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THE PINEAPPLE THIEF: 10 Stories Down

Release

Style

Apparently Bruce is trying to get away from the comparisons that were often made with Porcupine Tree. The only link they still had with Porcupine Tree were their initials. Now the band is called The Pineapple Thief, that problem has been set aside too. And the music of The Pineapple Thief can ‘no longer’ be compared to the sound of Porcupine Tree.

The story of “12 Stories Down” that went down to “10 Stories Down” ;-)

A few months ago, I pre-ordered the newest album of Bruce’s band, entitled “12 Stories Down”, with a bonus disc “8 Days Later” included. The only limited about it would be a few bonus tracks, because Bruce promised that this time the extra disc would also be delivered with the official release. Just when I was about to write a review of the album, I received a message that “12 Stories Down” was going to be re-released as “10 Stories Down”; omitting a few songs and re-recording guitars and reproducing the whole thing. Now you can buy the “10 Stories Down” with or without the extra disc, but the first release is the real limited edition now. So there’s a link with Porcupine Tree, the real masters of the limited releases, after all. ;-)

But what about the music? Well, The Pineapple Thief has released another great album, although they seem to grow away more and more from the progressive rock scene. Their previous albums weren’t exactly examples of progressive rock but the variation in their music and the use of several different keyboard and mellotron sounds kept them within the boundaries of what a progressive rock fan likes. It’s not completely gone, because there’s still some Mellotron in the background on “Clapham” and during the 15 minutes epic track “Light up your eyes”. One of the best tracks of the album, but it could have been a bit shorter without loosing any of its power. But everything remains very relaxed, very quiet. There could have been some more variation, because every song starts quiet and builds up to an emotional, vocal outburst of Bruce. The music could easily compete with a Radiohead or Smashing Pumpkins album, especially because the vocal style and timbre sound a lot like Thom Yorke. The term Indie rock also comes to mind.

But especially the extra disc, “8 Days Later”, brings this album to a higher level. Just like the previous bonus disc “8 Days”, these tracks were recorded in 8 days, one on each day. And maybe it’s this spontaneity that gives the extra touch to these songs.
If you buy this album, don’t hesitate to order the double disc edition because this bonus disc is a necessary attachment. Opener “Sunday: Crash” could have been one of the 10 stories. The epic “Tuesday: Haboob” opens as a quiet soundscape but bursts halfway open into an energetic musical storm. “Wednesday: the snail song” is a beautiful ballad. Every track has something special,. sometimes experimental.

If you want to get to know The Pineapple Thief, I think you better purchase “Variations on a Dream” or “137”, but if you are fan of the style, you also need the “10 Stories Down” with the “8 days later” bonus disc. And if you can’t get enough of The Pineapple Thief, there’s also a EP with the title “4 Stories Down” which contains two tracks from the album, one extra “The Ground Floor” and a remix of the brilliant song “Subside” from the previous album.

Musicians

Bruce Soord: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Matt O Leary:Keyboards, Cow Bell
Wayne Higgins: Guitars, Backing Vocals
Keith Harrison: Drums, Cymbals, Backing Vocals
Jon Sykes: Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals

Prey For Me (6:39)
Clapham (4:28)
Wretched Soul (4:59)
The world I always dreamed of (7:10)
Start Your Descent (3:54)
My Own Oblivion (3:39)
It’s just You and Me (4:56)
The Answers (5:22)
From Where You’re standing (4:03)
Light up your eyes (15:34)

10 Stories Down

4 Stories Down

12 Stories Down

Variations on a Dream (2003)

137 (2002)

Abducting the Unicorn (2000)

Sherbert Gods (7 inch vinyl single 2001)

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Last updated: 11 juli 2005 .
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