It doesn't have to be great, only similar to this (and released before this ofc). I just want to verify your claim, not necessarily listen to good music in the process.

Well my claim is that there is very little to separate the instrumentation of FOABP from that of other alt-prog albums such as those by Gazpacho, Pineapple Thief etc., bar the metal elements, which are by far the most generic parts.

You haven't said much about the actual instrumentation to back up your claim. You focussed more on the production and sound. Basically all you said that could actually counter my claim was that "there are also the dark ambient interludes" which is actually quite common in this type of music, see bands like Airbag.

So Gazpacho, Pineapple Thief and Airbag? Any specific albums?

So what do you mean by generic instrumentation exactly? That there are only drums, guitars and synths (with occasional string section)?

"Any specific albums?"

No, I don't remember one from the other.

"So what do you mean by generic instrumentation exactly? That there are only drums, guitars and synths (with occasional string section)?"

No, I mean that there is very little to separate the use of those instruments from other albums (either by PT or other artists within a similar field). Even if just one element of the instrumentation, the use of one instrument if you like, stood out as noteworthy it would be something.

None of that would matter though if the song writing wasn't awful. 'Generic' isn't even a bad thing when take on its own, it just means common.

No, I mean that there is very little of interest to separate the use of those instruments from other albums (by PT or other artists within a similar field). Even if just one element of the instrumentation, the use of one instrument, stood out as noteworthy it would be something.
Disagreed.

Album Rating: 4.5

There's no trying to convince Jamie that album has any sort of redeeming qualities.



It's pretty sweet musically for me. I jam hard to the title track and Anesthetize.

Album Rating: 5.0

Anesthetize is probably their best 00s song, aside from Arriving Somewhere

Album Rating: 4.5

That's easily .3 for me. No contest. One of the most jaw dropping songs I've ever heard.

Album Rating: 5.0

I guess in terms of their epics, but yeah they have a lot shorter beautiful songs like that too that're up there.

Album Rating: 4.5

That's my favorite PT song in general actually.

Album Rating: 5.0

That and Heartattack in a Layby are my favorite soft songs on In Absentia.

Album Rating: 4.5

Yea absolutely, those two and Lips Of Ashes are the best on there for me as well.

Album Rating: 5.0

That's right, along with Gravity Eyelids and Prodigal too. I think this album really nailed that side of their sound in a refreshing new way.

Album Rating: 4.5

My three favorites from 'In Absentia' weren't mentioned above, so I'll shout out "Blackest Eyes," "Trains," and "The Sound of Muzak." "Blackest Eyes," in particular, is the song that made me really fall in love with Porcupine Tree in the first place (which is notable because I'd listened to FOABP in its entirety before ever hearing 'In Absentia').



Every PT song over 10 minutes that came after this album is a highlight for the band, but "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" takes the crown--top 5 song in their catalogue, no question.

Album Rating: 4.0

Arriving Somewhere... is in my favourite PT album, so i have to give it the first place. FOABP is magnifiscent though, musically (and lyrically for me, though I know it's a rare opinion).

Yeah, Blackest Eyes was the first PT song I loved as well. Don't jam their albums much besides In Absentia and this one though.

Album Rating: 5.0

Blackest Eyes and the other accessible songs on there are great, but the really lush ones are incredible and probably most of my favorite moments.

Album Rating: 4.5

There's a special place in my heart for Blackest Eyes cause that's the very first PT song I heard.

Album Rating: 5.0

I'm pretty sure Deadwing was mine, but it's been 7 or 8 years so I'm not completely sure.

Album Rating: 4.0

8 years of knowing PT? Wow. It's been only 3 for me.