LIGHTBULB SUN

Porcupine Tree are a rarity indeed, a prog band that dares to be fashionable. The line-up is also extremely stable, having been the same for seven years. Steve Wilson provides vocals/guitar (as well as others instruments, and most of the songs), Richard Barbieri is on keys, Colin Edwin on bass and Chris Maitland on drums. Porcupine Tree are truly progressive in the sense that that bring together many musical styles and are not content to stay in any one musical area for too long. They are not copyists or wannabes; they are very much in control of their own musical destiny.

The opening song, "Lightbulb Sun", is a case in point. It starts life as a gentle acoustic guitar number, with some delicate piano. Apart from the vocals, it could be classic Tull tinged with The Beatles. This suddenly becomes a rock number, and then as the rhythm section finally makes an appearance, it is a more upbeat indie number, yet all the time continuing the initial melodic theme.

The next number, "How Is Your Life Today?" reminds me of Godley & Crème, with no rhythm section but mostly piano. From there, of course it is just one step to the psychedelic "Four Chords That Made A Million", while "Shemovedon" of course bears no musical relation to the songs that have preceded it whatsoever.

When I had listened to this album all of the way through for the first time, I immediately played it again. It is just a superb piece of work, one that easily surpasses the last studio album of theirs that I heard, 'Signify'. With this release, Porcupine Tree have definitely come of age. If you love progressive music, have ever thought that it would be great if the bands of the Seventies were still cutting it in the Zeroes (well what else can you call them, the Noughties?), then look no further.

Feedback #59, July 2000