WARSZAWA

Personally, I love almost all albums by Porcupine Tree, including the live CD. This live album is basically performed during 'Lightbulb Sun' tour at a Polish radio show on April 6th 2001. Of course, I also like this live version as well. It contains almost 80 minute of music recorded here at this CD even though the real performance for radio broadcast was less than this CD duration because basically the extended three songs were only performed for those crowd who came to the radio station, not broadcasted. If you are familiar with Porcupine Tree, the set list for this performance was more on Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun albums.

As always, the beauty of any Porcupine Tree release is its crystal clear sound recording and pretty clear channel separation that make our ears hear wonderful sound from the instruments as well as the soundscapes. The opening track 'Even Less' (7:36) sounds inspiring as it has wonderful sound recording as well as excellent music that flows in ambient mode backed with bluesy, Floydian guitar work. The ending part is exactly like those you hear in studio album where there is a female voice making a count in the same style as the studio album. 'Slave Called Shiver' (5:08) continues the list with its bass guitar intro part followed with a music characterized by a groove. And it returns back to the ambient 'Shesmovedon' (5:21). It then moves nicely to 'Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth....'. My favorite 'Hatesong' (8:36) is also performed wonderfully at this live performance.

If you know the band quite well, I think you will definitely enjoy this live record. The only thing that concerns me is that during the performance there are many parts that have been pre-programmed before the show. Even though there is practically no overdubs, but the facts of preprogram material makes me not so much appreciating the overall live CD. Like I say in the beginning that I like any album of Porcupine Tree. Keep on proggin' ?!

Peace on earth and mercy mild ? GW