Two of the most popular Porcupine Tree releases, In Absentia and Deadwing,
have
been acquired by Kscope and will be given reissues on vinyl, with new CD
editions to
follow later in 2018.
For the first time since their original release, they have also been remastered by PT songwriter and frontman, Steven Wilson. The new mastering has considerably less compression and limiting for a more dynamic listening experience.
Deadwing was Porcupine Tree’s eighth studio album, first released in 2005 following their breakthrough with In Absentia, it was the second in a run of 3 albums that for many represent the pinnacle of the band’s artistic achievements. It also continued their new-found commercial success to become their top selling record at the time. It has been unavailable on vinyl for many years.
Based on a screenplay written by Steven Wilson and director Mike Bennion,
about half
of the songs were started with a view to being part of the score to that film,
but when the
film failed to move into the production stage, Wilson instead made them the
foundation
for the next PT album, with additional material written in collaboration with
the other
band members.
The album features the classic singles: “Shallow” and “Lazarus“, the latter of which Wilson still performs live with his current band. Other popular songs from the album include “Open Car” and “Arriving Somewhere But Not Here“.
In Absentia was the band’s seventh studio album, first released in 2002,
and was the
first in a run of 3 albums that for many represent the pinnacle of the
band’s artistic achievements. It was something of a breakthrough for the
band, selling three times more than previous releases. Following on from
2000’s Lightbulb Sun it had a distinctly heavier tone, partly due to the
addition of legendary drummer Gavin Harrison, and was also their first for major
label Lava / Atlantic Records. In Absentia features many of Porcupine
Tree’s most loved songs including “Trains“, “The Sound of Muzak” and
“Blackest Eyes“. While not a formal concept album, many of the songs have
common themes related to serial killers, youthful innocence gone wrong, and
observations of the modern world, setting a template for many of
Wilson’s future songs.
These new vinyl editions will be released on double heavyweight audiophile 180g black vinyl presented in gatefold packaging.
