DEADWING

Great progressive rock music is many things. It is bold, unfettered by convention, fearless, challenging to the senses, exploratory and high fidelity. It takes risks, pushes accepted envelopes and defies labeling. This album is all that and more. It's rare that I love a cd the first listen through and even rarer when it just keeps getting better and better in my ears with repeated listens. "Deadwing" is one of the best albums I've ever heard and I've heard a lot in my time. Where the excellent "In Absentia" cleverly displayed the band's many influences, this one is all Porcupine Tree. They have created their own style, their own sound and they are blazing their own trail through the thickets of 21st Century music.

Starting with the exhilaratingly multi-dimensional title cut Porcupine Tree takes you on an electrifying, hour-long marathon that leaves you breathless. Next up is the enormous rocker "Shallow" that is one Godzilla of a tune. The guitar sound will slay you. "Lazarus" is a wonderful, peaceful song that floats like a leaf in a stream. It is stunningly beautiful and poignant. "Halo" wakes you right back up with its infectious funky beat and intriguing lyrics before you enter the entrancing musical rainbow that is "Arriving somewhere but not here." It is twelve minutes of some of the highest quality progressive music you will ever hear. "Mellotron Scratch" provides a needed mellowing out period before you are introduced to the best song on the album. "Open Car" is simply astounding in its scope and grandeur. It's like indulging in rich, fattening prog candy for the ears. Extraordinarily huge sound.

"The start of something beautiful" is a delight as it jumps from 9/8 to 5/4 time signatures with deceptive ease and "Glass Arm Shattering" is atmospheric and hypnotic without becoming tedious. And, as if that wasn't enough, there's a bonus track of "Shesmovedon" to complete the deal with a flair. I suspect that Gavin Harrison's incredible drum track made the inclusion of this older PT song a no-brainer. He is terrific throughout "Deadwing" but he makes this memorable tune a real classic. Mr. Harrison defines good taste and is now one of my favorite drummers on the planet. This collection of songs proves that Porcupine Tree is currently one of the best bands in the world today and if you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing their music I urge you to do so as soon as humanly possible. You might as well start with this fantastic album. You'll be glad you did.

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