Deadwing - Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Tree may just sound like random words thrown together (like many modern band names (I'm looking at you, Neutral Milk Hotel and Vampire Weekend! (sorry for the nested side-comments...))), what they have to offer in Deadwing is far from random. This British progressive rock/metal band has put together an album that has become one of my go-to selections when I can't make up my mind what to listen to. I make this distinction to highlight the wonderful diversity and accessibility found herein.
The album starts off with an intro that's very typical of progressive rock/metal: A simple hook followed by an explosion of guitar and drums. What you find from there, though, is not quite as typical. This song contains a lot of subtlety that could easily go unnoticed. For example, compare the driving rock verse to the spoken-word strain to the psychedelic refrain. The flow is excellent, and you might just miss how much variance exists here.
This theme continues throughout the album. The next track, "Shallow," starts off with a great little metal riff and verse. However, it shifts gears for a moment to go into a few bars that sound like an alt-rock ballad. Right after that, though, it kicks right back into an even harder refrain. These little changes are really the crowning moments of the album. However, just when you think you've got it figured out, you'll get a song like "Lazarus". It's a great piano-driven ballad that would fit in nicely with anyone's Snow Patrol collection. The use of harmony in the slide guitar and back-up vocals is something to listen for here.
So, what could possibly be next? How about a funky drum beat and a catchy refrain? That's exactly what you'll find in "Halo". Very nice.
I'll leave the rest of the album to you, because I feel like I've made my point about this album: it's a very interesting mix. Earlier on I used the word "accessible", and I meant it. This is another great album like Milliontown that really shows the modern side of progressive rock. With a lot of different influences, this album shines in its cohesiveness (is this a word? (yes.)). Happy listening, and shine on, you crazy diamonds.

Free link to the album on Napster:
http://free.napster.com/view/album/index.html?id=12001510