In Absentia

by

Porcupine Tree

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Wow..

In Absentia by Porcupine Tree may just be the finest album to come along in a long, long time. Trying to describe this album in terms of sound is difficult--think of a band with the vocal harmonies of early REM, the atmospherics of Pink Floyd or Radiohead, and the metallic sound of 70's era King Crimson or Tool. And yet, it sounds totally different from any of them.

Steven Wilson lends a hushed, subtle tone to the vocals that belies the very dark lyrics of In Absentia. The album is supposedly about a child that grows up into a serial killer, although the concept is somewhat vague. Wilson comments on society quite a bit--take The Sound Of Muzak, for example, which targets the state of today's music and how dehumanized and sterile it is becoming, complete with quite a catchy chorus.

The instrumentals are truly awe-inspiring. Supposedly this is Porcupine Tree's heaviest album, drawing on Wilson's collaboration with the Swedish metal band Opeth (which is how I heard about Porcupine Tree, in fact). The music alternates between delicate, soft textures and harmonies to heavy, complex riffs without feeling the least bit forced. The band is equally at home playing beautiful ballads (Collapse The Light Into Earth, Trains) as it is playing crunchy metal (Wedding Nails, The Creator Had A Mastertape).

As far as the album itself is concerned...well, you have to hear it to believe it. I've heard precious few songs that are as deeply affecting as Collapse The Light Into Earth, and Strip The Soul and Gravity Eyelids are two of the best songs I've heard this year. If you aren't excited after listening to the opening riffs of Blackest Eyes, check your pulse.

In a world of commercial garbage, we desperately need more bands like this. In Absentia is HIGHLY recommended to all listeners.

Note: Be warned that the enhanced video version can behave a bit wonky on some PCs. The video for Strip The Soul is indeed nice, but if it was left off or placed on a separate CD that would've been better. No big deal, though.