Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    it's about the music
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Posts
    279

    Anybody else feel like Porky Tree's new material isn't quite as good as the old?

    And when i say Old hear i'm talking about way before lightbulb sun. To be precise i'm talking about the albums which came before Porcupine Tree actually turned into a band, when it was Wilson's solo project.
    On the sunday of life (weird, but awesome)
    Up the downstair (breathtaking)
    The sky moves sideways (also breathtaking)

    Then PT became a band a took a turn away from psychedelia and prog and towards hard rock. Sure I like stupid dream and In absentia... I even don't mind fear of a blank planet... but i just feel they aren't quite up to the level of PK's first works.

    So am I very weird or does anyone share these thoughts to any extent?
    I remember the days when I thought 128kbps sounded great and had never spent more than 10 bucks on cables...

  2. #2
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications
    Posts
    9,025
    Can't say I don't find the new material any worse.

    I think this just shows diversity. For me they peaked with Signify which was a nice blend of the artsy/prog and modern rock stuff. I'm sure everyone else has a different favorite album. Up the Downstair and Sky Moves Sideways are definitely a different flavour from Stupid Dream and In Absentia. Then they went more "metal" with Deadwing. I like it when bands evolve and experiment.

    I will say I was a bit disappointed in Fear From a Blank Planet after how much I enjoyed the previous 5 releases or so. A few of the songs are just starting to sound the same. Maybe they need a break? Though Anesthetize kicks serious ass as much as anything they've done.

    Every band has it's good and bad stuff - when their bad stuff is still pretty good, we shouldn't complain too much.

  3. #3
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    356
    Quote Originally Posted by Kaboom

    Then PT became a band a took a turn away from psychedelia and prog and towards hard rock. Sure I like stupid dream and In absentia... I even don't mind fear of a blank planet... but i just feel they aren't quite up to the level of PK's first works.

    So am I very weird or does anyone share these thoughts to any extent?
    AGREEEEE 1000%

    you and I will def. be the minority here, but In Abstentia is practically unlistenable...

    Long Live the old style

  4. #4
    Suspended 3-LockBox's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Hey! Over here!
    Posts
    2,746
    Its an apple to oranges comparison actually, and a moot point as well, since Wilson doesn't want to do that older style of music any longer. He has been quoted as saying (and I paraphrase) that it was a mistake to delve too long into that style of music since it seems to have pigeon holed the band. I think what he means by that is, it prevented them from mainstream success. Still, one needn't listen very hard to hear traces of that older style in PT's current works.

    IMO, FearOfABlankPlanet represents the band's third album in a row of the same ilk, meaning Wilson is no longer interested in pushing boundaries or going in new/different directions. For me, Signify is still the band's crowning masterpiece and its the best of its kind. But what came after it was still very good hard rock and FWIW, my favorite music of the last decade. PT is still an 'auto-purchase' for me.

    So the term 'better' is a subjective term, but it certainly is different.

  5. #5
    Close 'n PlayŽ user Troy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Highway 6, between Tonopah and Ely
    Posts
    2,318
    Yes, the last 3 albums have been too similar to each other compared with the change/progression and growth on all the discs released up through In Absentia.

    Practically unlistenable though? Uh, no.

  6. #6
    Stainmaster Finch Platte's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Fumbuck
    Posts
    2,630
    As a relative (no relation) newcomer to the PT oeuvre, I really enjoy the later stuff more, as I'm a closet metalhead. Hearing the older stuff, I enjoy it, but it's a bit wimpy for my tastes. Too purty for me.

    And focking Gavin Harrison on drums elevates them to a new, nay several levels of rawk.

    What Troy said, too.

    fp

    Edit: Does anyone know of any good mag/online interviews w/ Wilson and/or Harrison? I'd be interested in a Colin Edwin (bass) interview, as well.

  7. #7
    Suspended PeruvianSkies's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    3,373
    Quote Originally Posted by unleasHell
    AGREEEEE 1000%

    you and I will def. be the minority here, but In Abstentia is practically unlistenable...

    Long Live the old style
    This was the album that became my first exposure to the band and I was not impressed...should I give this band a second chance?

  8. #8
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    356
    Quote Originally Posted by PeruvianSkies
    This was the album that became my first exposure to the band and I was not impressed...should I give this band a second chance?
    yeah, try Signify or Stupid Dream!

    more proggy-psychedlia and a lot less metal sounding...

  9. #9
    Suspended PeruvianSkies's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    3,373
    Quote Originally Posted by unleasHell
    yeah, try Signify or Stupid Dream!

    more proggy-psychedlia and a lot less metal sounding...
    That sounds more like it. I'll give it a shot.

  10. #10
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    down there
    Posts
    6,852

    I join the heretics (and pagans)

    I like the In Absentia DVD-A.

  11. #11
    Suspended 3-LockBox's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Hey! Over here!
    Posts
    2,746
    The DVD is good. I like it. Will you buy it? I did.

    enjoy

  12. #12
    I took a headstart... basite's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Mortsel, Antwerp, Belgium, Europe, Earth
    Posts
    3,056
    Quote Originally Posted by bobsticks
    I like the In Absentia DVD-A.

    I like the CD too...

    however, I find Lightbulb Sun to be good too

    Keep them spinning,
    Bert.
    Life is music!

    Mcintosh MA6400 Integrated
    Double Advent speakers
    Thiel CS2.3's
    *DIY Lenco L75 TT
    * SME 3012 S2
    * Rega RB-301
    *Denon DL-103 in midas body
    *Denon DL-304
    *Graham slee elevator EXP & revelation
    *Lehmann audio black cube SE
    Marantz CD5001 OSE
    MIT AVt 2 IC's
    Sonic link Black earth IC's
    Siltech MXT New york IC's
    Kimber 4VS speakercable
    Furutech powercord and plugs.

    I'm a happy 20 year old...

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •