Where to start with the Porcupine Tree?
Posted by: GaryP on 03 April 2010
Can anybody offer me any recommendations on where to start with the Porcupine Tree?
Voyage 34 used to appear a lot on here, and there were some references to similarities with DSOTM which I thought sounded promising.
But now a lot of other albums are popping up?
Thx
Gary
Posted on: 03 April 2010 by hungryhalibut
quote:
where to start with the Porcupine Tree
Run, run like the wind.
Nigel
Posted on: 03 April 2010 by Lontano
Look here - a good thread.
http://forums.naim-audio.com/e...642911517#4642911517Voyage 34 would be towards the bottom of my PT shopping list - pretty average IMHO. It has appeared a lot recently as it has just been rereleased on vinyl.
If you want the Floyd side of PT then The Sky Moves Sideways is a good starting point.
Posted on: 03 April 2010 by Lontano
quote:
Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
quote:
where to start with the Porcupine Tree
Run, run like the wind.
Nigel
Not heard that album...
Posted on: 03 April 2010 by Lontano
Posted on: 03 April 2010 by gone
Currently listening to The Incident - plenty of Floyd references there too.....
Posted on: 03 April 2010 by DenisA
Gary,
A good place to start is the Porcupine Tree
Official Website. Just scroll down on the media player and you can hear entire (early) albums and see various video's.
If you look at the first of
Lontano's previous discussion threads, there are excellent descriptions of PT's musical styles from
seagull.
You can also download this remarkable Steven Wilson
discography created by a fan.
Enjoy your journey and ask again if you need any more advice.
Denis
Posted on: 03 April 2010 by DIB
I was going to say Spotify, but I've just had a look and it seems restricted to all the latest heavier "rock" albums. This is fine but only part of the story.
My own fascination with PT began with "Stupid Dream" from 1999, and I suppose that would be a good album to begin. Elements of their earlier soundscapes and hints to the new, heavier direction that was to follow.
For the early stuff a good place to start would be "Stars Die - The Delirium Years 91-97", a compilation double album which if it doesnt float your boat then probably PT's not for you.
Failing that just buy everything, its worth it!
PS: If you get the chance go and see them live, you wont regreat it.
.
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by apye!
I am interested in getting some PT as well now since reading the PF references!
Vinyl choice seems quite limited to a handful of albums, with some being pricey, so any pointers on these?
Up The Downstair
Voyage 34
The Incident
On The Sunday Of Life
We Lost The Skyline
and pricey ones..
Lightbulb Sun
Fear Of Blank Planet
Many thanks....
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by Lontano
For me I would go
Incident
Skyline
Lightbulb
Fear
not in any particular order
Skyline is not real PT - it is an instore appearance which is mainly Steve Wilson solo and some tracks with another member of the band. Very good though.
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by MilesSmiles
quote:
Originally posted by Lontano:
For me I would go
Incident
Skyline
Lightbulb
Fear
not in any particular order
Skyline is not real PT - it is an instore appearance which is mainly Steve Wilson solo and some tracks with another member of the band. Very good though.
Agree on your first two, would have to think hard about number three.
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by manticore
I have
Deadwing,
Fear of A Blank Planet,
In Abstania,
The Incident, (Ilosaarirock Live Album)Hard to come by but with a little bit of searching
.
Porcupine Tree are a tremendous band you can hear influnces Floyd King Crimson ect but they do have their own style, all the above albums I play over and over the Incident Their latest offering is a stunning album.
I would go for Deadwing, Fear of a BlankPlanet then the Incident.
On a final note If you own a DVDA player then All the albums apart from the Live offering can be bought in this format they also have a live DVD called Arriving Somewhere
.
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by DenisA
Here's an interesting
interview with
John Wesley by Ivan Chopik in 2009. John describes his history, meeting Steven Wilson, Blackest Eyes riffs and his decision to provide free downloads to fans.
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by Vaughn3D
When I first learn about an artist I typically start with the most recent release... You can't go wrong with The Incident.
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by Blueknowz
You can listen to the Live one at LastFM
Posted on: 04 April 2010 by DIB
I think I'm in the minority here, but in my opinion The Incident is probably PT's weakest effort, excellent in parts but with too much filler. Everyone to their own though
.
Posted on: 05 April 2010 by Blueknowz
You are not alone there DIB.
Posted on: 05 April 2010 by JamieL_v2
I am with the two of you on 'The Incident', although probably in a minority on its predecessor 'Fear of a Blank Planet' which is definitely my least liked Porcupine Tree album.
'Signify' and 'In Absentia' are my favourites, the first being the transition to more song based writing from their psychedelic and more instrumental period, and the latter being the change from that into a harder sound.
I do play 'Voyage 34' a lot, but it is a bit of an oddity in the bands development.
Posted on: 05 April 2010 by DIB
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL_v2:
I am with the two of you on 'The Incident', although probably in a minority on its predecessor 'Fear of a Blank Planet' which is definitely my least liked Porcupine Tree album.
'Signify' and 'In Absentia' are my favourites, the first being the transition to more song based writing from their psychedelic and more instrumental period, and the latter being the change from that into a harder sound.
I do play 'Voyage 34' a lot, but it is a bit of an oddity in the bands development.
Signify/Stupid Dream/Lightbulb Sam/Recordings/In Absentia are the ones for me, yet there's plenty on the other albums that I really like. Those five albums though are as good as it gets as far as I'm concerned.
.
Posted on: 05 April 2010 by Lontano
I played The Incident in the car nice and loud recently after a long break from it. It came across like an old friend and I really enjoyed it a lot more than I had done when it first came out. Absence made the heart grow fonder in this case.
Posted on: 06 April 2010 by apye!
quote:
Originally posted by apye!:
I am interested in getting some PT as well now since reading the PF references!
Vinyl choice seems quite limited to a handful of albums, with some being pricey, so any pointers on these?
Up The Downstair
Voyage 34
The Incident
On The Sunday Of Life
We Lost The Skyline
and pricey ones..
Lightbulb Sun
Fear Of Blank Planet
Many thanks....
Got this as they had it in stock at my local record shop (Rockbox)...
on 2x red 180g vinyl.
And have this coming through the post...
on 2x black 180g vinyl.
Posted on: 07 April 2010 by DenisA
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize (Premier)
Director: Lasse Hoile (130mins)
Tickets £10
Anesthetize, a new live film from Porcupine Tree is to be premiered at a special screening in the
Prince Charles Cinema at London’s Leicester Square on
Thursday May 20th @ 7pm. The screening will be introduced by the band and filmmaker. Members of the band will also be available to sign copies of the film.
Ltd tickets if you want to book.
kscope detailsDenis
Posted on: 07 April 2010 by JamieL_v2
I think the title of this thread begs another question, 'Where to finish with Porcupine Tree?'
I have pretty much everything they have released in one form or another, a few rare singles as copies, not the £100s that the go for on Ebay, and I have got the nicely packaged editions of the last couple of releases. It is now more than a dozen years since I got into heir music, and started seeing them live.
Unfortunately their music is moving away from what I liked about them, I really can not listen to 'Fear of a Blank Planet', and I find 'The Incident' very patchy ('Time Flies' is wonderful though).
I have just looked at the nicely bound new DVD/Blu-Ray/CD of 'Anesthetize' and I don't feel bothered at all, but will I regret not getting it for completions sake.
I honestly think that this is where I get off the Porcupine Tree bandwagon. I will go see them live (if convenient), but no more expensive, elaborately packaged limited editions for me.
Posted on: 07 April 2010 by BigH47
I sympathise Jamie, I've come to then end too, but fortunately I still have some earlier stuff to collect. I may get any "normal" issues, as I'm not impressed with the plethora of special edition box sets etc. This applies to many other artists too, whose advisers seem to think how can we squeeze some more dosh out of your fans?
I am looking forward to the Anesthetize film show though.
I may even buy a copy, assuming it's not in a Platinum presentation box or some thing equally silly.
Posted on: 11 April 2010 by apye!
quote:
Originally posted by Lontano:
For me I would go
Incident
Skyline
Lightbulb
Fear
not in any particular order
Skyline is not real PT - it is an instore appearance which is mainly Steve Wilson solo and some tracks with another member of the band. Very good though.
I have managed to get 2 PT albums on vinyl so far and am really enjoying them both.
Lightbulb Sun & Up The Downstair.
I now want to get more...!
I see We Lost The Skyline is a live 2 man set and has a run time of only 33.32 minutes. Is this really worth the £25 price tag?
BTW I am also thinking I would get 'The Incident' and maybe even some other Steven Wilson stuff - Insurgentes or something by No-Man.
Views and thoughts please.
Sorry for all the questions!!!
Posted on: 11 April 2010 by DIB
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL_v2:
I think the title of this thread begs another question, 'Where to finish with Porcupine Tree?'
I have pretty much everything they have released in one form or another, a few rare singles as copies, not the £100s that the go for on Ebay, and I have got the nicely packaged editions of the last couple of releases. It is now more than a dozen years since I got into heir music, and started seeing them live.
Unfortunately their music is moving away from what I liked about them, I really can not listen to 'Fear of a Blank Planet', and I find 'The Incident' very patchy ('Time Flies' is wonderful though).
I have just looked at the nicely bound new DVD/Blu-Ray/CD of 'Anesthetize' and I don't feel bothered at all, but will I regret not getting it for completions sake.
I honestly think that this is where I get off the Porcupine Tree bandwagon. I will go see them live (if convenient), but no more expensive, elaborately packaged limited editions for me.
Exactly my sentiments. I first got into PT on the back of a track "Piano Lessons" off the Stupid Dream album which was featured on a Mojo magazine free CD. Started with that album, loved it, and worked my way backwards. The subsequent albums such as In Absentia and Deadwing were really good though in a heavier style. The last two studio albums FOABP and The Incident I have found the least satisfying, and I rarely play them.
When I went to see them live last year PT played The Incident in its entirity and it sounded so much better than the album, though I got the feeling that the audience were much happier in the 2nd half of the show when they played songs from their back catalogue.
Don't get me started on the re-releases, re-masters, special editions debate. I've never bought into that with PT or any other artist.
.
