Porcupine Tree "Lightbulb Sun" Snapper/K-Scope SMACD827 2000 (56:20)
Lightbulb Sun (5:31)
How is Your Life Today ? (2:46)
Four
Chords That Made a Million (3:36)
Shesmovedon (5:13)
Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled
(4:48)
The
Rest Will Flow (3:25)
Hatesong (8:26)
Where We Would Be (4:12)
Russia
On Ice (13:03)
Feel So Low (5:18)
Porcupine Tree is: Steven Wilson (vocals, guitar, piano, hammered dulcimer, mellotron, samples, banjo, harp, percussion), Richard Barbieri (synthesizers, hammond organ, Fairground, synthesized percussion, Fender Rhodes, clavinet, mellotron, insects), Chris Maitland (drums, backing vocals, floor tom, harmony vocals), Colin Edwin (fretless bass, Saz, drum machine, guimbri).
Porcupine Tree is one of several creative outlets for UK multi-instrumentalist Steven Wilson. The project began in 1987 in Wilson's home studio and by 1993 had expanded into the 4 piece band it is today. "Lightbulb Sun" picks up right where last year's "Stupid Dream" left off with ten more psychedelic and progressive influenced pop / rock songs. Porcupine Tree's sound is lushly textured, pretty and radio friendly, yet it's much better than most anything you actually hear on the radio. Wilson alone plays acoustic and electric guitars, piano, hammered dulcimer, mellotron, banjo, harp, percussion and samples while the rest of the band fills in with synths, organ, bass, backing vocals and drums, as well as some string arrangements courtesy of Dave Gregory of XTC. The album is very well produced (by Wilson) and dynamic as it flows through gentle ballads, Floydian soundscapes and full on rock, all with infectious hooks and melodies and a strong 'sing-a-long' quality. Wilson's light, lilting voice sings some about childhood and the music business, but wayward love is the dominant topic. There aren't any particular parts of the music or individual songs that really stand out, it all works best taken as a whole. It's becoming very addictive. My only complaint is the final song "Feel So Low" seems like an incredibly depressing way to end the album. The artwork is fantastic with a photo of a young boy holding a blazing lightbulb and the inside of the insert is also well done with full color photos and all the lyrics. Porcupine Tree will be opening for Dream Theater in October and the third and final single from this album for "The Rest Will Flow" is due out later this year ...
Where did I get this cd? - Twist and Shout - Denver, CO.