Reviews of Prog Rock, Classical Music, Art Rock and Jazz
If Steven Wilson had written a song called December Skies in the early years of his band Porcupine Tree it would have been a dreamy, spacey extended jam with poetic, earnestly abstract lyrics. For later Porcupine Tree it would have been an angst-ridden, prog-metal song, probably featuring lyrics about disaffected teenagers or a serial killer. …
Continue reading "Off the Beaten Track Christmas Special: December Skies by Steven Wilson"
Wednesday 27 September 2023 EartH Hackney, London ***** The Harmony Codex in immersive surround sound and live performance Steven Wilson has often said that one of his lifetime ambitions is to write a film soundtrack - he even co-wrote a film script with the film-maker Mike Bennion which eventually became the basis of the Porcupine …
Continue reading "The Harmony Codex by Steven Wilson – Album Playback and Live Review"
An updated e-book version of my book On Track ... Porcupine Tree, a detailed analysis of every track by Porcupine Tree, is now available.
Thursday 29 June 2023 Castlefield Bowl, Manchester **** You wait 12 years for a Train... then two come at once For 12 years between their gig at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October 2010 and their next London gig at Wembley Arena in November 2022 it appeared that Porcupine Tree would never play …
Continue reading "Porcupine Tree – Live Review (Manchester)"
Ten classic tracks from the early albums from On The Sunday of Life (1992) to Stupid Dream (1999) In November 2022, Porcupine Tree made a triumphant return to London to play live at London Arena in front of over 12,000 fans after a hiatus of over twelve years. The event was described by The Times …
Continue reading "Porcupine Tree: the Best Tracks from The First Five Albums"
Friday 11 November 2022 Wembley Arena, London Triumphant return of the band to London after 12 year hiatus ***** Image credit: Mike Holmes Last time Porcupine Tree played in London was just over 12 years ago, in October 2010. As band leader and main songwriter Steven Wilson recounts in detail in his new book Limited …
***** Porcupine Tree return after 12 years' hiatus with their new album which reached number 2 in the UK charts Pink Floyd once satirised the music industry executive who said, 'You gotta get an album out/You owe it to the people' (Have a Cigar from their 1975 album Wish You Were Here). When Porcupine Tree …
Continue reading "Closure/Continuation by Porcupine Tree – Album Review"
Nick Holmes’ Porcupine Tree On Track provides an astute analysis of all Porcupine Tree’s studio albums and EPs and provides an illuminating insight into the band’s music for existing and new fans alike. (Burning Shed) "Holmes' book is a thoroughly entertaining and informative read for anyone with a lively interest in progressive rock, and an essential purchase …
Excellent songs that didn't make the final cut Some very strong songs were left off Porcupine Tree's studio albums for reasons of space, changes of style ... or in at least one case due to what the band's leader Steven Wilson now regards as a mistake on his part. The Sound of No-One Listening This …
Continue reading "Porcupine Tree – Hidden Treasures You May Have Missed"
***** New Prog supergroup bring joy in fragmented times Drummer Craig Blundell, keyboard player Adam Holzman and bass player Nick Beggs began playing together on Steven Wilson's Hand. Cannot. Erase tour in 2015. They also joined Steven on his To the Bone tour in 2018 and 2019. When Steven went off for a cup of …