I don't know whose side I'm on...

Tunes in my head: Prodigal by Porcupine Tree
Atmosphere: Alert


The album In Absentia by Porcupine Tree is one of my favourites from this century. Released in 2002, it's diversity is one of the things that has really dragged me into a sense of appeal regarding it.

Two songs especially have really hit me from it, contrasting in musical tone and lyrical design. Despite these differences, in terms of general mood, they share a general feeling of utter hopelessness and desperation which is strangely appealing.

The song .3 (often referred to in contexts as "Point Three") is a brilliant example of minimalism and musical darkness. In this, Steven Wilson intones two very dark lines of lyrics over a bass led groove.

Black the sky, weapons fly
Lay them waste for your race

In invoking this scene, the music takes a turn from dark yet seemingly pleasing to anarchic, despite not changing in tone. The lyrics seem to solidify the musical picture, creating a highly effective portrait of darkness. The relentless groove of the song is finally contrasted with a ray of light - the strumming of acoustic guitar. Finally, the string arrangement of XTC's Dave Gregory seems to add a final touch of romantic sadness to the piece as it meanders to it's end. And so the song fades back into the distance from where it came from.

Finally, the album ends with the flickering, dying flame of loss. In ending the album with the song Collapse The Light Into Earth, Wilson leaves the impression of very dark album, one that is not entirely true until perhaps the last third of the disc.

Four simple, bright yet dark piano chords reverberate through the listener's mind. Gentle string arrangements to further add to the melancholic feel of the song. Hopeless lyrics to evoke an emotional response. Loss.

I won't shiver in the cold
I won't let the shadows take their toll
I won't cover my head in the dark
And I won't forget you when we part

Collapse the light into earth

I won't heal given time
I won't try to change your mind
I won't feel better in the cold light of day
But I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to stay

Collapse the light into earth