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Joined: March 21 2010
Location: Indiana, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4489
Posted: June 10 2010 at 16:53
As of right now, I only have Schoolyard Ghosts... I didn't think I would like Tim's voice, or I would have more of their albums. But I've definitely fell in love with Schoolyard Ghosts, one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard... It definitely infliuenced my decision to buy Returning Jesus, and Flowermouth sounds awesome as well, with Maitland and Fripp.
What No-Man do you have, Joel? And do have any suggestions?
MY GREY EDITION JUST CAME! It's sitting on my lap right now. I'm flicking through the picture book. It really is beautiful. I'm burning the CDs of the gig to my Ipod right now, before I head off to work. Don't have a load of time to review it right now, but i'll share my thoughts properly later on.
Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while...
Joined: March 02 2009
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 19643
Posted: June 11 2010 at 02:01
ptkc123 wrote:
As of right now, I only have Schoolyard Ghosts... I didn't think I would like Tim's voice, or I would have more of their albums. But I've definitely fell in love with Schoolyard Ghosts, one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard... It definitely infliuenced my decision to buy Returning Jesus, and Flowermouth sounds awesome as well, with Maitland and Fripp.
What No-Man do you have, Joel? And do have any suggestions?
I've got Schoolyard Ghosts, Returning Jesus, Together We're Stranger, Flowermouth, their DVD, and the deluxe Wild Opera remaster (which includes Dry Cleaning Ray) is coming in the mail right now.
Can't go wrong with any of them, although Together We're Stranger is easily the best IMO. Simply heartbreakingly beautiful ambient something. Easily some of the best songwriting ever and one of the most dense atmospheres ever recorded.
Returning Jesus has some amazing tracks as well, has a great piano/ethnic styling to it as well, like something from Peter Gabriel. It's my least favourite from the albums I have by them, but it's still a 4* album for sure.
Flowermouth is their poppiest, but is still a wonderful disc as well, more psychedelic pop than anything, but still brilliant. It has a lot of ambient sections as well, but mostly pop. Really good stuff!
Schoolyard Ghosts took me a long time to get into, but I finally love it from end to end. Truenorth is simply stunning, and Mixtaped is amazing too. Love that disc, and the 5.1 mix is great too.
You can't go wrong with any of them, although as I mentioned, Returning Jesus is the weakest IMHO, although it's completely dependant on what you want in an album (IE, ambient [Together We're Stranger], ethnically tinged post-rock pop [Returning Jesus] or somewhat psychedelic pop with a really cheery and at the same time sad sound [Flowermouth].
I'm planning on checking out Bowness's solo album sometime soon if I have some money.
Also, about ~3 months ago I emailed Burning Shed to ask if their was any plans to re-release No-man's debut, Loveblows And Lovecries - A Confession and was told that they don't have the rights to the recording, so it won't be for a while.
Joined: March 02 2009
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 19643
Posted: June 11 2010 at 02:02
Kashmir75 wrote:
MY GREY EDITION JUST CAME! It's sitting on my lap right now. I'm flicking through the picture book. It really is beautiful. I'm burning the CDs of the gig to my Ipod right now, before I head off to work. Don't have a load of time to review it right now, but i'll share my thoughts properly later on.
Good to hear! Every time I look at mine I can't help but be amazed at just how amazing the whole thing is. Fantastic stuff
It's official: this could very well be the best concert DVD (not to mention the greatest packaging and presentation) I have ever seen. The photo book is just lovely. Incredibly high quality snaps that are nearly as good (though not quite) as being there in the front row in person. Some of the pics seem to be from the Incident tour, rather than the Tour of a Blank Planet (i remember Steve wearing that t shirt with the screaming baby with 'LULU' written underneath, on their recent Aussie tour), but they're so lush, it really doesn't bother me. It almost makes up for me not being alive in the vinyl gatefold artwork days, having this extraordinarily well-thought-out packaging. PT give you the whole package. Not just the amazing music (that itself is worth the asking price alone), but the superlative visuals, and the stunning artwork, too.
The concert itself is pretty much flawless. Exquisite performances of many of my favourite PT songs, including Dark Matter, Sever, .3, Normal, Drown With Me, the list goes on and on. The setlist was perfect (although there's so much fantastic material in their catalogue that they could have played just about anything from their discography and I'd be happy), with the only disappointment being the omission of Stars Die . Even some songs which I didnt count as faves beforehand (Sleep Together, for one) sound so brilliant on this DVD. Wilson sings with a much more aggressive tone on this track than he does in the studio, and it really suits it. The harmonies between Wilson and Wesley are of course amazing. I loved John Wesley's version of the My Ashes chorus. Beautiful. I got goosebumps. And Half Light. Oh, Half Light. I had to hold back tears at that one.
Amazing DVD, and even better than Arriving Somewhere (itself a near flawless live DVD). Unfortunately, I have not watched the Bluray version yet (just the DVD on my laptop). I'll have to bung it into my PS3 and check that baby out.
Superb.
Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while...
Joined: March 21 2010
Location: Indiana, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4489
Posted: June 11 2010 at 10:14
Awesome! Stars Die would've been nice in place of Halo... but Halo surprised me at how energetic the performance was; it must be one their favorites to play live. It is a flawless 5 Star DVD and I should write a review on it soon, because people need to hear just how perfect it is. Half Light was great, with the special Telecaster-like effects-guitar. Wesley really proved how well he works with the band live on this DVD. I noticed Colin moves a little more than on Arriving Somewhere... (he didn't move very much during that performance) but I couldn't care less because he's an amazing bass player.
Joined: March 02 2009
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 19643
Posted: June 11 2010 at 20:29
Yeah, I was really surprised with the performance of Halo, awesome stuff.
Also, has anybody else noticed how evil and scary SW's vocals on Sleep Together are? Send chills down my spine every time!
Also, I definitely think this one is better than Arriving Somewhere... although both are absolutely top notch DVD's.
For me, John Wesley and Richard Barbieri are the stars of this one - it really is good to see a much more lively input from them all, though.
Joined: November 22 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4079
Posted: June 11 2010 at 20:37
progkidjoel wrote:
Yeah, I was really surprised with the performance of Halo, awesome stuff.
Also, has anybody else noticed how evil and scary SW's vocals on Sleep Together are? Send chills down my spine every time!
Also, I definitely think this one is better than Arriving Somewhere... although both are absolutely top notch DVD's.
For me, John Wesley and Richard Barbieri are the stars of this one - it really is good to see a much more lively input from them all, though.
John Wesley is so important to the live band, IMO. I recently received the DVD and I am amazed at this guy's talent.
Joined: March 21 2010
Location: Indiana, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4489
Posted: June 11 2010 at 22:00
progkidjoel wrote:
Yeah, I was really surprised with the performance of Halo, awesome stuff.
Also, has anybody else noticed how evil and scary SW's vocals on Sleep Together are? Send chills down my spine every time!
Also, I definitely think this one is better than Arriving Somewhere... although both are absolutely top notch DVD's. For me, John Wesley and Richard Barbieri are the stars of this one - it really is good to see a much more lively input from them all, though.
Richard and John are extraordinary on the DVD! Steven really does seem to carry the anger and frustration from the subject matter of FoaBP onto the live performance quite well! Parts of Anesthetize (the song) also contain the angry vocals! I still don't think they should make John Wesley a full-time member, though... it seems that when bands that make magical music start adding too many members "officially," they start to disagree, argue, and the like. This leads to band/musician break-ups, which is never good, especially for PT, who work together so well. I feel that the position that John is in right now with Porcupine Tree is quite good, and as I stated in an earlier post, when he takes stage singing certain unexpected lines by himself and harmonizing with Steven, and improv-ing guitar solos (I think), it adds additional life to the original songs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing John, in fact I love John--he's amazing at what he does-- I just think he should stay where he is, IMO, it's a good place for him (Yes, I'm aware that he does guitar- and vocal- work on some of the studio albums).
But besides that: Yeah, Anesthetize is much more band-oriented than Arriving Somewhere..., and it adds much character to the full band. It seems like they showed less of Gavin on Anesthetize than anyone else, though . It's very hard to keep track of him, I'm sure .
I have to say that I prefer Arriving Somewhere... just a liiiittle bit more... It seemed to span the band's journey a little more (or maybe just what I like more). Plus, Radioactive Toy and Futile (two of my favorite PT songs) are included on the Bonus Disc, along with the song vignettes and Gavin's awe-inspiring "Cymbal Song." Anesthetize has a great setlist, though, and I can't complain at all, with the addition of perhaps my favorite PT songs The Sleep of No Dreaming, all of FoaBP, .3, Wedding Nails, Dark Matter, and all of Nil Recurring (but no Stars Die......).
It's a 5 star DVD, that's for sure.
BTW: Have any of you guys read Lunar Park by Bret Easton Ellis (I'm sure you all know FoaBP is partly based on it)? I had to get it after I read FoaBP was based on it, and it's one of the most touching, thoughtful and creepy novels I have read to date. I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone, it's a very emotional and thoughtful book, full of nuances and relevant subject matter to today's generation.
Joined: March 02 2009
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 19643
Posted: June 11 2010 at 22:51
Nope, but I'll definitely be checking if they have it at the library next time I go!
Man, Gavin literally seems to play every track differently on each live rendition. Can't say that about many drummers! About a week ago, I found out off a friend at school that he did a drum clinic in my town about a year ago and did live signings, can't believe I missed it.
Check this out for some of the best jazz drumming I've ever seen:
Joined: March 21 2010
Location: Indiana, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4489
Posted: June 11 2010 at 23:01
^ Yeah, not your typical, run-of-the-mill rock/jazz drummer, that's for sure. Man, I really want to hear him on some Crimso tracks! I really wish they'd release an EP, recent live performances, or best of all a new album! He seems to fit King Crimson like a glove. I'm so eager to hear him record anything with Fripp!
I'd buy a new KC album with Gavin on drums immediately. Hope such a thing happens.
Agreed about John Wesley. The guy is a fabulous talent, and this is shown off to great effect on Anesthetize. Even if he isn't a full member, he pretty much has appeared on every album since In Absentia, he just doesnt play on every track.
The new DVD does seem to be more band focused than Arriving Somewhere. You get to see each of the guys get his moment to shine. Gavin is less prominent than on AS though, yeah. Someone on the PT Forum said that this disc's 'Harrison licking his finger in Hatesong' jaw dropping moment is 'Barbieri playing his keyboard with a water bottle during Wedding Nails' (I think its on that track?)
I love FOABP, Nil Recurring, In Absentia, and Signify, so I had few complaints with the setlist! It really was a shame about Stars Die, though. They could have squeezed that one on?
Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while...
My only letdowns in the entire set were minor issues. One of these being the 'outro' of Strip The Soul being lost. I love that ultra heavy part at the end. I love .3 as well, though, so can't complain too much. The other was the lack of Gavin's final drum fill at the end of Sleep Together.
Other moments were so perfect, though. Dark Matter, what more can be said? That solo was otherworldly. And the way Half Light segued straight into Sever... amazing. Overall, a five star DVD.
Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while...
Joined: November 22 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4079
Posted: June 12 2010 at 06:22
The new DVD has more of an event feel than the last. I love Arriving Somewhere... but it seems more like the band simply playing a catalog of songs. With the new DVD, it feels more like a start to finish show where you are riding a wave. Love it!
Per the comment of less footage of Gavin, I have to say it did disappoint me. I would love to see a version of the DVD where you could choose a camera angle focused on each member. Rush did this with one DVD release on selected songs.
Joined: June 12 2010
Location: Adelaide
Status: Offline
Points: 82
Posted: June 12 2010 at 06:24
I'm a reasonably big fan of Porcupine Tree, been listening to them for a couple of years now. I have Fear Of A Blank Planet, Stupid Dream, the We Lost The Skyline live album and a digital version of Love, Death And Mussolini (Only 10 physical copies were made)
Of those, I like Stupid Dream the most and my 2 equally favourite songs from the band are Piano Lessons and Out.
The new DVD has more of an event feel than the last. I love Arriving Somewhere... but it seems more like the band simply playing a catalog of songs. With the new DVD, it feels more like a start to finish show where you are riding a wave. Love it!
Per the comment of less footage of Gavin, I have to say it did disappoint me. I would love to see a version of the DVD where you could choose a camera angle focused on each member. Rush did this with one DVD release on selected songs.
I like the multi angle idea. I have some Rush, Metallica, and Dream Theater DVDs where they have that multi camera angle option.
Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while...
I was just listening to the full version of Even Less on the PT website. It's so much better than the edited version that made it to Stupid Dream (as much as I adore that album). Now I have the Recordings version of Buying New Soul playing as I type this. I really can't wait to get the Recordings CD when it gets reissued this year. It's one of the few (legit) PT things I don't have.
Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while...
Joined: March 02 2009
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 19643
Posted: June 12 2010 at 08:29
I've just realised that SW re-uses quite a lot of his own riffs in other projects...
The riff which he wrote for the track by Fish called 'Say It With Flowers' is also in the song called 'Lighthouse' by no-man... The same atmospheric synth backing track which makes up the entire track 'Together We're Stranger' by no-man is used in part of 'Drugged 3' by Bass Communion... The little soft interlude in 'Anesthetize' (from the 2nd part to the 3rd part) features part of the vocal track from SW's 'The Unquiet Grave'...
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ptkc123 wrote:
. Even some songs which I didnt count as faves beforehand (Sleep Together, for one) sound so brilliant on this DVD. Wilson sings with a much more aggressive tone on this track than he does in the studio, and it really suits it. The harmonies between Wilson and Wesley are of course amazing. I loved John Wesley's version of the My Ashes chorus. Beautiful. I got goosebumps. And Half Light. Oh, Half Light. I had to hold back tears at that one. 
. It's very hard to keep track of him, I'm sure 
.
