will say that it is alternative rock instead of prog but I have to say that this is not the whole truth. Some parts are prog, innovative prog but yes, some parts tend to sound like normal alternative and parallels to the Smashing Pumkins are obvious, particularly the vocals. I would recommend to listen to this album before you buy it. Test some Mp3s or listen to it in a shop (if you find a shop wich has it in stock) before you purchase it. I for one like the album, especially the highlight "Remember Us".