NIL RECURRING

I'm giving "Nil Recurring" the same ratting as "Fear of a Blank Planet" since I feel "NR" is "FoaBP2.0". Many of the same riffs and movements from "FoaBP" are found on "NR" and it seems as though these were the filling spots on "FoaBP" which would have made the album more the length of most album now-a- days, but that wouldn't do for Porcupine Tree. I applaud Porcupine Tree for doing it this way and hope more bands take up this example. Just because an album can run over and above one hundred minuets doesn't mean it should.

That being said, since it follows so closely to "Fear of a Blank Planet" my same concern and major draw back to the album, and the culprit for dropping it out of the 'masterpiece' race is presented. "What Happens Now?" the final track on the album follows "Sleep Together" example and is too short. All other songs on the album are perfectly sized and fitted, but "What Happens Now?" should have been, as "Sleep Together" should have been well over ten minuets long. It's one of those songs that ends the album on an epical scale that only a ten minuet song can present. Again, as with "Sleep Together" I understand and can appreciate why the song stops where it does, but I would rather see it in the double digits. But I must say that the ending climax with a three key sequence on a four / four beat is a treat to my ears and I want to eat the song up each time I hear it.

Other then that little slip up, this little EP is a must for any one who enjoys 'Porcupine Tree', or for someone who wants something more from the music being made today. I didn't know if it was possible, but this is even closer to a Masterpiece then "Fear of a Blank Planet" was, and had "What Happens now" gone on longer making this album feel complete, we would have a masterpiece on our hands. But this just feels like one of those unexpected surprises at the end of a movie when all the credits finished rolling and an additional scene is presented which is better then the movie itself.

Four stars.that final star is on it's way boys! Keep up the great work!