Porcupine Tree – Closure / Continuation

And then, when nobody was expecting it, Steven Wilson, Richard Babieri and Gavin Harrison (Colin Edwin didn’t them) thought it was a good idea to get Porcupine Tree out of the vaults, 13 years after “The Incident”.

Titled after the guys not being able to say if the new songs were going to become a proper eulogy to the band’s legacy, or rather the beginning of a new era (although it looks like the later is the most likely scenario), “Closure/ Continuation” was received with eager excitement and anticipation by all the PT fans that were missing them regardless of Steven Wilson’s already solid and worthy solo career.

The album was more impactful as it was released after Wilson’s streak of more pop-oriented albums: 2017’s “To The Bone” and 2021’s “The Future Bites”. So, listening to something like the start of “Harridan” with that blast of colourful bass (played in the album by Wilson himself) and Gavin’s exquisite drumming was thrilling to say the least: full progrock intensity was back in the menu.
But, is “Closure/ Continuation” a really essential, relevant and necessary album?

As always, it depends on who you ask.

To me, even though it’s always great to have new music from Wilson & Co. - some of the finest musicians out there- these seven new songs fail to move me as the ones contained in “In Absentia” or “Fear Of A Blank Planet” did. The musicianship is of course stellar, but I find it hard to engage with the whole thing. Only the above mentioned “Harridan” and “Rats Return” with their restless rhythmical creativity, the melody in “Of The New Day” and the build- up in “Dignity” make me come back to revisit the album.

Not a bad album by any means, but not one that I will revisit as often as I do with other PT or Steven Wilson solo albums.

This might be the best recorded / produced rock album of all time! It sounds fucking phenomenal. Gavin Harrison is easily among the top three rock drummers ever and his playing on this record blows my mind. I really dig this album. Is it Porcupine Tree's best? Probably not, but I have a hard time ranking their albums. Herd Culling and Walk the Plank both have some elements that are a little different and fresh for PT. Rats Return has some gorgeous complex chords, and Chimera's Wreck reminds me of Gabriel era Genesis.

Yes, the volume is low. That doesn't mean it sounds bad. That means it's ultra dynamic and sounds ridiculously good! Tune into Gavin's subtle brush strokes on Chimera's Wreck. This album sounds as close to live as you're ever gonna get for a rock record.

Es una pena,que, solo la versión rusa, traiga las 10 canciones en un CD, y la versión de lujo ya es un poco cara para estos tiempos

Shame they didnt include 'Never Have' on this album. Why??

The content is dark but the music is brave and triumphant.
CD sounds good but the mastering is rather low in volume.

Man this just lacks any sort of heart, I really dont know what I was expecting but even Wilson's solo material is leagues above this. I do Love Rats Return, Chimeras Wreck, and Population Three but the rest of this is just really tepid, boring stuff. Whatta shame.

The most unpleasant fact for me is that the 3 "bonus tracks" are only available in the deluxe 2CD/BR edition. And for those who want to hear those songs on vinyl? And who doesn't even have a CD player anymore? Go for a "Personal Shopper" ?

This is the worst album of Porcupine Tree. It sounds like the collection of poor B-side singles from the "metal era". Where is the innovation? Where are the good melodies? I am long time fan and very disappointed. It seems that Steven is trying desperatly to have his number one on UK album chart list. And yes, he is right - "Time Flies"...