In Absentia

by Porcupine Tree

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	11/12/2021
Label:	Transmission
UPC:	0802644823270
Rank:	2238

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Porcupine Tree   Primary Artist
Steven Wilson   Primary Artist
Colin Edwin   Primary Artist
Richard Barbieri   Primary Artist
Gavin Harrison   Primary Artist
Mary Scully   Double Bass
Tony Pleeth   Celli
Paul Willey   Violin
Rebecca Hirsch   Violin
David Woodcock   Violin
Benedict Cruft   Violin
Peter Lale   Viola
Martin Loveday   Celli
Rita Manning   Violin
Everton Nelson   Violin
Aviv Geffen   Vocals (Background)
Gustav Clarkson   Viola
Julian Leaper   Violin
Perry Mason   Violin
Warren Zielinski   Violin
Katherine Shave   Violin
Mark Berrow   Violin
John Wesley   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Bruce White   Viola
Gavyn Wright   Violin,Orchestra Leader
Chris Laurence   Double Bass
Kate Musker   Viola
Johnathan Rees   Violin
Boguslav Kostecki   Violin
David Daniels   Celli
Jackie Shave   Violin

Technical Credits

Andy VanDette   Mastering
John Blackford   Photography
Lasse Hoile   Cover Photo
Andrew Karp   A&R
Dave Gregory   Arranger
Colin Edwin   Composer
Mark O'Donoughue   Mixing Engineer
Richard Barbieri   Composer
Steven Wilson   Composer,Producer
Brian Montgomery   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Isobel Griffiths   Orchestra Contractor
David Gregory   Arranger
Paul Northfield   Engineer,Recording
Tim Palmer   Mixing
Chris Maitland   Composer