Bruce Soord Unveils “It Leads To This”: A Journey Through Pineapple Thief’s Latest Soundscape
British prog-rock mainstays The Pineapple Thief return with their eleventh studio album, “It Leads To This,” which dropped February 9th on Kscope. This eight-track offering promises a familiar blend of the band’s signature sound: intricate arrangements, introspective lyrics, and a dynamic interplay between sonic muscle and introspective fragility.
Led by frontman Bruce Soord, the band has honed its sound over two decades, reaching a new peak with the addition of King Crimson and Porcupine Tree drummer Gavin Harrison in 2017. “It Leads To This” finds them further refining their blend of progressive rock influences, crafting epics that average five minutes each.
This time, Soord’s focus isn’t solely inward-looking. Drawing inspiration from sources like ancient Roman stories, John Williams’ “Stoner,” and John Edward Williams’ “Augustus,” the album grapples with anxieties about the future and the world his children will inherit. Lyrically, it echoes the introspective musings of Nick Drake and Thom Yorke, delivered with a vocal style reminiscent of Katatonia’s Jonas Renkse.
While remaining firmly rooted in their progressive rock roots, The Pineapple Thief avoid getting bogged down by genre constraints. Soord describes the album as “devastating and invigorating,” suggesting a dynamic tension between vulnerability and power. The “idiosyncratic but relevant” label seems apt, hinting at music that defies easy categorization while retaining a contemporary edge.
Soord’s passion for pushing boundaries is evident in his embrace of Dolby Atmos, a cutting-edge audio technology that promises an immersive 360-degree listening experience. He acknowledges the niche nature of this format, yet his excitement shines through as he describes the transformative potential of placing the listener right in the heart of the music. “It’s just the way you can imagine putting your head right in the middle of the song and everything around you,” he explains, highlighting the stark contrast to the limitations of traditional stereo mixing.
The conversation then shifts to the three-year journey that birthed “It Leads To This,” a project marked by distinct phases and fueled by the ever-present spectre of the global pandemic. Soord paints a vivid picture of the initial lockdown period, where the eerily quiet streets became a potent source of inspiration, prompting him to contemplate the fragility of humanity and our planet. This introspection laid the foundation for the album’s thematic core, encapsulated in the title itself. “It leads to this,” he explains, “I kind of wish there was a question mark now,” emphasizing the message of hope and the power of human agency woven into the fabric of the record.
The creative flow was temporarily disrupted by the Porcupine Tree reunion, but Soord soon found himself back in familiar territory, collaborating with bandmate Gavin Harrison. Their decision to abandon the remote approach and return to the “old school style” of in-person writing sessions proved to be a turning point. “It was terrifying,” Soord admits. “What if it just doesn’t work?” But their apprehension quickly dissolved, replaced by a sense of renewed synergy that fueled the album’s completion.
Soord’s meticulous nature comes to light when he discusses the meticulous crafting of lyrics. He acknowledges the struggle to find the perfect words, particularly for a frontman who must imbue them with genuine meaning. “Even the most simple choruses,” he reflects, “it is difficult to get it just right, or as good as it could possibly be.” This dedication to lyrical excellence shines through in the final product, where each word feels carefully chosen and resonates with emotional depth.
The pursuit of perfection extends beyond the lyrics, shaping the band’s collaborative spirit. Soord describes a dynamic where even the slightest hint of complacency is challenged, pushing everyone to deliver their best. “There’s four of us that are working together, then we enforce that,” he explains. “Perfection is enforced.” This relentless pursuit of quality undoubtedly contributes to the richness and cohesiveness of “It Leads To This.”
The question of knowing when a song is truly finished arises, and Soord acknowledges the challenges posed by the freedom of modern recording. He contrasts the pressure-cooker environment of the 70s and 80s, where deadlines dictated the pace, with the current open-ended approach. While the luxury of time allows for refinement, it also introduces the potential for overthinking. Ultimately, the album finds its completion date not through artistic epiphany but through the practical constraints of tour scheduling.
The conversation then delves into the meticulous curation of the tracklist, where each song serves as a piece in a carefully constructed sonic journey. Soord emphasizes the importance of balancing light and shade, ensuring that the album offers a dynamic and emotionally engaging experience. The final tracklist, whittled down from an initial 65 minutes of material, strikes a perfect equilibrium, leaving the listener wanting more without feeling overwhelmed.
The discussion concludes with a look towards the future, with Soord expressing his excitement about the upcoming European tour and his hope to bring the music to North America. He highlights the challenges of navigating the complexities of visas and logistics, but his enthusiasm remains undimmed. He mentions his fondness for Montreal and Quebec, two cities that hold a special place in the band’s heart. Hopefully they’ll be here soon enough.
Watch the full interview below:
It Leads To This is out now via Kscope
