Definitely a Steven Wilson focus this week. First, a brand new Porcupine Tree album is on tap. That is news given the last release was 2010 before Wilson changed course. Second, a No-Man anthology in the form of a two record set of which Wilson plays an active part. Also he shows up as a part of the mixing in the North Atlantic Oscillation release (also a fellow KScope production), and finally, The Pineapple Thief which features fellow band member Gavin Harrison.
Best of the Week
The Pineapple Thief - Give It Back (Rewired)
New outing consisting of older released material that has been engineered, re-recorded, and played by the current band, including Gavin Harrison who was never part of the original production. That’s a win. This isn’t a retread, it’s a revolution.
God is an Astronaut - Ghost Tapes #10
GIAA plays dense, compelling music carved in such a way to maintain interest. Described as an Irish post-rock band, they have been around since 2002. They don't have the Irish signature of New Model Army, but more European style prog rock of an Airbag or RPWL. Good stuff.
Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation
They’re back! This isn’t the barn-burner of their heyday, but it’s still a solid effort. Rats seem to be a central theme, showing up in “Rats Return” (listing a veritable who’s who of despicableness like Stalin and Mao) and in “Walk the Plank”.
North Atlantic Oscillation - The Third Day
Strong outing by this eclectic group. Take “Wires” for example, a driving song track that just keeps mixing in different elements along a theme. It’s a Steven Wilson remix, too (does he ever rest???). Want creativity? Take “Dust”, a riveting mix of keyboards, tuneful vocals, and mixture of rhythms.
Interesting Finds
No-Man - All The Blue Changes
No-Man consists of Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson. The ubiquitous Wilson shows once again that he is more than Porcupine Tree or his solo work, bringing to the table another dimension in musical production. The songs are more contemplative and ethereal, more closely linked to PT’s early space rock idea. Not too surprising considering this is said to be an anthology of work between 1988-2003. That said, it’s a little bit like a box of chocolates - you’re not sure what is going to pop up next.
Airbag - Identity
An early outing from 2009 shows how little this group has changed over the last ten plus years. I enjoy the Pink Floydian “Steal My Soul” and “How I Wanna Be”, both taking a simple idea and expanding it, twisting it into a relaxing vibe. The one knock on Airbag that is more evident here is their propensity to use the barest of song structures.
Nick Drummond Band - Eye of the Storm
A local group with some outstanding musicians and a lead vocalist with passion and power. Literally caught them at the Washington Beer Festival and heard them play and asking people around me, “Who ARE these guys?” The song “Moonrise” caught my ear because it had an unusual picking instrument and I saw why. He uses an electric banjo without the usual banjo keying. Maybe a little balladsie, but Drummond is an excellent vocalist, he has a way with crafting interesting tunes, and the other band members are solid. Hopefully, they can get beyond the bar band circuit.
Anna von Hausswolff - All Thoughts Fly
I made a pledge to myself to go back and listen to any and all von Hausswolff recordings simply because anything she does is fascinating. One of my favorite songs is “Persephone”, a funeral dirge sounding solo air pump organ (hey, this is the queen of the underworld in the title) that is soulful anguish, beautifully done.
Forgettable
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