PORCUPINE TREE — Coma Divine (1997-2007) RM | 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Coming off the triple whammy of the Signify, Insignificance and Stupid Dream era—an incredible achievement in its own right—Wilson and Company are soaring at the height of their powers on Coma Divine. There's a sense of relaxed mastery here, the musicians stretching out, fully inhabiting their parts. The songs benefit, slipping into a lush, mesmerizing daydream. Drummer Chris Maitland casually creates some of the most resonant, fascinating percussion around. Colin Edwin's bass flirts between funk and jazz yet never gets buried in the mix—the fate of too many great bass players. Wilson's command of atmospheric guitar periodically stabbed by flashes of incendiary brilliance is front and centre. Barbieri's keyboard mastery provides the lift that takes the songs airborne. Somehow Wilson manages to make an already existing song appear as if it were brand-new again. It doesn't hurt that the set list hits all the high points at this stage of their career. All the more incredible this album is recorded live. Sean Arthur Joyce   Tracklist & Credits :

PORCUPINE TREE – In Absentia (2002-2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Continuing in the growing commercial vein of their previous releases, Porcupine Tree's In Absentia may be the most accessible release to ever spew forth from the group. Rolling electronic percussion blends with simple and solid live drumming to provide an understated backbeat as perennial Tree leader Steven Wilson pastes his complicated pop over the proceedings. Wilson's ability to bury his layered vocals in mountains of spacy electric guitar without drowning out his fragile lyrics is still a valued feature of the music, and the rare moments of clarity that
his vocals display are breathtaking in their power. A reliance on a somewhat gothic heavy metal sound makes for some bizarre moments, especially when held up against his gentler material. The best example of this is the chugging "Wedding Nails," which recalls Dream Theater in its grandiose scope without utilizing the same sort of technical wizardry. But Wilson manages to bridge the gap between the various genres he utilizes, creating an environment where his haunting melodies could take a drastic turn at any minute. Porcupine Tree also continue their Radiohead fascination, although the influence is much less direct than on their last few efforts. Instead, it comes through at odd intervals, like the moments of sparse instrumentation on the otherwise lush "Heartattack in a Lay By." Sonically gorgeous and deceivingly complex, In Absentia has the most immediate appeal of anything Wilson has released under this moniker up to this point. By keeping the songs at manageable lengths and avoiding the avant-garde electronica flourishes of the band's early days, Porcupine Tree has grown into a fully realized pop group without cutting any of the elements that also make them an important force in the neo-prog movement. Bradley Torreano
Tracklist + Credits :

PORCUPINE TREE - Stupid Dream (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Porcupine Tree's first album for K-Scope/Snapper starts out with a definite bang – "Even Less," with some of the quartet's biggest, blasting rock epic music yet, yet also shot through with the gentler, acoustic side that makes Porcupine Tree so intimate and lovely. The net result easily calls Yes to mind, but Steven Wilson's not so high-pitched as Jon Anderson and Richard Barbieri completely avoids Rick Wakeman's extreme idiocies – prog that knows when less is more. With that as a fine signal for the album as a whole, Stupid Dream takes it from there – Wilson as a songwriter and singer both sounds recharged and more ambitious, while the group collectively pours it on. The loud passages feel truly sky-smashing, the calmer ones perfectly close, and the overall sense of build and drama – "A Smart Kid" is a fine example – spot-on. Strings from the East of England Orchestra and guest work on Wilson's sometime Bass Communion partner Theo Travis add even lusher atmospheres without swamping the tunes. As always, the group isn't afraid to experiment where others merely re-create – check out the funky breaks Colin Edwin and Chris Maitland lay down on "Slave Called Shiver," not to mention Wilson's catchy piano figure and Barbieri's Hammond organ fills. Lyrically, Wilson comes up with some of his best work yet. "Piano Lessons" looks back on past musical learning and a doubtful teacher as a spur to trying harder, while "Pure Narcotic" offers up a romantic scenario and tip of the hat to Radiohead all at once: "You keep me hating/You keep me listening to The Bends." There's actually a musical hint or two of the Oxford quintet as well – the acoustic guitar/drum intro to "This Is No Rehearsal" is a good example – but leave it to Porcupine Tree to drop in some fully plugged in thrash metal, as well. by Ned Raggett, AMG

Tracklist:

1. Even Less (7:11)

2. Piano Lessons (4:21)

3. Stupid Dream (0:28)

4. Pure Narcotic (5:03)

5. Slave Called Shiver (4:41)

6. Don't Hate Me (8:30)

7. This Is No Rehearsal (3:27)

8. Baby Dream in Cellophane (3:16)

9. Stranger by the Minute (4:31)

10. A Smart Kid (5:22)

11. Tinto Brass (6:17)

12. Stop Swimming (6:53)

Credits:

Steven Wilson - Composer, Guitar, Orchestral Arrangements, Piano, Producer, Sampling, Vocals

Richard Barbieri - Analogue Synthesizer, Mellotron, Organ, Organ (Hammond), Synthesizerd  

Colin Edwin - Bass, Guitar (Bass

Chris Maitland - Drums, Percussion

Theo Travis - Flute, Saxophone

PORCUPINE TREE - Stupid Dream

 (1999) KScope / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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