Warthur It took me a long time to warm to The Incident. Part of the issue is the presentation: supposedly it's one big 55 minute piece and a coda of a few additional songs on the second CD, but it's pretty self-evident that the 55 minute piece was conceived as separate songs (there's even bits where the music flat-out stops and then another "song" starts), so the idea that this was Porcupine Tree's Thick as a Brick or something is at best tenuous.

In fact, with less than 20 minutes of material on CD 2, it would really have been entirely possible to just put this out as a single-CD album, and indeed that's exactly what the most recent CD reissue has done. This makes it feel like the original release was to an extent a calculated attempt to play with the appetites of the prog fanbase, since the market was all too willing to buy 2CD albums which could have happily been a single disc if the filler were trimmed away.

Still, at least Porcupine Tree do us the favour of not bothering with the filler. At points feeling like a natural development of the sound of Fear of a Blank Planet, at other stages the album captures the band testing out other sounds. This isn't necessarily always to its benefit - Drawing the Line finds Steven Wilson attempting a forceful, hard-rocking chorus which is, to say the least, not very Porcupine Tree and also not particularly convincing - and in general it feels like the band were flailing around a bit here looking for a new direction and not finding one, which I suppose is why they went on a long hiatus after this.

Still, even if I don't quite think it hangs together as a cohesive piece of work, it's got lots of compelling bits and pieces here and there, and so I think my previous two and a half star assessment of it was about 1 star's worth too stingy. It's far from bad - in fact, it's mostly good, but from Porcupine Tree we're used to great.

UMUR "The Incident" is the 10th full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Porcupine Tree. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in September 2009. "The Incident" features both a full album and a seperate second disc with a 4 song EP. Disc 1 contains one 55:08 minute long concept story, sub-divided into 14 tracks that seque into each other while disc 2 features the 4 EP tracks. I recently read an interview with frontman and main composer Steven Wilson, where he explained that he wasn´t fully satisfied with the fact that the band had chosen to release "Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)" and "Nil Recurring (2007)" as two seperate releases. He didn´t feel that "Nil Recurring (2007)" got enough attention compared to "Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)". So this time around, when Steven Wilson had written some songs that he didn´t feel fit the overall concept of "The Incident", he opted to release those songs on an EP which would be released with the full album. So with "The Incident" you get a full album plus an EP for the price of only the album. A real treat if you ask me.

The 14 tracks that make out the 55 minutes long concept story on disc 1 are quite the exciting journey to my ears. As always it´s the melancholic emotions that are in focus and the songs go from subtle quiet parts to more energetic and loud ones. The songs are generally shorter than usual except for the 11:40 minute long "Time Flies". The choice of track order is exceptionally well thought out IMO which makes for an excellent listening experience. It´s obvious that the songs were written for the concept and they work well within that concept. Tracks like "The Blind House", "Drawing the Line", "I Drive the Hearse" and "Time Flies" are simply born "classics" in Porcupine Tree´s discography. Many of the shorter tracks are very enjoyable too. Most work as atmospheric interludes that help bind the album together. I have to give a special mention "Your Unpleasant Family" too because the lyrics made me smile the first time I listened to the song. Great lyrics on that one. The 4 tracks on the EP are of the same high quality as the material on the main album. "Flicker" and "Black Dahlia" are pleasant high quality songs but it´s mostly the experimental "Bonnie the Cat" and the beautiful closer "Remember Me Lover" that stand out.

The production is excellent. Powerful and perfectly mixed. One of Steven Wilson´s best IMO.

Porcupine Tree albums usually takes a while to sink in for me, but "The Incident" really nailed me to the chair from first listen. It´s melodic, memorable, progressive, powerful yet pleasantly subtle. It´s the most complete release by the band so far. A 5 star (100%) rating is deserved.

Andyman1125 The undeserved bashing needs to end

Porcupine Tree is a widely loved band in the progressive community. Since the early 90s, the band has released a number of classic records, from the quirky debut On the Sunday of Life to the more metallic and incredibly diverse In Absentia. With their latest album, The Incident, the band's second album on the acclaimed (and also declaimed) label Roadrunner Records, host of many a prog-lover's bands, the band truly exemplifies the sound they began to approach back in 2002. The album is essentially one 55 minute long epic, with an EP length disc 2. Comprised of a more metallic edge, a fiercer outlook, and a dynamic range of sonic excellence, the album truly is a treat. Sadly, compared to 2007's great Fear of a Blank Planet, many were skeptical with the release and the album's ratings quickly began to decline. Although this album may not be your everyday Porcupine Tree album, it certainly packs a fantastic punch and is a great display of this band's excellent prowess.

Porcupine Tree is known for its more psychedelic output of the 90s. In the 2000s, the new drummer Gavin Harrison announced almost a new era for the band, with a sharper turn in the Progressive Metal direction with his appearance on In Absentia. The band has steadily progressed in that direction ever since. On this album, a whole slew of influences can be heard, from a slightly psychedelic to mellower rock, great punchy metal lines, and even some more art-pop oriented regions all appearing on the fantastic epic. Although this may not reach the level of the superb long epic like "The Whirlwind" or "Mei", but it certainly marks a superb display of modern prog. Steve Wilson has shown his compositional knowhow many a times, and this album only extends this. With tasty sections and rhythmic and harmonically beautiful sections, this album certainly has a delicious proggy flair to it. Even on my first listen I was captivated by a few incredible tracks, most notably Time Flies and I Drive the Hearse. Although the lyrical theme can seem silly at first, it quickly delves into more philosophical matter and at times has some superb lyrics. Overall, the album is a real treat. Although at times one may speculate the band has sold into a more poppy region of music, the album really stays true to its original genre and is a great album for the year.

I'd like to talk about two tracks on this album that really strike a chord with me on this album - Time Flies and I Drive the Hearse. Both are incredible, impeccably composed and mastered and overall just wonderfully done. When I had first heard Porcupine Tree around 2007 or 2008, I was still a huge metalhead and thought most of the band's music, which was overall much lighter, was boring and not listen-worthy. Despite the fact, I got The Incident. When I heard Time Flies, I was blown away. The gentle chords, the simple yet complex rhythms and the potent atmosphere created by the truly genius Richard Barbieri really made a spectacular effect on me - it showed me the power of more "simple" music; that music didn't need to have shredding solos or intense riffing sessions, that it truly could just be this incredible blend of psychedelics, popularly leaning melodies, and an overall wonderful atmosphere that could make up a spectacular song. Overall, this track is genius and a wonderful gem on this album.

The next real kicker for me was the final movement, I Drive the Hearse. This is probably one of the most pop-oriented tracks on the album, yet I absolutely love it. The incredible simplicity of it, the fantastic lyrics, and the overall spectacular atmosphere of the music really turned me on to this classic of the PT discography. Although it may seem one of those "sell-out" sort of tracks, it really is an almost retro-PT track, reaching into the back catalogs of PT's sound and extracting a truly marvelous song - and an incredibly addition to this album.

It's quite sad how this album is poo-pooed by so many critics. It really is a great album, and although it may not be a masterpiece of the band's discography, it really is a magnificent addition to a line of great albums. Yes, the band seems to be moving in a more popularly leaning direction, but this album is in no way pop - it still has that PT vibe, the slightly psychedelic, almost metallic, superbly progressive, and overall great atmosphere associated with a Wilson production. Overall, the album is a great addition to anyone's collection that is yearning for a more accessible but still fantastic prog record. 4 stars.

AtomicCrimsonRush Porcupine Tree prove longevity is still possible in the world of prog metal.

PTree are undoubtedly one of the most influential groups of the past decade. Their albums in the early years are as weird as it gets with some dedicated to one sole idea and one song. Now on this latest release they present another one track conceptual album.

The main reason to purchase this is the 55 minute epic title track. 'The Incident' is a multi movement suite that features many songs merging seamlessly together to capture a narrative concept concerning a road accident, which is becoming popular on prog concept albums (The Human Equation, Octave).

The Incident is excellent in every respect, musically and lyrically it delivers, merging crunching metal guitars and ambient soundscapes of mellotron effortlessly; shades of dark and light. There are some tough fuzz guitars on these tracks and those melodic ethereal vocals of Wilson have never been better.

'Time Flies' is Porcupine Tree at their best, an incredible composition that is compelling and powerful. It is the highlight of ths very competent album.

The second CD features about 20 minutes of extras, at least they feel like it. They are Ok but no where near the epic title track. Its a bold move to release an album in this manner but it delivers and if only for 'The Incident' it will be hailed as a classic Porcupine Tree CD. It does not measure up to 'In Absentia' or 'Deadwing' but is still an excellent album, showcasing the sheer inventiveness and musical virtuosity of Porcupine Tree. I can't wait to see or hear them perform this live. 4 stars.

arcane-beautiful Wow, another masterpiece. Porcupine Tree never fail to deliver, and this album proves it. A 50 minute piece of music. How are they going to pull that off. A little like this.

To be honest each seperate song on the piece is considered as a song in itself.

There is quite a cool Tarentino meets ghost movie like concpet around this album, and the concept was quite cool, but it's not necessary, the music itself is just amazing.

This was also the first suite of 2009, followed by The Whirlwind (there's probabbly more that I don't know of)

C.D. 1

I. Occam's Razor - Nice clashy intro. Pure Porcupine Tree. Reminds me of the start of Ummagumma.

II. The Blind House - Amazing way to start the piece. When the mellotron kicks in this song really comes into fruition.

III. Great Expectations - Great interlude with some amazing acoustic passages.

IV. Kneel & Disconnect - Amazing layered vocals and some lovely piano passages.

V. Drawing The Line - Reminds me of Godspeed You Black Emperor! The chorus is funny because an angry posh English man sounds funny. Very groovy song as well.

VI. The Incident - I love a dark electronica sound (I love Bjork basically). The chorus is also very catchy. Quite dark for Porcupine Tree.

VII. Your Unpleasent Family - I love the vocals in this song. Very beautiful. The guitar solo is amazing as well.

VIII. The Yellow Windows Of The Evening Train - Very beautiful ambient section with some lovely mellotron parts.

IX. Time Flies - Wow, I didn't expect this song to be this good. Although I have a bit of a bone to pick with this song . This does sound and nearlly but not is Dogs by Pink Floyd. All in all this one of the best songs I've heard this band do and it should be heard.

X. Degree Zero Of Infinity - I love the return of the main theme. Fits perfectly.

XI. Octane Twisted - The main theme is now morphed into this amazing section. Major tonal shift. The polyrhythyms are excellent.

XII. The Séance - I love the return of the vocal theme. Amazing and very eerie.

XIII. Circle Of Manias - If Meshuggah heard this they'd be scratching their overinflated heads.

XIV. I Drive The Hearse - Reminds me of Shesmovedon. Incredibly beautiful and an amazing way to end this masterpiece.

C.D. 2

1. Flicker - Very calm and soothing, The instrumental parts are amazing. I love the chant like vocals.

2. Bonnie The Cat - Obvious Opeth influence. I love the almost spoken parts. Very sinister.

3. Black Dahlia - Very calm and soothing. The title doesn't suit it.

4. Remember Me Lover - A lovely wee love song. Aaah.

CONCLUSION: Obviously the first disc beats the second disc. If you don't have this, then shame you!

Phonebook Eater 7/10

"The Incident" is a surprisingly really good effort by PT.

After the highly acclaimed "Fear Of A Blank Planet", Porcupine Tree release their fourth album with their new sound, the sadly underrated "The Incident". There was a lot of excitement for this album, and everybody couldn't wait for it to be released. I was able to get it a week before it's official release, and I must say I was expecting a lot less.

The style is pretty much the same as the last couple of albums from the band, some heavy metal influences as well as progressive/ Pink Floyd ones, psych rock, ambient,romantic ballads and catchy melodies. The structure of "The Incident though is much more different than the previous efforts of the band: in fact, all the first CD contains one long suite, "The Incident", divided in 14 songs that perfectly flow, thanks to some repetitions of some of the main themes, as well as different, brilliant ideas. Definitely one of PT's highest peaks of the last ten years.

The second CD manages to keep the same level as CD 1: thanks to songs like the relaxing Flicker, or the tense and at times violent "Bonnie The Cat", and the ending song "Remember Me Lover", which contains lots of romantic melodies and lyrics.

Unfortunately, this album will be surely forgotten, as it will get lost in the middle of all those huge masterpieces that PT released previously. But "The Incident" is a surprisingly really good effort by PT, even though it is getting a little underrated.