MR

Best Rock Album of 2007



Best Rock Album of 2002



One of the best singers, songwriters, and guitarists you haven't heard of.

I know there's at least two or three of you out there, anybody else fans of these fellas?

And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

I won't even listen to a band with such a ridiculous name. Short of Steve Perry joining the band (or singing background vox ) I will never give them a listen. What a stupid fucking name.

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

I loved "Normal" especially, wish it would've made it onto the record instead of "Sentimental."

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

Saint John wrote:I won't even listen to a band with such a ridiculous name. Short of Steve Perry joining the band (or singing background vox ) I will never give them a listen. What a stupid fucking name.

The name was originally a joke...because the band started out as a fictional 70s supergroup...a kind of hoax played on prog rock nerds in the late 1980s. Then it stuck....

But hey...stick with your tired old Miami Sound Machine records, St John. Great titles there...like Doctor Beat...genius.

Saint John wrote:I won't even listen to a band with such a ridiculous name. Short of Steve Perry joining the band (or singing background vox ) I will never give them a listen. What a stupid fucking name.

Dude, you're missing out on some amazing music. I'll put it out there, I'm not afraid...

....Porcupine Tree is a better band than Journey.

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Saint John wrote:I won't even listen to a band with such a ridiculous name. Short of Steve Perry joining the band (or singing background vox ) I will never give them a listen. What a stupid fucking name.

Dude, you're missing out on some amazing music. I'll put it out there, I'm not afraid...

....Porcupine Tree is a better band than Journey.

Post a clip. I'll listen.

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Saint John wrote:I won't even listen to a band with such a ridiculous name. Short of Steve Perry joining the band (or singing background vox ) I will never give them a listen. What a stupid fucking name.

Dude, you're missing out on some amazing music. I'll put it out there, I'm not afraid...

....Porcupine Tree is a better band than Journey.

I'd still rather see Journey at their early 80s peak...but I agree that over the last 20 years Porcupine Tree have been a far more inventive and dazzling than Journey have - and they keep developing their sound too in a way that Journey gave up doing after 1986.

Saint John wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Saint John wrote:I won't even listen to a band with such a ridiculous name. Short of Steve Perry joining the band (or singing background vox ) I will never give them a listen. What a stupid fucking name.

Dude, you're missing out on some amazing music. I'll put it out there, I'm not afraid...

....Porcupine Tree is a better band than Journey.

Post a clip. I'll listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8vZVLLZig

Not an official video of the band, but this is their studio recording of "Blackest Eyes" from the In Absentia album. Ignore the video, groove to the song. It's their biggest hit and one of their most accessible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfmOtTMa-8M

The band's official video for "Lazarus" from the Deadwing album. Their best ballad.

Matthew wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Saint John wrote:I won't even listen to a band with such a ridiculous name. Short of Steve Perry joining the band (or singing background vox ) I will never give them a listen. What a stupid fucking name.

Dude, you're missing out on some amazing music. I'll put it out there, I'm not afraid...

....Porcupine Tree is a better band than Journey.

I'd still rather see Journey at their early 80s peak...but I agree that over the last 20 years Porcupine Tree have been a far more inventive and dazzling than Journey have - and they keep developing their sound too in a way that Journey gave up doing after 1986.

Journey had so much potential to be one of the overall greatest bands of all-time if they kept their evolution going, instead of re-hashing their sound and touring the hits over the last few albums. Journey's still a top 3 favorite to me though, I love them to death.

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

You're damn fuckin right about these statements! One of the best new (or not so new, depending on how far you go back with them) bands in a long, long time. Creating new & interesting music is getting more & more difficult thanks to the know nothing music industry, but these guys make it sound easy! Could have been as big as Pink Floyd if the music industry cared about music anymore.

Oh, by the way, Steven Wilson's other band "Blackfield" is also amazing. Mellower than Porcupine Tree but just incredible soundscapes & songs.

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

You're damn fuckin right about these statements! One of the best new (or not so new, depending on how far you go back with them) bands in a long, long time. Creating new & interesting music is getting more & more difficult thanks to the know nothing music industry, but these guys make it sound easy! Could have been as big as Pink Floyd if the music industry cared about music anymore.

Oh, by the way, Steven Wilson's other band "Blackfield" is also amazing. Mellower than Porcupine Tree but just incredible soundscapes & songs.

"Mellower" ain't the word for it, "more depressing" is more like it! haha! Seriously, it's like I gotta listen to "Be Good To Yourself" on repeat for an hour after listening to Blackfield. I LOVE Blackfield though, both of their albums... especially the song "Once." For some reason it hits me right here, yanno? Same with "Cloudy Now."

ProgRocker53 wrote:

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

You're damn fuckin right about these statements! One of the best new (or not so new, depending on how far you go back with them) bands in a long, long time. Creating new & interesting music is getting more & more difficult thanks to the know nothing music industry, but these guys make it sound easy! Could have been as big as Pink Floyd if the music industry cared about music anymore.

Oh, by the way, Steven Wilson's other band "Blackfield" is also amazing. Mellower than Porcupine Tree but just incredible soundscapes & songs.

"Mellower" ain't the word for it, "more depressing" is more like it! haha! Seriously, it's like I gotta listen to "Be Good To Yourself" on repeat for an hour after listening to Blackfield. I LOVE Blackfield though, both of their albums... especially the song "Once." For some reason it hits me right here, yanno? Same with "Cloudy Now."

I hear ya, way Melancholy. I listen to other off the wall stuff like Therion who mix metal & choirs & opera singers. Cool stuff, but after hearing it and putting on "Normal music", I realize how far out there it is!

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

You're damn fuckin right about these statements! One of the best new (or not so new, depending on how far you go back with them) bands in a long, long time. Creating new & interesting music is getting more & more difficult thanks to the know nothing music industry, but these guys make it sound easy! Could have been as big as Pink Floyd if the music industry cared about music anymore.

Oh, by the way, Steven Wilson's other band "Blackfield" is also amazing. Mellower than Porcupine Tree but just incredible soundscapes & songs.

"Mellower" ain't the word for it, "more depressing" is more like it! haha! Seriously, it's like I gotta listen to "Be Good To Yourself" on repeat for an hour after listening to Blackfield. I LOVE Blackfield though, both of their albums... especially the song "Once." For some reason it hits me right here, yanno? Same with "Cloudy Now."

I hear ya, way Melancholy. I listen to other off the wall stuff like Therion who mix metal & choirs & opera singers. Cool stuff, but after hearing it and putting on "Normal music", I realize how far out there it is!

Haha, this Therion group sounds like Dream Theater on crack or something. I'll have to check 'em out.

Speaking of off the wall stuff, it's such a total 180 when I listen to artists like Modest Mouse, Gogol Bordello, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Tom Waits... and then I turn around and pop on some Journey, Toto, Van Halen, or Boston... haha! I love being diversified in the stuff I listen to, makes for some fun music experiences.

ProgRocker53 wrote:

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

You're damn fuckin right about these statements! One of the best new (or not so new, depending on how far you go back with them) bands in a long, long time. Creating new & interesting music is getting more & more difficult thanks to the know nothing music industry, but these guys make it sound easy! Could have been as big as Pink Floyd if the music industry cared about music anymore.

Oh, by the way, Steven Wilson's other band "Blackfield" is also amazing. Mellower than Porcupine Tree but just incredible soundscapes & songs.

"Mellower" ain't the word for it, "more depressing" is more like it! haha! Seriously, it's like I gotta listen to "Be Good To Yourself" on repeat for an hour after listening to Blackfield. I LOVE Blackfield though, both of their albums... especially the song "Once." For some reason it hits me right here, yanno? Same with "Cloudy Now."

I hear ya, way Melancholy. I listen to other off the wall stuff like Therion who mix metal & choirs & opera singers. Cool stuff, but after hearing it and putting on "Normal music", I realize how far out there it is!

Haha, this Therion group sounds like Dream Theater on crack or something. I'll have to check 'em out.

Speaking of off the wall stuff, it's such a total 180 when I listen to artists like Modest Mouse, Gogol Bordello, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Tom Waits... and then I turn around and pop on some Journey, Toto, Van Halen, or Boston... haha! I love being diversified in the stuff I listen to, makes for some fun music experiences.

I also like lots of different stuff. Depends on my mood. I drive the guys at work crazy. One minute it's some Bach or Pat Metheny, next minute some Opeth. Check out Therion's "Secret of the Runes" for some serious opera & metal. If you like it more metal than that CD try their CD "Sirius B". The more I listen to them the more I like them.

Another great new band is "Thought Chamber". They have a CD out that sounds like a cross between Kansas & Dream Theater. Good stuff.

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

You're damn fuckin right about these statements! One of the best new (or not so new, depending on how far you go back with them) bands in a long, long time. Creating new & interesting music is getting more & more difficult thanks to the know nothing music industry, but these guys make it sound easy! Could have been as big as Pink Floyd if the music industry cared about music anymore.

Oh, by the way, Steven Wilson's other band "Blackfield" is also amazing. Mellower than Porcupine Tree but just incredible soundscapes & songs.

"Mellower" ain't the word for it, "more depressing" is more like it! haha! Seriously, it's like I gotta listen to "Be Good To Yourself" on repeat for an hour after listening to Blackfield. I LOVE Blackfield though, both of their albums... especially the song "Once." For some reason it hits me right here, yanno? Same with "Cloudy Now."

I hear ya, way Melancholy. I listen to other off the wall stuff like Therion who mix metal & choirs & opera singers. Cool stuff, but after hearing it and putting on "Normal music", I realize how far out there it is!

Haha, this Therion group sounds like Dream Theater on crack or something. I'll have to check 'em out.

Speaking of off the wall stuff, it's such a total 180 when I listen to artists like Modest Mouse, Gogol Bordello, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Tom Waits... and then I turn around and pop on some Journey, Toto, Van Halen, or Boston... haha! I love being diversified in the stuff I listen to, makes for some fun music experiences.

I also like lots of different stuff. Depends on my mood. I drive the guys at work crazy. One minute it's some Bach or Pat Metheny, next minute some Opeth. Check out Therion's "Secret of the Runes" for some serious opera & metal. If you like it more metal than that CD try their CD "Sirius B". The more I listen to them the more I like them.

Another great new band is "Thought Chamber". They have a CD out that sounds like a cross between Kansas & Dream Theater. Good stuff.

I checked 'em both out on www.progarchives.com and they seem to get some decent reviews.... I've put 'em both down on my "To Buy/Download List." I'll letcha know what I think after I get around to checking them out!

Just got "In Absentia" about a couple of weeks ago. Great album.

conversationpc wrote:Just got "In Absentia" about a couple of weeks ago. Great album.

Your collection must be something.

ProgRocker53 wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8vZVLLZig

Not an official video of the band, but this is their studio recording of "Blackest Eyes" from the In Absentia album. Ignore the video, groove to the song. It's their biggest hit and one of their most accessible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfmOtTMa-8M

The band's official video for "Lazarus" from the Deadwing album. Their best ballad.

Thanks for this...Good stuff!

Uno_up wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8vZVLLZig

Not an official video of the band, but this is their studio recording of "Blackest Eyes" from the In Absentia album. Ignore the video, groove to the song. It's their biggest hit and one of their most accessible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfmOtTMa-8M

The band's official video for "Lazarus" from the Deadwing album. Their best ballad.

Thanks for this...Good stuff!

No problem man. Now get to buying/downloading/borrowing/stealing their albums, and seeing 'em on tour!

I've been to about ten concerts, not much compared to most of you I know, but Porcupine Tree's show was the best I've ever been to. That includes three Journey shows (all with JSS) and two Rush shows!

my hubby was listening to pt while we drove up to vegas a couple months ago. pretty cool stuff. }:C)

2 of my best friends are fanatical about them. I appreciate the musicianship and raw power/talent of their live shows, but this type of music in general is not my cup of tea.

Having said that "Darkest Days" is one of the coolest songs I've ever heard.


Does anyone remember Hum? They were a late 90's hard prog/rock band that sort of fell by the wayside. Cadillac uses the riff from an _awesome_ tune called Stars in their current tv spots.

I'm guessing Porcupine tree isn't as good as Magic and no, I am not listening.

treetopovskaya wrote:my hubby was listening to pt while we drove up to vegas a couple months ago. pretty cool stuff. }:C)

Well, you opened yourself up to this..

He get any "road head?"

JrnyScarab wrote:

ProgRocker53 wrote:

Matthew wrote:And not forgetting Deadwing...which is the best rock album of 2005. Saw this band late last year and they've got inspiration to burn. Their drummer Gavin Harrison is now on a par with Neal Peart, I reckon. He's unbelievably good on the Nil Recurring E.P. which is just a load of songs that didn't make the cut for the Fear of a Blank Planet Abum...and ended up being possibly their best ever release. Harrison is on fire on that record....

Harrison is a BRUTAL drummer, love it... Edwin is an amazing bassist who can both groove like hell and play melodically... Barbieri is a wizard on the atmospheric keys and Wilson is one of the most underappreciated guitarists out there. From heavy metal to soft acoustic ballads, the fucker can do anything.

You're damn fuckin right about these statements! One of the best new (or not so new, depending on how far you go back with them) bands in a long, long time. Creating new & interesting music is getting more & more difficult thanks to the know nothing music industry, but these guys make it sound easy! Could have been as big as Pink Floyd if the music industry cared about music anymore.

Oh, by the way, Steven Wilson's other band "Blackfield" is also amazing. Mellower than Porcupine Tree but just incredible soundscapes & songs.

I'd agree that PT could have been a multi-platinum supergroup had they been around in the 1970s - but even now they are doing pretty well for themselves. They are signed to Atlantic in the US. They earn good money from touring. Their last three albums have sold around 100.000 a piece. And that have total creative freedom...from the songs, production, right down to the brilliant artwork.

Sure, they deserve to be much bigger - but I get the feeling that they aren't looking for huge mainstream acceptance in any case and are happy doing whatever they like knowing that they have a fanatical, niche audience.

This is all a far cry from those acts who blame their creative and commercial failures on the industry, on Britney, or whoever else as long as it's not the band themselves. PT have found a way to make it work for them and ought to be a big inspiration to up and coming acts and the veterans too - and to anyone who feels they can't do what they like because of corporate culture.

Just a last obscure question...anyone into Wilson's Bass Communion stuff?

Rockindeano wrote:I'm guessing Porcupine tree isn't as good as Magic and no, I am not listening.

Who's Magic by, Deano?

I don't know why your poll was deleted either Voyager - but equally there's no reason to trash this one. It might be off-topic but at least it's a relatively new subject and breaks the endless cycle of repetition we're all engaged in here. I mean...the 'Are Journey a tribute band?" question has been a popular one for nearly ten years now, hasn't it?

Matthew wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:I'm guessing Porcupine tree isn't as good as Magic and no, I am not listening.

Who's Magic by, Deano?

If you have to ask, you aren't too bright or informed with music.

Matthew wrote:

Voyager wrote:I guess this is the type of poll we will have to participate in from now on. I tried to post a poll about the current state of Journey and it got deleted. I guess we can no longer openly discuss our feelings about the band openly. I'm worried now that unless I speak praise about everything they do it will get deleted.

Oh well. Politics rules.

I don't know why your poll was deleted either Voyager - but equally there's no reason to trash this one. It might be off-topic but at least it's a relatively new subject and breaks the endless cycle of repetition we're all engaged in here. I mean...the 'Are Journey a tribute band?" question has been a popular one for nearly ten years now, hasn't it?

Oh, you took the words right out of my mouth
It must've been while you were kis... oh wait... nevermind. I'm no Frig.

Rockindeano wrote:

Matthew wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:I'm guessing Porcupine tree isn't as good as Magic and no, I am not listening.

Who's Magic by, Deano?

If you have to ask, you aren't too bright or informed with music.

It's by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, bro.