Porcupine Tree

As promised I would listen to Porcupine Tree and give my thoughts on them. I want to remind you that a friend borrowed me a compilation of tunes made on two discs just to give me a flavour of what they are like. That means that 1 specific album is not represented hence the reason I will post it here for his viewing rather than in the reviews. As anyone who knows me from my posts- I am not the kind of guy who writes long posts-anything over 1 line is practically a novel for me ..so if I am going to write this..I want more than just one pair of eyes to veiw it.

First let me say I have read many opinions on these guys I have always got the idea that Porcupine Tree were Pink Floyd clones. While I admit there is a Pink Floyd feel to their music I don't agree with these guys being clones.

I thought their music was fresh, lush and ethereal throughout my entire listen. I was very impressed. Even the singing is good and anyone who read my Spocks Beard review would know that would be a nervous concern of mine. While I thought they were rather unique..if I had to compare them with someone I would say they have the best features of Radio Head and Alan Parsons while having that whole Pink Floyd chill feel at once....

I like Porcupine Tree and am definately going to invest in some of their cds in the near future...so any suggestions?

So in the words of Chicago movie critics Roeper and Ebert I give Porcupine Tree 2 thumbs up

There has been a mixed bag of comments about PT. Some negative, NOT PROG, accusations. I don't really care either way. I like what I've heard. IF you checked the list of song on the CD's you borrowed, you may see that nearly the entire "The Sky Moves Sideways" CD is there. An anonymous source also pointed out that many of the recordings were excerpts from In Absentia and Signify. However, if I were to suggest any single disc, it would be "Lightbulb Sun."

I believe Petra's avatar is the cover of that very disc.

 gdub411 you are so right there! When I discovered Porcupine Tree I was totally unaware that they were classed as prog, infact my infatuation with them bought me to this very forum and resurrected my love of progressive music

They are a band that has developed and evolved over the years,although i adore their early psychedelic albums my favourite is Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream. Too many tracks that stand out to mention, i'd just recommend buying all their albums and you wouldnt be disappointed. 

and Danbo thanks for noticing

penguindf12 wrote: I've listened to "Signify" and "Lightbulb Sun". The former is very ambient, the latter commercial(ish). Now, after much thought, I present to you Porcupine Tree's specific genre that they occupy: Alternative Space Metal Progressive Rock Now take a deep breath, and quietly type your post which completely tosses out my opinion.

Actually I agree with you Penguin. I was too afraid to say it myself figuring their would be mockery and lambasting occuring so I am glad you were brave enough to take that plunge

I also suggest looking into Bass Communion (another SW project which fully explores the ambient aspect, and features Robert Fripp on occasion), I.E.M. (I haven't actually heard it, but it's yet another SW project), Paatos' new album Kallocain (produced by SW and with a very simmilar feel to PT, although it has female vocals) and Pineapple Thief's Variations on a Dream (The two bands sound very alike, imo)

As far as PT albums go, if you like the psychedelic aspect, get Signify.  If you like the ambient aspect, get The Sky Moves Sideways.  If you like the melodic rock aspect, get Lightbulb Sun, and if you like the harder edged aspect, get In Absentia.  You can't really go wrong with any of their albums though (well... besides maybe On the Sunday of Life).