Porcupine Tree - Transmission 10.1: Ilosaarirock (Live)
Overall: 8.7/10
Sound: 8.5
Quality: 9
Impression: 8
Live Impression: 9
Production: 9
Tilt: 8.8
Porcupine Tree's stranglehold on heavy progressive rock supremacy has only gotten tighter. With the band's recent masterpiece, Fear of a Blank Planet, combining the proggy production techniques of old with a more user-friendly metal backdrop, this Hertfordshire-based quartet is adding more depth to its already diverse and outstanding catalogue, all while adding more fans along the way.
Recently as well, the band has created their own record label, on which their collection of live albums can be found. A series of XM Satellite Radio broadcasts, a re-touch of Lightbulb Sun, a live EP in Florida and a live album in Warsaw, Poland, have all been released on Transmission records. Most recently, the band has put the final touches on a live set at the Ilosaarirock festival in Joensuu, Finland. Recorded on July 14th, 2007, shortly after the studio recording's initial release, the record touches on much of Fear of a Blank Planet (including all 18 minutes of Anesthetize), with a few favourites thrown in to spice things up.
The highest point of this record is probably the clarity of the recording. In general, a festival recording in an outdoor venue (especially for a record) has the potential to be uneven and poorly mastered in studio. Intereference, problems with equipment and just poor vantage points in a stage atmosphere can cause a great band to sound horrible on a live record. Wilson mixes the tracks masterfully, giving the appeal of a live set and still capturing the atmospheric PT sound. The production quality is always stellar with a PT record. Flawless transitions and crisp 5.1 sound pierces the ear in all the right locations.
Musically, the band stuck to the basics. Each track held true to the original recording, down to layered keyboard effects and intricate guitar solos. While I would have liked a little more freedom on solos and improvisation to give the crowd something more to cheer about (with the exception of great solos in the set's finale, Halo), the current material on Fear of a Blank Planet was more than enough to please. A spacey intro opened the set with the album's title track which viciously and venemously veered into the heads of the audience. Going through a good chunk of the new repertoire (including all 18 minutes of Anesthetize, a track which Steven Wilson asked the audience to indulge) as well as some of the old favourites (Lightbulb Sun, Open Car, Blackest Eyes), Finland observed as complete a PT set as ever.
Much like their current releases, Porcupine Tree focused on a more metal sound. Tracks like the teenaged anthem Fear of a Blank Planet, the majority of Anesthetize and Way Out of Here (all off their latest release) all delved into PT's metal repertoire. Extended solos on both Anesthetize and Open Car are to be
noted. Both were executed flawlessly and made lasting impressions on the audience. However, Wilson did bring out the acoustic guitar to play Trains as a first encore for an excited Finnish crowd, eager to hear In Absentia's masterpiece. In the end, after a stellar rendition of Halo, fans could do nothing but endlessly shoud, "We want more." I couldn't agree more.Listening to new band or genre of music is like buying a new pair of shoes. For that first little bit, the shoes are uncomfortable for the most part: the back rubs against your heel, your toes can't readily move and the rubber doesn't conform to your foot properly; all the same though, you love that superficial aesthetic quality you can't get anywhere else. However, once you've worn them for several weeks, the aesthetics still gleam but it's more than that: you have a profound appreciation for the feel and look of your shoes, not just the sense of having them.
This feeling was given to the fans in Finland on that night in July. For many, this was the first time they had ever heard or listened to Porcupine Tree; many never owned a CD, heard a single or even knew what kind of music they would end up playing. What they ended up hearing was a spectacular rock performance from start to finish: well rounded and solid from beginning to end. While all of it was somewhat linear and didn't exude an exciting feel at all points, for lack of a better phrase, they got one hell of a show.
As Wilson conclusively puts it, "Thank you. We'll see you next time. Have a great evening. Have a great weekend. Bye. "
