Porcupine Tree – Nil Recurring (2007)

Ah, the "is it an EP or an album" dilemma strikes again. 4 tracks weighing in at 29 minutes could go either way, but the band refer to it as an EP.

In any case, I'm only claiming to be reviewing CDs, so that's my get out.

This one was a recent eBay purchase for a couple of quid, continuing my PT / Wilson interest.

Opener Nil Recurring is a solid heavy prog instrumental, displaying the juddering bass so beloved of prog, with the hand of Fripp and his guitar trickery making itself heard on a guest appearance. It's followed by the alternately acoustic and gentle / thudding metal song, Normal, which is a real blast of fresh air.

Cheating The Polygraph is a little more restrained, until the instrumental middle sections, where the band powers up again, before a more jazz-noodly section, and final track What Happens Now? feels a little more introspective, and while a decent listen, doesn't make as much of an impression as the first three.

Nevertheless, this EP is a great half hour of the heavier end of 21st century prog, without a wizard or elf in sight. Highly recommended.

Link to album tracks

4* - a progtastic listen! Turn the volume up to 11