Porcupine Tree | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Though he initially came to wider attention (at least in the U.K.) with No-Man, his long-running collaboration with Tim Bowness throughout the 90s, singer/guitarist Steven Wilson gained as much of a reputation for Porcupine Tree. Embracing and exploring prog rock inspirations while always keeping an ear out for newer musical connections, thus sidestepping the pointless revivalism of many of the bands peers, Porcupine Tree has created some noteworthy albums and songs over the years, continuing full-strength into the new millennium. The group itself was just Wilson at the start. Born in London in 1967, he was too young to participate in the first full flush of psychedelic and experimental rock music, but swiftly made up for lost time, turning out to be a talented musical prodigy. Having learned guitar and keyboards at a young age, he contributed to work by underground prog outfits of the early 80s such as Altamont and Karma, while continuing his own musical growth and exploration. 1987 saw the founding of both No-Man and Porcupine Tree, the latter actually starting as a joke between Wilson and a friend about a legendary lost 70s group. Elaborate discographies and other material were created à la Spinal Tap, while Wilson himself created a slew of music meant to be the bands lost recordings. In a humorous twist of fate, two tapes of this material ended up in the hands of other folks interested in hearing more from Wilson, who ended up collating the best tracks for Porcupine Trees real debut album on Delerium Records, On the Sunday of Life, in 1992. Those songs having been something of a nostalgia exercise, Wilson aimed for a more contemporary approach on his follow-up release -- the extended single "Voyage 34," with a clear debt to ambient techno jokesters the Orb. Up the Downstair, Porcupine Trees next full album, found Wilson coming fully into his own, creating a majestic, sweeping album that took the prog inspirations of the past fully into a realm of mysterious hush and beauty as much as full-on rock charge. Two collaborators on other projects, bassist Colin Edwin and keyboardist Richard Barbieri, the latter one of the core members of early-80s pop art geniuses Japan, guested on the album. Later that year, the two formally joined Porcupine Tree, along with drummer Chris Maitland, establishing a four-piece lineup. The first release by the new version of the group, The Sky Moves Sideways, was actually something of a transitional affair, a number of the songs still being Wilson solo compositions and performances. A slew of fine songs stood out regardless, notably "Moonloop," but the bandmembers themselves considered the quartets true debut to be 1996s Signify, another stunning step forward for the Porcupine Tree sound, with new highlights everywhere, including the epic blast of the title track itself. A nice nod to the past came that year with the vinyl-only Spiral Circus album, featuring selections from the first three performances of the four-piece lineup in 1993, while 1997s Coma Divine featured live recordings from the Rome stop on the Signify tour. By this time, Porcupine Trees reputation had spread throughout Europe and elsewhere, including an increasing cult following in America. A friendly parting from Delerium led Porcupine Tree to Snapper/K-Scope, which released 1999s Stupid Dream, notable for its stronger song focus and slightly more accessible feel all around. The bands reputation and fan base continued to grow, with another album, Lightbulb Sun, taking its bow in 2000. Porcupine Tree continued to tour and plan ahead for both new recordings and reissues of older, rarer material, the first of which surfaced in May 2001, titled Recordings. Various unreleased cuts from the Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun sessions as well as a few B-sides were included. They spent the rest of the year putting together Stars Die: The Delerium Years 91-97, a box set that looks at their catalog from 1991 to 1997. Many more unreleased and rare tracks found their way onto the set, and the album finally came out in late autumn 2001. Drummer Chris Maitland left the band in March of 2002, but luckily, Gavin Harrison was available to take his place. A year later, In Absentia was released, followed by Warszawa and Deadwing in 2005. Up the Downstair was reissued that same year, complete with a bonus disc of the bands 1994 EP Staircase Infinities. Porcupine Tree did some sporadic touring in summer 2006 before fall dates were completed around the U.K., Europe, and the United States. Around the same time, Stupid Dream was reissued with bonus material. In 2007, the band released their ninth studio LP, a loose concept album with an underlying theme of escapism in the 21st century, aptly named Fear of a Blank Planet (not to be confused with the similarly titled Public Enemy classic). The following year, the band released the mini-album Nil Recurring, which consisted of tracks written during the recording of Fear of a Blank Planet. In 2009, the group released Incident, which was comprised of a single long song that featured many different movements, as well as a handful of shorter compositions that close the album. The double-live album, Octane Twisted, followed in 2012. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 32 Title: On the Sunday of Life… Released: 1992-05-12 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:15:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Music for the Head (Here) (02:42) 2 Jupiter Island (06:12) 3 Third Eye Surfer (02:48) 4 On the Sunday of Life… (02:11) 5 The Nostalgia Factory (07:25) 6 Space Transmission (02:59) 7 Message From a Self-Destructing Turnip (00:27) 8 Radioactive Toy (10:00) 9 Nine Cats (03:55) 10 Hymn (01:14) 11 Footprints (05:59) 12 Linton Samuel Dawson (03:05) 13 And the Swallows Dance Above the Sun (04:03) 14 Queen Quotes Crowley (03:55) 15 No Luck With Rabbits (00:45) 16 Begonia Seduction Scene (02:10) 17 This Long Silence (05:10) 18 It Will Rain for a Million Years (10:47) |
| On the Sunday of Life… : Allmusic album Review : Porcupine Trees debut is really one big in-joke, which actually makes for a better reason to record something that pretends to be profoundly deep through and through. As released, it doesnt make mention of the tracks origins as the supposed product of a mysterious cult psych/prog rock band, but the packaging and artwork (even the fonts) would make the Dukes of Stratosphear proud. Steven Wilsons singing is noticeably higher at points than it would be in later years -- chalk it up to his relative youth or a desire to sound appropriately wispy (or on the lovely "Nine Cats," like David Gilmour). On a sheer technical level, though, Wilson cant be beat. Recording and producing his material solo (outside of a couple of guest appearances) before the big 90s revolution in home recording quality, he easily reaches the depth and reach of bands who could spend many times more to reach the same sound. It really does sound like a full band jamming along to its own muse, not a constructed swathe of overdubs. Happily, its not just ability on display, but actual art. Theres plenty of shaggy-dog nutty humor -- "Jupiter Island" takes a perfectly groovy trip to said locale circa 1968, phased guitars and all, while the giddy goof "Linton Samuel Dawson" gleefully portrays a cool dude tripping through life and time just to "Escape...from the boredom of mankind." Then theres the spoken word whispering on "Space Transmission," which sounds like something Robert Calvert might have dreamed up on a particularly bad trip, or the very knowing Beatles lyrics quote on the über-trippy "Footprints." Meanwhile, the many instrumental pieces are simply wonderful, pastoral, ambient rambles, drum solo jams, and more. It may all be 70s-era Pink Floyd for a more knowing time, but as a genre exercise and on its own, On the Sunday of Life is still a great debut. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 32 Title: Voyage 34 Released: 1992-11 Tracks: 2 Duration: 30:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Voyage 34 (Phase One) (12:35) 2 Voyage 34 (Phase Two) (17:29) |
 | Album: 3 of 32 Title: Spiral Circus Released: 1993-04 Tracks: 6 Duration: 49:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Burning Sky (11:10) 2 Voyage (05:35) 3 Always Never (06:22) 4 Radioactive Toy (10:11) 5 Up the Downstair (07:31) 6 Not Beautiful Anymore (08:53) |
 | Album: 4 of 32 Title: Up the Downstair Released: 1993-05 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:19:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 What You Are Listening To (00:57) 2 Synesthesia (05:16) 3 Monuments Burn Into Moments (00:22) 4 Always Never (07:00) 5 Up the Downstair (10:14) 6 Not Beautiful Anymore (03:25) 7 Siren (00:57) 8 Small Fish (02:42) 9 Burning Sky (11:36) 10 Fadeaway (06:19) 1 Cloud Zero (04:40) 2 The Jokes on You (04:17) 3 Navigator (04:49) 4 Rainy Taxi (06:50) 5 Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape (09:36) |
| Up the Downstair : Allmusic album Review : Up the Downstair feels noticeably different in tone from On the Sunday of Life -- the humor is nearly invisible, if present at all, and the focus is more explicitly up to date in keeping with Steven Wilsons long-stated belief that progressive music means incorporating the now instead of rehashing what progressive was. His singing is now more accomplished in turn -- it sounds like he might have been taking a lesson or two from his No-Man partner Tim Bowness, but he has his own dreamy approach. His already accomplished studio work seems to have turned even more so with time, and the end result is a delicate, complex, and remarkable effort. If theres an absolute standout, "Always Never" takes the cake. Starting with a soft combination of low vocals, acoustic guitar, and background electric feedback, it sweeps into life on the memorable chorus, with the keyboards swelling with a gentle majesty before turning into a full trip thanks to Wilsons ear for arrangements and space. Colin Edwin makes his debut with Porcupine Tree by playing bass here, as good a start as any, while Richard Barbieri also has an initial bow on the lengthy title track. Wilsons own playing here is just astounding, with some huge, driving feedback fills, while the equally long "Burning Sky" lets him exercise some guitar hero chops, and quite well at that. Brief cuts crop up throughout -- notably "What You Are Listening To...," which makes a nod back to the contents of Voyage 34 via the narrative spoken word sample at the start. The recurring use of synth loops and acid house rhythms alone mark Porcupine Trees approach as being a more modern one, but at the same time a song like "Synesthesia" doesnt sound like a stab at crossover so much as it does one color on the palette. The unfolding guitar solos demonstrate that much, at least. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 32 Title: Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape Released: 1994-01 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:16:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Mute (08:05) 2 Landscare (02:58) 3 Prayer (01:35) 4 Daughters in Excess (06:34) 5 Delightful Suicide (01:05) 6 Split Image (01:52) 7 No Reason to Live, No Reason to Die (11:07) 8 Wastecoat (01:11) 9 Towel (03:37) 10 Execution of the Will of the Marquis de Sade (05:07) 11 Track Eleven (03:00) 12 Radioactive Toy (05:57) 13 An Empty Box (03:12) 14 Out (08:52) 15 Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape (10:42) 16 Music for the Head (There) (01:22) |
 | Album: 6 of 32 Title: Moonloop EP Released: 1994-10 Tracks: 3 Duration: 30:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Stars Die (04:57) 2 Moonloop (version) (18:03) 3 Always Never (07:02) |
 | Album: 7 of 32 Title: The Sky Moves Sideways Released: 1995-01-30 Tracks: 7 Duration: 1:15:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Sky Moves Sideways, Phase 1 (18:43) 2 Stars Die (05:01) 3 Dislocated Day (05:24) 4 The Moon Touches Your Shoulder (05:40) 5 Prepare Yourself (01:54) 1 The Sky Moves Sideways, Phase 2 (16:48) 2 Moonloop (22:23) |
| The Sky Moves Sideways : Allmusic album Review : Though Porcupine Trees permanent lineup was in place by the time Sky Moves Sideways was complete, it was actually a combination of old and new, with a number of tracks once again done by Wilson on his own. Regardless of the provenance of one song or another, though, it was another fine release under the Porcupine Tree name, continuing the excellence of Up the Downstair while achieving a new liquid sense of drama and overall flow. Barbieris keyboard skills alone made for a wonderful addition to the ranks, easily capturing the slow sense of unfolding atmosphere and elegance combined from earlier Porcupine Tree work while adding his own touches here and there, a touch of playfulness and improvisation. The Edwin/Maitland rhythm section sound like they were born to work together, able to both set slow, spacy moods and quick gallops and dance-skewed approaches both. Wilson, meanwhile, is still himself, calling to mind strange lyric images of rural collapse and romantic connection in his ever stronger, commanding but never straining vocals. As for guitar, theres subtle delicacy and headbanging overload and plenty of space in between for more. Overall, theres not much in the way of immediate sonic difference from Up the Downstair, more a sense of exploring and establishing styles, almost as if the bandmembers were getting used to working with each other. The tripped-out title track bookends the album (perhaps in a not so subtle nod to a similar sequence on Pink Floyds Wish You Were Here with "Shine on You Crazy Diamond"). The real winners, though, are the jazz-touched acoustic/electric dreamscape of "Stars Die," with a great lead melody and overdubbed chorus from Wilson, and the immediately following "Moonloop," an instrumental calm then rocking jam thats credited to all four members. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 32 Title: Staircase Infinities Released: 1995-08 Tracks: 5 Duration: 29:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cloud Zero (04:40) 2 The Joke’s on You (04:06) 3 Navigator (04:49) 4 Rainy Taxi (06:44) 5 Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape (09:30) |
 | Album: 9 of 32 Title: Signify Released: 1996-09-30 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:48:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bornlivedie (01:42) 2 Signify (03:26) 3 The Sleep of No Dreaming (05:24) 4 Pagan (01:34) 5 Waiting, Phase One (04:24) 6 Waiting, Phase Two (06:15) 7 Sever (05:30) 8 Idiot Prayer (07:37) 9 Every Home Is Wired (05:08) 10 Intermediate Jesus (07:29) 11 “Light Mass Prayers” (04:28) 12 Dark Matter (08:58) 1 Wake as Gun I (03:29) 2 Hallogallo (03:37) 3 Signify (03:27) 4 Waiting (06:56) 5 Smiling Not Smiling (03:49) 6 Wake as Gun II (02:06) 7 Neural Rust (05:53) 8 Dark Origins (06:54) 9 Sever Tomorrow (06:04) 10 Nine Cats (acoustic version) (04:08) |
| Signify : Allmusic album Review : The first proper album by the full band, Signify was the next great step forward for Porcupine Tree, a distinct advancement in how well the foursome could completely rock out as well as find its own narcotic style of ambient exploration. The title track signals intentions clearly after the fragmentary sample-collage start of "Bornlivedie" kicks things off. Based on a storming riff from Wilson, the Edwin/Maitland team provide a crisp, driving beat, while Barbieri throws some intriguingly aggressive keyboard work, nervy and unsettling, to offset the calmer parts he also adds to fill things out. Everyone gets to show a little bit of individual flair as the album progresses. Edwin punctuates the epic surge of "Sleep of No Dreaming" with some plucked double bass as well as electric, while Maitland himself takes over on (wordless) vocals and full composition for "Light Mass Prayers," a minimal, entrancing piece. One thing that hasnt noticeably changed much is Wilsons general songwriting and ear for arrangements -- good, but theres little in the way of distinct change in style, leaving it to the performance of the band as a whole to provide the albums own unique stamp. For all that Wilson may once again be singing obliquely on the pressures and nature of end-of-century life, he still does so in an engagingly left-of-center way. Consider the portrait of an incipient Internet/cyberpunk world in "Every Home Is Wired" or the snap-or-not? dilemma of "Darkmatter," which closes the album on a subtly tense note, besides being the best song Peter Gabriel-era Genesis never wrote. The often gripping instrumental pieces which are as much a band trademark as anything else appear throughout, including the combination drift and charge of "Idiot Prayer," littered with intriguingly curious samples, and the amusingly titled, hellfire and brimstone preacher-punctuated "Intermediate Jesus." | ||
 | Album: 10 of 32 Title: Coma Divine Released: 1997 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:40:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bornlivedieintro (01:25) 2 Signify (05:29) 3 Waiting, Phase One (04:26) 4 Waiting, Phase Two (05:23) 5 The Sky Moves Sideways (12:40) 6 Dislocated Day (06:35) 7 The Sleep of No Dreaming (05:19) 8 Moonloop (11:50) 1 Up the Downstair (07:40) 2 The Moon Touches Your Shoulder (05:05) 3 Always Never (05:41) 4 IS…NOT (06:09) 5 Radioactive Toy (13:30) 6 Not Beautiful Anymore (09:39) |
 | Album: 11 of 32 Title: Metanoia Released: 1998-12 Tracks: 8 Duration: 1:05:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mesmer I (08:33) 2 Mesmer II (06:07) 3 Mesmer III / Coma Divine (13:18) 4 Door to the River (04:42) 5 Metanoia I / Intermediate Jesus (14:14) 6 Insignificance (04:58) 7 Metanoia II (10:56) 8 Milan (02:30) |
 | Album: 12 of 32 Title: Stupid Dream Released: 1999-04-06 Tracks: 12 Duration: 59:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Even Less (07:11) 2 Piano Lessons (04:22) 3 Stupid Dream (00:28) 4 Pure Narcotic (05:02) 5 Slave Called Shiver (04:40) 6 Don’t Hate Me (08:30) 7 This Is No Rehearsal (03:27) 8 Baby Dream in Cellophane (03:13) 9 Stranger by the Minute (04:30) 10 A Smart Kid (05:21) 11 Tinto Brass (06:18) 12 Stop Swimming (06:53) |
| Stupid Dream : Allmusic album Review : Porcupine Trees first album for K-Scope/Snapper starts out with a definite bang -- "Even Less," with some of the quartets biggest, blasting rock epic music yet, yet also shot through with the gentler, acoustic side that makes Porcupine Tree so intimate and lovely. The net result easily calls Yes to mind, but Steven Wilsons not so high-pitched as Jon Anderson and Richard Barbieri completely avoids Rick Wakemans extreme idiocies -- prog that knows when less is more. With that as a fine signal for the album as a whole, Stupid Dream takes it from there -- Wilson as a songwriter and singer both sounds recharged and more ambitious, while the group collectively pours it on. The loud passages feel truly sky-smashing, the calmer ones perfectly close, and the overall sense of build and drama -- "A Smart Kid" is a fine example -- spot-on. Strings from the East of England Orchestra and guest work on Wilsons sometime Bass Communion partner Theo Travis add even lusher atmospheres without swamping the tunes. As always, the group isnt afraid to experiment where others merely re-create -- check out the funky breaks Colin Edwin and Chris Maitland lay down on "Slave Called Shiver," not to mention Wilsons catchy piano figure and Barbieris Hammond organ fills. Lyrically, Wilson comes up with some of his best work yet. "Piano Lessons" looks back on past musical learning and a doubtful teacher as a spur to trying harder, while "Pure Narcotic" offers up a romantic scenario and tip of the hat to Radiohead all at once: "You keep me hating/You keep me listening to The Bends." Theres actually a musical hint or two of the Oxford quintet as well -- the acoustic guitar/drum intro to "This Is No Rehearsal" is a good example -- but leave it to Porcupine Tree to drop in some fully plugged in thrash metal, as well. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 32 Title: Lightbulb Sun Released: 2000-05 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:17:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lightbulb Sun (05:31) 2 How Is Your Life Today? (02:47) 3 Four Chords That Made a Million (03:37) 4 Shesmovedon (05:14) 5 Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled (04:49) 6 The Rest Will Flow (03:18) 7 Hatesong (08:46) 1 Where We Would Be (03:57) 2 Russia on Ice (13:05) 3 Feel So Low (05:23) 4 Disappear (03:42) 5 Buying New Soul (10:25) 6 Cure for Optimism (06:37) |
| Lightbulb Sun : Allmusic album Review : Some older fans looked askance at Lightbulb Sun, feeling it was verging on overt commercialism (and admittedly, the near power ballad solo on "Where We Would Be" is a bit odd!). Then again, given Wilsons own explorations of avant-garde pop with No-Man, whos to say why a slightly more radio-friendly stance cant work? "Shesmovedon" may have been a single, but theres no question who wrote and performed it -- the elegant cascade of backing vocals on the chorus shows that much. Certainly Wilson hasnt turned into Max Martin or anything -- its still very much Porcupine Tree, in its lyrical turns of phrase and general sense of exploration. One of the best tracks on the album is the brilliantly titled "Four Chords That Made a Million," a barbed cut on some unnamed "emperor in new clothes" beset by a "moron with a cheque book." The lead riff is a majestic hit of flange and feedback, while the hints of sitar and Indian percussion give the song even more attractive heft. But theres a definite bent towards calmer art pop throughout Lightbulb Sun -- those who preferred the sheer surge of Stupid Dream will find this album tamer in comparison. Still, its hard to resist the beautiful, understated tension about a fractured friendship or relationship on "Feel So Low" or the gentle, string-touched roll and build of "The Rest Will Flow," flat out two of Wilsons best tunes anywhere. Those who prefer the lengthy explorations wont be disappointed, though -- "Hatesong" unfolds its sharp message over eight minutes and the string-swept, slow time explosion of "Russia on Ice" over 13. Slyest title of the bunch -- "Last Chance to Leave the Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled," which samples the videotape made by the leader of the Heavens Gate cult before its mass suicide in 1997. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 32 Title: Voyage 34: The Complete Trip Released: 2000-06-06 Tracks: 4 Duration: 1:10:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Phase I (12:54) 2 Phase II (17:30) 3 Phase III (19:29) 4 Phase IV (20:44) |
| Voyage 34: The Complete Trip : Allmusic album Review : Voyage 34, originally a two-volume EP series from 1992-1993, was expanded into "The Complete Trip" after Steven Wilson remixed and added production for its eventual re-release seven years later. Documenting the ill effects of an acid trip by a frequent user (the first 33 were fine), the four-phase work begins with a straight-laced narrator explaining the events leading up to the trip, with straight-ahead (though slightly exploratory) guitar work by Wilson over a mid-tempo drum section. Thankfully, the album gradually moves into more ambient climes, with trippy vocal samples framing the mood throughout the final phases. Including a thick booklet with most of the narration repeated alongside surreal artwork, Voyage 34: The Complete Trip is a bit self-serious and pseudo-mystical even without the music to add to it, an intriguing experiment but hardly a work to stand on its own. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 32 Title: Recordings Released: 2001-05-21 Tracks: 9 Duration: 1:01:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Buying New Soul (10:25) 2 Access Denied (03:34) 3 Cure for Optimism (06:12) 4 Untitled (08:50) 5 Disappear (03:42) 6 Ambulance Chasing (06:32) 7 In Formaldehyde (05:19) 8 Even Less (14:08) 9 Oceans Have No Memory (03:06) |
| Recordings : Allmusic album Review : Released as a semi stopgap collection in mid-2001 during a period of general Porcupine Tree inactivity, outside of some concert appearances here and there, Recordings compiles the various B-sides and extra tracks from singles taken from Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun, adding a couple of unreleased goodies as well. Its obviously for the hardcore fans more than anyone else -- those wanting an introduction to the band will find it of interest but not the best place to start. Those hardcore fans, though, will find it a very enjoyable release, with the previously unavailable songs of definite interest. "Buying New Soul," which starts the album, is one of the bands subtler epics, an eleven-minute number with all the multitracked vocals and wistfully burnt imagery any fan of classic English prog could want. "Access Denied," originally planned for Lightbulb Sun itself, is (in part) a wonderfully jaunty little number which could have come from mid-eighties XTC, Wilsons contributions on hammered dulcimer an inspired touch. The remaining tracks reappear from the various singles, though sometimes in different form. "Oceans Have No Memory," originally surfacing as a demo, gets a full instrumental band version here, while "Even Less," the majestic opening blast from Stupid Dream, turns up in its full fourteen minute length, the second part having only appeared before on a separate single. The full "Even Less" features past guests the East of England Orchestra and Theo Travis, both of whom also turn up on "Ambulance Chasing," an unexpectedly successful fusion of everything from heavy tribal drumming to saxophone. Theres an attractive range of stylistic experimentation on display with the various B-sides and extra numbers, ranging from the minimal, near-ambient exploration of "Cure For Optimism" to the building rocker "Disappear." | ||
 | Album: 16 of 32 Title: Stars Die: The Delerium Years 91-97 Released: 2002-03-25 Tracks: 21 Duration: 2:26:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Radioactive Toy (10:10) 2 Nine Cats (03:51) 3 And the Swallows Dance Above the Sun (04:03) 4 Nostalgia Factory (07:33) 5 Voyage 34, Phase One (12:54) 6 Synesthesia (extended version) (07:54) 7 Phantoms (03:14) 8 Up the Downstair (10:09) 9 Fadeaway (06:16) 10 Rainy Taxi (06:50) 1 Stars Die (05:06) 2 The Sky Moves Sideways, Phase One (18:37) 3 Men of Wood (03:35) 4 Waiting (04:29) 5 The Sound of No-One Listening (08:13) 6 Colourflow in Mind (03:49) 7 Fuse the Sky (04:33) 8 Signify II (06:04) 9 Every Home Is Wired (05:13) 10 Sever (05:33) 11 Dark Matter (08:12) |
| Stars Die: The Delerium Years '91-97 : Allmusic album Review : U.K. art rock outfit Porcupine Tree devotes an entire box set to their early- to mid-90s downtempo/prog rock period. Stars Die: The Delerium Years 91-97, narrows its focus to the groups psychedelic, pre-ambient Pink Floyd era that relied heavily on guitarist/founder Steve Wilsons more pop-oriented -- but still epic -- compositions. The two discs pack 21 assorted rarities, previously unreleased tracks, and new mixes into an elegant box featuring a deluxe 40-page booklet thats worth the price of the collection itself. Listeners looking for an entry point into this Porcupine Tree period would do well giving this anthology a shot, while fans of acts like Ozric Tentacles, Tangerine Dream, and Flying Saucer Attack, who have remained in the dark about the group, will likely find them to be a new and wonderful addiction. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 32 Title: In Absentia Released: 2002-09-24 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:15:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Blackest Eyes (04:23) 2 Trains (05:56) 3 Lips of Ashes (04:39) 4 The Sound of Muzak (04:59) 5 Gravity Eyelids (07:56) 6 Wedding Nails (06:33) 7 Prodigal (05:32) 1 .3 (05:25) 2 The Creator Has a Mastertape (05:21) 3 Chloroform (07:15) 4 Heartattack in a Layby (04:15) 5 Strip the Soul (07:21) 6 Collapse the Light Into Earth (05:54) |
| In Absentia : Allmusic album Review : Continuing in the growing commercial vein of their previous releases, Porcupine Trees In Absentia may be the most accessible release to ever spew forth from the group. Rolling electronic percussion blends with simple and solid live drumming to provide an understated backbeat as perennial Tree leader Steven Wilson pastes his complicated pop over the proceedings. Wilsons ability to bury his layered vocals in mountains of spacy electric guitar without drowning out his fragile lyrics is still a valued feature of the music, and the rare moments of clarity that his vocals display are breathtaking in their power. A reliance on a somewhat gothic heavy metal sound makes for some bizarre moments, especially when held up against his gentler material. The best example of this is the chugging "Wedding Nails," which recalls Dream Theater in its grandiose scope without utilizing the same sort of technical wizardry. But Wilson manages to bridge the gap between the various genres he utilizes, creating an environment where his haunting melodies could take a drastic turn at any minute. Porcupine Tree also continue their Radiohead fascination, although the influence is much less direct than on their last few efforts. Instead, it comes through at odd intervals, like the moments of sparse instrumentation on the otherwise lush "Heartattack in a Lay By." Sonically gorgeous and deceivingly complex, In Absentia has the most immediate appeal of anything Wilson has released under this moniker up to this point. By keeping the songs at manageable lengths and avoiding the avant-garde electronica flourishes of the bands early days, Porcupine Tree has grown into a fully realized pop group without cutting any of the elements that also make them an important force in the neo-prog movement. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 32 Title: XM Released: 2003-07 Tracks: 8 Duration: 52:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Blackest Eyes (04:28) 2 The Sound of Muzak (05:04) 3 Gravity Eyelids (07:32) 4 Wedding Nails (05:19) 5 Even Less / Slave Called Shiver (11:40) 6 Heartattack in a Layby (04:18) 7 Strip the Soul (07:08) 8 Tinto Brass (06:38) |
 | Album: 19 of 32 Title: Futile Released: 2003-07 Tracks: 6 Duration: 32:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Collapse (01:39) 2 Drown With Me (05:22) 3 Orchidia (03:19) 4 Futile (06:04) 5 Hatesong (live) (08:32) 6 Chloroform (07:15) |
 | Album: 20 of 32 Title: Warszawa Released: 2004-02 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:19:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Even Less (07:36) 2 Slave Called Shiver (05:08) 3 Shesmovedon (05:21) 4 Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled (05:01) 5 Lightbulb Sun (05:59) 6 Russia on Ice (12:26) 7 Where We Would Be (03:40) 8 Hatesong (08:36) 9 Stop Swimming (07:08) 10 Voyage 34 (12:37) 11 Signify (05:40) |
| Warszawa : Allmusic album Review : A beautifully intimate performance to listen in on, Porcupine Trees 2006 live CD, Warszawa, consists of a radio broadcast the band made for a small Polish audience in 2001. The groups customary languid, glassy feel stays intact, but certain musical elements, especially Steven Wilsons evocative vocals, occasionally reach gloriously unexpected moments of rawness and rapture. The albums more sample-based songs, such as "Even Less" and "Lightbulb Sun," sound at home in the close-quartered setting, while their live instrumentation takes on an acoustic, unprocessed feel. The release draws almost exclusively on material from 1999s Stupid Dream and 2000s Lightbulb Sun, understandably skipping over the drum-machine days of 1993s Up the Downstair and 1995s The Sky Moves Sideways. It would have been nice to hear Porcupine Tree take a new stab at this old material with the instruments and techniques now at their disposal, but the absence of earlier songs doesnt make for meager pickings. At 79 minutes and 17 seconds, the performance fills the disc within 43 seconds of its life. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 32 Title: Deadwing Released: 2005-03-28 Tracks: 20 Duration: 2:05:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Deadwing (09:47) 2 Shallow (04:17) 3 Lazarus (04:19) 4 Halo (04:38) 5 Arriving Somewhere but Not Here (12:02) 6 Mellotron Scratch (06:57) 7 Open Car (03:46) 8 Start of Something Beautiful (07:40) 9 Glass Arm Shattering (06:17) 10 Shesmovedon (05:00) 1 Even Less (07:11) 2 Pure Narcotic (05:02) 3 How Is Your Life Today? (02:46) 4 Buying New Soul (10:25) 5 Russia on Ice (12:26) 6 Blackest Eyes (04:23) 7 Trains (edit) (04:28) 8 Open Car (03:46) 9 Lazarus (radio edit) (03:56) 10 Halo (live) (05:53) |
| Deadwing : Allmusic album Review : Porcupine Tree have always been pigeonholed with the modern prog movement, but the reality is that theyre both a riff-addicted metal band and a troupe obsessed with rich harmonies and memorable refrains. Take the grinding guitar work of "Shallow" which dukes it out with frontman Steve Wilsons undeniably melodic chorus before easing into the delicate, beautifully crafted "Lazarus." Few bands exhibit this kind of depth, be it the dreamy, Pink Floyd-inspired hallucination "Halo" or the Queensrÿche echoes of "Open Car." If the 12-minute sonic meander known as "Arriving Somewhere but Not Here" is as head-trippy as rock music gets anymore, it is reassuring to know that this Tree is still growing. Ideal for headphones, Deadwing -- despite its title -- takes flight nonetheless. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 32 Title: XMII Released: 2005-06 Tracks: 8 Duration: 50:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Shesmovedon (05:11) 2 Fadeaway (05:20) 3 Trains (05:32) 4 Hatesong (08:31) 5 Pure Narcotic (05:12) 6 Russia on Ice (12:06) 7 Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled (04:59) 8 Feel So Low (03:51) |
 | Album: 23 of 32 Title: Arriving Somewhere… Released: 2006 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:44:16 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Revenant (03:03) 2 Open Car (04:46) 3 Blackest Eyes (04:41) 4 Lazarus (04:06) 5 Hatesong (09:14) 6 Dont Hate Me (08:38) 7 Mother and Child Divided (05:10) 8 Buying New Soul (07:17) 9 So Called Friend (04:55) 1 Arriving Somewhere but Not Here (12:55) 2 Heartattack in a Layby (04:07) 3 The Start of Something Beautiful (07:19) 4 Halo (06:42) 5 The Sound of Muzak (05:05) 6 Even Less (06:54) 7 Trains (07:18) 8 [end credits] (02:05) |
 | Album: 24 of 32 Title: Rockpalast Released: 2006-07-19 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:37:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Intro (02:44) 2 Open Car (04:45) 3 Blackest Eyes (05:37) 4 Lazarus (04:17) 5 Futile (06:29) 6 Mellotron Scratch (07:23) 7 Mother and Child Divided (05:23) 8 .3 (06:22) 9 So Called Friend (05:13) 1 Arriving Somewhere but Not Here (12:46) 2 The Sound of Muzak (05:11) 3 The Start of Something Beautiful (07:27) 4 Halo (08:36) 5 Radioactive Toy (07:48) 6 Trains (07:18) |
 | Album: 25 of 32 Title: Fear of a Blank Planet Released: 2007-04-13 Tracks: 6 Duration: 50:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fear of a Blank Planet (07:28) 2 My Ashes (05:07) 3 Anesthetize (17:42) 4 Sentimental (05:26) 5 Way Out of Here (07:37) 6 Sleep Together (07:28) |
| Fear of a Blank Planet : Allmusic album Review : Porcupine Tree makes a triumphant return to experimental, non-linear style with 2007s Fear of a Blank Planet. Maybe Steve Wilson was afraid that the comparatively poppy Deadwing and In Absentia were edging too close to the mainstream, because he seems far less concerned with overtly accessible songwriting on Blank Planet. Even still, the cerebral, atmospheric sound on this album remains enormously compelling from almost the first moment. While there is no "radio single" on the disc -- certainly nothing with a conventional pop arc like Lightbulb Sun or "Trains" -- most songs transcend their complex structure and feel as provocative as any traditional rock tune. The aptly named "Sentimental," in particular, features Wilsons trademark lush arrangement with layers of vocals, piano, ambient synths, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, live drums and sampled drums -- but cutting through its tightly contained mosaic is an expertly constructed chord progression that evokes a desperate sense of tension and longing, developing incredible emotional momentum as the track progresses. Blank Planet sounds like Wilson spent about half of his studio time on the guitar; its full of buzzy, meticulously distorted solos that you can easily picture him folding into the prototypical Porcupine Tree amalgamation of drum machine, organ, and synthesizers during many long hours in front of the sound board. The quiet, English restraint with which Wilson croons seems to have saved his voice from the decay that so many male singers experience over a twenty year career, and lucky for us (and for him), the style still works perfectly with Porcupine Trees sound. As a vocalist, he has an amazing capacity for juxtaposing cold, haunting moments against evisceratingly passionate ones, mostly thanks to the control he exerts over his instrument. Wilsons clear, boys choir timbre sounds like a torrent of frenzy and hunger when he breaks free of it and explores the limits of his vox on tracks like "Sleep Together." His sleepy, melodic approach also has the benefit of ensuring that his poetic lyrics, which run the gamut from acerbic social criticisms to wrenching personal narratives, are always perfectly discernible. Though its only six tracks long, each of the songs on Blank Planet is exquisitely crafted, even the 17-minute long "Anesthetize." Wilson has a great sense of flow, leading mournful, ambient ballads into graceful crescendos, and over long interludes that sway blissfully throughout rises and falls, only occasionally losing themselves to moments of plodding or meandering. At roughly 51 minutes, Fear of a Blank Planet is short by Porcupine Tree standards, but by measure of quality rather than quantity, its one of the most substantial prog albums to come out in years. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 32 Title: Nil Recurring Released: 2007-09-17 Tracks: 5 Duration: 33:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Nil Recurring (06:08) 2 Normal (07:07) 3 Cheating the Polygraph (07:06) 4 What Happens Now? (08:23) 5 Fear of a Blank Planet (edit version) (04:18) |
 | Album: 27 of 32 Title: We Lost the Skyline Released: 2008-02-18 Tracks: 8 Duration: 33:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 The Sky Moves Sideways (04:02) 2 Even Less (03:27) 3 Stars Die (04:33) 4 Waiting (03:52) 5 Normal (04:52) 6 Drown With Me (04:09) 7 Lazarus (04:29) 8 Trains (04:04) |
 | Album: 28 of 32 Title: Ilosaarirock Released: 2009-03-31 Tracks: 10 Duration: 1:13:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Intro (02:02) 2 Fear of a Blank Planet (07:32) 3 Lightbulb Sun (06:04) 4 Open Car (05:35) 5 Anesthetize (17:23) 6 Blackest Eyes (05:18) 7 Way Out of Here (07:43) 8 Sleep Together (08:52) 9 Trains (05:58) 10 Halo (07:17) |
 | Album: 29 of 32 Title: The Incident Released: 2009-09-11 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:15:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Occam’s Razor (01:56) 2 The Blind House (05:47) 3 Great Expectations (01:26) 4 Kneel and Disconnect (02:03) 5 Drawing the Line (04:43) 6 The Incident (05:20) 7 Your Unpleasant Family (01:48) 8 The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train (02:00) 9 Time Flies (11:40) 10 Degree Zero of Liberty (01:45) 11 Octane Twisted (05:03) 12 The Séance (02:39) 13 Circle of Manias (02:18) 14 I Drive the Hearse (06:43) 1 Flicker (03:42) 2 Bonnie the Cat (05:45) 3 Black Dahlia (03:40) 4 Remember Me Lover (07:34) |
| The Incident : Allmusic album Review : Over the years, trying to determine what is true "prog rock" and what is not has become an increasingly tricky proposition. In the early 70s, it was easy -- any band that performed "suites" that extended across entire album sides and dressed in capes and/or cloaks was a dead giveaway. However, when the early 80s rolled around, most former prog rockers trimmed out the fat from their compositions (and exchanged their medieval wear and kimonos for what looked like sports coats). Ever since, there have been bands that have aligned themselves to either of the aforementioned prog rock approaches. But along came Porcupine Tree, who somehow have found a way to incorporate both into their 2009 effort, The Incident. Set up similarly to Rushs 1978 classic, Hemispheres, The Incident is comprised of a single long song -- the title track -- that features many different movements (which would have taken up the entire side one back in the good ol days of vinyl), as well as a handful of shorter compositions that close the album. The aforementioned title track will certainly be the talk of the album, as it manages to incorporate bombast and melody (the sixth movement, which shares the albums title), rock ("Octane Twisted"), Yes folky moments ("The Seance"), and Tool-like grooves ("Circle of Manias"), before it all gently floats away on a cloud of fairy dust ("I Drive the Hearse"). That said, unlike early proggers who favored meandering instrumental doodling over succinct songwriting, Porcupine Tree always favor the importance of memorable songs over flashy solos, which certainly makes the group one of the top modern-day prog rock bands. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 32 Title: Anesthetize Released: 2010-05-20 Tracks: 20 Duration: 2:15:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Intro (02:07) 2 Fear of a Blank Planet (07:34) 3 My Ashes (04:46) 4 Anesthetize (17:20) 1 Sentimental (05:18) 2 Way Out of Here (07:47) 3 Sleep Together (07:54) 4 What Happens Now? (08:09) 5 Normal (07:13) 1 Dark Matter (08:57) 2 Drown With Me (05:21) 3 Cheating the Polygraph (08:11) 4 Half-Light (05:28) 5 Sever (05:37) 1 Prodigal (06:03) 2 Wedding Nails (05:43) 3 Strip the Soul / Dot Three (08:17) 4 Sleep of No Dreaming (05:31) 5 Halo (06:34) 6 Outro (02:00) |
 | Album: 31 of 32 Title: Atlanta Released: 2010-06-17 Tracks: 16 Duration: 2:00:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Fear of a Blank Planet (09:31) 2 What Happens Now? (08:04) 3 Sound of Muzak (05:15) 4 Sentimental (05:36) 5 Drown With Me (05:51) 6 Anesthetize (17:30) 7 Open Car (04:44) 8 Dark Matter (08:51) 9 Cheating the Polygraph (08:37) 10 A Smart Kid (05:30) 11 Blackest Eyes (04:58) 12 Half-Light (05:58) 13 Way Out of Here (07:41) 14 Sleep Together (08:46) 15 Even Less (06:11) 16 Halo (07:23) |
 | Album: 32 of 32 Title: Octane Twisted Released: 2012-11-19 Tracks: 21 Duration: 2:08:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Occam’s Razor (02:20) 2 The Blind House (05:57) 3 Great Expectations (01:26) 4 Kneel and Disconnect (02:03) 5 Drawing the Line (04:43) 6 The Incident (05:19) 7 Your Unpleasant Family (01:51) 8 The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train (02:01) 9 Time Flies (12:07) 10 Degree Zero of Liberty (01:45) 11 Octane Twisted (05:03) 12 The Seance (02:39) 13 Circle of Manias (02:34) 14 I Drive the Hearse (06:48) 1 Hatesong (09:57) 2 Russia on Ice / The Pills I’m Taking (15:02) 3 Stars Die (05:57) 4 Bonnie the Cat (06:11) 5 Even Less (14:28) 6 Dislocated Day (07:05) 7 Arriving Somewhere but Not Here (12:59) |
| Octane Twisted : Allmusic album Review : Octane Twisted, the first album by Porcupine Tree in three years, is a double-live disc recorded at Chicagos Riviera in 2010 during The Incident tour. It also includes highlights from the bands concluding concert at Londons Royal Albert Hall. Recording a concept album is fraught with danger as well as possibility; a touring one is an exponentially greater challenge -- especially when the studio recording is a chart success. The Incident went Top 30 in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Disc one features The Incident in its entirety. The studio album was presented as a seamless 55-minute suite. It gets tossed out the window almost immediately here. Opener "Occams Razor" gives way to "The Blind House" easily enough, without interruption, but as the latter track concludes, Steven Wilson breaks the spell by greeting the crowd. Most cuts here closely adhere to the lengths of their studio counterparts, with one great exception: "Time Flies" allows the improvisation to go on more than a minute longer to excellent effect -- the distortion and guitar pyrotechnics are remarkable. As a whole, Octane Twisted contains less of a dynamic and textural range than The Incident did, but that proves to be a positive because it more than makes up for it in pure rockist force and drama. Check the raw emotion in "Drawing the Line," the metallic bass throb in "Circle of Manias," and the increased tension between Richard Barbieris keyboards and Wilsons guitar in the title track for examples. The second disc does contain a live performance of "Bonnie the Cat" from The Incidents bonus disc, the remainder is performances of songs from the bands catalog. Its highlights include an extended reading of "Hatesong," a 15-minute medley of "Russia on Ice/"The Pills Im Taking" (the latter is the second part of "Anesthetize"), and the cosmic single "Stars Die." Set closer "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here," which originally appeared on 2005s Deadwing sends it all off in grand, sprawling style. Beautifully recorded, Octane Twisted offers live proof that The Incident stands as one of rocks most ambitious concept works. | ||