THE PINEAPPLE THIEF: Versions Of The Truth (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Throughout the albums The Pineapple Thief has never ceased to combine its various components until reaching with "Dissolution" a rock whose immediate melodies bring it closer to pop and using sinuosities specific to progressive music. Faithful to its traditional cruising rhythm of two years between each album, the Pineapple Thief is the successor of the very good "Dissolution" which explored the dislocation of social relationships. "Versions Of The Truth" deals with everything to do with the notion of truth in our hyper-mediatized societies.

The first listening of "Versions Of The Truth" gives an impression of continuity with its predecessor. Indeed, the short compositions of this thirteenth album are perfectly distributed between rock and mid-tempo formats and built around a conventional structure of verse-refrains. Moreover, some of the foundations of "Dissolution" are preserved, notably its low tonality and its writing process where nothing is left to chance.

One should not reduce "Versions Of The Truth" to this apparent simplicity, as the richness of the album nestles in the details and the more advanced instrumental developments during the bridges. Everything is done with great subtlety, with extra nervousness ('Versions of the Truth') and tension ('Break it All'), an unexpected harmonic color (the oriental tones of 'Break it All' and 'Demons') or a strong tone (the dramatic fullness of 'Stop Making Sense').

Listening also reveals the emotional process of the songs with voice doublings at key moments ('Versions of the Truth', 'Demons', 'Too Many Voices'), nuanced intonations (the fragility in 'Out Of Line', 'Too Many Voices' reminiscent of Biffy Clyro or the solemnity of 'The Game'). The concern of the finish touch goes up to the guitar solos with a strong expressivity ('Break It All', 'Leave Me Be', 'Out Of Line'), which can be heard on many songs.

Alongside Gavin Harrison, who instills a rhythmic vitality having a major impact on the rendering of the compositions, we must mention the important role of Steve Kitch in the diversity of the arrangements. These instrumentations borrow as much from classical sounds (the piano of 'Versions Of The Truth', 'Driving Like Maniacs', 'The Game' or the strings of 'Break It All', 'Demons'), as from the 70's and 80's ('Demons', 'Leave Me Be', 'Too Many Voices' and the heavy horror movie atmosphere of 'The Game'). This palette of dark moods guides the listener along a tortuous relief that leads to an emotionally intense end of the record. The connection with Steven Wilson's signature style is particularly noticeable on this album ('Versions Of The Truth', 'Break It All', 'Our Mire', 'Out Of Line').

"Versions of the Truth' continues the path initiated with 'Your Wilderness' without failing to reshuffle the cards once again. For this album retains the pop and progressive filiation of "Dissolution" and its exacting approach to writing, but stands out with more obvious arrangements, more punctual rock power and plural sounds. The change of direction made after the experiments "All The Wars" and "Magnolia" and to the arrival of one of the best drummers of today was salutary for the English. The Pineapple Thief has found the perfect formula to keep his music at the highest level. - Official website

THE PINEAPPLE THIEF

VERSIONS OF THE TRUTH

KSCOPE

PROGRESSIVE ROCK