In Absentia

Performer: Porcupine Tree
Engineer: Paul Northfield
Producer: Steven Wilson
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Porcupine Tree: Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, Gavin Harrison, Steven Wilson. Additional personnel: John Wesley (vocals, guitar); Aviv Geffen (background vocals). Recorded at Avatar Studio, New York, New York between March & April 2002. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel: John Wesley (guitar, background vocals); Julian Leaper, Perry Mason, Warren Zielinski, Mark Berrow, Katherine Shave, Dave Woodcock, Rebecca Hirsch, Paul Willey, Ben Cruft, Boguslaw Kostecki, Rita Manning, Everton Nelson, Johnathan Rees, Gavyn Wright, Jackie Shave (violin); Gustav Clarkson, Peter Lale, Kate Musker, Bruce White (viola); Chris Laurence, Mary Scully (double bass). Audio Mixer: Tim Palmer. Recording information: Air Lyndhurst, London, England (03/2002-04/2002); Avatar Studio, New York, NY (03/2002-04/2002); New Rising, Colchester, England (03/2002-04/2002); No Man's Land, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England (03/2002-04/2002); Red Room Recorders, Tampa, FL (03/2002-04/2002). Photographer: John Blackford. Unknown Contributor Roles: Gavin Harrison; Richard Barbieri; Colin Edwin. Arranger: David Gregory. Continuing in the growing commercial vein of their previous releases, Porcupine Tree's In Absentia may be the most accessible release to ever spew forth from the group. Rolling electronic percussion blends with simple and solid live drumming to provide an understated backbeat as perennial Tree leader Steven Wilson pastes his complicated pop over the proceedings. Wilson's ability to bury his layered vocals in mountains of spacy electric guitar without drowning out his fragile lyrics is still a valued feature of the music, and the rare moments of clarity that his vocals display are breathtaking in their power. A reliance on a somewhat gothic heavy metal sound makes for some bizarre moments, especially when held up against his gentler material. The best example of this is the chugging "Wedding Nails," which recalls Dream Theater in its grandiose scope without utilizing the same sort of technical wizardry. But Wilson manages to bridge the gap between the various genres he utilizes, creating an environment where his haunting melodies could take a drastic turn at any minute. Porcupine Tree also continue their Radiohead fascination, although the influence is much less direct than on their last few efforts. Instead, it comes through at odd intervals, like the moments of sparse instrumentation on the otherwise lush "Heartattack in a Lay By." Sonically gorgeous and deceivingly complex, In Absentia has the most immediate appeal of anything Wilson has released under this moniker up to this point. By keeping the songs at manageable lengths and avoiding the avant-garde electronica flourishes of the band's early days, Porcupine Tree has grown into a fully realized pop group without cutting any of the elements that also make them an important force in the neo-prog movement. ~ Bradley Torreano There's a breed of (post-1980s) bands with the same degree of grand rock experimentalism as Pink Floyd and Yes, who simultaneously adhere to the concept of concise songwriting. Porcupine Tree is one such band--their sound is a balance of lush ambient textures, charming vocal harmonies, rock & roll directness, and acoustically- and electronically-generated sounds. Their debut IN ABSENTIA shows all these elements in place, rich with the likely possibility of them becoming a contemporary counterpart to Pink Floyd.

Rolling Stone (12/12/02, p.94) - "...Dense, dark Seventies prog-rock ambition....Their heaviest album yet..." CMJ (10/7/02) - "...A quirky, totally left of center release....IN ABSENTIA is one of those albums that begs to be listened to from the first note to the closing outro..."

Formed in 1987, London's Porcupine Tree is one of the most highly regarded progressive rock acts in the genre. Blending influences of Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Deep Purple, Rush, and Black Sabbath, the band has released over 15 albums, EPs, and live recordings over its relatively short career. Part classic rock, part psychedelic, and part metal, Porcupine Tree also possesses a wide-ranging fan base. Though never garnering a "hit" single, the band was nominated for a Grammy in 2007.

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