COMA DIVINE

Coma Devine is the only official live release documenting the first era of Porcupine Tree. Given the improvisational attitude of the band in that time it is unfortunate that no other full-length 90s live albums exist, but luckily they made this one to be perfect.

The band had been together for a couple of years and sound like a well-oiled and confident unit, often straying outside the borders of the studio originals, but always remaining tight and focused. Barbieri had already participated on all studio albums and is his usual cool self, effortlessly switching between atmospheric textures and noisy sound effects. Chris Maitland's drums add a subtle punch and liveliness to the songs, of which many were originally recorded with drum machines. Wilson's vocals aren't entirely steady yet, but since the material is dominantly instrumental it doesn't bother at all. His guitar playing is fluid, effortless and majestic, and much more appealing to me then riff-based approach and harsh sound of later years. And of course there's Colin Edwin tying everything together with his solid and magnetic grooves.

Most songs performed here are quite different from the studio versions, and especially the longer instrumental sections easily transcend the originals. With a setlist exceeding 100 minutes, it makes this into one of those rare essential live albums. The 2003 double CD re-issue comes with 4 extra tracks and is obviously the preferred version. A space-rock essential for me.