A band that still means so much to many Prog fans. Despite Steven Wilson’s mega success as a solo artist, fans still want Porcupine Tree back. Their ten studio albums are all still relevant. They can be divided into 3 eras really, the experimental solo era, the becoming a band era, and the major label heavier era. We take a look at them and try and make some sense of them all.
10. On the Sunday of Life (1992) – Essentially a Steven Wilson solo album. Features some memorable moments including the still performed “Radioactive Toy”.
9. Up the Downstair (1993) – More experimental music by Steven Wilson with some performances from his to be band members.
8. The Sky Moves Sideways (1995) – The first PT album to feature Colin Edwin on bass, Richard Barbieri on keyboards, and Chris Maitland on drums, although it is still primarily Steven. There are various pressings of this album and features “Stars Die” and “Dislocated Day”.
7. Signify (1996) – This is the first album to be recorded as a full band and marked a shift stylistically with some heavy moments, closer to what the band would eventually become. “Dark Matter” remains a live track on Steven’s solo tours.
Where’s Recordings? I know it was made up of B sides and previously unreleased
material but IMO it’s a brilliant album, Buying New Soul and the full
version of Even Less are awesome.
I will always love Signify because that was the first album where I became aware of PT. It is amazing because depending on what mood I am in there is always an album selection, from the brilliant The Sky Moves Sideways for mellow and In Absentia for some hard rock. To pick a favorite is impossible. I like them all for their own reasons. I do have to say that his solo Hand.Connot.Erase concert was the best concert I have ever seen, and that includes Pink Floyd with Roger Waters. I have 5th row tickets to see him again in November. Lucky me…