Porcupine Tree - In Absentia

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Lava
Catalog Number: 83604-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 68:18:00

In Absentia is Porcupine Tree's major label debut on Lava/Atlantic records. Following the formula of the last few releases (Lightbulb Sun & Stupid Dream), the band uses shorter tracks, yet maintains the sonic textures, melodies, and guitar work the band is known for.

Wilson wastes no time in showing he belongs in the big leagues with the opening "Blackest Eyes". Featuring a monster opening guitar riff, the song unfolds into an acoustic based track with an immediate ear catching melody. Moody soundscapes appear in "Lips Of Ashes" and "Gravity Eyelids," proof that the band has not dismissed its psychedelic past. Yet, the taste of a hit single lingers throughout the disc on tracks like "Prodigal", "The Sound Of Muzak" among others. A video for "Strip The Soul" is included on this enhanced CD, and is now receiving airplay on MTV2. Heavy guitars appear again in the driving instrumental "Wedding Nails." The heavy guitar sound is the biggest change, but is used to great effect. Plenty of layered, effects drenched vocals, and the noodlings of keyboardist/soundmaster Richard Barbieri continue to define the sound of the band.

Wilson has taken full advantage of this opportunity by putting out a disc of strong confident material. A US fall tour is also posted on the website with dates and venues, including a few opening gigs for Yes. This record should find a wide audience.

Tracklisting:
Blackest Eyes (4:23) / Trains (5:56) / Lips of Ashes (4:39) / The Sound of Muzak (4:59) / Gravity Eyelids (7:56) / Wedding Nails (6:33) / Prodigal (5:32) / 3 (5:25) / The Creator Has A Mastertape (5:21) / Heartattack in a Layby (4:15) / Strip The Soul (7:12) / Collapse The Light Into Earth (5:54)

Musicians:
Richard Barbieri - keyboards
Colin Edwin - bass
Gavin Harrison - drums
Steven Wilson - guitars, keyboards, vocals

Additional musicians: John Wesley - guitars & vocals
Aviv Geffen - background vocals

Discography:
On The Sunday Of Life... (1991)
Voyage 34 (1992)
Up The Downstair (1993)
Voyage 34: Remixes (1993)
Staircase Infinities (1994)
Moonloop E.P. (1994)
The Sky Moves Sideways (1995)
Signify (1996)
Coma Divine - Recorded Live In Rome (1997)
Stupid Dream (1999)
Voyage 34 - The Complete Trip (2000/2004/2005
'4 Chords That Made A Million' (2000)
Lightbulb Sun (2000/2008)
'Shesmovedon' (2000)
Lightbulb Sun - Special Edition (2001)
Recordings (2001)
Stars Die: The Delerium Years 1991 - 1997(2002/2005)
Metanoia (2002)
In Absentia (2002)
In Absentia (European version) (2003)
Warszawa (2005)
Deadwing (2005)
Porcupine Tree (2006)
Fear Of A Blank Planet (2007)
Nil Recurring (2008)
The Incident (2009)

Arriving Somewhere... (DVD) (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: November 3rd 2002
Reviewer: Eric Porter

Artist website: www.porcupinetree.com
Hits: 1943
Language: english