The official Prog Archives Porcupine Tree Thread!

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Ok, I appologise if this slightly offends anyone, but I can think of no other way to express myself...

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!! That was well worth the wait. When I got home from work on Friday there was a HUGE package waiting for me, and I just had to smile coz I knew it was my Red Deluxe Edition. Ok, the 'book' is stunning really, really class. The photo's are amazing, you really do feel you have got your moneys worth with this, and that's even before you've put any fookin music on....

So, on to the music. I really wish I had been there during the play of this. The Incident Tour was excellent, however this just blows everthing away. FOABP kicks things off, and to hear it in it's entirety live is just a stunning experience. The title track just makes your hairs stand on end and just grows and grows and grows until it finally explodes with the awsome riff 3/4 of the way through wit an energy that doesn't quite come across on the Studio version. Oh, and before I forget to mention it, I have never seen Wilson look more focused and moody than on here, there's definatley a feeling and energy like no other coming from him, he really means buisness.
Then My Ashes. Wonderful stuff, although I do have a slight problem with this version... John Wesely's vocals in the chorus just aren't up to scratch, to the point of cringing. Maybe it's just me, but it comes across better with Steven doing it, it's more believable.
Ok, ANESTHETIZE. AWSOME. Simply put. Special mention to Wesely too, who does a great job with the guitar solo in the first section, it's never going to be as good as Alex Lifeson's, but I really think he puts a lot of soul into it. Gavin Harrison = WOW. You get a real feel that everyone, especially Barbreri, is enjoying themselves. Every now and then the camera cuts to him smiling when someone is playing a solo, very nice.
Sentimental is excellent too, you have to admire the harmonies between Wilson and Wesley.
Not much to add to Way Out Of Here. We have all witnessed it live and know how good it is.
The album closer 'Sleep Together'... Well this song has always brought up mixed reviews, but I have always thought of it as a grower. It gets better with each listen, and I was always 100% certain that it was made to be played live, and man is it awsome. Wilson growls away with brute force and the band just ooze class, feeding off his energy. At this point I felt really knackered, but then I realised it had only just begin.
Que 'What Happens Now' one of the highlights of Nil Reccuring. This has it's moments live, but I don't feel it's quite as good as the studio version. I love the way it opens, Wilson in fine form going for it with the vocals really brings the song across well, it has an almost dance feel to it and it's very, very cool. The reason I say it's not quite as good live is because the guitars at the climax aren't crunchy enough, maybe I'm just being overanalitical though!
Normal out-classes Sentimental here, what a song this is. A ballad with a metal riff halfway through, and it works!!! Played to perfection, one slip up and it would all fall apart, that's how intricut the playing is. Love the vocals. Barberi's synths, like in every song, are amazing.
Then Dark Matter. I didn't have the set list in front of me so I had no idea this was up next, so the inro by Barberi had me really scratching my head... Then I nearly wet myself when I realised what it was, this is just superb, it sounds awsome live. The ultimate moment of the gig is Wilson's guitar solo, my oh my does he play it, watch the energy flowing from him... That's how to play guitar!!!
Drown With Me is wonderful, not quite as good live but it will make you smile.
Cheating The Polygraph is possibly the highlight of the Nil Reccuring EP, this is really, really good live the atmosphere created by the sound is just umbelievable, I keep going on about it, but the playing from everyone is just top draw.
Half Light is possibly the one dissapointment for me I'm afraid... It's just too 'Stadium Rock' with the glowing guitar and huge guitar solo at the end, it's just not Half Light for me... It needs to be more intimate sounding, although I'm sure I'd change my mind if I was actually there.
Sever... WOW. I'll talk about vocals later but this is excellent.
Wedding Nails is a nice inclusion, and comes across very well here. I was never much a fan of it, but it sounds really good live.
Strip The Soul/Dot Three.. There's something lacking/missing that I just can't quite put my finger on here, I was slightly dissapointed.
Sleep Of No Dreaming, see comments for Sever.
Halo, well we now know why this was the only song from the 'Arriving Somewhere' DVD... how else could you close the DVD if this wasn't included? It had to be on it because they didn't close with another song. 
The bonus track 'Prodigal' on the CD is very good, however the closing guitar solo is a let down, I much prefer the intense Floyd like solo on the studio version.
So to sum up, this is a fantastic package, the gig is amazing. Even better than Arriving Somewhere, granted... Both have there highlights, making them both essential.
Steven Wilson's vocals are magnificent, seriously, every song is sung to perfection, listen to Sever, Normal, ANESTHETIZE... f**k it, listen to the whole thing if you don't believe me!!!
Musically it is flawless. Tighter than any sh*t indie band you are likely to see, bollocks to Kings Of Leon, THIS IS MUSIC.
So, after all that I give this 10/10 for the entire package, thanks Steven for this amazing RED special edition, and thanks to Porcupine Tree for just being a one in a million band. I shall cherish this forever I am sure.