Representing the length of time of the band’s existence, 3000 Days is a remixed/remastered compendium of tracks from the first decade of THE PINEAPPLE THIEF. A vehicle for the songs and sonic obsessions of guitarist BRUCE SOORD, the Thief skillfully balances widescreen progressive rock structures with Soord’s heart-on-sleeve yearning, eschewing superfluous solos or byzantine time signatures (though Soord does have a fondness for 7/8). The tunes found on these two disks reflect a bittersweet romantic sensibility in both lyrics and music, as soaring chord progressions reminiscent of PORCUPINE TREE (but less densely produced) enhance lyrics like “Without someone, we are all waiting to go down.” Thief arrangements tend to have a lot of open space, even as they rise to widescreen RADIOHEAD levels, but Soord is also conversant in the simple pleasures of a voice and acoustic guitar. Ultimately, message and melody take precedence over structure and spectacle, making tracks like “Vapour Trails,” “Kid Chameleon,” “Shoot First” and “Private Paradise” (the first Thief song, and the only one here from the group’s long out-of-print debut Abducting the Unicorn) resonate with the heart more than the head. With smart programming and track-by-track commentary, 3000 Days is not only a fine introduction to the work of the Pineapple Thief, but quite likely the band’s definitive work.
http://www.thepineapplethief.com
http://www.kscopemusic.com
