Porcupine Tree - 'The Incident'

Porcupine Tree goes big and epic on their tenth studio LP.

Though the band’s history dates way back to 1987, The UK’s Porcupine Tree properly burst on to the mainstream radar in 2002 with their In Absentia LP and its “breakout” single “Blackest Eyes”. After hitting their stride on the even heavier Deadwing follow-up, the quartet spearheaded by guitarist, vocalist, producer and songwriter Steven Wilson truly began to break through to a diverse and dedicated following, and The Incident, the band’s tenth LP proper, bravely attempts to balance out Porcupine Tree’s deeply embedded progressive rock roots with melodic, emotional songwriting.

The Incident achieves some moderate success in this, although this writer personally feels that The Tree is missing a certain something from their songwriting—some aspect of excitement which could lift them even further from the pedestal they currently occupy, erected by their ravenous fans. Basically a concept album in nature, The Incident is one long track, separated into chapters for easier listening. Of course, this album works best when taken in as a whole, but the option is there for listeners for skip to their favorite song, which is a nice touch.

This reviewer will make no bone about the immense talent of Wilson and Co., and The Incident is a well-arranged progressive rock epic in the vein of Pink Floyd’s The Wall which should make most longtime fans pleased as punch. This being said, 2007’s Fear Of A Blank Planet—alongside the aforementioned Absentia and Deadwing—serve as more proper examples of The Tree’s potential to fire on all cylinders. In comparison, The Incident seems to be flying at half mast, although this surely shouldn’t have too much impact on the band turning this layered concept into a far more exciting live proposition.

Nevertheless, The Incident certainly isn’t Porcupine Tree’s best album by a long shot, and should best be explored by band aficionados, rather than newcomers seeking a taste of what Wilson and Co. have to offer them right off the bat.