I've been a porcupine tree devotee for the last 3 years or so. I categorised bands as "Porcupine Tree" and "Worse than Porcupine Tree". And until about a month ago, that was how things were.
Then I discovered glass hammer and chronomotree! My goodness, what an amazing album. I heard about the lyric matter of GH and even thought I read they were a "Christian" band. So obviously my isntant conclusion was that they can't be any good. (I say this after having listened to a fair bit of inane "Christian music" over the years). Man, how wrong I was. GH are so outstandingly good. I mean, top-notch good. Steve and Fred, if you ever read this, then please know you guys are so under-exposed as to be laughable.
My first exposure was Chronomotree. I loved the music and initially thought the vocals were strange. Then I started reading reviews and everyone seemed to be saying the vocalist was terrible and it wrecked the album etc etc. And I started believing them. But as I listened over and over I think the vocals are an inspired choice. Brad's voice fits perfectly with the subject matter.
The way some people go on it's as if Steve and Fred had no idea what Brad's vocals would be like until they recorded the album and by then it was too late. Ridiculous. They knew what he sounded like and they deliberately wanted that sound. Awesome choice. Brad, if you ever read this, ignore all the critics. They're wrong...
So anyway, this album overall has to be close to the best album, as an album, that I've heard. I've lately been listening to lex rex and that is so good as well. I don't much like most of cor cordium, and If is ok. I haven't heard any others yet.
I guess I want to make a personal request to Steve and Fred that you never break up. Thankyou in advance.
