DEADWING

PT and this recording disappoints me on several levels which I'll briefly describe here. First off, I'm a HUGE PT fan, which is why I give this CD only 3 stars. Recorded by anyone else, I would consider going 4.

Disappointment 1: I first heard this album performed "live" in concert in Montreal... I don't like hearing new material live in concert for the first time. This is because the "deluxe edition" with CD, DVD-A, and hardcover book that I ordered directly from the band's website was delayed for over a month. Not happy.

Disappointment 2: The band arrived over 1 hour late for the gig, and only put on a 90 minute show with no warm-up. The concert was general admission and most folks had been waiting for over 2 hours. Not happy.

Disappointment 2: The "deluxe edition" package that I paid big bucks for doesn't even include all the bonus tracks offered on other editions. How many editions are there, anyways? Again, part of the problem is the psychotic marketing this band adheres to. Why, several of their best albums are out-of-print after only a few years. Not happy.

Disappointment 3: A re-recorded SHESMOVEDON "bonus" track? Hey SW, this song is PERFECT as it is/was on Lightbulb Sun. No need to mess with it. Not happy.

Disappointment 4: This is the follow-up to "In Absentia"? A step backwards, in my view. There's not much going on in most of these tracks. Rather ho-hum and unispired, overall. Where is the artistry in the keyboard work? RB sounds like he's practically sitting on the mellotron through most of the affair. Yes, "Lazarus" is lovely and "Arriving Somewhere (But Not Here)" is probably the best track here, but that's probably because Adrien Belew (King Crimson) dropped by and infused some tasty lead guitar that finally woke me up. Not happy.

Disappointment 5: Mellotron Scratch is likely the worst PT track I have ever heard. Makes me want to put a gun to my head. [not really]

Nuff said... Second thought, 2 stars. No. Maybe. Whatever. At the end of the day, this will be the best-selling PT album to date for all the wrong reasons.