IN ABSENTIA

This is the cd that introduced me to Porcupine Tree. I knew about them for a long time, but didn't really consider them my type of music, being more of a heavy prog metal fan. I bought this disc, and I was definitely suprised. This is easily PT's most accessible work. First of all, the production on this disc is second to none. Every instrument is very clear, along with Steve Wilson's vocals. It has a lot of hard rock moments, especially in Blackest Eyes and The Sound of Muzak. Blackest Eyes opens the cd, and it mixes a hard rock introduction, with a soft, almost poppish chorus. Very catchy.

Trains is my favorite song on this album. It starts out sounding a little like a Dave Matthews tune, but then adds some great little guitar solos. The vocals are the strongest on this tune I think. I especially love the handclap section at the end.

Lips of Ashes brings us back to a more traditional PT sound. It is very spacey with acoustic guitars and sound effects behind it. It is one of the most mellow songs on the album.

The Sound of Muzak has a terrific introduction with acoustic guitar and a very intelligent and rhythmic drum beat behind it. The lyrics really make this song - they say that music nowadays has no soul and is derived basically to make us consumers and brainwash us instead of creating a form of art. Just terrific. I agree.

Gravity Eyelids takes us back again to the spacey rock sound. This song takes a while to get into, especially lyrically. Around the 4 minute mark, it brings in some straight up hard rock riffs and really transforms the song into a masterpiece within itself.

Wedding Nails is the instrumental on the album. It really doesn't add anything new to the mix, but it is quite solid and an enjoyable listen.

Prodigal is another one of my favorites. Wilson's vocals are back in the high range with a mix of spacey rock and solid rock towards the choruses. Great mix of melody and instruments in this one.

.3 is another tricky one to listen to. It doesn't really sink in until multiple listens. Once again, very spacey with a great bass line throughout the entire song.

The Creator Has A Mastertape is just a great song. It is the most upbeat on the album. This one starts very mellow with bass and drums, and then goes all out into hard rock for the "instrumental" choruses. Plain fun.

Heart Attack in a Layby is another strong point on this album. This one has the most beautiful melody on this disc. The voices become layered after the initial verses take place. It proves to be an excellent effect and really brings back some older PT sounds.

Strip the Soul is a good song with very disturbing lyrics. Once again, bass and drums are the introduction to this one. This is the only song on the album that I can't justify the entire 7 minutes being utilized. Still good, but perhaps could be better with shorter track time. The solo sections toward the end get a little monotonous.

Finally, we get to Collapse the Light Into Earth. This is another beautiful song, both in the music and lyrics. The music becomes almost straight pop with the chord progression in the piano (vi-IV-I-Vsus/V). It can be repetitous but I can't help but love the simplicity of it at the end of the disc. It proves to be a lovely contrast, and the strings add to the beauty of it. Great closer.

My personal favorite PT album, just for its contrast of beauty and, well, not so much beauty. 5 stars.