Porcupine Tree haven’t released as much live material as you might imagine; the Warsaw disc from around the In Absentia period and Coma Divine notwithstanding, they have developed so much over the past few albums that a live release is long overdue. Having been captivated by the DVD-only release of ‘Arriving somewhere…’ I had high hopes for this somewhat unexpected release which has been finished in order to raise funds for Mick Karn and his family (for more details on Mick, check here) and I am happy to report that it does not disappoint. Costing a mere eight pounds and coming with printable artwork courtesy of long-time collaborator Lassie Hoile, this is a must-have release for PT fans.
Opening with the title track of ‘Fear of a blank planet’ PT hit the stage at full throttle, with all the flourishes and quirks of the studio version intact but played with just a touch more venom than the original, with Steven Wilson’s vocals in particular having a more aggressive edge than the processed equivalent form the record although the guitars are less aggressive in the mix than I would like them to be… but that’s a minor quibble. ‘What happens now’ from accompanying mini-album ‘Nil recurring’ is next sounding somewhat more spacey than the original thanks to a reverb-drenched sound before ‘the sound of muzak’ from the mighty In Absentia rings out and you realise how unified the theme of alienation has become on the more recent run of PT releases. The sequencing is perfect and the tracks flow together beautifully – a difficult trick when one considers how album focused Steven Wilson’s writing is. Back to FOABP, Sentimental gives the keyboards a chance to shine before rare track ‘Drown with me’ (from the In Absentia bonus CD) surprises you with a gentle burst of acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies. It’s a treat and a welcome addition to the set list, particularly for fans who may not want to have the same old tracks recycled across multiple formats as happens with some bands. Next up is a truly monumental Anesthetize – the highlight of FOABP (along with way out of here) and of the live show with its multiple mood changes and full-tilt ending.
‘Open car’ (which opened the DVD) is, as always, a stuttering burst of uncharacteristically violent riffage before, joy of joys, ‘Dark matter’ form the excellent signify album meanders through your speakers. A fade out is helpfully inserted at the end of ‘Dark Matter’ for those wishing to burn to disc and then we have the lovely ‘Cheating the polygraph’ from ‘nil recurring’ which receives a note-perfect rendition but with greater emphasis on the guitar than on the EP version. Another dip into the band’s illustrious past sees them unveil ‘a smart kid’, the introspective ballad from ‘Stupid dream’ which is greeted like an old friend by the audience. ‘Blackest eyes’, however, introduces a necessary change of pace with guitars and keyboards vying for prominence and the drums pounding away through that oh-so-recognisable opening riff. Another rare gem in the form of ‘half light’ (which appeared on the Lazurus single and 2LP version of Deadwing) appears and reminds you of those Pink Floyd comparisons with a lazy, Hawaiian sound and atmospheric keyboards underpinning the gorgeous vocal. ‘Way out of here’ is another epic moment from the excellent FOABP record that rivals ‘Anesthetize’ for best track on the record although the queasy synth parts of ‘Sleep together’ sound even more monumental than before in the live setting and you can imagine them echoing around the theatre they were recorded in. Final tracks (and encores) ‘Even less’ and ‘halo’ are both classic tracks that round the set out in style.
So – what you have here are two CDs worth of prime Porcupine tree, perfectly recorded and mixed and offering a feast of well-known tracks and rare treasures. Moreover it’s in a good cause, so buying this is something of a must if you’re a fan of the band or even if you have a passing interest. This is a monumental release that deserves your attention from start to finish. Excellent.
Buy ‘Atlanta’ from the Porcupine Tree store here
