Porcupine Tree
In Absentia
Tracklist:
1. Blackest Eyes (4:23)
2. Trains (5:56)
3. Lips of Ashes (4:39)
4. The Sound of Muzak (4:59)
5. Gravity Eyelids (7:56)
6. Wedding Nails (6:33)
7. Prodigal (5:32)
8. .3 (5:25)
9. The Creator Has a Mastertape (5:21)
10. Heartattack in a Lay By (4:15)
11. Strip the Soul (7:21)
12. Collapse the Light Into Earth (5:54)
Total: 1:08:20
Introduction:
Porcupine Trees started out as mainly a Steven Wilson solo project, but later evolved into a four-piece band. Signify (1996) was the first album put out with a four-piece band, with Stupid Dream (1999) and Lightbulb Sun (2000) following subsequently. Then in 2002, the band released In Absentia, and thanks to their devoted, cult-like fan base and the airplay of their �Strip the Soul� video on MTV, it became their most successful album to date.
Synopsis:
The album begins with �Blackest Eyes�. Judging from the intro to the song, which has some heavy guitar riffs, you�d think this was going to be a hard rock song. But once the song gets to the verses, you�ll find out that this is actually a rather calm song. Vocalist Steven Wilson voice is really good throughout the song, especially during the chorus (�Swim with me into your blackest eyes�). After two choruses, the song goes into the heavy intro riff again before going into a slow part dominated by a church-like organ, with Wilson singing the chorus. Overall, this is a very good opening track.
Next up is the mainly acoustic piece �Trains�, which is one of my favorite songs on the album. Wilson�s vocals really shine here, as he sings the whole song wonderfully. The acoustic guitar solo in this song is brilliant and fits the song perfectly.
�Lips of Ashes� is an interesting song. The intro has an oriental-inspired feel to it. During the verses, Steven Wilson uses layered vocals that create a great effect that is beautiful to listen to. The song closes with a well-fitting guitar solo.
In �The Sound of Muzak�, Wilson once again uses layered vocals, during the chorus, that create a beautiful result. This song is definitely is one of the best songs on the album, with its brooding acoustic guitar riff, well done vocals, and great instrumentation overall. Not to mention that kick ass guitar solo around the middle of the track.
�Gravity Eyelids� somewhat exhibits a space rock feel to it, mainly because of strange synth effects and high-pitched vocals. This song definitely feels like a Pink Floyd inspired tune. The song eventually segues into a heavier part with heavy guitar and bass riffs and louder drumming, but then goes back into the calmer section the last few minutes of the song.
Track six is the oddly titled �Wedding Nails�, an instrumental track. This is a pretty cool track to listen to. It shows off the instrumental skill of the band, although you probably won�t be too overwhelmed, especially when compared to the instrumentals of other prog bands like Rush or Dream Theater. But anyway, like I said, this is a pretty good instrumental. It�s one of the heavier songs on the album, with its somewhat repetitive guitar and bass riffs, haunting synths, and strident drumming.
�Prodigal� has some interesting lyrics and great vocals. There isn�t much to say about this song really, other than it�s a pretty good track that�s worth listening to.
The simple titled �.3� starts off with a low bass line and lingering synths, in which they are joined by a slow drumbeat and a guitar lead. This song is almost entirely instrumental; the only lyrics in the song are �Black the sky, weapons fly/lay them waste for your waste�. But the song has a really nice ambiance to it, mainly due to the added string section.
�The Creator Has a Mastertape� is one of the faster paced songs on the album, and one of the heavier ones as well. For most of the song, the vocals have a weird effect to them; it sounds like Wilson is talking through a radio or something. On the whole, this song is definitely interesting, but it�s probably my least favorite track on the album.
�Heartattack in a Lay By� is a gloomy, depressing track. The soothing piano melody and heartrending vocals are striking, and the lyrics are very well written. This is another one of my favorite songs on the album.
The next track is �Strip the Soul�, which is the song that got some rather heavy rotation from MTV2. I can see why many people liked this song: It�s gone some heavy riffs, good vocals, and odd yet intriguing lyrics. My favorite part of the song is the heavy breakdown towards the end of the song.
Closing out the album is the piano-driven ballad �Collapse the Light Into Earth�. As you�d expect, Steven Wilson�s vocals shine on this song. This song, like �.3� has an effective string section.
Highlights:
�Trains�, �The Sound of Muzak�, �Heartattack in a Lay By�
Overall:
If you�ve never bought or heard any Porcupine Tree albums, this is an excellent album to start out with. The entire album is really well done.
Final Score: A
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Last Updated ::
5/12/2005
Album: In Absentia
Album line-up:
Richard Barbieri (Keyboards)
Colin Edwin (Bass)
Gavin Harrison (Drums)
Steven Wilson (Vocals, Guitars)
Additional Personnel:
Aviv Geffen (Backup vocals on �The Sound of Muzak� and �Prodigal�)
John Wesley (Backup vocals on �The Sound of Muzak�, �Prodigal� and �Blackest Eyes�, additional guitar on �Blackest Eyes�)
Release Year: 2002
Label: Lava/Atlantic
Produced by: Steven Wilson