THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS

For me this is the first turning point in the career of Porcupine Tree. Before this album it was mainly a mix of psychedelica and rock, whereas 1995s The Sky moves sideways is a step forward towards the progressive rock scene.

Musically seen I've often heard people say that this is what PINK FLOYD could have sound like when they played in modern times and I certainly cannot disagree with them. A lot of guitar playing on this album is reminiscent of David Gilmour at his best. The only big difference between Porcupine Tree and Pink Floyd on this album is that the latter did not create as heavy a song such as Dislocated Day or the ending part of Moonloop. Or what about the inclusion of electronic music? Part three of the first segment of the title track, Wire the Drum is filled with electronics and flute playing.

The overall mood on this album is chilled-out and very atmospheric, but it can as said earlier on, from time to time be fairly heavy. Considering the fact that nowadays Steven Wilson is incorporating metal aspects into Porcupine Tree's music. it is a natural process so it seems.

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Porcupine Tree - The Sky moves Sideways (2004 Re-issue)

In 1995 British space rock band Porcupine Tree released their most Floydian work up to date: "The Sky moves sideways". This album was re-issued in 2004, nine years after its initial release.

As a bonus this re-issue features all the songs that were included on the various original releases of the album in 1995, but what's most rewarding to this re-issue is the addition of the 'alternative version' of the title track The Sky moves sideways.

This thirty-four minutes and thirty-seven seconds lasting version combines the original phase one and two of the song, but with various extra melodies and changes in the composition, which eventually were cut from the album. On this version of The Sky moves sideways, Steven Wilson sings different vocals than on the final version of The Sky moves sideways Phase 1 on the first disc. I prefer this version to the split version on the first disc, although the ambient dance segment at around eight minutes into the first part of the title track, is more upbeat and 'in the mix' in the final version of the song, than in the Alternative work-in-progress mix.

What's also new is the addition of live drumming on the Dislocated Day and The Moon touches your Shoulder songs. On the 1995 release Steven Wilson programmed all the drumming on these songs, but now fulltime band member Gavin Harrison plays the drums on these songs.

The last new feature is the addition of a few extra minutes for the improvisation that is Moonloop. I have heard the full forty minutes version of this song, but think this mix is highly recommended over the full version, simply because it seems that several parts are present here that aren't in the 40 minute unedited version (see the Transmission IV album for more details on this version).

Overall I can say that this is a worthy re-issue. Unlike the addition of a non-album track as a bonus track this band decided to simply add a second disc which fits the mood and music on the first disc. Highly recommended!

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