I know people cant wait to start getting their reviews online but I really think it's a bit early to say how we really feel about this album, its only been out a few days.
To be honest I didn't like Porcupine Tree the first time I heard the band (Stranger By The Minute). Took me some of the other songs and multiple listens before it all sank in, and kept going. With PT I always sink deep on one song and then slowly chisel my way through before I find myself enjoying the music. So far I've only made my way to understanding OTND, RR, D, HC. Maybe in good time. If I had to pump out a review within this first week it would be worthless. It's not an album I'm familiar with yet.
For me I loved this album. I would put it as one of my top 5 porcupine tree albums. It’s not as good as In Absentia, FOABP, or Sky Moves Sideways, but this might be my 4th favorite PT record. On par with Lighthbulb Sun for me.
I've only listened to this album once so far and I haven't done a deep dive into the other PT albums in a while, but yeah my first impression is that it definitely is what they advertised it to be. a very fragmented album that you can tell was developed in pieces over many years, leaving me wondering whether this is just all the ideas they had left in them, but also still liking most of the ideas on display regardless (even some of the weirder moments that you guys didn't seem as hot on like Herd Culling and Walk The Plank. do agree that the ending was a bit underwhelming tho) it's a solid album but if I were to put it in my own ranking it'd be like lower-middle, think I agree with Mark's take that it's better than The Incident as a whole but without high points as high
Music is so subjective. I think the album is wonderful and am grateful the band gave it to us. It really came to life on vinyl with my set up. Absolutely brilliant LP.
So excited to finally be able to dig into some new Porcupine Tree. Been a huge fan since middle school. I'd say their best album is either In Absentia, Fear of a Blank Planet, or The Incident. I'd say that Steven Wilson is one of the most consistent artists of the last 30 years. I know that his last couple of albums have been divisive, but I have enjoyed pretty much all of his solo releases. Even though I'd say only Raven and Hand Cannot Erase were the only two that approached Porcupine Tree at their best. Overall, I think that Porcupine Tree is much stronger than his solo career, so I'm very happy that they are back.
You too can’t agree if you like it or not i pro-fare to hear just notes or speculum how can you not like deadwing an excellent album every porcelain tree is brilliant and I think because of how long we waited to hear new porcelain tree people expect high expectations and Steven Wilson as had an incredible job of bringing this back to the fans this album was not bad not brilliant not the best not as good as fear or lightbulb 💡 sun but thank for your thoughts even if you too can’t deserve if you like it or hate it bye 👋
To really enjoy this album to it's fullest, you'll have had to listen to all their other stuff. I'm talking coma divide, deadwing, the incident. Even Voyage 34. It's all of them, and it's not. This album is fantastic. Keep listening..... or you may just not like PT.
This is the best and most honest review I've seen. I agree with Mark, it's nothing special. I doubt anyone will remember this in a year or two time. Plus, the deluxe edition is very poor, over priced for what you get, awful quality and cover. £30 would be more than enough, it's poor. So overall, it's a poor album, one of their worst, the first PT product I'm not buying.
I can't help but notice none of the negative comments state what exactly about it is poor in a musical sense. Just like with fear inoculum, people are fuckin determined to not like it because they expected the second coming of christ in album form
@@ileutur6863 I thought that Mark did a pretty good job of highlighting all the problems with the album. Take his criticism as exactly the same flaws I noticed with the album. It's funny you mentioned "Fear Inoculum" because "Closure/Continuation" had pretty much the exact same issues as that album - overlong songs, too much jamming, and not enough focused songwriting. I didn't expect "the second coming of christ in album form" - just some songwriting and performances that were up to Porcupine Tree's standards.
@@aaronclift I'll take jamming over boring atmospheric filler tracks any day. At least this album has some energy and drive unlike the incident. They'll never write something that reaches the prog heights of those older albums and that's perfectly fine
@@ileutur6863 I definitely agree with you that C/C is at least better than "The Incident," but I agree with Mark that nothing on C/C reaches the heights of "Time Flies." I like jamming from some bands and artists, but with Porcupine Tree, I think they were always at their best with the tighter songwriting.
I agree with Mark’s take on the album - it was okay but not great. The production and performances on the album are great, but the songwriting and lyrical content is really lacking, especially when you compare the songs to PT’s best albums like “In Absentia.”
I'm surprised there are so many negative opinions out there already. To me this is one of the most honest and jammy albums PT has ever done. Yeah it doesn't reach the prog heights of anything from in absentia, deadwing or FOABP, but it also doesn't reach the boring melancholic lows of the incident, with the exception of walk the plank, which is a complete waste of 4 minutes. The rest of the tracks are all memorable and groovy, especially the ones driven by Wilson's aggressive bass picking. The only other complaint I can muster is that the 3 bonus tracks should have absolutely been included, even through two of them are just Wilson ballads.
I thought it was a pretty good album overall. Not perfect, but honestly part of me expected worse (not because I don't like Porcupine Tree, I do, I just keep my expectations low just in general) and it definitely met them.
Insightful? I disagree with nearly everything these two guys said. Why would you take their opinions as gospel? Why would you let them decide what music you will like?
I would definitely say that this is their weakest album in awhile, but I can still call it good and a satisfiable comeback album. For me it’s a 7/10, but it would be higher if the 3 bonus tracks were on the album proper (8/10 in that scenario) or just replaced Dignity and Walk The Plank entirely (9/10 in that scenario).
People are reviewing this too quickly. with all Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson, it takes repeated listens to sink in. I'm starting to love it
Great to see Notes on this channel! Been watching him for years!
This is the definition of a grower-album. And you know what that means! More spins, more surprises! Better better and better.
I know people cant wait to start getting their reviews online but I really think it's a bit early to say how we really feel about this album, its only been out a few days.
Both points well made. I refuse to even listen to it until the hype dies down and my own heart can quell the doubt and anticipate something awesome.
To be honest I didn't like Porcupine Tree the first time I heard the band (Stranger By The Minute). Took me some of the other songs and multiple listens before it all sank in, and kept going. With PT I always sink deep on one song and then slowly chisel my way through before I find myself enjoying the music. So far I've only made my way to understanding OTND, RR, D, HC. Maybe in good time.
If I had to pump out a review within this first week it would be worthless. It's not an album I'm familiar with yet.
Agree.. Listen to it multiple times, it's a very good album
This is a masterpiece 🤟😎
For me I loved this album. I would put it as one of my top 5 porcupine tree albums. It’s not as good as In Absentia, FOABP, or Sky Moves Sideways, but this might be my 4th favorite PT record. On par with Lighthbulb Sun for me.
I've only listened to this album once so far and I haven't done a deep dive into the other PT albums in a while, but yeah my first impression is that it definitely is what they advertised it to be. a very fragmented album that you can tell was developed in pieces over many years, leaving me wondering whether this is just all the ideas they had left in them, but also still liking most of the ideas on display regardless (even some of the weirder moments that you guys didn't seem as hot on like Herd Culling and Walk The Plank. do agree that the ending was a bit underwhelming tho)
it's a solid album but if I were to put it in my own ranking it'd be like lower-middle, think I agree with Mark's take that it's better than The Incident as a whole but without high points as high
Love to see Notes here!! Been a fan of both of y'all for a while.
Music is so subjective. I think the album is wonderful and am grateful the band gave it to us. It really came to life on vinyl with my set up. Absolutely brilliant LP.
I love the album. Takes a few listens, or at least it did for me.
So excited to finally be able to dig into some new Porcupine Tree. Been a huge fan since middle school. I'd say their best album is either In Absentia, Fear of a Blank Planet, or The Incident.
I'd say that Steven Wilson is one of the most consistent artists of the last 30 years. I know that his last couple of albums have been divisive, but I have enjoyed pretty much all of his solo releases. Even though I'd say only Raven and Hand Cannot Erase were the only two that approached Porcupine Tree at their best. Overall, I think that Porcupine Tree is much stronger than his solo career, so I'm very happy that they are back.
Brilliant album a masterpiece
Great video yet again.
thanks for this videos, in my country doesnt exist, so really thanks.
You too can’t agree if you like it or not i pro-fare to hear just notes or speculum how can you not like deadwing an excellent album every porcelain tree is brilliant and I think because of how long we waited to hear new porcelain tree people expect high expectations and Steven Wilson as had an incredible job of bringing this back to the fans this album was not bad not brilliant not the best not as good as fear or lightbulb 💡 sun but thank for your thoughts even if you too can’t deserve if you like it or hate it bye 👋
What is this, a Crossover Episode?!
Notes!!!
To really enjoy this album to it's fullest, you'll have had to listen to all their other stuff. I'm talking coma divide, deadwing, the incident. Even Voyage
34. It's all of them, and it's not. This album is fantastic. Keep listening..... or you may just not like PT.
This is the best and most honest review I've seen. I agree with Mark, it's nothing special. I doubt anyone will remember this in a year or two time. Plus, the deluxe edition is very poor, over priced for what you get, awful quality and cover. £30 would be more than enough, it's poor. So overall, it's a poor album, one of their worst, the first PT product I'm not buying.
This also is so massively overhyped. People are going nuts because PT is back together.
I can't help but notice none of the negative comments state what exactly about it is poor in a musical sense. Just like with fear inoculum, people are fuckin determined to not like it because they expected the second coming of christ in album form
@@ileutur6863 I thought that Mark did a pretty good job of highlighting all the problems with the album. Take his criticism as exactly the same flaws I noticed with the album. It's funny you mentioned "Fear Inoculum" because "Closure/Continuation" had pretty much the exact same issues as that album - overlong songs, too much jamming, and not enough focused songwriting. I didn't expect "the second coming of christ in album form" - just some songwriting and performances that were up to Porcupine Tree's standards.
@@aaronclift I'll take jamming over boring atmospheric filler tracks any day. At least this album has some energy and drive unlike the incident. They'll never write something that reaches the prog heights of those older albums and that's perfectly fine
@@ileutur6863 I definitely agree with you that C/C is at least better than "The Incident," but I agree with Mark that nothing on C/C reaches the heights of "Time Flies." I like jamming from some bands and artists, but with Porcupine Tree, I think they were always at their best with the tighter songwriting.
It's just STUPID to review a PT-Album two days after release.
Everybody and his uncle knows that it takes TIME!
Rats is the only track I'm not keen on , otherwise love it
I agree with Mark’s take on the album - it was okay but not great. The production and performances on the album are great, but the songwriting and lyrical content is really lacking, especially when you compare the songs to PT’s best albums like “In Absentia.”
I'm surprised there are so many negative opinions out there already. To me this is one of the most honest and jammy albums PT has ever done. Yeah it doesn't reach the prog heights of anything from in absentia, deadwing or FOABP, but it also doesn't reach the boring melancholic lows of the incident, with the exception of walk the plank, which is a complete waste of 4 minutes. The rest of the tracks are all memorable and groovy, especially the ones driven by Wilson's aggressive bass picking.
The only other complaint I can muster is that the 3 bonus tracks should have absolutely been included, even through two of them are just Wilson ballads.
As an American, I swear, there's so little Canadian in how you speak I would confuse you for an American.
Wait until you hear him say “soary” and “aboat.” :)
Grumpy
I thought it was a pretty good album overall. Not perfect, but honestly part of me expected worse (not because I don't like Porcupine Tree, I do, I just keep my expectations low just in general) and it definitely met them.
Ayy
This is the very essense of talking utter drivel !
1 year later, man this album did the opposite of growing on me, really disappointed
I just revisited this review today in 2024. You guys really didn’t like this album at all! 😂
Thanks for the review!!! So insightful!!!! Now I don't need listen to the f--cking album!!! Yay me!!!!!! Your opinion means so much to so many.
Insightful? I disagree with nearly everything these two guys said. Why would you take their opinions as gospel? Why would you let them decide what music you will like?
I would definitely say that this is their weakest album in awhile, but I can still call it good and a satisfiable comeback album. For me it’s a 7/10, but it would be higher if the 3 bonus tracks were on the album proper (8/10 in that scenario) or just replaced Dignity and Walk The Plank entirely (9/10 in that scenario).
I actually like Dignity for some reason