garyalex wrote:
 
The version of King Crimson that has been floating around for several years would not be even remotely as compelling without Gavin Harrison. He is listening to a different drummer, channeling a pulse from somewhere else. Watching him in concert is an astonishing experience.

Proof that Prog Rock is alive and  well....

Bill and Rebecca, you must have a lot of fun stringing these songs together.  Soul Sacrifice to Halo - Brilliant!

It's got a killer time signature. Anybody know what it is?

Sir Givin Harrison 

The surgeon of drums

I had tickets to see them twice in London in 1998 and 2001. They were supporting Thunder in 98 and then Dream Theater in 2001. However, as they were the support act (and I had a few too many in the bar) I sadly missed seeing them both times. A pity as I really like this guitar based prog rock  band.

Brachial.

Wow - This rocks so hard it gives me chills. LOVE it!
Thank you, RP for turning me on to this superb band.

Great bass playing. Nice groove.

Dis Wilson guy is Da Bomb!!!!    9.875

 Northern_Lights wrote:
 

Tricked me too.

This kid (me) is a huge Janes Addiction fan (please dont ask me to prove it) and I just had to look and see that this wasn't JA or at least Perry Farrell vocalizing. 

Reminds me of What God Wants part 1 of Roger Waters incredible album Amused to Death.

Bumped it from 8 to 9 because it is Outstanding.

 aspicer wrote:
 
The anesthetize DVD/BRD was recorded live in Tilburg, Netherlands, October 2008.   The lead songs are all from the Fear of a Blank Planet album.

Concert videos are not my thing but this one is pretty good.

I reckon the Steven Wilson solo concert is decent.  Porcupine Tree was tight.  Steven Wilson and band are even tighter.  

What do I regret not attending?   Porcupine Tree playing the Festival d'été de Québec in the 1990s.   

 aspicer wrote:
 
Hard same there! I didn't go last time they came through town and I've kicked myself ever since.

GOD how I wish I saw them live when I could have...

As usual, Gavin Harrison shows the way forward.  He amazes me with his skills.  Incredible.

Less cowbell. More Porcupine Tree.

 jahgirl8 wrote:
 
Ummmmmmmm....nope. Not as stated by this band nor from you.

Steven Wilson can do no wrong.

Excellent! Tony Jory - London

"Gavin is power, Gavin is truth!"

SO regret I never saw them live....maybe a reunion tour some day?! Any recommended concert videos...?

 jahgirl8 wrote:
 
Oh sweet irony!

God is truth, God is power and God is proof.

This is hypnotic! Love it.

Just saw Gavin Harrison last night with King Crimson and immediately realized that this is the propulsive drummer on this cut. If you have not seen him in action, I highly recommend the experience. He is working from an internal rhythm all his own, although it syncs with the other musicians. Astonishing to see!

Steven Wilson's solo work is really good but I miss PT.

What a tune. . .

This song KILLS live.

Rockin'!  The definition of Rockin'!

I've got an eagle around my head

As others have pointed out.  Adrian Belew on guitar in this song.  That in and of itself makes this song and the title song Deadwing special.

This song is great!

 Piranga wrote:
 
Understatement of the year.

A rare 10 from me... damn this rocks. Turned some friends on to this, and played while driving a big ol Sea Ray cabin cruiser down the Mississippi, big twin engines churning a huge wake, wind flying in our faces on a warm summer late afternoon, hi end audio system blasting it out, nice buzz going...  yea, it didn't suck.

Does anyone else hear some Jane's Addiction in this?

Brilliant song, brilliant album !!!

               

your new flac format rocks! this song proves it!!! Ta!

I would like to blow this song out of every religious person's ass and record their faces as it happens.  or their asses.

@Fraqtop - - - FUCKING WORD!!

Amazing guitar solo in the middle of this song

          

 idiot_wind wrote:
 
OK? There is a slight similarity in covers, but WA isn't even a silhouette, just a dark red person against a bright (and slightly green) background. If they had mimicked the angle or the color scheme or the props, I could maybe see it, but there's not enough there there.

 Solanus wrote: 

 idiot_wind wrote:
 
It's possible that Wishbone Ash was an influence for his music or the input of his bandmates (it's not specifically stated in Wikipedia, for whatever that is worth), but I'm pretty sure WA has no trademark on silhouettes on album covers.

Steven Wilson is one of the most creative, talented, and prolific musicians going.

Happy Solstice to all the Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree/RP fans!
 
Try not to sacrifice any live animals.....

For those of us in the north, the days now start getting longer.

Hey Porcupine, 

Wishbone Ash wants their  album cover back and their guitar rifts! ha! 

 aspicer wrote: 
You lucky b@stard! That sounds amazing!

 sleepinggypC wrote: 
Absolutely! This song takes more shots at piousness and the self-imposed higher religious moral standing than anything I've ever heard.

Just saw Gavin Harrison with King Crimson last week - 3 full kit drummers (front of stage) including him.  WOW! Incredible show!  Any KC fans be sure to catch this tour!

I note that Porcupine Tree sits at #10 on the RP artists lists in terms of popularity. This puts them ahead of such bums as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, The Who, Wilco, etc. Could be a weird artifact of math (i.e. not many low votes to drag down their average), but still a pretty impressive stat. 

 GeorgeMWoods wrote: 
Boggles the mind dude. "revival?!?" This is about as GodHating as it gets.
Do. Not! Want.

I like very much

 SquiddlyDiddly wrote: 
Well, I would not immediately jump to that conclusion: "{Steven Wilson} is completely happy with the Zionists destroying the Palestine nation in plain sight."  

I get the impression that his close collaborator Aviv Geffen of Blackfield is not keen on the occupation.  He has called on tyrant Bibi Netanyahu to resign and has taken a number of risky public positions.  The kind of public criticism that earns death threats.

Ninet Tayeb who co-sings 'Don't Hate Me' on Wilson's 4 1/2 CD is somebody who sang to commemorate the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and participates in Israeli-Palestinian music festivals.

Personally, I believe a boycott of Israeli intellectuals, poets and artists is a bad idea.  Boycott goods manufactured in the West Bank?  Yes.  Maybe.  

But then I am a big fan of 'constructive engagement', the policy advanced by the USA to push the apartheid Republic of South Africa towards a non-racial future.  

US policy in the Republic of South Africa was incredibly helpful in toppling the apartheid regime. US auto manufacturers created safe places for black trade unionists.  

The left and self-styled progressives should really avoid the trap of narcissistic position politics and focus more on simply getting the job done.  

That said, as an economist with some knowledge of international security matters, I view Israel as the single biggest threat to the security of rich western nations.  I also find it completely unforgivable that Israel currently has observer status at NATO.

 

 westslope wrote: 
Ouch. Thanks for posting this. I shall of course let everyone I know Mr Wilson's opinion on this matter. . . which of course means he is completely happy with the Zionists destroying the Palestine nation in plain sight. 

Who gives a shit? I do.  

 Hoosfoos wrote: 
You appear to be using that word incorrectly.

Argh!! Not good to drive by. Too much of this on the road already. :-/

Bill is on a roll! It's 8:00 am here in Dallas, I just got up to fix my coffee and fire up RP and Drive By Trucker's Sink Hole is followed by Led Zep's Immigrant Song and now this! What a great way to wake up!  Oh, and now that is followed by Robin Trower's Bridge of Sighs. Gotta turn the dial up to 11.

 Hoosfoos wrote: 
Not really. Perhaps not their best recorded song, but this song kills in concert. Trust me.

As bland as it gets.

Meet Steven Wilson, the anti-Roger Waters
Pasted:

I’ve never had a one-on-one confrontation with one of those artists who boycotts Israel, but I would like to. It would be interesting, whether it’s Roger Waters, Annie Lenox or Brian Eno. It would really be curious to hear their side of the argument.

I think part of it must stem from their own inflated opinions of their own impact on the world. Because really, who gives a shit if Annie Lenox or Brian Eno boycotts Israel? The politicians don’t and the population at large doesn’t – that’s another sign that the influence of pop music is dissipated. People don’t have the kind of influence they used to. Nobody really cares if Roger Waters boycotts Israel.

GODZILLA LIKE!

Please, play something with Josh Klinghoffer since today is his birthday please! Like Dot Hacker - Eye Opener. Please!!! 

Go to JAY-zuss you heathens!

(or not...) 

I"m not the biggest fan of PT, but I've got to say this tune smokes!

Here endeth the lesson.

As if I didn't love Wilson enough, a song taking shots at the 'higher moral standing' of the theocratic. Love it!

  TY Porcupine 

That may be so.  I'm embarrassed to admit that to this date, I've invested too little time in learning about the plight of our world's indigenous peoples to form a truly considered opinion about such things.  Conversely, I am quite familiar with the tendency for otherwise well-meaning folks to overstep their knowledge and push for efforts that ultimately bite them (and the rest of us) in the ass.   Genetically Modified Organisms, anyone?

However, I'm not sure that there is a clear line to be drawn between (a) the current crop of Western evangelists driven by traditional religious zealotry and (b) present-day Western social activism.  One seems to say, "Do as you've been told by the ancient texts and subscribe to what the preachers say or bad things will happen to you and all that you love."  The other seems to say, "We have a terrible problem as a species on this planet and we need to work together to do something about it..  Let's roll!"   They're quite different angles from my perspective, but perhaps I'm misinterpreting your comment? 

In any event, I completely agree that it's a rare and valuable ability to bring important issues to the front burner without alienating those whom you're trying to enlighten.  If only our electable politicians had a bit more of that kind of skill and a bit less of the obfuscating flavor of pseudo-leadership that seems to be the norm now — perhaps we'd all feel more inclined to cooperate and work together in supporting policies that are more universally beneficial than universally bullshit.
 
westslope wrote: 

Halo and goodbye.

                                                   If you let me finger your halo
                                                     I'll let you to know the truth.

GREAT JAM!

crogers,

I believe artists and musicians are at their best when they raise issues and call attention to serious issues without being too specific, pedantic or condescending.  

Neil Young is another artist, who, in my opinion, gets it wrong on occasion and who comes across sounding like another greedy, righteous person playing narcissistic position politics.   

For an example outside the world of famous artists, self-styled liberals and progressives with all their apparent generosity typically have no idea how their policies have hurt Aboriginals over the years or contributed to polluted, deadly air and climate change.    

Thanks!  I hear you...

Not to get too far out there... but sometimes it seems that it's the roaring mouse that aligns the most sensitive minds.  

Some artists feel driven to bash you over the head with their ideas — which is fine, but when it comes to commenting on a prickly subject like the debatable validity of organized religion in the 21st century, it seems there are few who can do it with enough tact to allow those who are really paying attention to grasp it, relate to it and get behind it.  Every opinion deserves a voice and most of us don't have a microphone — even those with the really good, really considered ideas. I'm thankful that guys like Wilson have found a way to put rational thought into their art, to say what needs to be said (though it may still need to be partially couched in innuendo, even now!) to those with an appreciation for the bigger picture, carefully, succinctly and with both eyes squarely on the reality of the human condition and our future, or lack thereof...  


westslope wrote: 

 crogers wrote: 
Well put.

Good post crogers.

The other day I re-listened to Halo in light of your comments.   And you might be right.

That said, thank goodness that Wilson is not Bono or Roger Waters.  And I say that as a life-long 'shit-disturber'. 

Hmm...  I think it actually goes much deeper than that.  The song itself, tongue-in-cheek as it is, seems to me to be nothing less than an outright condemnation of Western neo-evangelism and the ubiquitous, nearly cultist dedication to "spreading the Word of Christ" that open-minded, thinking people have to contend with and quietly tolerate here in the US, the UK and throughout the West.   Of course, such behavior may be found all over the globe, and Christianity is certainly not the only religion that has "evolved" to encourage such behavior by its followers.  When an artist or group like PT calls out hypocrisy, bigotry and delusions of grandeur for what they are, even when they hedge their bets as shown here, I can't help but applaud the effort.


westslope wrote: 

Hey Deadwing!  How goes?

Don't mind George.  He is showing his confirmatory bias or simply leaping to uninformed conclusions.

BTW, for all of you on all sides of the US cultural wars, this song is about a person and the way this person or type expresses his or her views, not about religion per se. 

 GeorgeMWoods wrote: 
Do you even sarcasm, bro?

These guys are no fans of religion.

 

Cool song. They did, however, miss one important "God is" statement. God self-identifies as love and that got missed. :)

Any song that has such an amazingly fluid riff in 19/8 deserves attention.

 westslope wrote: 
Just saw Steven Wilson at a small venue a few months back.  Definitely worth it.

I'm getting too old and tired to go to concerts.  I'd rather trek into the bush, scramble up a mountain, canoe a wild river or dangle a few inches of chicken feathers and tinsel in front of steelhead.  

In the wish I could have been there slot.....  I wish I could have caught Porcupine Tree in concert at the Festival d'été de Québec.  Even if it was outdoors and the sound wasn't that great.

The summer music festival in Quebec City receives considerable government support and draws musicians from around the world.  

My first summer as a political science and later economics student in Quebec City, I worked for CBC-Radio at the national assembly press gallery.  And then listened to bands from around the world for free while eating lunch.  It was wonderful.

 

 richarlo wrote: 
Bring acoustical ear plugs.... or plan to suffer.

Can't wait to see Steven Wilson this coming Sunday in Montreal 

 GeorgeMWoods wrote: 
Man, you do lack perception.  

Did anybody ever tell you that you were thick?   

I think "Thick George" has a pleasant ring to it. 

 GeorgeMWoods wrote: 
The trick is to enjoy the music without being converted by it. That said, PT can leave me cold, compared to 1st gen prog groups. This song does. It's basically reheated Rush.

 GeorgeMWoods wrote: 
Bill has got a GREAT feature where you can click on the word 'Lyrics' and for most songs, you can see what the hell they're singing about ("'Scuse me while I kiss THE SKY?!?!?!" ... oh that changes everything). Seriously though, I am genuinely grateful for the resource because it lets me dig a little deeper on the songs and come to a more informed opinion, even if just an opinion it remains.

Rock on 

 GeorgeMWoods wrote: 
Wait, what, really?  Come on people, take three frickin minutes and LISTEN TO THE SONG.  Then, imagine a world where someone can actually tell a story in a song, skilfully using metaphor and irony to express a feeling that runs directly counter to its lyrical content (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) — a song that trusts the listener to interpret the message behind it — to experience the...  oh, screw it. 

Hey, that;'s an interesting experiment,Bill, combining crappy metal with religious lyrics. Now drop the Christian revival and get back to more credible music.

Irony is hard.   

Reminds me of the time I trumpeted that here I was (me being so smart and clever and all) learning about new Canadian music from the imperialist running dog streaming music station out of northern California.

And somebody took me seriously.  Whaddya do?   

 reindeer wrote: 
Well um, yeah — have you actually listened to the song?  I think you might find some shared sentiments there.  Of course, one needs to be attuned to the ironic...
 

I love Porcupine Tree, I really do, but I hate this song.
I really don't care for songs about religion, which I believe is one of the most toxic things humans have invented.

 fredriley wrote: 
More likely the NRA.
"Some long-haired left-wing freak in a robe wanted us to do background checks on gun-buyers!
Had to take him out, natch."

 westslope wrote: 
Right enough. To quote Matt Johnson's lyrics from his excoriating "Armaggedon days are here again":

"If the real Jesus Christ were to stand up today,
He'd be gunned down cold by the C.I.A."

 By_The_Bay wrote: 
So, what would you replace it with old wise one? BTW. looking forward to Steven Wilson's next album release and tour for Hand. Cannot. Erase

This is the best road music imaginable!

Always makes me think of religion as a new form of self-medication.  At least in North American context.

Every deeply and active religious person I know of the Christian faith would find truth in the lyrics.  Maybe I just hang out with a lot of Bad Christians.   

Then if Jesus Christ walked among us today, many would consider him a Bad Christian. 

I wish they would abandon that cliche vocal effect.

 ncollingridge wrote: 
"There" music?
Really?

 ncollingridge wrote: 
It's "huggin' a halo round me", and it's not entirely un-ironic...

I've seen these guys in Buffalo, NY during "The Incident" tour. Great show. Would have loved to see them during the "Dead Wing" tour. Wish they were around in the seventies during the Progressive Rock era. Can't do the same thing these days, if you know what I mean. Got-ta work for a living.

 this actually goes perfectly with the bass line...I'd swear he's dancing in his seat...Bravo  Zeito wrote: 

PT can do no wrong.

Come on Steven - there's PT stuff in the vault, plus limited odds and ends (Futile, for instance).

Put out some new (old) PT music this summer!!

please…. 

I grew up in the late 60s and early 70s.  This is better.

 Slipstream wrote: 
Yes indeed. Far too many groups and "musicians" wouldn't even have a career without the digital technology crutch they use to compensate for lack of genuine musical chops. Live performances separate the wheat from chaff.

Superb.  I've seen these guys live 3 times, and they sound every bit as good live, as they do recorded.  That's saying something.   

 ncollingridge wrote: 
Completely agree - dross that sounds 30 years old (I would add Mazzy Star, The Church and BRMC to complete the list)

Gotta be the only place I've heard 17/8 time

"it LITERALLY has zero redeeming musical value" 

 

 Relayer wrote: 
With you on this one. Awesome ensemble of musicians, writers, producers.

To me, Porcupine Tree can do no wrong.