The Pineapple Thief

British prog rock band the Pineapple Thief are one of the most restless rock outfits of the 21st century. Though they spent years as a cult attraction, they have nonetheless built a large following in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Their music is often likened to Radioheads's and Porcupine Tree's, but the generalization falls short in describing a constantly evolving sound that deftly balances sophisticated indie pop, theatrical rock, 21st century prog, textured electro-acoustic ambiences, and neo-psychedelia. While earlier recordings like Variations on a Dream somewhat justified comparison to other genre-bleeding acts, later recordings such as 2008's Tightly Unwound showcased progressive songwriting that featured canny arrangements and advanced instrumental acumen. With 2014's Magnolia, the Pineapple Thief began releasing conceptual albums with hooky, episodic songs. Into the 2020s, the band issued a set of reworked tracks, Give it Back, and delivered their 15th set, It Leads to This.