Porcupine Tree – Closure / Continuation

And then, when nobody was expecting it, Steven Wilson, Richard Babieri and Gavin Harrison (Colin Edwin didn’t them) thought it was a good idea to get Porcupine Tree out of the vaults, 13 years after “The Incident”.

Titled after the guys not being able to say if the new songs were going to become a proper eulogy to the band’s legacy, or rather the beginning of a new era (although it looks like the later is the most likely scenario), “Closure/ Continuation” was received with eager excitement and anticipation by all the PT fans that were missing them regardless of Steven Wilson’s already solid and worthy solo career.

The album was more impactful as it was released after Wilson’s streak of more pop-oriented albums: 2017’s “To The Bone” and 2021’s “The Future Bites”. So, listening to something like the start of “Harridan” with that blast of colourful bass (played in the album by Wilson himself) and Gavin’s exquisite drumming was thrilling to say the least: full progrock intensity was back in the menu.
But, is “Closure/ Continuation” a really essential, relevant and necessary album?

As always, it depends on who you ask.

To me, even though it’s always great to have new music from Wilson & Co. - some of the finest musicians out there- these seven new songs fail to move me as the ones contained in “In Absentia” or “Fear Of A Blank Planet” did. The musicianship is of course stellar, but I find it hard to engage with the whole thing. Only the above mentioned “Harridan” and “Rats Return” with their restless rhythmical creativity, the melody in “Of The New Day” and the build- up in “Dignity” make me come back to revisit the album.

Not a bad album by any means, but not one that I will revisit as often as I do with other PT or Steven Wilson solo albums.

Prime example of how modern digitally recorded albums can sound amazing as any audiophile albums recorded on tape. This is one of the best sounding albums I own (maybe in my top 3 along with Radiohead - In Rainbows 45 RPM).

The soundstage is so huge it almost felt like my stereo system is being pushed to its limits. This is absolutely a demo worthy record.

I had flat discs and no noise issues. Love the packaging and the clear discs.

Really impressed with the sound of this one, it has this three dimensional effect that I like. Fantastic sound design, mixing and mastering. Also my copy is silent with just some very light tics here and there and zero inner groove distortion. People are complaining a lot about this release. I didn't find any flaw whatsoever and at 19.50 euros it's an absolute bargain. Highly recommended release/edition.

My only criticism is the non inclusion of the three "bonus" tracks. FFS, include these tracks in all editions! You obviously had a ten song album and you just butchered it for the deluxe edition and whatever. This marketing thing is really idiotic and disrespectful towards the fans.

Imaging and sound in general on this album's left much to desire. Great instrumentation but not a great sound. I just listened to this album after Billy Cobham's Spectrum, big mistake, there the sound is big airy, spacious, whereas PT's album was all the opposite, dull and boring sounding. I know SW is great mixer of digital format, even of albums that have been converted from analog, but when the source is purely digital, I think it looses a ton. Too bad because they are great musicians..
Maybe we have to wait 10 years for the remastered/remixed version to enjoy it at its best?

Diese 3 Vinyl Clear Schallplatten klingen bei mir sehr gut, feine Pressung mit allem was dazu gehört. Bin absolut nicht entäuscht!!!

Love this release from PT, and the vinyl (sound wise) does not disappoint. Only thing that is slight annoying is the warp on the disc 1, which is only really noticable when playing side 2. Doesn't affect play, just annoying. I only paid £15 for on Amazon, which is a bargin, warp and all.

Sounds very clean and crisp. Love hearing Gavin’s ghost notes!

Sounds great, plays great, I didn't even have to clean it prior to playing.

Here we have a beautiful album and sounds great to me.

As an album, this would have made a great THREE song EP...withDignity, Of the New Day, and Chimera's Wreck... The other 4 pieces are (in my opinion) superfluous and not up to usual PT standards. If continuation is in the future, I hope they will build on the style of the three mentioned.
The pressing was a mixed bag, even after ultrasonic cleaning. Side One had a huge surface mark but did not affect the playing but sides 3/4 had some pops throughout quiet ages.