Versions of the Truth

With a catalog of excellent recordings dating back to 1999s Abducting the Unicorn, Pineapple Thief began realizing their almost peerless musical potential after 2008s Tightly Unwound. Since then, their music found an exploratory space between the expansive pop of Radiohead and Elbow, and 21st century prog. When King Crimson drummer Gavin Harrison joined the ranks on 2016s Your Wilderness, frontman/songwriter/guitarist Bruce Soord welcomed his rich, polyrhythmic approach; it added considerable drama to the bands older songs. The drummer settled in more on 2018s Dissolution, contributing intuitive charts to Soords poignant lyrics and melodies. Harrison is fully integrated on Versions of the Truth. He serves in his established role as well as being a songwriting partner for Soord, who began writing the album at his home studio in Glastonbury, deeply troubled by global politicians who no longer bothered disguising their lies. Not content to write a political album, Soord sought to explore this phenomenon in interpersonal relationships. He requisitioned Harrison to provide insight, charts, new rhythms, textures, and structured harmonies that communicated the duality in his lyrics. The appearance of a post truth world emerges in the title track opener: Its not how I remember it … is the sets mantra. Soord explicates two divergent points of view among close-knit individuals who struggle with the meaning and motivation of one another. The tune changes shape several times as instruments rotate primary roles. Soords guitars give primacy to Steve Kitchs keyboards, then Harrisons marimbas and kit. All together they create a maelstrom: Guitar riffs collide with keyboard vamps and Jon Sykes ominous bassline. The jam flirts with a chorus for over five-and-a-half-minutes, but never delivers. Break It All emerges with heavy, riff-laden swagger. The hard rock vamp and reverbed vocals are accentuated by punchy snare and kick drums, Soords distorted open-tuned chords, and a knotty synth run. Driving Like Maniacs is a moody ballad with ghostly vocal. A snare and cymbal shuffle joins a piano and other keyboards in buoying the existential weariness in the singers delivery. In both of these tracks, Soords words explore the impact divergent truths have on private lives, even as they interact with the outside world. Pineapple Thiefs ability to deliver hooks remains abundant and its amply displayed on first single Demons and the rocker Leave Me Be. The searing Our Mire showcases the fault lines of a seemingly irresolvable dispute with grace, honesty, and even elegance. As first-person narrator, Soord represents both views as Harrisons marimba and drum kit contrast the individuals dynamically. Closer The Game is painted in layers of keyboards and tom-tom drumming. Its lyric weight is illustrated by a fragmented narrative and the repetitive refrain, Its not a game/anymore…. Here Soord entwines the personal and political with bewildered urgency. While Versions of the Truths second half is more subtle and laid-back, it is also more adventurous; it adds dimension and balance to an already deeply resonant outing. ~ Thom Jurek