Album Review
If you’ve been a metal fan at any point during this millennium, chances are good you’ve heard of Porcupine Tree. Chances are equally good that you’ve also heard them, whether you found them on their own or had one of your hip underground friends thrust them upon you. It never hurts a band’s credibility when one of your biggest fans is Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt. Ultimately, people either got it or they didn’t, embracing the band’s solid songwriting and musicianship or loathing their mellow, often trippy progressive leanings. That being said, if you fall into the latter category, there is no more for you to read here. For the rest of us, Deadwing simply continues Porcupine Tree’s legacy of greatness.
The title track kicks things off by flip-flopping between their more traditional laid-back sound and heavy passages, and in my opinion, this is where the band is at their best, blending the two contrasting, yet complementary, styles together into a seemless 9-minute journey. On the other hand, “Shallow” focuses almost entirely on the heavy, sounding a bit like a not-so-depressed Tool. This one is damn near impossible not to enjoy, instantly catchy and memorable. Time to take things back a bit with the mellow, piano-driven “Lazarus”, a stark contract to the previous two tracks, yet still sounding entirely in place here. “Halo” is next, with it’s bass-driven verses laying down a nice groove with heavier choruses and solos and a pounding outro. The 12 minute “Arriving Somewhere But Not Here” has an epic feel with 6+ mellow minutes followed by 2+ heavy minutes and 4+ more mellow minutes. I wish I had a lyric sheet with me so I could tell you for sure if the music follows the story. That pretty much sums up the album, with the remaining five tracks all playing around with the same elements in different variations. Of note is another heavy track, “Open Car”, the bluesy “Shesmovedon”, and the psychedelic, Pink Floyd-esque “Glass Arm Shattering”.
In short, Deadwing is another great album from the great Porcupine Tree. Not much more need be said.
The title track kicks things off by flip-flopping between their more traditional laid-back sound and heavy passages, and in my opinion, this is where the band is at their best, blending the two contrasting, yet complementary, styles together into a seemless 9-minute journey. On the other hand, “Shallow” focuses almost entirely on the heavy, sounding a bit like a not-so-depressed Tool. This one is damn near impossible not to enjoy, instantly catchy and memorable. Time to take things back a bit with the mellow, piano-driven “Lazarus”, a stark contract to the previous two tracks, yet still sounding entirely in place here. “Halo” is next, with it’s bass-driven verses laying down a nice groove with heavier choruses and solos and a pounding outro. The 12 minute “Arriving Somewhere But Not Here” has an epic feel with 6+ mellow minutes followed by 2+ heavy minutes and 4+ more mellow minutes. I wish I had a lyric sheet with me so I could tell you for sure if the music follows the story. That pretty much sums up the album, with the remaining five tracks all playing around with the same elements in different variations. Of note is another heavy track, “Open Car”, the bluesy “Shesmovedon”, and the psychedelic, Pink Floyd-esque “Glass Arm Shattering”.
In short, Deadwing is another great album from the great Porcupine Tree. Not much more need be said.
soccernick913 |
posted on 12/2008 |
In Absentia was pt's much darker album. some have said the song gravity eyelids have to deal with rape or murder or something along those lines. Deadwing is a much more upbeat (not so much mainstream) album. Mellotron scratch and glass arm shattering imo are pt at their best. steven wilson is a musical genius...both this album and in absentia deserve 6/6's
onthedownlow |
posted on 2/2008 |
I didnt find this all that solid throughout. There are one or two very good tracks, and a couple of really not so good at all tracks.
No-one has written much about the tune 'Shallow', which is mildly surprising (admittedly it is the token 'single') given that its one of the better tracks, but track three (I cant remember the name) is just shit. I thought it was some shit by Keane or something. I think that sums it up for me really - one track on, one track off. In Absentia was much more solid, if it didnt have the individual strengths of some of the tracks here.
deathbyporcupines |
posted on 12/2005 |
Just bought this one yesterday....and I have to say....Its one of the best albums I have ever heard....for some reason, the songs just seem to really hit home for me...
especially "Arriving somewhere but not here".
one thing though....you mention the track "Shesmovedon"....on my copy its different...its "The start of something beautiful"....
Ash |
posted on 5/2005 |
It came off as a bit to pretentious on the first couple listens but I'm opening up to it. I think the comment "this album is based on a screenplay by Steven Wilson" kind made me hate it for a second. It's definately no In Absentia though.
Dan, while I agree that Deadboy and the Elephantmen completely blows this away, I still think it's worth buying. Not too many Deadboy fans around though. You from LA?
Under The Porcupine Tree |
posted on 5/2005 |
Well, they did re-record it but its still awesome. Ending solo isnt as good but still great. Just like In Absentia, I was a little dissapointed with Deadwing first listen, but by the second spin I was blown away. Awesome disc...but still not as good as IA or SD.
Dan |
posted on 4/2005 |
well...This albums bores the fuck outta me. It's not because it's mellow or whatever. I listen to tons of mellow shit as well. But honestly...it's the most overrated piece of shit you can buy. STAY AWAY from this one. Go get the new Cephalic Carnage and the latest from Deadboy And The Elephantman. I'm sure this little 'rant' will get slammed, but I just don't care. This is boring, unimaginative pulp. The end....