SOMEONE HERE IS MISSING

Yes, PINEAPPLE THIEF sounds like an offspring of Steven Wilson, but the boys keep growing, putting out very listenable--even engaging--music. I really loved "Tightly Unwound"--their first album that began to express a little originality. This latest, "Someone Here Is Missing" continues to show the PThs branching out into their own sound. There are still many PT moments (Bruce Soord's voice is SO similar to Steven Wilson's that it's hard NOT to compare them), but there are enough truly distinctive and memorable musical moments to help PTh to perhaps, finally, earn their wings, to sever their umbilicus, Siamese twin connection, or whatever it is they had going on. I really like the variety of song feels and styles represented in this collection (again, not unlike a PT album listening experience), the variety of instrument sounds, and the melodic vocals (and some awesome harmonies). I do not, however, yet like this album as much as "Tightly Unwound." Still, I think it deserves at least a three--maybe a four star rating. "Excellent" or "good, but not essential." Some will not like the electronic programming. Okay, a nice addition to one's prog collection.