Project 1 is DONE! - Preview of Projects 2 & 3 and something else...

Well there ya go. 10 records that influenced my life last year. Each one is an accomplishment in it's own way. But I feel there is something I need to address after finishing this list.
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Steven Wilson put out Insurgentes in March of last year. This was easily my favorite record of last year. However, the reason it's not on the list is because I received my pre-ordered special edition in November of 2008. So technically I experienced that album before the year 2009 thus invalidating its entry onto the list. I know its a arbitrary and stupid reason but it wouldn't be fair to include something that I didn't experience first in 2009. But don't fret. Insurgentes will certainly be a part of project 3 chronicling my favorite records of all time. But that's still a ways off. Anyway...
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I'll be taking a short break from writing as I have some pressing school work that requires my attention. But don't worry, I have some stuff written to provide filler between now and the start of my next project. My next project is going to be an analysis of every Porcupine Tree album. Needless to say, this might take awhile. So bare with me.
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I also have an idea that would involve something a bit more personal. I'm not going to say much other then it will be music related and involve someone who was very close to me.
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So In conclusion, stay open-minded and give music a chance to do its job and take you somewhere.

Best Wishes,
- Sean

Music of 2009 - Part IX

2. Porcupine Tree – The Incident

Anyone who knows me knows that I love this band. When I first discovered this band in 2005, little did I know the impact the music of Porcupine Tree would have on my life. I have loved the band ever since so naturally The Incident was a first day purchase for me. After the initial fanboy-ism wore off after a few days, I began to seriously put this album through its paces. This album as a whole is brilliant. The songs are excellently composed, the musicianship is top-notch, the songs are lavishly written, ect… But despite all the praise I can heap upon this recording there is one major problem I have with this record. This is a full on, unabashed, concept album. If this were any other band or any other recording this wouldn’t be a problem, but because I hold this band in such high esteem, I feel this small fact damages my listening experience. I feel like I have to listen to the whole album – all 14 tracks – in order to get the whole experience this band wanted to convey. I feel like I have to set aside time to actually listen to this record. Like I said before – not a big deal. But this degrades my personal listening experiences. Anyway… Steven Wilson and company have really outdone themselves. The Incident is yet another Porcupine Tree album that will cement this band in progressive rock history. For the fans, this record has a little bit of every previous PT release. The heaviness of Deadwing, the acoustics of Lightbulb Sun, the contentious style of play on Signify and Up the Downstair, every base of their discography is covered in this 55 minute epic. In this world of simple and commercial music, this band strives to create full and complex music and that is why I hold them above all others. Porcupine Tree’s records WILL change the way you look at music. This I guarantee.