~|This remarkable sometimes incoherent transcript,
Illustrates a phantasmagoria
of fear, terror, grief, exultation and finally breakdown.
The highlights have been compressed on this recording
to make their own disquieting points.|~

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Hello everyone! Today we will take a listen to some of the best music modern progressive rock has to offer. A british group headlined by Steven Wilson. He has been the recording engineer for bands like Opeth, as well as going through old Prog Rock classics like King Crimson and Yes, to remaster their old albums and releasing surround mixes of some select records.

The band has been active since the late 80s, with a massive discography. Their sound has evolved progressive rock and at the same time maintained the psychedelic nature of the early prog scene. In the first years the band were heavily influenced by the 60's and 70's prog rock scene. However, they were introduced experimental metal acts like meshuggah and Sunn O))) in the beginning of the new milennium. This marked a change in their sound, to a more heavy approach, whilst still keeping the melodic melancholy from the 60's prog roots. With that, let's kick it off with todays first sample.

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Deadwing

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Deadwing came out in in 2005, as both a stereo and 5.1 mix. I have yet to get the chance to experience Porcupine Tree in real surround, however I think it would be amazing. This record has some of my favorite tracks from Porcupine Tree, like "Arriving Somewhere, But Not Here" and "Mellotron Scratch". Both of these tracks include one of my favorite instruments, the mellotron.

If the instrumentation and crisp sound production doesn't sell you, the lyrics should. The work Steven Wilson puts into his metaphorical language is a work of beauty. His voice has this frail feeling to it, that makes what he sings seem so much more real.

Tracks like "Open Car" and "Shallow" have more of a metal feel to them, with more of an attitude. "Halo" also keeps this, an indignant response to people on a spiritual high horse

quote from the track "Start of Something Beautiful"

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The first song I want to show you today is a song with nostalgic melancholy. It has a fragile feeling to it, like it struggles to keep going, and I really enjoy that.

Mellotron Scratch

Voyage 34

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Now it's time to travel a bit back in time to 1993, with the release of the EP "Voyage 34". It gets a mention here because it's one of my favorite musical experiences. This is a record where you really hear their influence from the psychedelic era of progressive rock, with a guitar riff that gives the track the feeling of Pink Floyd's "The Wall". It opens with a quote describing the beginning of a long night, with sugar cubes being handed out to subjects in a dimly lit room.

This album was originaly supposed to be part of the previous release, "Up the Down Stair", but it had to be split up. However regardless of that this record recieved praise for as a "Psychedelic Masterpiece". This record was incorporating a mix between the electronic sounds that were emerging in the early 90s, with the more classic prog rock, guitar based sound.

The first two tracks "Phase One" and "Phase Two" blend together as the initial trip towards the peak. Two classic prog rock tracks leading into a psychedelic state of confusion, and finally breakdown. This leads into "Phase Three" and "Phase Four", more ambient tracks, leading into an electronic drumbeat turning the song into a chillout/downtempo track. Finally, "Phase Four" becomes an almost shamanistic awakening, to round out the experience.

I can't really start anywhere other than the beginning I guess!

Voyage 34(Phase I)

Lightbulb Sun

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Lightbubl Sun came out in the middle of 2000, with a melancholic folk sound to it, in addition to the prog rock influences. Using folk instrumentation can't hide the spiteful grudge the lyrics convey. Especially in songs like "Hatesong" and "Shesmovedon", tracks about love lost, and coping with it.

Other tracks are more traditional psychedelic prog rock pieces, like "Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before it is Recycled". A track containing quotes from the heavens gate cult of the 70s. "Russia on Ice" has this prog vibe as well, though it incorporates droning guitars similar to that you hear in bands like "Earth" and "Sunn O)))". This almost post-rock feel will become the staple sound of later PT records.

The song I want to show you is that herald of impending doom, "Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before it is Recycled". A call for humanity to save itself before the end.

"Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before it is Recycled"

All right, that's all folks! I hope you enjoyed todays edition of Alphabetical Order, a blog series where I write my opinions on parts of an artists discography. If you liked it or if you hate it, let me know! And if you wanna keep up to date, you can follow me. Until next time, peace out!

Links:

https://www.discogs.com/artist/5105-Porcupine-Tree
http://www.porcupinetree.com