Porcupine Tree

Continuing in the growing commercial vein of their previous releases, Porcupine Tree's In Absentia may be the most accessible release to ever spew forth from the group. Rolling electronic percussion blends with simple and solid live drumming to provide an understated backbeat as perennial Tree leader Steven Wilson pastes his complicated pop over the proceedings. Wilson's ability to bury his layered vocals in mountains of spacy electric guitar without drowning out his fragile lyrics is still a valued feature of the music, and the rare moments of clarity that his vocals display are breathtaking in their power. A reliance on a somewhat gothic heavy metal sound makes for some bizarre moments, especially when held up against his gentler material…

Ilosaarirock (also known as Transmission 10.1) is a live album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released in March, 2009. It was sent out only to members of the Residents of a Blank Planet ticketing club and is not commercially available…

"XM" was recorded live at XM Satellite Radio Performance Studio One, Washington DC, USA, 12th November 2002. On "XM" Porcupine Tree features a 5 piece touring line up including special guest John Wesley on guitar and backing vocals…

Porcupine Tree's debut is really one big in-joke, which actually makes for a better reason to record something that pretends to be profoundly deep through and through…

Some older fans looked askance at Lightbulb Sun, feeling it was verging on overt commercialism (and admittedly, the near power ballad solo on "Where We Would Be" is a bit odd!). Then again, given Wilson's own explorations of avant-garde pop with No-Man, who's to say why a slightly more radio-friendly stance can't work? "Shesmovedon" may have been a single, but there's no question who wrote and performed it – the elegant cascade of backing vocals on the chorus shows that much…

Over the last decade, Porcupine Tree founder Steven Wilson has been cagey when questioned about a reunion. He's enjoyed a high-profile solo career as a recording artist, producer, and remixing engineer. His bandmates are also busy: Drummer Gavin Harrison has spent years touring with King Crimson as their music director, and since 2016 he's been a full-time member of the Pineapple Thief. Keyboardist Richard Barbieri cut two albums with Marillion's Steve Hogarth, issued a pair of solo albums for Kscope, and done abundant session work. The reunion leaves out bassist Colin Edwin (who remains a vital, intrepid session bassist playing everything from avant-jazz and rock to art folk). Wilson, whose playing style is extremely different, claimed the bass chair in the studio. The formal set offers seven new tracks, and various editions include bonus cuts. The recording sessions for Closure/Continuation were kept secret for a year….

Remastered in 2016 by Steven Wilson. Though Porcupine Tree's permanent lineup was in place by the time Sky Moves Sideways was complete, it was actually a combination of old and new, with a number of tracks once again done by Wilson on his own. Regardless of the provenance of one song or another, though, it was another fine release under the Porcupine Tree name, continuing the excellence of Up the Downstair while achieving a new liquid sense of drama and overall flow. Barbieri's keyboard skills alone made for a wonderful addition to the ranks, easily capturing the slow sense of unfolding atmosphere and elegance combined from earlier Porcupine Tree work while adding his own touches here and there, a touch of playfulness and improvisation…

Signify was the first Porcupine Tree album recorded as a full band unit, rather than primarily by frontman Steven Wilson with occasional assistance from other musicians, primarily the ones who would become full-time band members as of this album; Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Chris Maitland.
Signify marked a change in musical direction for Porcupine Tree. Instead of long ambient and psychedelic musical adventures, the band streamlined their sound into shorter, more digestible bites. Yes, the psychedelic feel is still there and the Floydian vibe is still present (though much weaker). It's just that now Porcupine Tree has been molded into a more palatable listening experience for the radio. A nicely done, excellent work with elements of psychedelic and ambient rock.