Porcupine Tree - Atlanta

Atlanta is a live digital download only release from Porcupine Tree consisting of material originally intended for the Anesthetize DVD, released only recently. Recorded on the heady touring cycle for 2007’s Fear Of A Blank Planet, and of course in Atlanta, this is merely a reminder of why Porcupine Tree are one of the most stunning bands of this era, in almost every facet of rock music.

Atlanta is mostly going to appeal to the completist fan, for obvious reasons but the casual PT listener could still, most certainly, enjoy the offering. A sizeable chunk of the setlist is made up of material from 2002 to 2007, which is unsurprising as it was the backbone on the wondrous Fear Of A Blank Planet tour. Though, Atlanta also features the first official live recording released of 'A Smart Kid', from 1997’s Stupid Dream. Similarly, Signify’s 'Dark Matter' illuminates beautifully amongst the setlist.

The 17 minute 'Anesthetize' is presented in its full, gorgeous, breathtaking entirety. It swans from the luxuriantly calm melodies through to its cathartically heavy and crushing riffs, only to revert 180 again to mellifluousness.

The usually heaving chorus of 'Blackest Eyes' is a little patchy here though but that’s followed by a rendition of 'Half Light' that is nothing short of mesmerising, sounding like the appropriate cadence of a gentle kaleidoscope. Then, the live staple 'Way Out Of Here' is of course present and sounds every bit as invigorating as it does on album through earphones.

To reiterate Atlanta is like someone tapping you on the shoulder and whispering in your ear: “you know who are great? Porcupine Tree”, swiftly answered by “well, obviously”. But with that said, the ideology of “what you see is what you get” doesn’t apply to Porcupine Tree. Scratch the surface a little more and something new will always be unearthed.

Porcupine Tree play Tripod in Dublin next Monday (and Mandela Hall, Belfast on Tuesday), miss them at your peril.