Deadwing

One of the many things I love about the Tree (as I have come to call them) and its planter and tender, the godlike genius that is Steven Wilson, is that there's always so much going on in their/his music. The intriguingly named Deadwing is definitely no exception.The first couple of tracks feature Wilson's trademark choppy, rampaging guitar, along with the stunning drumming of the Tree's percussion supremo Gavin Harrison, a man who must surely be one of the two or three finest rock drummers working today.Guests on this 2004 outing are Adrian Belew and occasional Wilson musical cohort Mikael Akerfeldt. Keyboardist Richard Barbieri makes his presence felt, as on the long central track Mellotron Scratch, a superb example of Wilson's remarkable ability for extended musical thought (the bulk of both music & lyrics are by SW).I came very late to this guy and the PT movable feast, and I can hardly believe what I've been missing. This isn't just 'prog rock', it's endlessly fascinating music, full stop.Open Car is a stirringly great track, and like so many PT songs manages to be at once a fine, stomping rock number and a musically poetic, melodic meditation. So many of Wilson's songs wrong-foot the listener, quite apart from his lyrical gifts: he's one of those rare rock lyricists whose words don't look embarrassing in print. Far from it, they are invariably literate and often moving.Deadwing is pretty much as good as anything I've heard by the Tree - favourites so far being In Absentia and Lightbulb Sun - and that's saying a lot.Essential.

Continuing with the approach they had on IA the band produces another eclectic mix for this one. The classic 12 minute song “Arriving Somewhere But Not Here” is the highlight of the album, a song which runs the range of many of PT’s attributes from the lazy dreamy intro, through beautiful harmonies, picking up speed with a full on rock out with the band fully in sync as the song explodes with pounding bass and drums supporting a full on guitar solo before easing off to conclusion. The mellow side is well represented with “Lazarus”, a piano driven song with SW’s vocal overlay. Another favourite song of mine “The Start of Something Beautiful” with its wonderful driving atmosphere and driving riff appears on this album, as well as the catchy and infectious rocky “Open Car”.

Another masterpiece from Steven Wilson's Porcupine Tree - Why aren't this band MASSIVE?. Perhaps not as immediately accessable as some of their other work, so if Steven Wilson and/or Porcupine tree are new names to you, then I'd recommend that you try the simply superb 'Lightbuld Sun' as a starting place, or possibly Steven Wilson's stunningly good solo abum 'Grace For Drowning'.Although starting here wouldn'tbe that bad an idea.If you haven'got a copy of Deadwing yet and are considering getting one, then this version is very definitely the one to go for.; because as with most other DVD audio disc I've got this album sounds so much better in 5.1 surround than it does in stereo. (And I've only got a conventional Blu-Ray player and so have only ever listened to either the Dobly or the DTS sound tracks , if as is claimed 'proper' DVD Audio is that much better it must be amazing.)The mian thiing is that when surround sound discs as mixed properly, and if Steven Wilson is involved it will be, it' simply a case of 'more is better - much better.' The bonus here is that the HQCD really does sound better than the conventional cd. On a back to back listen everything was just that little bit sharper and clearer.

This album is fantastic. if you're reading this, you probably already know that.The vinyl however, came in pretty bad shape. I'd expect better from even my used vinyl. My copy came with smudges from human handling, very obvious scratches, and other visible blemishes. The comments on Discogs suggest that this is not an isolated issue with Kscope releases. The centre hole is also not punched correctly and there is excess plastic flapping around.It plays okay and so is not worth the hassle of a return. However, if you value the physical condition of the record, buyer beware.

whatever that means ! as a lifelong fan of yes, crimson, floyd, tull and latterly gentle giant i'd always been disappointed by the new wave of "proggers" - radiohead being OK but not in the same league. until Porcupine Tree and deadwing was the first i bought by them. a thing that struck me was the musicality and the original voice - down to Steve Wilson i presume but supported by other guys who are talented musicians and guests like adrian belew.it's an album i listen to without thinking about indivdual tracks - they produce a soundscape (like the best proggers) that seems a single piece of work (concept isn't the right word) - they don't just rely on synthesised sounds and samples though (is that "ambience"?). great stuff, good serious music is alive and well.PS - must be one of the least informative CD covers ever (even worse that OK Computer) - arty farty, style (dubious) over substance (lyrics, instrumentation etc)

The album came in mediocre condition, scratched and with the inner sleeves broken. Sound quality was a bit frustrated from the damage, but this is an awesome album nevertheless. Amazon responded with the corresponding refund. After several cleanings I can get a decent listen out of it. It is such a masterpiece that I would totally recommend buying it and taking the risk (I'm pretty sure I just had bad luck + bad shipping).