... They formed in the late 80s, with the lead guitarist/vocalist Steve Wilson
Deadwing's opening track of the same name, starts in true prog-rock style. A synth which gradually opens up into a heavy riff with drums to boot. Its probably a notch down from the quality of the rest of the album ... Read review
Advantages: Varied, Stylish, Mellow, Heavy, Contrasting Disadvantages: Lacking in places, A few song spoilers
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In review terms I had to give all the disadvantages, but I find it very easy to forgive the few misgivings Deadwing presents.
If you've heard it all or want to hear something different and varied. Give Deadwing a try, you won't forget it too soon. ... more
So your sat here wondering just who Porcupine Tree are? They are best described as an ex-underground but heavily experimental band. They formed in the late 80s, with the lead guitarist/vocalist Steve Wilson
Deadwing's opening track of the same name, starts in true prog-rock style. A synth which gradually opens up into a heavy riff with drums to boot. Its probably a notch down from the quality of the rest of the album however.
Its second track Shallow, continues the heavy trend, opening with a real-heavy riff that continues throughout , sandwiched between piano and acoustic sections. Wilson hammers out the vocals but the vocals aren't ear splitting as you might expect from the overall heaviness of the track.
Lazarus however is a complete contrast, its a gentle piano piece throughout. Wilson's vocals are almost angelic, with lovely use of harmony. And some Pink-Floydesque melodies from the guitars.
Halo, the fourth track I personally would describe it as a cross between Shallow and Lazarus. It makes more use of bass, but still includes some of Shallow's heaviness and Lazarus' piano pieces. His vocals aren't so angelic however and its more distorted than anywhere else on the album.
And then comes possibly the best song on the album, their prog-rock signature "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here". Its progressive rock in its purest form. The opening alone lasts 2 full minutes. And the lyrics are the most poetic in the album. Great vocal harmonies and repeating guitar picking complement this song perfectly. It is perhaps spoiled a bit by the heavy riff near the end, but you would have to be very harsh to mark it down for this.
Mellotron Scratch is similar to "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" but is more gentle to the extent of Lazarus but it does have a period of slight heaviness which again can spoil it if your listening to it in a "chilled" mood.
Then comes "Open Car" which is heavy like Shallow, but has the piano and acoustic pieces added for good measure. Its lyrically good too.
Start of Something Beautiful is possibly the plainest song in the album, it sort of strays between heavy and gentle. Its again good lyrically, it just seems to lack some substance.
The album rounds off nicely with "Glass Arm Shattering" it opens with a piano riff that sounds like it has been recorded on an old vinyl. Then the bass and the guitar chord come into play and the song is transformed. Its just a generally classy chill out song. The vocals are at least on-par with Arriving Somewhere But Not Here. And its very difficult to actually say which is the better song. It doesn't contain any heavy "spoilers" either.
So overall? I would have to say this album really is the best I've heard this year (I bought it upon release in March). And thats in terms of consitency and sound. Even though the songs may seem "similar" in the review, the songs are all individual and sound great. In review terms I had to give all the disadvantages, but I find it very easy to forgive the few misgivings Deadwing presents.
If you've heard it all or want to hear something different and varied. Give Deadwing a try, you won't forget it too soon.
Advantages: heavy guitars in places along with nice vocals Disadvantages: not many 'anthem' tracks
...other albums they have made, Deadwing is perhaps not the best, but it rates quite high in my opinion, especially tracks like open car and shallow. There is little to fault about the album, all the tracks are superbly written, deep lyrics sung with good pleasent voices, excellent musician ships and good rhythms. there will be some fans of their earlier stuff, that will not take to the album as i have, for it is not as progressive and moves closer ...
salmonf1 22.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Deadwing - Porcupine Tree
Advantages: An attempt by the band to broaden it's musical horizons Disadvantages: Failed They created something in "Strip the Soul" they could not buld on
Okay the genre of this album is tricky, it goes along the lines of metal in general but the singing style is very much like older Porcupine Tree stuff (alot of harmonised singing for you who are unaware) and personally I feel that took alot away from the music. Interestingly the album itself tells a story which Steven Wilson the frontman is also having made into a film. This idea of a concept is appealing but unless you are told this info you don't ... ...boils down to is; Are you a Porcupine Tree Fan? I am and I was really all that thrilled with this album and I really don't think anyone out side the Tree's fan base could enjoy it. It's musically weak and pretty much a lot of songs all near enough identical to Strip the Soul off their old album. Which if you liked you'll enjoy this follow up. If you didn't enjoy you hate Dead Wing. I seriously would not advise this album to people who are dabbling ...
Phelthew 04.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Deadwing - Porcupine Tree
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Advantages: Classic Prog Rock Stripped Down Disadvantages: Can Get Slightly Similar Once Listened To A Couple Of Times
This album is the marker that all concept albums should aim for, it manages to convey the basic storyline, whilst still keeping the listener almost completely in the dark about what is going on, and there has been virtually nothing leaked on the net, this could be because of Steve Wilson's polan to make it into a motion picture. The album is classic PorcupineTree, and if you are a PorcupineTree fan, that should be enough incentive to buy it, if you are not then imagine Roger Waters era Pink Floyd without the flounciness, or Genesis without Phil Collins. It is a stripped down sound that still manages to be completely progressive and inspiring, the range of musical style contained should keep everyone happy ...
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