THE PINEAPPLE THIEF – Nothing But The Truth (2021)
THE PINEAPPLE THIEF, one of the leading lights of Europe’s melodic prog rock domain, led by post-progressive mastermind Bruce Soord and reinforced by Gavin Harrison (King Crimson) on drums, have announced the multi format release of ”Nothing But The Truth” the next 22 October.
Following the release of their latest studio album Versions Of The Truth in September 2020, the band were preparing to start the album’s live campaign when, like so many other artists, their plans were put on hold by the continuing global pandemic.
Eager to still perform and connect with their fans across the globe, in April 2021, The Pineapple Thief did an on-demand live event entitled Nothing But The Truth. “The Pineapple Thief is equally about the studio and the stage, so it was hugely disappointing that we were unable to tour, especially as we were excited to be able to perform the new album “Versions Of The Truth” live for everyone” said Soord.
So this is it; ”Nothing But The Truth” captures The Pineapple Thief at their very best performing songs from their illustrious catalogue including for the first time live, songs from last CD Versions Of The Truth.
But this isn’t a ‘live album’, take this as ‘live into the studio’, as all performances are so perfect that you think it’s a full, multi-track studio production.
The Pineapple Thief are often tagged as being Prog, but Bruce Soord’s songwriting is more part of that old-school of English melancholy rock&pop. So whilst the arrangement and instrumentation have a foot in ‘sort-of prog’ territory, the nature of this recording is very accessible.
The 17 tracks comprising ”Nothing But The Truth” are naturally heavily centred around their more recent albums; Versions (7 tracks), the remainder being 4 from Dissolution; 2 from Your Wilderness; 3 from 2012’s All The Wars and a re-working of 2005’s Wretched Soul from the 10 Stories Down album.
Among the highlights there’s ‘In Exile’ (from 2016’s Your Wilderness), where there’s instantly a greater depth and interest in the arrangement. This version has that authentic “wound-up” live feel, I love it.
‘Warm Seas’ (from 2012’s All the Wars) also captivates me from the off, pulsating, mesmeric drumming underpinning a enveloping, rocky, number. ‘Our Mire’ is one of the stronger tracks off Versions, and it’s no coincidence that’s because there’s some lovely guitar work on here, enabling different sections of the song to have a different vibe and timbre. Seven minutes of pleasure.
And again, ‘Build A World’ off All The Wars mixes emotions and moods nicely within the composition.
The Pineapple Thief are musically very competent and Bruce Soord has demonstrated in the past that he is a top-grade songwriter. You can hear all that on ”Nothing But The Truth’, a live album that it isn’t a live album… all sound so perfect – and at the same time works as a ‘best of’ material from the band in recent time, but served with different, refreshed arrangements.
Highly Recommended
CD 1
1. Versions Of The Truth
2. In Exile
3. Warm Seas
4. Our Mire
5. Build A World
6. Demons
7. Driving Like Maniacs
8. Someone Pull Me Out
9. Uncovering Your Tracks
10. Break It All
CD 2
1. White Mist
2. Out Of Line
3. Wretched Soul
4. Far Below
5. Threatening War
6. The Swell
7. The Final Thing On My Mind
Bruce Soord / Vocals, guitars, keyboards
Steve Kitch / Keyboards
Jon Sykes / Bass
Gavin Harrison / Drums
Pre Order:
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