This entire album is amazing. It's a concept album based around the themes in this song. The centerpiece song (Anesthetize) on this album is a 20 minute masterpiece.
And now, Between the buried and me! Come on! I know they are heavily requested. Masters of modern, progressive music. Check out The coma machine or Blot. You can do it. Cheers from Norway.
Gavin Harrison (drums) is a top tier drummer. He doesn't show off all the time in the recordings because he likes to service the music/stay musical, but listening to his clinics and watching his drum videos you can tell he's one of the greats. He plays a lot of styles and is incredibly clean/smooth in them all. Porcupine tree is also an amazing prog group, but they can take a little bit of exposure in order to really start to get the feel for them. Steven Wilson's composition style is heavily focused on atmosphere. If you listen to this album start to finish, it's a pretty great ride.
PT is no more cuz Steven Wilson turned out to be a mega-asshole. I'm saddened every time I think about it. But yes, Gavin is right up there with Tool's drummer - drummer's gods, both of them.
@@hunglikeahamster3248 He seems like a control freak. He's a great songwriter and alot of his solo stuff is creatively on the level of his PT stuff, but I just prefer the supah jams and prog metal type of stuff of the later PT albums. Kind of the Roger Waters of PT. I write 95% of the material, so what I say goes.
@@ScottyKirk1 yep. I saw PT twice and after that, Wilson once. The two PT shows were friggin' epic. I took a whole crowd with me to both and they all loved it. But he was such a dick at that last one for The Raven That Refused To Sing tour, making nasty jabs at the rest of PT, and the stuff he said publicly about them after he presumably imploded them - utterly uncalled for. Just another asshole lonely British musical genius. Man, is it genetic or what? Lol
Steven Wilson (the composer, mixer, vocalist) is very deliberate in everything he creates. The vocals were supposed to be drowned out to give the listener a sense that the character is too numb to reach out. His material is NOT for casual consumption. It was entirely too much for me when I first heard it. My honest opinion is he is a modern musical genius. He is so incredibly impeccable when it comes to his mixing. He has a raw performance style, since he is not the greatest musician, but his composition and sonic abilities are unbelievable. There's no topic too taboo or too risky for him to address. He's written songs from the perspective of serial killers (Raider Part II), transgender people (Chloroform), suicidal individuals (many), people who experience near death experiences, loss of family (Routine), those who have psychosis, and more. Most artists would be too afraid to lyrically portray such menacing characters.
In Absentia and The Incident are two of my favorite albums and porcupine tree is my favorite artist of all time. My parents got to see them live before they split up. I’m holding on to the hope that they’ll do another tour someday
@@happycool2 In Absentia and Deadwing for me. I saw them twice. But I'm afraid there's no hope of their reforming. Steven Wilson torched every bridge he possibly could with the rest of the band. I've never seen such an acrimonious "breakup". Which was all Steven's doing. What a colossal dick...
drive home is challenging, i think we would see the guys crying. arriving somewhere but not here, blackest eyes, even less, the sound of muzak maybe could better match their tastes... :)
Anesthetize is a good song, but a bit too long. I would have started with "Trains" if you want a solid song. For more complex instrumentals and composition, "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" is probably your best bet.
I appreciate that you guys actually look at our comments to help guide future reaction videos. Count me as another vote for "Anesthetize" (especially the live at Tilburg version or even better for George, the drum-focused live version by Gavin Harrison).
luisalonsoecheverria this would be the best Steven Wilson song to react to!!! I recommend the video because it really fits the song well. Cmon Ryan and George! :-)
I’m a metal head, and it took a little while for Porcupine Tree to grow on me. I said the same things. “I love the lyrics and I see the talent, but it’s just not quite my thing”. But now Steven Wilson, and porcupine tree are among my favorite artists to listen to. I highly recommend listening to “Arriving Somewhere but Not Here”. Steven Wilson is a lyrical and musical genius in my opinion.
Arriving somewhere but not here was my first PT song and I was sold. The joy you feel of discovering a great artist was surely there. Such a great spectrum of sounds on every record if you listen carefully to what's going on. Each porcupine tree record sounds much different from the others. You should definitely give more tracks and albums a go. I'm not saying posting a reaction video but if you really like to listen to records in general, go ahead. Cheers!
The lyrics deal with two common neurobehavioural developmental disorders for teenagers in the 21st Century: bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. Very deep and powerful stuff especially since the song was written in Mid 2007. Still relevant today and maybe even more so.
Or Drive Home. Or Routine. Or Anesthetize. Or Home Invasion + Regret 9. Or Arriving Somewhere. Or Trains. Ho damn I can continue for days. There are so many awesome songs in Steven Wilson catalogue, it's incredible.
I know you guys like good drummers so I'm confident you'll love "Anesthetize" by the same band. It's 17 minutes long but it has one of the best drum performances I've heard in recent years. I'd also recommend some of the frontman Steven Wilson's solo work specifically Routine, Drive Home and The Raven that Refused to Sing
Anesthetize is easily one of PT's best songs, but I doubt they'll give it a shot. I was shocked that they checked out 2112 by Rush (funny enough, Alex Lifeson of Rush plays a guitar solo on Anesthetize). BTW, I saw PT play part of Anesthetize live at Radio City Music Hall in NYC years ago. It was absolutely AMAZING.
Those fills that were improvised on the live version are absolutely killer. Really funny to see the other bandmates look surprised as he slams them out
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize! Different from other progressive long minutes stuff that you guys heard, this one, despite very long, it's so good that you don't notice time passing, cause instead of virtuosis exagerated showcase that probably isn't the style of you guys, this band and the lead composer Steven Wilson are more concerned about the atmosphere, melodies and message that the song has to pass. Try this one, you guys won't regret.
Anesthetize is probably my favorite. That and Drawing the Line. The fact that Lifeson played some guitar on Anesthetize told me that I should listen. I am a huge Rush fan. Yep, I know Wilson did some remixing of ' A Farewell to Kings"..he did a good job as well. Some o fit was...meh...but overall good work.
Radiohead - OK Computer An essential album, one of the most acclaimed of all time. I would be really Curious what you think of it. You might hate it, you might love it.
Do more Porcupine Tree, they really are their own animal. Too many songs to suggest but I'm sure more pushy people have already given plenty of requests for other tracks.
Wow, I've been suggesting porcupine tree since I first discovered your channel. The thoughts that this song provoked is pretty awesome, man. Love love love lost in vegas!
Porcupine Tree "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" is one of my favorite songs. It feels like an older song, like Pink Floyd vibes. Has a real nice groove to it.
Definitely agree with Sound of Muzak. Something else easily digestible like Shallow or Open Car would be sweet too. I think more than any of artist that I've come to absolutely LOVE, Porcupine Tree had to grow on me the most. I think it's a good idea to have it on a 'forced playlist.'
Porcupine Tree is my favorite band of all time, and that they're different it a big part of what I like about them. Like a lot of progressive rock with complex and odd time signatures and non-traditional song structures their songs are growers that take a few listens to unfold. I think it's awesome that George recognizes that and wants to give it a chance to click with him after a few more spins. Often the most enduring songs for me that I end up still loving years later I didn't necessarily love the first time I heard them. I love music that challenges me as a listener. This is an awesome band with a really great and deep catalog. I hope you guys will sample from it again.
I actually gave up on PT early on (in the early 2000s, maybe?) because SW's vocals didn't grab me at all. A decade later and I've completely changed my tune (I had the same situation in the '70's with Genesis, but grew to love PG's work at lot quicker).
A girl I dated once recommended I check out PT so I bought On the Sunday of Life which just didn't click with me at all (it's not very good) and I forgot all about them. Years later I came across Lightbulb Sun in a record store and decided on a whim to give them another shot. It clicked, and clicked hard. I now have everything they've ever recorded and love it all with very few exceptions.
I feel like they would’ve preferred the structure of any of these songs over Fear of a Blank Planet. I love this song but the lead section midway through can be tedious for a first time listener wanting more lyricism.
I love to watch your videos. I was so excited to see this. Porcupine Tree was my dads favorite group. He was always saying how he wished more people would listen to them. You guys just brought this group to a lot of people's attention!!!!
Good review guys, I've been hanging out for this one. George, I love your reasons for putting this on your playlist, after a couple of listens it will grow on you for sure, try a few other tracks from the album too, and some stuff from the back catalogue. Their is so much joy and wonder in the world that is porcupine tree 😀
Great reaction to a great band! You should do Opeth again, but a song from their album Blackwater park. That was their big break through album and was produced by Steven Wilson, the singer/guitarist in Porcupine tree.
Steven Wilson produced Ghost Reveries as well I believe. That is my favorite album of theirs. Though I of course was hooked by Blackwater park before that. From Blackwater Park the song that first snagged me is Bleak.
Deva Winblood No he didn't do GR but that album also has great production. Steven did Damnation and helped with Delivernce when they had problems with the first producer.
Oh yeah. I remember watching a documentary on the production, but you are right that was Damnation and Deliverance. I just misremembered it. Thanks for the correction.
The more you listen to Porcupine Tree, the more you realise they're one of the most underrated, most innovative bands of our time. They're so subtle, it's easy to miss first time round. But there are so few bands that set a scene and make you feel a certain way like PT. I'd love to see you do 'Way Out Of Here', 'Time Flies', or 'Blackest Eyes' by them at some point! Huge love for doing this one!
Porcupine Tree - Sound of Muzak! ..Porcupine Tree is a powerhouse of prog from the UK. The singer guitarist Steven Wilson is a great producer also, he produced Opeth's two best albums! And the drummer is now playing in King Crimson too, which is a HUuuGe deal!!
One of the greatest Progressive Rock bands of our generation. Not as well known as many less talented mainstream bands, but glad you guys gave em a try.
Been a PT fan nearly 25 years so I appreciate the time taken to consider their work. That said, regardless of the opinion of the music itself, I think these 2 gents got from the music exactly the message Steve Wilson was trying to convey. Well done fellas! Now RU-vid search "Voyage 34" and hold on for the ride! LOL!!!!!!!!!!
They're a new one on me, too. I rather liked the music and sound... not my usual thing, but if it's playing, I'd listen to it, and it might even grow on me beyond that.
Awesome! Gavin Harrison is one of the top drummers in the worlds. In the prog rock world, he's right up there with Neil Peart. And that's not hyperbole. Great review again.
Porcupine Tree mastermind Steven Wilson was producing Opeths "Blackwater Park" where Opeth exposed Steven to bands like Meshuggah and their own music. Due to this, and Steven fearless progressive tendencies, Fear of a Blank Planet ended up being a much heavier album than previous Porcupine Tree releases. Also, this is my fav. Porcupine Tree album. Thanks for this guys!
Ah that would explain why my drummer buddy liked Opeth and tried to get me into it, then he said hey check out PT!...i listened to some and it's good stuff. But, sadly, I had this short useless fling with this girl who was just lost in Wilsons depressive psychosis, I heard it 24/7..( that and Avenged Sevenfold)..and I just got tired of living with Porcupine Tree. But man that drummer is the fucking bomb!
Whoa!!! You guys are full of surprises! George, did you hear that drum fill at 6:05?? Gavin Harrison is on another level! I hope you do add this to your playlist and savor that tasty drumming.
I was surprised you guys didn't comment more on Gavin's drumming, but then I realized that what makes him such an incredible drummer is the subtlety of his playing. Gavin is a jazz drummer, so his precision, discipline & groove are what stand out. Check out their songs "The Sound of Muzak", "Anesthetize" & "Deadwing". Pay close attention to what he does, how he accents certain aspects of the music. Top notch drumming 👌
CardoTheBassist I'm not surprised they didnt focus in on the drums in their first listen. You can get caught in the atmosphere of the song. I didn't realize how amazing Gavin Harrison was until I had listened to Anesthetize a few times.
You two fellows are okay:) I would like to thank you for very informative and articulate reviews of the musical compositions you have endeavored to bring to public attention:) In other words....man you dudes aight yo? Love the tunes and keep jammin and bammin:)
Glad to see you guys give PT some time and respect. Took me a long time and much exposure to many styles to appreciate the form of modern Prog Rock that PT offers up. Maybe you'll come back around to bands like this and develop a taste for it.
Nice one guys. Many people misunderstand the lyrics of this song (taking him literally) but you guys nailed it, that he is singing from the perspective of a desensitised kid.
I feel like a good song for Porcupine Tree is “Sound of Muzak”. It’s a lot more accessible with an easier structure. Plus it has a killer groove. However, I feel like you guys should definitely react to either the “Raven That Refused To Sing” music video or the “Routine” music video, both by Steven Wilson’s solo project (singer/guitarist in this song). The emotions in either video are completely overwhelming and masterfully portrayed.
