In Absentia

In Absentia by Porcupine Tree may just be the finest album to come along in a long, long time. Trying to describe this album in terms of sound is difficult--think of a band with the vocal harmonies of early REM, the atmospherics of Pink Floyd or Radiohead, and the metallic sound of 70's era King Crimson or Tool. And yet, it sounds totally different from any of them.

Steven Wilson lends a hushed, subtle tone to the vocals that belies the very dark lyrics of In Absentia. The album is supposedly about a child that grows up into a serial killer, although the concept is somewhat vague. Wilson comments on society quite a bit--take The Sound Of Muzak, for example, which targets the state of today's music and how dehumanized and sterile it is becoming, complete with quite a catchy chorus.

The instrumentals are truly awe-inspiring. Supposedly this is Porcupine Tree's heaviest album, drawing on Wilson's collaboration with the Swedish metal band Opeth (which is how I heard about Porcupine Tree, in fact). The music alternates between delicate, soft textures and harmonies to heavy, complex riffs without feeling the least bit forced. The band is equally at home playing beautiful ballads (Collapse The Light Into Earth, Trains) as it is playing crunchy metal (Wedding Nails, The Creator Had A Mastertape).

As far as the album itself is concerned...well, you have to hear it to believe it. I've heard precious few songs that are as deeply affecting as Collapse The Light Into Earth, and Strip The Soul and Gravity Eyelids are two of the best songs I've heard this year. If you aren't excited after listening to the opening riffs of Blackest Eyes, check your pulse.

In a world of commercial garbage, we desperately need more bands like this. In Absentia is HIGHLY recommended to all listeners.

Note: Be warned that the enhanced video version can behave a bit wonky on some PCs. The video for Strip The Soul is indeed nice, but if it was left off or placed on a separate CD that would've been better. No big deal, though.

It is a concept album, which seems to be trendy all of a sudden. I barely even care when I hear a band I like is making a concept album these days, although it used to get me excited. _In Absentia_ gets the thumbs-up though because the story is actually VERY good. The chilling tale could entirely be peripheral depending on the listener, but to those interested it will find it is an integral part of this powerful record. Telling the story of a child growing up and becoming a serial killer, _In Absentia_ is dark thematically and musically. Bandleader Steven Wilson's lyrics have never blown me away until now. This album deals with some unpleasant subject matter, all rendered with great poetry.

The music, likewise, is remarkable -- and then some. "Blackest Eyes" is the first song on the album -- an almost childlike reflection of the future psycho's condition, and the blend of heavy riffs and plaintive acoustic strumming resonates the protagonist's disposition. When I say "heavy riffs" there, I seriously mean heavy - the crushing power chord strikes and monster distortion reminded me more of Tool than Porcupine Tree. But the song slips perfectly into the familiar, exquisite sonics of PT as well.

This dichotomy is seen elsewhere in the album as well, perhaps most notably on "Gravity Eyelids", with its harrowing build-up to an evil, Opethian guitar riff. "Wedding Nails" is a stunningly executed and composed progressive metal instrumental. "Strip the Soul" is gritty and punishing and enfeebling. Wilson definitely integrated a much heavier sensibility in this album, which surprised me as a longtime PT who had never heard the band do anything like this. It also blew my mind because it was done so well. And yet, countervailing this heavy side are some of the most gorgeous, sublime moments ever recorded - by this band or any other. "Heartattack in a Lay by" is a creepy, lonely nocturne that makes me shiver without fail every time I hear it. "Trains" is pop perfection and has not one, but two melting guitar solos. The finale, "Collapse the Light into Earth", is transcendental in beauty with string arrangements by XTC's David Gregory.

What's more? Vocal harmonies rivaled only by Spock's Beard, an impossibly good production, spine-tingling guitar solos, and a godly new drummer (Gavin Harrison, aka MASTER).

The production is freakin' amazing. Just amazing - probably the best I've heard. The texture, clarity, effects, power, stereo mixing, and inventive recording techniques make this album pure bliss to hear. And that's before you even put the headphones in - then you discover a whole new world of aural magnificence. Steven Wilson's studio wizardry on this record has me drooling to think what he has done for the next two Opeth albums (_Deliverance_ and _Damnation_).

_In Absentia_ blew me away from the first listen, which is not really uncommon. New things are exciting, after all. However, each subsequent listen only enhanced the intensity, never threatening to dilute it with the passing of time. This is utterly divine songcraft matched by almost nothing, and time will only make it greater.