By Summer It Was All Gone
Sometimes, it pays to make a lucky guess. Once upon a time, I had what the kids today refer to as "expendable income". This influx of capital allowed me to freely and gluttonously pursue my favorite pastime - consumption of new music. During this period, it was not uncommon to take wild chances on bands I've never heard of for seemingly unknown reasons. Such moments would explain how I managed to acquire music by Astroqueen as well as some of the worst black and death metal purchases known to man. Note to self: never trust "sounds like".
But every so often, I got lucky and unearthed a gem. Back in 2003 when I was mad for all things Dream Theater and DT-related, I caught wind of Mike Portnoy's project Office Of Strategic Influence. While I was pretty well aware of contributors Kevin Moore and Jim Matheos, I hadn't yet heard much about a guy named Steven Wilson or his band Porcupine Tree. As it happens, the corporate chain I was at had one copy of Porcupine Tree's then-latest album In Absentia.
Initially, I kind of found Porcupine Tree to be a good band with some brilliant songs. Trains, Sound Of Muzak and Heartattack In A Lay By were highlights of my introduction to a band that would become one of my go-to influences in a few short years. By the time Deadwing was released, I was beginning to see what I now know.
From accounts I've seen online, the two aforementioned albums are amongst the band's most commercial sounding. Since that time, Fear Of A Blank Planet and The Incident displays more of the traits that sparked my initial curiosity - longer songs, more experimentation and more. Gavin Harrison's drum abilities are practically unfair as he weaves through complex patterns with grace and ease. As a whole, Porcupine Tree will shift from the airiest of melodies to heaviest of riffing without any sense of misstep.
Porcupine Tree offers intrigue to a wide swath of listener. In the same manner as a band like Pink Floyd, they create relatively accessible music that is both enjoyable on a base level while having all of the Mensa-level musicianship to please the uber-snobs. For me, it sometimes pays off to match stupid luck with good timing.
But every so often, I got lucky and unearthed a gem. Back in 2003 when I was mad for all things Dream Theater and DT-related, I caught wind of Mike Portnoy's project Office Of Strategic Influence. While I was pretty well aware of contributors Kevin Moore and Jim Matheos, I hadn't yet heard much about a guy named Steven Wilson or his band Porcupine Tree. As it happens, the corporate chain I was at had one copy of Porcupine Tree's then-latest album In Absentia.Initially, I kind of found Porcupine Tree to be a good band with some brilliant songs. Trains, Sound Of Muzak and Heartattack In A Lay By were highlights of my introduction to a band that would become one of my go-to influences in a few short years. By the time Deadwing was released, I was beginning to see what I now know.From accounts I've seen online, the two aforementioned albums are amongst the band's most commercial sounding. Since that time, Fear Of A Blank Planet and The Incident displays more of the traits that sparked my initial curiosity - longer songs, more experimentation and more. Gavin Harrison's drum abilities are practically unfair as he weaves through complex patterns with grace and ease. As a whole, Porcupine Tree will shift from the airiest of melodies to heaviest of riffing without any sense of misstep.Porcupine Tree offers intrigue to a wide swath of listener. In the same manner as a band like Pink Floyd, they create relatively accessible music that is both enjoyable on a base level while having all of the Mensa-level musicianship to please the uber-snobs. For me, it sometimes pays off to match stupid luck with good timing.
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