Customer Reviews

Anesthetize (DVD + Blu-ray)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is what I mean: I was fortunate enough to attend two concerts from the same tour that the DVD is taken from. No question, PT is better enjoyed live; however, this DVD offers significant advantages that a live concert cannot provide:

1. You watch it when you feel like it.
2. You don't have to drive to get to the concert.
3. The guy in front of you won't block the view of the stage.
4. You can seat down and enjoy.

But the truly impressive aspects of this DVD are the camera work and the sound mix. During the credits I counted at least 9 camera operators. It is as if you're on the stage with the band! You can watch Gavin Harrison playing from the left, the right, the top, and even from under the drums! I know now where he keeps the set list (down on the left side). You can even read the brand of the drum sticks that he uses.

Same with the other musicians: you can see the keys of the keyboard reflected on Richard Barbieri's glasses; the chords that the under-rated, extraordinaire bass player Colin Edwin chooses so discretely; the craftsmanship of John Wesley's guitar playing, and the artistry of genius composer/arranger/musician/producer/promoter Steven Wilson.

The sound, the mix and the production are of the most impressive quality. Even the PCM Stereo version is so good I hope they release the tracks on CD or as downloads to be able to listen to in the car.

They start out with the full Fear of a Blank Planet album, ala The Incident tour. Impeccable all; "Way Out Of Here" (which can be seen on YouTube) and "Sleep Together" stand out, this last one for the rage and energy that the band displays.

It is appreciated that for the second half of the show, they chose a number of songs, which are not that frequently heard on live material available. "What Happens Now", "Cheating the Polygraph" and "Normal" (from Nil Recurring), "Dark Matter", and "Sleep of no Dreaming", among others, are simply spectacular. The show stealer, however, turned out to be a very low key piece called "Half-Light" from the Deadwing sessions, in which Steven Wilson plays his signature Video Guitar and John Wesley finishes the song with the most heartfelt vocal that I've heard in a long time. There is no question: John Wesley is the fifth Beatle!!!

If you're still reading is because you already know Porcupine Tree. I don't need to tell you about how good these guys are or that they play the most creative kind of progressive, hard and acoustic rock combination that can be found on this planet. If you're a fan, you have to have this DVD.

This review is based on the first viewing of the regular version of the DVD made in England (not the Blu-ray).

6/26/10 Edit: A "similar" show from the same Fear of a Blank Planet Tour has been released for a download on the PT site or at the [...] store where most things PT can be found. It's worth the download because the music is great and the proceeds are for a good cause (read below abstract taken from the Burning Shed page), however, it is not the same set list nor the same sequence played on the DVD filmed in Holland. The low price more than justifies the download.

This download comprises a complete 2 hour live performance from the Fear of a Blank Planet tour.

"The show was recorded and mixed to the usual PT standards in order to provide material for a planned live album, but when the decision was taken to film much of the same repertoire in Holland for a major DVD release instead, the Atlanta recording ended up back in the vault.

Now PT have decided to make it available in complete form as a download only release in order to raise funds for Mick Karn's treatment for cancer. Although the repertoire is similar to that on the Anesthetize DVD, the performance has its own atmosphere, and also includes the first ever officially released live recording of "A Smart Kid".

The mp3s are high quality 320kbps files and there is a break between tracks 8 and 9 in case you want to burn your own 2 CD set, for which Carl Glover has also provided CD artwork.

Please note that all Porcupine Tree's profits from the sale of the Atlanta download will go directly to the Mick Karn Appeal. Burning Shed's profits will go to Macmillan Cancer Support."

I am a longtime Porcupine Tree fan. I have enjoyed the Blu-Ray on a 42 inch plasma, and a 600 watt surround system with a 15 inch powered sub-woofer. There is simply no better reference disc than this. If you want to show off your system, this is the disc to own! The musicianship is absolutely unmatched, the audio production quality is jaw dropping. I had a friend drop by whilst this was on, he had never heard of Porcupine Tree and his music tastes are grounded in classic blues rock. He was utterly transfixed, commenting that he had never seen any group create a "sound sculpture" quite like this. I have to say, that is a very accurate description of their sound. I have always felt that PT, wield their sound like it is a living, breathing creature, that they can tap into, and unleash it's ferocious power, at any time. This release goes a long way to exemplify that theory. I love seeing them in concert and this release recreates the experience beautifully. Of course, the individual performances are astounding, with kudos to all, but especially to drummer Gavin Harrison, who has won the coveted best drummer award for 4 years running from Modern Drummer magazine. His performance here makes it evident as to why. This is an absolute must own for any serious music fan.

All of the top notch musicianship of this concert performance is finally equaled buy the video and audio of this Blu-ray release shot and edited by long-time collaborator Lasse Hoile. Image quality is superb and this is one of Steven Wilson's best 5.1 mixes to date (which says a lot for the man who earned a Grammy nod for his 5.1 mixes and was commissioned to remix the King Crimson catalog in hi-rez 5.1.) Featuring "Fear of a Blank Planet" (the Quadrophenia of the new millennium)in it's entirety, plus a 2nd set dating songs back to the "Signify" album, this is a wet dream for any Porcupine Tree fan. And as for the rest of the world, they have arrived folks! Refusing to be pidgeon-holed into any one particular category of rock, the band easily segues from Prog Rock to ballads to metal without missing a beat. This release pays tribute to the best quintet of musicians (including long-time live accomplice John Wesley) currently touring. This is the "thinking man's" rock band, one that obligates one to actually invest themselves in the music. Superb. Sublime. Beautifully compelling.

Recived the limited edition DVD / BluRay Gray cover edition from PT web site. I am simply amazed by the quality of the video and sound. I have seen PT several times though not on thier most recent tour but this make me feel as if I was there. If you a PT fan this is well worth the investment and if not what a great introduction to PT. I intend to introduce PT through this DVD

I just received my special edition of the LIVE Anesthetize edition yesterday, and of course I immediately slipped it into my DVD player. This is an awesome production. The taping, editing and of course the sound quality. These four (now five with John Wesley) are some of the best musicians I have ever listened too. The drums are simply amazing... and Richard's keyboard work mesmerizing. I saw Porcupine Tree in LA during the Incident tour last year and it was one of the best shows I have seen; oh how wish I had seen them during the FOABP tour. They cover a wide range of songs adding to the versatility. All Porcupine Tree Fans must get this DVD... plug it in.... put on some headphones... turn out the lights... and get ready for the best two hours of their life... enjoy.

This is the best concert video I've ever seen. The sound is spectacular and filming as made from many different angles. I watched it start to finish the day I got it and it's long...130 minutes. Others here have outlined the songs so I'll just say if you love PT...get this! You won't be disappointed. There are great closeups of everyone. Sometimes in the concerts it's hard to make them out but not here. You really see everything.

I just got finished with the DVD portion of this release, (I do not have the blue ray as yet...)

The Fear of a Blank Planet and Nil Recurring materials play exceptionally well live...the video is mixed even better than that of Arriving Somewhere. The 5.1 sound adds a depth which is too largely missing in the materials available from most bands...

Their musicianship including the vocals, (live as well as recorded) continues to be stellar...They managed to pull me in with "Sleep Together"...a song that I've not been fond of to date, that is until I saw them perform it live via this DVD!

The venue in Tilburg played well for this DVD, and the fans were amazing there. If you're a fan of Porcupine Tree, "Anesthetize" is a MUST for the library!

Wow! I thought seeing them live was great...This is just another fine example of musical perfection from Maestro Wilson and the Boys. An all-star cast of musicians at the top of their game plus brilliant lighting, directing, and editing from Lasse Hoile make this a remarkable concert DVD. The set list is all FOABP and Nil Recurring for the first half of the show. The second half is old favorites, plus some not heard live before, really rounds the night out. The transfer is from all HD cameras and pops with color and life. No visible noise to these eyes. The DTS master audio sound will just blow you away! This, along with the phenomenal mix by genius SW, has me aching to throw away another 2+ hours of my life. I did only plop down $12 for the DVD version, but now I will go full bore and order the Blu-ray version (with all the bonus material) as well. The wait for this one (2 yrs) was long, but WELL worth it! *This review is from the DVD I purchased thru the pre-order from the PT website. Made in the UK!*

Yes, this is not out yet so, of course, I can't review the actual product. So this is just an FYI as to what is on the thing for those who, like me, are curious as to exactly what the contents are and are too lazy to go look elsewhere. After I've had it a week or so I'll edit the below.

BUT.....I feel that I can justify a 5 star rating, sight unseen, for 4 reasons:
1) In my book ANYTHING PT does is 4 or 5 stars
2) The setlist looks magnificent!!!
3) I saw this tour in Atlanta in 2007 and it was GREAT!!!
4) If Arriving Somewhere is any indication...how can this NOT be 5 star worthy?!?! :)

Anyway - FYI:

DVD/Blu-Ray Disc
Intro
"Fear of a Blank Planet" (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
"My Ashes" (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
"Anesthetize" (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
"Sentimental" (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
"Way Out of Here" (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
"Sleep Together" (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
"What Happens Now?" (from Nil Recurring)
"Normal" (from Nil Recurring)
"Dark Matter" (from Signify)
"Drown With Me" (b-side from In Absentia)
"Cheating the Polygraph" (from Nil Recurring)
"Half-Light" (b-side from Deadwing)
"Sever" (from Signify)
"Wedding Nails" (from In Absentia)
"Strip the Soul" / ".3" (from In Absentia)
"The Sleep of No Dreaming" (from Signify)
"Halo" (from Deadwing)
Outro

Extras (Blu-Ray Disc only)
"Way Out of Here" (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
"My Ashes" (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
"Wedding Nails" (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
"Strip the Soul" / ".3" (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
"Nil Recurring" (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)

CD Track listing (deluxe edition only)
Disc 1
1. "Intro" 2:07
2. "Fear of a Blank Planet" 7:34
3. "My Ashes" 4:46
4. "Anesthetize" 17:20
5. "Sentimental" 5:18
6. "Way Out of Here" 7:47
7. "Sleep Together" 7:54
8. "Prodigal [Bonus Track]" 6:03

Disc 2
1. "What Happens Now?" 8:09
2. "Normal" 7:13
3. "Dark Matter" 8:57
4. "Drown With Me" 5:21
5. "Cheating the Polygraph" 8:11
6. "Half-Light" 5:28
7. "Sever" 5:37
8. "Wedding Nails" 5:43
9. "Strip the Soul/.3" 8:17
10. "The Sleep of No Dreaming" 5:31
11. "Halo"

First of all, I will not try to soliloquize the marvelous sculptures of sound that are so expertly recreated in as great a job of mixing as this epic. This is a great DVD to put on when you feel like really getting the most out of whatever system you have. I have many music DVD's and only a handful come close to the incredible sound that is generated by this great band. Steven Wilson has a soul for music and his soul and mine dig the same sounds. Only difference is, he can write them, and I can only listen in awe.