IN ABSENTIA

If you haven't heard anything by Porcupine Tree, this should be the album you buy. Whilst not overtly progressive sounding, PT are maybe the most progressive band around in the prog scene today - In the sense that they are actually trying to progress rather than rehashing the sound of the 70's. They use modern day production techniques and computer filtering as a complimentary factor, they don't shun it. Styles are merged yet roots are remembered. It's all pretty cool really.

Here you'll here post rock sounding riffs, grungy chords, metal solos - but mixed with beautiful harmonies, mellotrons, banjos - a lot of different styles. Ok, so at times they can be poppy, but what's wrong with that?

This album contains maybe the best PT song - Trains. Worth a purchase for that alone really, but try and get the special edition with "Drown with me" on it (from the Futile EP). How this never made it to the album I'll never know.

Overall, this is a superb album. Die hard proggers mightn't appreciate the poppy edge that Wilson gives all his music, but to me it just serves to give the depth a catchy side. Everyone should have this album, it's a modern day classic, irrespective of prog or any other music genre.

Recommended.