I read an interview
with Steve Wilson a long time ago where he said that Porcupine Tree was
starting to sound more like Opeth and Opeth was starting to sound more
like Porcupine Tree. While that transition would be in full effect on
future albums, Lightbulb Sun feels like a transition album for the band.
Prior
to this album the band would focus on long instrumental passages and
jam sessions. That is largely gone from this album. In fact this is the
first Porcupine Tree album without an instrumental in it.
Russia
on Ice and Last Chance to Leave Planet Earth Before its Recycled feel
like the bands tribute to everything that came before it. Despite the
first section of these songs having vocals the remainder channels that
jam session feel of the earlier releases.
So where does that
leave the rest of the album? Well this is still progressive rock, with
more pop influences thrown in. The song structures are simplified
compared to the earlier albums, with more melodic hooks are thrown in as
well as the riffs repeating more so than previous albums.
Lightbulb
Sun still has moments of brilliance, and it remains part of what I
consider the golden age of the band (Up the Downstair through In
Abstentia). It's an excellent album, though not the strongest in their
supreme discography.
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