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Old 04-18-2005, 02:33 PM   #2
ArC
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oklahoma
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Small Description of the Albums

On the Sunday of Life...
Line Up : Steven Wilson / Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards Programming
Known as the first Porcupine Tree record, this record explores the more psychedelic side of the band. Often compared to early Pink Floyd days (with Syd Barret), this record has a variety of interesting tracks. Though 18 tracks long, many of the tracks are filler tracks in between actual songs. Jupiter Island, Radioactive Toy, and Nine Cats are highlights.

Voyage 34
Line Up : Steven Wilson / all instruments and vocals, Richard Barbieri / synthesizers
Though only 1 track and 30 minutes long, Voyage 34 is a very good space rock album. The music on it is continually flowing and Steven's guitar work is at top notch, often resembling an early David Gilmour. Highlights are, well, I suppose the only track. A great album

Up the Downstairs
Line Up : Steven Wilson / all instruments, programming. Colin Edwin / bass on track 4. Richard Barbieri / electronics on track 5. Suzanna Barbieriei / voice on track 5.
Classic Porcupine Tree space rock, that occasionally borders on techno. Don't let that scare you off, as this is a very well written record. Steven's signature "far away" vocals are very present here, as well as his ominous guitar and keyboard parts. A very dark sound. The title track, Up the Downstairs, is the highlight of the albums, being one of their best instrumental pieces in PTs catalog.

Moonloop E.P.
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitar, vocals, keyboards, programming. Colin Edwin / bass, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, Chirs Maitland / drums, Rick Edwards / percussion.
I honestly have not heard much of this two track album. It is the first album with 5 members, though the line-up continues to change.

The Sky Moves Sideways
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitars, keyboards, vocals, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, electronics, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, hum-wah
In this record, the band really begins to start playing the way they will continue for the next couple of years, drawing heavily off mostly progressive influences. The epic first track "The Sky Moves Sideways (Phase 1)" is one of Porcupine Tree's best songs, using elements of beautiful electronics, haunting guitar lines, and steadfast bass and drum parts. Wilson's vocals are in top form, giving the song a calm feel. The song doesn't stick in one set mood, or even genre, as halfway through it starts heavily on a steadfast drum beat that sets the pace for the rest of the song. The rest of the album is also very good, with highlights being The Sky Moves Sideways, The Moon Touches Your Shoulder, and Moonloop.

Signify
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, samplers, tapes, organ, mellotron, piano, drum programming, Richard Babieri / keyboards, tapes, synthesizers, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, vocal harmonies
This is one of Porcupine Tree's best albums, and its easy to see why. The title track is a great instrumental number, showing off classic PT progressiveness. This record also has some of the best instrumental pieces to date. Idiot Prayer, Intermediate Jesus, and Signify are all musically enjoyable, as well as technical, and emotional. Sever is a very powerful track that has an excellent drum line that accents the song perfectly, as well as a great Wilson performance, lyrically, vocally, and guitar wise. Highlights include Signify, Sever, Idiot Prayer, Light Mass Prayer, Intermediate Jesus, and Dark Matter.

Coma Divine : Live in Rome
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, organ, mellotron, guitars, Richard Barbierir / Synth, Colin Edwin / e-bass, & double bass, Chris Maitland / drums
A live recording that features a some very good tracks. The songs tend to come from the albums "Signify" and "On the Sunday of Life". Steven does some interesting playing on the record, jamming a little bit on several of the songs. Very good album with highlights being Signify, Up the Downstairs, and The Sky Moves Sideways

Insignificance (K7)
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, keyboards, samples, programming, production, Richard Barbieri / keyboards and electronics, Colin Edwin / bass, Gavin Harrison / drums, percussion.
This album is now featured as a 2nd disc in the "Signify Special Edition". It included a couple of new re-mastered and re-done tracks from early PT years, as well as an acoustic version of "Nine Cats" the re-mastered songs are very good. Highlights include Wake as a Gun and Sever Tomorrow.

Stupid Dream
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, piano, and samples, Richard Barbieri / synthesizers, hammond organ, and mellotron, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums and percussion.
One of the best Porcupine Tree albums. Every song is a classic and has something new and interesting to it. "Baby Dream in Cellophane" and "A Smart Kid" are perfect examples of the darker, slower, and haunting PT influences, both tracks giving you a sense of evil and awestruck at the same time. "This is No Rehearsal" is a fun PT track that has a very nice "wah" guitar solo in it. "Tinto Brass" is a great instrumental track, being fast and steady. "Stop Swimming" is a perfect closer with its slow tempo and great vocals. A recommended first record and an essential album for every PT fan. Highlights are Even Less, Don't Hate Me, Baby Dream in Cellophane, Stranger By the Minute, A Smart Kid, and Tinto Brass.

Lightbulb Sun
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, piano, samples, banjo, hammered dulcimer, Colin Edwin / bass, sax, giumbri, Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, Richard Barbieri / analogue, synthesizers, Hammond Organ, mellotron, fender rhoades
Another essential Porcupine Tree record. Progressive Rock in one of its finest forms. One of the best space rock jams of recent years, "Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before it Is Recycled" is an excellent track that shows off the bands great song writing. "The Rest Will Flow" is one of the most beautiful songs recorded in recent years. Steven's vocal part and the steady flow of the song makes it an essential listen to everyone. "Hatesong" shows off Colin's great bass lines. "Where We Would Be" is another excellent track, including a very fitting guitar solo that incorporates great tone on Wilson's part. "Russia on Ice" starts off with a slow, steady beat, but later to explode into another great jam. "Feel So Low" is a great album closer. A great record for any PT fan. Highlights being Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled, Hatesong, Where We Would Be, and Russia On Ice.

Recordings
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, keyboards, Colin Edwin / bass. Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, Richard Barbieri / keyboards
This album draws off outtakes from the Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream sessions, expanding the sounds further. These tracks (along with a few new ones) are put into an experimental spin and made into an interesting listen. Good music for the mind. Highlights include Even Less, In Formaldehyde, and Oceans Have No Memory.

Metanoia
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitar, vocals, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, electronics, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, backing vocals.
A spectacular display of excellent experimentation. This album is a series of jams and outtakes from the recording of "Signify" including a couple of re-done songs. Turn off all the lights, put this album on, and enjoy the pure bliss of this ambient masterpiece. The tracks are long, interesting, and haunting. You'll feel like your drifting away into space. The redone version of Intermediate Jesus, entitled "Metanoia I / Intermediate Jesus", is a must listen, being one of the best PT songs ever recorded. Get this CD if your interested in the Space Jams/Experimental side of PT. Highlights include Metanoia I / Intermediate Jesus, Mesmer I, Mesmer II, Mesmer III / Coma Divine, and Metanoia II.

Stars Die : The Delirium Years 1991 - 1997
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, keyboard, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, Suzanna J. Barbiaeri / voices on "Up the Downstair"
This album compiles all of Porcupine Tree's early work into a greatest hits CD, along with some previously un-released tracks. A good compilation album. It also has some unrelased tracks on the second disc that are worth a listen. Signify II is on this album.
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