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| Porcupine Tree's 2008 "Year Off" Porcupine Tree, the British progressive rock band whose 2007 masterpiece Fear of a Blank Planet thrilled fans and critics by hitting "a sweet spot where psychedelic sounds mix with ambient trip-hop and melodic metal" (Washington Post), will spend a busy 2008 releasing or recording no less than 8 albums by the band and its members' solo projects. The first major event for Porcupine Tree is the re-release April 29 of their seminal 2000 album Lightbulb Sun (Snapper Music/ Peaceville) in a new 5.1 digital surround mix by Porcupine Tree bandleader Steven Wilson. Wilson received massive praise for his surround mix of Fear Of A Blank Planet: it was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Surround Sound Album" category, Sound Vision named it the best surround sound album of 2007, and Classic Rock Magazine crowned it their album of the year. Now, he has worked his magic on Lightbulb Sun, many of whose songs remain fan favorites in the band's touring repertoire (even though the album never received a proper U.S. release when it debuted in 2000). Furthermore, Porcupine Tree drummer Gavin Harrison, named "best prog drummer" for the second consecutive year in the 2008 Modern Drummer reader's poll, will join King Crimson for 10 U.S tour dates in New York, Chicago, Nashville, and Philadelphia this August, with additional dates to be added in 2009. Other 2008 projects for Porcupine Tree include: -A double live album to be released in multiple formats in September; -Filming a new concert DVD in October for 2009 release; -The first ever Porcupine Tree tour dates in Australia and Russia this summer; -Steven Wilson's debut solo album in late 2008; -The May release of Schoolyard Ghosts by Steven Wilson's band No-Man with singer Tim Bowness, and a No-Man European mini-tour; -The release of British rockers Anathema's new album, produced by Steven Wilson; -The release of Porcupine Tree keyboardist Richard Barbieri's new solo album; -The release of Porcupine Tree bassist Colin Edwin's new album with Geoff Leigh as the band Ex-Wise Heads. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |