METANOIA

Progressively dark and foreboding, PORCUPINE TREE's "Metonia" easily takes the listener into deep space where we encounter a strange new vastness of instrumental wizardry and improvised jams. "Metonia" is essentially several unused improvisational jams from the "Signify" album which up until now have been unavailable to us. Although a series of studio experiments, this album provides a real meaty excursion into the the musical genius of Steve Wilson and company. Songs vary in length and we are treated to a few 4 mins tracks and couple of epics as well. For those who love the space jam thing will need to have this album without hesitation. Most of the songs follow a similar format in C. Maitland and C. Edwin establishing the flow while Wilson and Barbieri overlay some stunning guitar and keyboard atmospheres. Of course a few Spinal Tap moments are tossed in for good luck including a very funny final track where we are joined by the band at some restaurant in Italy where the menu selection is in question... I love the sticker on the outside of the album which tells us to "file this album under self-indulgent". Overall a brilliant album with some very creative moments.