THE PINEAPPLE THIEF
"Tightly Unwound" (K-Scope;
2008)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
The "post-rock" genre is getting bigger by the minute. Rooted in
progressive rock, post-rock is more than just stereotypical prog sounds and structures. Post-rock
blends just about any conceivable sound and style into the mix for what usually ends up being a satisfying end
product. The Pineapple Thief is the latest post-rock outfit to get some of my spare time. And,
with a few spins of “Tightly Wound,” the band’s latest effort, you can add The Pineapple Thief to the list of bands you
should listen to now.
The Pineapple Thief is the brainchild of ex-Vulgar Unicorn guitarist Bruce Soord. Originally a solo project in name and execution, The Pineapple
Thief has evolved into a full-fledged band. Soord is a veteran of the music scene and his expert songwriting and performances has taken The
Pineapple Thief to greater heights with each new album.
The Pineapple Thief sounds a lot like Porcupine Tree although The Pineapple Thief only (and barely) dip their collective toes in the
uber-heaviness that PT learned quite well from Opeth. Lots of Pink Floyd moodiness via acoustic guitars and sensitive vocals is present as well as
the sound of chiming guitars made famous by The Edge. Soord’s vocals shape-shift via natural skills and electronic treatments to provide
additional shades of color to the already dynamic musical canvas.
The album has an understated start with the quite “My Debt to You” but immediately picks up with
“Shoot First.” The album travels through varying moods and sequences in the grand prog-rock tradition while never
sounding like a prog-rock disc. The disc ends with the epic “Too Much Too Lose” with near perfect pacing and a variety of sections.
The beauty of the post-rock sound is that it is genuinely new without being too out-of-the-ordinary. And to have another band that plows the
same sonic tapestry that Porcupine Tree weaves so well is OK in my book.
“Tightly Unwound” was produced by The Pineapple Thief and mixed by Soord and Steve Kitsch.
The Pineapple Thief is Bruce Soord on vocals and guitar, Jon Sykes on bass, Keith Harrison on drums, and Steve Kitsch on keyboards.
For more information visit http://www.thepineapplethief.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 30 Sep 2008 01:41:40 -0500
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