Of course, this is Porcupine Tree. And, as such,
they can’t do anything they way everyone else does.
So when they announced the were going to do a DVD, I
was, naturally, being a big PT fan, quite excited. I
would spend my money on a 2 disc set, play it a few
times, and put it lovingly in with all the other DVD’s
I have. And probably never play it again.
But of course, this is Porcupine Tree. I imagined
that it would be something powerful, something
dramatic. Of course it would be; after all, what
other band would take a year between the filming and
the release?
But of course, this is Porcupine Tree. Steven Wilson
et al are not about to let an opportunity go by
without giving us something a bit different. And they
did. What they gave us is a DVD that literally
explodes out of the screen. This isn’t just a live
performance, this is an acid trip. This is an
adventure. This is prog that is not for the timid.
This slams, this hurls the music at you like an
attack. This is not a gentle film, and for the
uninitiated, I would recommend seat belts. This has
so much impact it makes the ‘Blair Witch Project’
look like a Sunday stroll through the park.
Each song is offered up in a multitude of different
film styles, bringing it into another dimension
altogether. There seems to be no rhyme, no pattern to
it, but, of course, there is. But don’t go looking
for it, you may hurt yourself. Besides, it’s not
necessary. Just sit back, turn it on, and wait for
them to jump out at you. And keep a few extra beers
in the fridge, the boys look like they could use it
after such an intense performance.
The second DVD alone was worth the price, although
it’s too short, my usual complaint about such things.
There are three songs worth of the screen images the
use to augment their live performances that are
excellent! Again, though, too short. Then there are
two live performances that are very powerful; Futile
and Radioactive Toy. The latter is a shorter version,
but it still rocks. There is the usual gallery of
pictures, well done, as to be expected. It caps off
with a performance of Gavin Harrison playing with
cymbals, and doing a wonderful job of it. Sadly,
there is no hidden meaning behind the video. I would
have loved to be able to say that it was highly
‘cymbalic’. Yeah, I know.
Of course, this is Porcupine Tree. And, of course,
they come at you from the jump. ‘Arriving Somewhere’
is an experience. Get it, and take your medication.
You’re going to need it. Doug.


Doug LeBlanc
Canadian Progressive Music Society
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/canprog/
A heart that takes is soon to break
A heart that is giving will give forever
Dave Lambert of the Strawbs

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