UP THE DOWNSTAIR

A huge improvement over PT's eclectic debut featuring much stronger songwriting, playing and production values which will appeal to a wide variety of fans with its masterful blend of trip/psych/pop/hard rock. Memorable melodies and guitar moments abound, with outstanding effects and spacey ambience to fill the gaps, all of which combines to take the listener on a real musical journey.

The comparisons to Pink Floyd is tired and, in my opinion, patently untrue-- Floyd oozes bluesy classic rock style and sounds nothing like Steven Wilson's experimental guitar work. The listener will almost certainly feel much more excited and charged by Wilson's playing throughout than on the laid-back elegance of Gilmour's guitar solos. However, I think it is a given that fans of Floyd will find a lot to like in early Porcupine Tree, but they shouldn't expect "Up the Downstair" to play anything like "Wish You Were Here"-- it is much more dynamic and filled with more varied sounds.

"Up the Downstair" is filled with memorable moments, and will not disappoint; a gem in the group's catalogue.