Classical Composer Reacts to Anesthetize (Porcupine Tree) | The Daily Doug (Episode 126)
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- Опубликовано: 3 июл 2024
- #PorcupineTree #StevenWilson #Anesthetize #AnesthetizeReaction
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to Anesthetize by Porcupine Tree. This was my first time listening all the way through this beautiful and emotive song. This version is a live performance given in Tilburg, Netherlands)...a wonderful performance!
Reference Video: • Porcupine Tree - Anest... 
Видеоклипы
In Steve Wilson's own words:
Revolver: Was there any specific incident that informed the lyrical themes on Fear of a Blank Planet?
Steven Wilson: There were many things that coalesced at the same time, but the main thing was reading the last Bret Easton Ellis Book [2006's] Lunar Park. The central thing is a father's relationship with his son, who is very much the role model for the character in Fear of a Blank Planet - this kind of terminally bored kid, anywhere between 10 and 15 years old, who spends all his daylight hours in his bedroom with the curtains closed, playing on his PlayStation, listening to his iPod, texting his friends on his cell phone, looking at hardc*** p*** on the Internet, downloading music, films, news, violence... He's also on prescription drugs. Parents these days seem to deal with their kids' problems not by sitting down and talking to them but by sending them to the doctor and getting them prescription drugs - which is kind of tragic, really.
The song has three parts:
1)"Anesthetize"
2)"The Pills I'm Taking"
3)"Surfer"
In my opininion the 3rd part is about the protagonist thinking back to a happy day on the beach somewhere. It is also the opposite to the other parts of the song: Passive media consuming indoors vs being active outdoors. Anesthetize your feelings with drugs vs. being happy.
I like your take on the 3rd part of the song; very interesting. I believe the 3rd part is more metaphorical than literal, the surfer being a almost red herring to this assumption. The surfer has been used throughout literature and music since the beach boys as a metaphor for someone a drift, the fact that anesthetise comes before the surfer sort of tells me the protagonist (i.e. the child) has succumb to the pill and is now adrift in his own head and I believe that with that pretense, having it be a memory makes it even more interesting a sad.
@@Damo887 You might be right. Your take, that this isn't even a real memory is even more bleak.
The reason for my take is mainly, that the whole lyrics are written in present tense, only the last part in the past.
The water, so warm that day
I was counting out the waves
And I followed their short life
As they broke on the shoreline
@@simond1574 mmm, tense is however a vague indicator haha but I see where you are coming from. To retract my last idea I now think that no matter whether the final section is dream a or a memory it wouldn't matter in the eyes of the child. he/she is adrift not in control and not aware regardless. It's fun to speculate meaning in certain points that are open but maybe we are reading into the wrong things, this is a genuine topic of concern and I'd think that the composers didn't create this just for the sake of speculation, they are being quite blunt in their story telling.
@@Damo887 Well, I think, especially with good music and great lyrics like PT and others, there is still a lot of room to speculate. I don't know, if it's intended or not. But great art should provoke some reflection about the work and the meaning.
I don't think, it's bad, if different people come up with different interpretations. After all, this is not Love Gun or Kokomo. :-)
@@simond1574 Yeh you're right haha.
This song is better than most band's careers, I'm not kidding.
id love to disagree with you.. but yeah
unfortunately yes
One of the best tunes ever made
9:45 destroys me everytime.
So true
Gavin Harrison KILLING it. As usual.
He's a fucking God
The New Professor!!! RIP Neil Peart.
And not a fucking mention throughout the whole video..
The coolest thing about good drummers like Harrison is that they can fill in the spaces and lay subtle accents and you barely notice it is there. He is not overdoing it, and is not doing too little, it is just right. I didn't hear Doug mention the drumming and in this case that is positive. He was too busy with the melody and lyrics. More respect for (good) drummers please!
@@erikvolger5631 ...word...
this was the last song that my dad showed me before he passed away ... this song has great sentimental value for me .. and it is sensational
How can anyone watch this video and not comment on Gavin Harrison's insane masterclass in progressive drumming? Not even once?? :D
u have already done that ))))
Doug is not drummer... He's hearing mostly the chords and notes.
@@gozamite true but he has complemented portnoy’s drumming before
This guy is annoying. Missing the ensemble qualities of PT. About him I think…….playing over the band. Really
@kennethcherry8698 if you don't like his videos then don't comment because you're being a jackass 🙄
When I saw them Live in Amsterdam a month ago, this song alone was worth the ticket price. Magnificent.
they played in my hometown and I went there, but I took a 4hr journey three days ago to see them again. So worth it. It's a shame if they really don't continue after this summer
Yep
So lucky to see them, I don't think they have toured here in Australia.
@@daniello9155 That's a shame
Every time I hear Gavin Harrison play, I'm amazed at his genius
I stole the joke, but I saw that metronomes use Gavin to keep time! 😉 He truly is incredible, as is all of PT.
It was great to see you play along realtime and improve to the wonderful sound of Porcupine Tree. I was surprised you didn't comment on Gavin Harrison's incredible drumming.
He doesn't really listen that way to drumming, unfortunately. His classical ear takes over usually but that's his niche. He also talks over half of the first solo. I feel Geebz does have a good balance noticing instruments, from an sound engineering standpoint.
well he did say cool drum cam so that was about the extent of his percussion analysis
If you haven’t seen New Zealand drum teacher Andrew Rooney reactions, you should check him out. He’s got a great sense of humour and insightful appreciation of drumming- here’s his take on Gavin doing a solo studio play through - it’s a funny intro by Andrew, but skip in 2 minutes if you want to miss his take on dogs barking as soon as one starts recording...
ruclips.net/video/RFhPcjV-3ZU/видео.html
unbelievable---- EXACTLY what i was thinking about for the whole Song...
Please don't put me off him by all '''THIS'' .. I really like him but there's something else going in some of these 'things' here SW FB, Porc Tree FB and so on. He's a great musician .. and .. and .. Don't get me get into some Tool lyrics huh!! If ya see what I mean .. or the odd commandment ... Keep cool .. keep 'LIKING'
10:57 That look you get when your drummer just busted out a lick that couldn't have been made by a human.
I like how in the part from 7:00 to ~8:10 Doug talks about the unusual lack of a lead melodic instrument. And all i am focusing on is the insanely good, dynamic drumming which is absolutely dominating this part and makes a lead melody solo 100% redundant.
Gavin Harrison is something special and even though he is "only" the drummer without him Porcupine Tree wouldn't be what it is.
And then again, in Prog no member of the band is "just the drummer" or "just the vocalist". Everyone plays a vital role in making the sound and music a whole and this song is a prime example of exactly that.
absolutely man.. with a drummer like that you can just strum c major triad on the crappiest squier every 4 bars and it will still kick ass
Arriving Somewhere but Not Here should be the next in your Porcupine Tree list.
Another incredible musical journey awaits you there.
For me that's the top song Porcupine Tree did, although they have many other songs which I think are absolutely excellent.
@@garanceadrosehn9691 You know what? If you asked me 4 months ago, I would have disagreed and probably said that Anaesthetise is better.
However, I recently watched the Arriving Somewhere concert, and I fell in love with Arriving Somewhere (the song).
The lyrics are absolutely magnificent, and the music is amazing.
I love how that guitar lick is maintained throughout most of the track, reflecting the state of stagnation the lyrics seem to address.
@@robTCGZ - When it comes to the question _"Which Porcupine Tree song is their _*_best_*_ song?",_ there are about 10-20 acceptable answers, and "Anesthetize" is certainly one of them! 🙂
After listening years and years to both songs, the billiance of the phrasing "It's all in you, all in me" just struck me. It's so cynic and sarcastic, because of the poppy flavour. What a dark message. Not sure if Arriving Somewhere is able to retain as my number 1 PT song!
@@garanceadrosehn9691 Completely agree with you
Love seeing the Porcupine Tree! BTW, on the studio version, Alex Lifeson (of Rush) does the solo in the middle
Not only does, he wrote the solo.
Damn I've listened to this song about a million times, never knew that! Thanks!
No shit...
woah! i had no idea! bad ass! i can totally hear it now 😂
Riverside - second life syndrome next! If you like porcupine tree, pretty sure you'd like riverside too.
I think "Left out" would be great starting point with Riverside
I'll 2nd this
YES, someone else who loves Riverside!
Second Life Syndrome would be great :)
Dude that would be so nuts! unbelievable song
Was about to suggest that before I saw your comment - as people pointed Left Out could also be the one (and so many others)
I had the pleasure of seeing them on this tour. The venue was packed and you could hear a pin drop during this song. I’ve never been to a live rock show where the audience was completely quiet, such is the power of this song. Reminds me of the first show they played in Florida, there may have been 50 people there. This was before they made a big splash with In Absentia. The next show a few years later they grew exponentially in attendance. I feel privileged to have seen them in such an intimate show...absolutely genius level songwriting.
I was there on the evening this video was shot.
Yes I saw them too...
Yes, same when I saw them twice, FoBP and The Incident. Occasionally I would look at the audience and notice something I'd never seen before at a concert. Just mesmerized faces nodding to the beat.
Steven Wilson is a master of modes. He creates new scenes and turns your mind like a magician. This is one of my top 5 favorite tunes. Brilliant drums by Gavin. A bass that both drives the beat and creates harmonies. 17 minutes just flies.
Absolutely! He's like the M.C. Escher of music with compositions (lyrically and musically) that are magical, and change the more you inspect them. And to top it off, they're very nice to their fans after a show!
What are the other 4? :D
@@VampireHeart518 Hard to tell. It depends on my mood and what my brain craves that day ;)
One of the greatest live performances I’ve ever heard. Absolute colossal performance. Harrison is one of my favorite drummers too.
Harrison is a beast. Up there with ANY of the best.
Harrison os extremely underrated, when people talk about drummers they always mention the same ones: Portnoy, Mangini, Minnemann; but this guys is a League of his own.
This is the best song in the world and Gavin is a drum deity. I hear this song for more than ten years now and i never get tired of it.
The absolute masterpiece.
Steven Wilson - Home Invasion/Regret #9. What a great journey this is, you should hear it!
yes
Yess!
Oh yes!
pls
YEAAAAH
Such an amazing piece of work by Wilson and the rest of PT. Great analysis as always Doug, just one thing I wish you would have done is give props to how amazing Gavin Harrison is. A lot of time you give drummers grief about their 16th note double bass drumming, yet here Gavin uses his double bass drumming in such an original way- crickets...
You're right. I really loved the drumming in this performance. Kudos.
This is the song that got me into Porcupine, and made me the great fan that I am now, and it was because back then, I learned that Alex Lifeson played on Anesthetize. One more thing to thank Rush!
I’ve been a drummer 45+ years and have to say no modern drummer blows me away with their technique, sound and musicality these days like Gavin does. Seen him live 6 times going to see PT in a few weeks.
The overall theme of the album is ADD and bipolar disorder in children. I think this song is about the over medication of kids as a way of addressing their problems without actually addressing the underlying causes, and the toll it takes on their ability to experience and connect with the world around them. Wilson's lyrics are often a bit inscrutable leaving a lot of room for the listener to fill in the blanks. Porcupine Tree's live performances are always incredible. Wish I'd gotten to see them more than the two shows I was able to catch. I saw them open for Yes in 2002 and Yes made them take the stage earlier than the concert start time printed on the tickets so their set was half over when most people made it into the venue. I'm still bitter about it all these years later and they've said in interviews that this wasn't a one show thing. Yes treated them very poorly. My girlfriend and I left part way through Yes's set. Compared to PT it just felt rambling and self-indulgent.
Yes, this. The album this song is from is called "Fear of a Blank Planet" and the theme is basically that children are overmedicated and overstimulated by technology to the point where everything becomes a blur - life becomes a waking dream, and they become disconnected and end up missing all of the experiences that we would normally wish for our children - the human experience: love, relationships, connection, emotions both good and bad - experiencing LIFE. Other songs on the album focus more on the technology's numbing effects, others on how pornography can leave sex to be an empty experience to just "get through", others on the sense of disconnection from their parents, etc.
Yes, Chip! Go Knights!
Yeah yes became quite arsehole y in the later years, a shadow of their former selves
I had to pause another Doug video to come listen to this as soon as I saw it posted. This whole filmed concert is incredible, but this song is on another level.
Exactly. The gig is perfect 10 but this song is 12.
@@anttipikkusaari4855 ...word...
I'm a big Stephen Wilson fan and I can tell you that this song anesthetizes probably their best song out of all of their catalogs. I've met him several times and his band I've seen them do this live multiple times. By far this is a masterpiece.
Spock's Beard - The Great Nothing is an awesome long epic of a song.
My go to SB song is The Light, but almost anything Neal Morse is involved in is good.
Also the opening track from SB 5 - "At The End Of The Day"
Such a great live performance. Gavin Harrison is one of the best drummers of our time without a doubt.
Richard Barbieri is so underrated. I’ve been a fan of his since ‘Gentlemen Take Polaroids’- Japan. There’s obviously a reason Wilson has him aboard such a mountain of talent.
The atmosphere he creates is amazing in every song. One good example of it is the intro of Buying a new soul.
Viktor Varga, I agree. That’s his specialty. ‘Tin Drum’ by Japan is all atmosphere. Love the guys work.
it never gets old, what a track
Been waiting for PT, Steven Wilson is just amazing also Gavin Harrison is just my favourite drummer of all time. Thanks Doug.
His work in Pineapple Thief (PT ;) ) is also great.
He plays like Manu Katche', actually if they sounded any more like Peter Gabriel they'd be in court.
Gavin is from another planet. Most melodically aware drummer I've ever heard.
@@eMysterium He's pretty great, for my money, no one could ever top Neil Peart.
A true magnum opus of a band at their height. Gavin Harrison has energy beyond. A rare drummer in the mould of Bill Bruford and Neil Peart
This song is so damn good. One of the best pieces over written and an amazing live performance. I highly recommend thank you scientist. One of the coolest prog bands playing today.
Definitely agree with Thank You, Scientist Doug, plus they are a Jersey band that met up at the Montclair college music program.
Yes! Thank You Scientist! The song Rube Goldberg Variations might be a great place to start.
@@Kinderl rube goldberg variations is a good one. my choice would be chromology though.
man Doug, you're doing such great songs lately. Opeth yesterday and now this. I am kinda addicted to this kind of analysis even though I don't really know much music theory myself. keep them coming! This version is of the song is absolutely amazing
I agree! Doug inspires me to learn more theory. I’ve picked up my guitar and try to play along with his piano. I discovered I’m nothing more than a dressed up chimpanzee.
@@BlueeyesofSkye no need to be hard with yourself. Art is a beautiful journey. The more we know about it, the clearer it becomes how little one actually knows!
Can't go wrong with that band. Wilson is a genius.
Drums are the lead instrument like most of the time when Gavin Harrison plays
Totally agree
Yep he makes 4/4 feels like it's 287356281363738 / 16
Yes!
It looks like long songs are back on the menu boys! ARE WE READY FOR DREAM THEATER-OCTAVARIUM or A CHANGE OF SEASONS?
Nah. Playing fast is not always good LOL
@@Jean_Maurice ok we got that you don't like dt. But that's incredibly inaccurate regarding octavarium
Okay, I need a nap, thanks 😴
@@Jean_Maurice What is fast about Change of Seasons? compared to this lol
OMG YES PLEASE
14:30 and onward is one of the most perfect grooves. Tonally, melodically, percussively, it's hypnotizing.
Alex Lifeson from rush wrote the guitar solo
Gavin Harrison is the lead instrumentalist during the break in the middle. If you see the isolated footage of him playing this song live you would not believe the things he's doing to that drum kit. Great reaction as always!
Its cool watching you pick out the melodies/harmonies while you listen.
Steve Wilson put out the best songs I have heard in decades. I was brought up on Yes, King Crimson, and Genesis. So, I don't usually give such high praise to an artist.
Loved the reaction, and that you joined in on the piano on occasion. This is a fantastic song by a band I fear will never be surmounted in terms of sheer musical skill.
Ive watched this video more times than I can count, seriously some of the best live recording ive ever heard! so excited to see you react to this
I love your fiddling with the notes on the piano. Makes such a beautiful and satisfying sound
what a cool response video...thanks for it!!!! love your approach!
An outstanding video! I've been listening to Porcupine Tree for years and the one thing I love the most about these guys is how they use dynamics to make the music much more interesting. I have to say that when you started playing along with that acoustic piano it added a whole new dynamic that damn near brought tears to my eyes and the stink face you had while listening to the more interesting parts was awesome. I hope you got to see them live since they have recently put a new album out.
You have to listen to "Change" off of Sound Awake by Karnivool. Absolutely killer band that doesn't get talked about enough.
Such a wonderful reaction to this masterpiece/masterful performance! 😍
This might be may fav reaction I've seen from the channel, but I always love how you seem to have perfect pitch and can dial in on the notes and chord progressions so easily. The piano bits you added to the song enhanced everything and I was blown away
Just discovered this channel, I am mesmerised, thank you for analysing one of the most important songs of my life ❤
Delighted to see back-to-back Opeth and Porcupine Tree videos from Dr. Doug tonight! So much of my favorite music has been appearing here and I've really enjoyed the compositional/musical perspective as a long-time amateur musician myself. Can't wait to see what else is coming, and need to warm up a few suggestions too!
Favorite band ever, just a stunning lineup, been to several live shows including solo live... always perfect recording and put on a spectacular show!!
This is the first video I saw from you Doug and I am loving it so much! You are a true master sir!
Love your analysis. Keep up your great work!
One of many masterpieces of Porcupine Tree, Wilson it's a genius. Doug, excellent analysis and reaction, specially 'cause you played with the band, and the sound of your piano at the end felt like add more perfection to a perfect song.
Doug, your music theory approach to reacting is greatly appreciated. Thank you
Wow, this was actually my recommendation, that I've sent to you a few days ago. Thank you for reacting to this song! :)
I love it when you work out and play a few of the chords....and take so much pleasure in doing it.
Thanks Doug - love the detailed analysis.
Thanks for playing and saying the chords in the song. I watch a lot of reaction videos from musicians, and the fact that you actually say what they are doing - most other RUclips reaction people don’t, was unexpected. I went to music school for 4 years (but it’s been a while and I forgot more than I know lol) , so hearing these terms was refreshing to hear. Nice video. I am now a subscriber!
You are amazing, and I am grateful to have found your channel. Thank you.
Enjoyed your analysis. Very cool. Thanks!
This just introduced me to my new favorite prog band. Holy crap, where have I been?
13:40 just couldn't resist the urge to jam along, huh? It's okay, this piece has that same effect on a lot of people ;)
Leprous- Cast Away Angels. The vocals were recorded in one take, which is insane.
Such a gooooooood song.
Yes please!
The WHOLE TRACK was recorded in one live take. Everyone in the room at the same time, playing and recording together.
Something VERY rare in prog-metal nowadays. Hell, rare in any genre.
You are amazing Doug, keep up this wonderful work!
I do enjoy a lot watching your reactions and comments. Its always nice to learn something!
This is my first time visiting your channel, and what a pleasure to see and hear you react to one of my all time favorite songs, and a favorite performance of it as well.
I was raised by a jazz pianist (father) and a classical pianist (mother), both of whom had both amazing taste and a breadth of knowledge of music, and I'm reminded of when I was twelve years old, and had just gotten Emerson, Lake and Palmer's album Tarkus, and took it over for my dad to hear.
As was his custom, he heard it through pretty much without comment, as we had an informal rule in my family that upon first listening we let the music speak for itself; after which he acknowledged that, while it wasn't his music, he understood why I liked it so much, because of their outstanding level of musicianship.
It was the first time I recall hearing the concept of musicianship, but it has helped to inform my love of certain musicians ever since, as well as my approach to my own music.
As for the meaning of the song, I should note that, like me, Steven Wilson is an old album rock guy, and you really have to listen to the entire album of Fear of a Blank Planet to get the entire meaning; particularly the title song.
The short version is that it was an observation of how, by anesthetizing our children, with Ritalin, antidepressants and the like, we are robbing them (and often ourselves) of the ability to FEEL deeply, and to respond in a deeply human way to life around them.
In a supreme irony, the song and video of Fear of a Blank Planet, which dealt with with over-medicated kids bringing a gun to school, were released on the same day as the Virginia Military Academy shootings; and while the band immediately pulled the video off of their website, upon hearing what happened, when later interviewed regarding his feelings about the coincidence, Wilson said that he felt somewhat vindicated, regarding what he was witnessing happening in our society.
Interestingly, at least to me; I love playing with anagrams, and when doing anagrams of Wilson's name one day, I discovered that one of the anagrams for Steven Wilson is: Novel Witness. And, having been a serious fan and connoisseur of Wilson's music since 2006, I can say without hesitation that he is, in fact, one of our most Novel Witnesses of all, which is in large part what makes him so very effective as a songwriter.
Thank you for posting this video. I'll definitely check out more of your content, particularly regarding your OWN compositions!
The final section of this song is just so beautiful, one of my favorite pieces of music ever.
the drum sound and playing in this is just simply amazing.
Fabulous as always
No mater how many times I've seen this performance I still shake my head in disbelieve and awe at what Gavin pulls of here... Such a rare combination of pure skill, insane musicality, precision and power. Only equaled by Guthrie Govan. Still waiting for someone like Wilson to bring those two together.
Guthrie was the guitarist on Hand. Cannot. Erase. He also played on The raven that refused to sing.
Damn, Doug... The songs you've picked lately are on fire! Got to love opeth, porcupine tree, etc. And I really like how you use piano to analyze these songs and jam with the band.
My head in the clouds and I'm zoning out! EVERY TIME I HEAR THIS! 😉 Thanks for doing this Doug! My favorite PT song.
He's very good at floating between major and minor to seamlessly put the heroic and uplifting chorus with the sinister riffs
Awesome group!! Can listen all day. Very unique phrasing
I feel like going from a minor chord to a major chord a half step lower while keeping the same note as the third of both chords is something Wilson and Åkerfelt do a lot.
I really enjoying when u are playing along
I've watched pretty much every analysis of this song on RUclips, and yours is probably the best of them. In my opinion, there is no such thing as the 'perfect song', but this 17 minute masterpiece is as close as humans will ever get. Great work.
Instant sub, no second toughts or anything. Such good content!
I saw them live back in October last year in Mexico City and they blew away, I had high expectations and they exceeded them like it was nothing, I love Gavin’s drumming and their overall master musicianship.
Love your porcupine tree reactions mate 👏👌
The drumming in anesthetise is amazing.
Thank you Doug for doing this. Your reactions with your expertise makes me feel like I should be paying for this channel.
Classical Genesis should be a nice addition... The Fountain of Salmacis, Firth of Fifth, Suppers Ready or even Can Utility and the Coastliners...
The Musical Box!!
Having seen them both live it is a great show. I have not missed Steven Wilson solo and went to multiple shows on each tour.
I love hearing your perspective and hearing you dissect the chords and whatnot but darn it, Now I have to go find this song so I can hear it in it's entirety. :). I've never heard this band. I've heard of them but never heard their music. Thank you for introducing me to Porcupine Tree!
Doug's the real deal, man! I love watching him match the chord progressions on the fly!
it wonderful to see how you feel the music!
Doug, your awesome big daddy... I love when your playing along, I’m getting a free education with your analysis brother... good stuff boss!
Steven wilson, Happy returns/ascendant here on. One of my favourites
Hi Doug. I've watched far too many reaction videos, but yours are, to my mind at least, peerless. I love your holistic approach. I remember watching your reaction to Pneuma by Tool. It was a drum cam video and yet you had still listened to the lyrics and brought that into your review, which blew my mind. It's a pleasure to watch your videos and hear your insights. I wouldn't call your work reactions, they're more interpretations and I'm thankful you invest your time in such a pursuit. I'm a life long music lover and I find your videos a great learning experience. Thank you. K
Thanks, great commentary!!!!
Saw these guys live. Blew me away.
This is a great song off a great album. Nice to see it reviewed. It's more like three distinct songs, all three of which are excellent. I managed to see them on the tour for "Fear of a Blank Planet", and they also have excellent videos showing on the screen in the background. I must admit I totally missed what the last two songs on the album were about until I saw the videos.
... but getting back to "Anesthetize", I really like the chorus in the middle-song.
I’ll never get tired of that ending solo and last section. Goosebumps every time. Years later.
Fantastic music and live performance, they are so thight and the drumming, oh yeah, this is hypnotic
I greatly appreciate your reviews, Doug. Your insight is greatly enjoyable. This is one of the best long progressive songs out there. I'm glad that you were able to immerse yourself to the point of not knowing if FEELING long...
Today I discovered your channel and I am really thrilled. My suggestion would be Gentle Giant, any song from the Freehand album. It's a prog rock band whose members are talented multi-instrumentalists, classically musically educated. If you haven't listened to them yet, you will surely be pleasantly surprised.
You got musical ears that never experienced before. You pick out the chords so fast.
Do Porcupine Tree - Dark Matter. It stands up as one of their most artistically interesting songs in my opinion. But you gotta do the live version with Gavin Harrison on drums, he's a beast. Also their singer Steven Wilson has some interesting solo stuff, particularly early in the 2010's. Try Deform to Form a Star.
Nah, definitely the studio version. Chris Maitland doesn’t get enough credit from the PT community as a drummer. I think when it comes to those early songs he does them better, he had an amazing feel and pocket. That said, I definitely can’t see him playing Gavin’s songs, that’s a different territory that Gavin is a master-class at.
Oh I would love Dark Matter I think it’s my favorite song of all time!