Maples Oaks and Porcupine Trees

QUOTE (Pags @ Oct 31 2009, 06:17 AM) QUOTE (GrandDesigner @ Oct 31 2009, 10:05 AM) It's amazing how unique a vibe they had pre-In Absentia. IA is probably my favorite album of theirs but they lost that great psychedelic vibe they had on the earlier albums completely by then. The Incident feels a bit more in that direction than FOABP or DW which is probably why I love it so much. Dark Matter from Signify is the very first song I heard from them, and the floaty psychodelic lush sound is what grabbed me. But then I heard the more recent stuff and I haven't been able to stop listening. I need to dive more into the earlier material now. Dark Matter was the second song I heard by PT. I listened to it several times a day for a month when I first heard it. Couldn't get enough of it. I still enjoy it! The quality of the mix and effects on that song are perfect!

QUOTE (Rush! @ Oct 30 2009, 07:16 PM) "Lazarus" is amazing. Just a completely beautiful song.

QUOTE (Soni @ Oct 29 2009, 04:35 PM) any Voyage 34 fans here? I love it, even though it's not a real album it works as one. I like this: Addendum: the album would be an A+ without the narratives. I find them too distracting. I just want to listen to the great jam sessions and space rock moments!

QUOTE (Gompers @ Aug 14 2010, 11:55 AM) QUOTE (Maples Oaks and Porcupine Trees @ Aug 14 2010, 03:52 PM) What are everyone's favorites moments on the Anesthetize DVD? One of mine is the strobe light section during the title cut! The beginning of Dark Matter. The intro to Dark Matter is definitely spooky! Reminds me a little bit of the keyboard intro to Tarot Woman on Rainbow Rising! Nice!

What are everyone's favorites moments on the Anesthetize DVD? One of mine is the strobe light section during the title cut!

@ pg. 61. Back later!

Just ordered the reissue of PT's Recordings: http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupine...oduct/169/2268/ Also ordered Steven Wilsons Insurgentes (double DVD): http://www.burningshed.com/store/stevenwil...roduct/65/2288/

QUOTE (The Owl @ Aug 14 2010, 09:49 AM) Getting kind of worried...... My show is Wednesday, and my ticket has still not come in the mail. I'd be worried too!

QUOTE (sullysue @ Aug 14 2010, 09:16 AM) [/quote] I know. I know. I'm a pain in the ass. But, I would have loved to have heard Russia on Ice in its entirety. What they did play of it was amazing, though. I'm not gonna complain anymore.

QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 17 2009, 12:45 PM) QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ Sep 17 2009, 03:30 PM) QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 17 2009, 04:23 PM) QUOTE (tangy @ Sep 17 2009, 03:16 PM) QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 17 2009, 03:12 PM) QUOTE (Wilderness_of_Mirrors @ Sep 17 2009, 02:47 PM) that setlist is a lot better, BUYING NEW SOUL!!!! they better play that in philly!! I liked that first setlist better. I'd love to hear "Russia on Ice" live. I read in one review that they only played a portion of ROI. i know what song off the incident i will be singing at christmas time! I hate it when bands do that. Play the whole thing or forget it. I'd still like to hear THE WHOLE thing live, though. I bet "Bonnie the Cat" kills live. In most cases I'd agree with you, but what about "Anesthetize"? Would you rather not hear the middle section if they're not willing to play the whole 17 minutes? Yes, actually. I mean, I wouldn't walk out for God's sake. But, I appreciate those songs for what they are as a whole. Same thing with a Rush show. It bothers me to no end when they chop songs up like that. This is corny, I know, but honor the hardcore fans by playing those long songs the way they're meant to be. What's an extra 10 minutes? And, I don't mean for them to cut something from the playlist to fit it in. Just play longer. What's the big deal? The big deal? To quote Geddy, "We're not spring chickens anymore!"

QUOTE (Gompers @ Sep 15 2009, 06:28 PM) The extended version of time flies is a total nod to Pink Floyd...Animals in particular I think. Dogs!

Show Review: Porcupine Tree with Karnivool at The Warfield, 8/11/2010 http://spinningplatters.com/2010/08/12/sho...rfield-8112010/

Okay, I started on pg. 26 and am on p. 50. That's enough for one day! And I'm basically 1/2 way there and just under a year behind in my reading! LOL! See you tomorrow!

Check it out! My original post was saved! How cool is that!

Nothing more annoying than a gateway time out when one is posting their thoughts with passion! GRRR! I'll see if I can recall my thoughts: One of the things that makes PT so fantastic is the subtlety of their craft. Back on page 50 there was a discussion about Gavin being a monster and the rest of the band being competent, but not super-musicians (contrast with RUSH, etc.). Note, my words, not the other posters, but you get the idea. I like Wilson, not because he has great pipes (as a singer) like Tate, Dio, Lee or Anderson, but because he's so emotive and communiates emotions and concepts so well. Some singers tend to blow a listener away with just how talented they are. Other singers (or bands) sneak up on you with their total approach to music. PT is not an "in-your-face" kind of band like RUSH or so many other super-groups. But what Steven, Colin, Rich and Gavin bring to the band (both together and individually) is the subtlety of great musicianship. One doesn't realize how good they are until they say, "WOW!" . . . (Not exactly what I wrote before, but it get's the point across!) LOL!

QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ Sep 15 2009, 08:45 AM) Geddy and Neil are considered upper echelon players, but I wouldn't consider Alex a virtuoso, though he's very well respected. He's prone to making the occasional mistake, but his emotional soloing and unique rhythm playing make him very special. With PT, Richard will never be confused with Rick Wakeman, but he's a genius at creating soundscapes. Colin is an excellent bassist and has an awesome bass tone, but isn't as flashy as guys like Squire and Geddy. Steven isn't a great singer and isn't a flashy guitar player (though he's certainly more than capable at both), but he's an amazing songwriter and conveys his ideas with grit and emotion. And of course, Gavin is a monster. You're right -- aside from Gavin, the other guys are not what most would consider virtuosos. But together, they are a machine. They are ridiculously tight, and are able to replicate their complicated songs live, and on most songs sound better than the record. When I talk about PT having great musicianship, that's what I'm referring to. One of the things that makes PT so good is the subtlety of their combined craft. I've spent most of my life listening to "super-talent - in - your - face musicians" like RUSH, Zep, YES, Satriani, Dream Theater, Queen, Queensryche, etc. But with PT their music, their style, their teamwork as a band is subtle. It surprises by coming at the listener from unique and unexpected directions. Their music is not necessarily demonstrative as with some bands, but it truly grabs the listeners attention. Pretty soon one finds themself going "WOW!" . . . Another one of the things I like about Wilson is that he's not an upper octave range singer like a Tate, Lee or Anderson. I tend to gravitate towards singers that have "pipes". Wilson's vocals are fare more emotive and subtle (there's that word again) than a lot of singers who are demonstrating their talent, as opposed to communicating thoughts and emotions in their songs. The more I listen to Wilson (solo) and PT combined, the more I like them!

QUOTE (Pags @ Sep 14 2009, 04:55 AM) So much in the music to pick out that I didn't hear on the previous listen. It's just awesome. I'm serious when I say I have not had this kind of a feeling about a band since I had my epiphony with Rush back in 1991. The more I listen to these guys, the more I want to dive in deeper, and listen more. This is huge. It's like Rush and Pink Floyd slammed together and out popped Porcupine Tree. Yet they don't for a minute sound like a copy band, or somone trying to rip off the sound or identity from someone else. They totally make their own mark on every song. Excellent analysis! I agree, except that my RUSH epiphany happened the first time I heard 2112 back in the 70's!

QUOTE (The Owl @ Sep 9 2009, 11:04 PM) QUOTE (RUSHHEAD666 @ Sep 9 2009, 09:13 PM) TREE ON! TREE ON! I love it! Tritto!

QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ Sep 4 2009, 07:58 PM) "But for now we're going to finish with..." "FREEBIRD!!!" "...one last song....NOT 'Freebird!'.......That's tomorrow. The full 17-minute blowout version." I was hysterical with laughter for about 5 minutes the first time I saw/heard that line!

I've both read in articles and heard it myself, that PT's music is difficult to define. Not only are the songs on many of their albums stylistically diverse, but also the individual songs change moods, sometimes subtely, other times drastically. Steven Wilson's solo album Insurgentes is a wonderful example of this. Take for example: Significant Other and how it ends with the music box accompanied by phonograph static in the background. As I mentioned up thread, Steven is quite the producer and really has an ear for a multiplicity of sounds.

Just got done listening to Tinto Brass (love that song)! Now, Lightbulb Sun is in my ears! "And I'll only take medicine if it's followed by sweets."

Don't know if this has been posted yet (I'm on pg. 41). Steven Wilson Collecting Space (Note, it looks like Steven's doing a cameo in this video toward the end, but I could be misinformed.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESzwG_ZMDcs...-exp_r2-2r-7-HM

Great lyrics, great song! I especially like the line about "value packs of ten"! 2. Piano Lessons [Written by Steven Wilson] I remember piano lessons The hours in freezing rooms Cruel ears and tiny hands Destroying timeless tunes She said there's too much out there Too much already said You'd better give up hoping You're better off in bed You don't need much to speak of No class, no wit, no soul Forget you own agenda Get ready to be sold I feel now like Christine Keeler Sleepwaking in the rain I didn't mean to lose direction I didn't want that kind of fame (Take your hands off my land) Credit me with some intelligence (if not just credit me) I come in value packs of ten (in five varieties) And even though I got it all now My only stupid dream Is you and me together And how it should have been I remember piano lessons Now everything seems clear You waiting under streetlights For dreams to disappear

QUOTE (The Owl @ Aug 20 2009, 11:30 AM) But he does fill the gaps nicely.......... When it's not PT time he usually finds it in his time to Produce a few albums (namely Opeth), Release a No-Man album, release a Blackfield album, a solo album. The man is busy and is usually always doing something to keep his fans occupied until the next PT album comes out.. I read somewhere recently that Steve prefers producing music over being a musician. I think he's a tremendous guitar player and singer. But Steve's penchant for creating sound is what makes his music so totally cool!