Porcupine Tree - Deadwing (CD)

All Music Guide

Porcupine Tree have always been pigeonholed with the modern prog movement, but the reality is that they're both a riffaddicted metal band and a troupe obsessed with rich harmonies and memorable refrains. Take the grinding guitar work of "Shallow" which dukes it out with frontman Steve Wilson's undeniably melodic chorus before easing into the delicate, beautifully crafted "Lazarus." Few bands exhibit this kind of depth, be it the dreamy, Pink Floydinspired hallucination "Halo" or the Queensrÿche echoes of "Open Car." If the 12minute sonic meander known as "Arriving Somewhere but Not Here" is as headtrippy as rock music gets anymore, it is reassuring to know that this Tree is still growing. Ideal for headphones, Deadwing despite its title takes flight nonetheless.

- John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide