Any heard of Porcupine Tree?


They're like a cross between Floyd, King Crimson and old Genesis. Been fairly big in Europe. Just starting to catch on in the states. On tour here right now. Mind blowing shows. They have release a dozen os so records, mostly under indie lables, but a lot is being re-mastered and I saw 4 or 5 at Boarders. Give Stupid Dream or The Sky Moves Sideways a try. It's progressive in'05.
alephman
Ashra- PTree has been to the TROC in Philly twice, this year and 2004, where they opened for Opeth. Both times the sound has been horrible, not sure if it's the band's or the venue's PA system at fault. 2001 at the TLA, 2002 at the TLA and 2003 at the Tower had stupendous sound quality, try to catch them somewhere other than the Troc, they'll be doing a fall tour this year.
Stupid Dream is their most acessable (and my personal favorite) release, but it's currently OOP, should be re-released in the near future.
Alephman: With all of the raves that this band gets, i was tempted to buy another one of their discs just to give them a second chance. Then again, i bought Lightbulb Sun as many others suggested over at AA, so i didn't want to end up with two discs by the same band that simply collect dust. You know the old saying, "fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me"....

What are the major differences between Stupid Dream and / or Signify and the disc that i have ( Lightbulb Sun ) ? Sean
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PS... As a general rule, i typically prefer bands when they are on smaller labels. While it is true that they typically end up with glossier production due to big label money in the studio, it seems like many lose their creativity and / or the subtle things that make the band unique get lost in that big label production. I'd rather deal with slightly lower sound quality of good music than a highly polished recording of a "turd-like" performance.
Sean: Listen to the songs 'russia on ice' and 'shemovedon' from Lightbulb sun. Stupid Dream is similar to those two songs for the entire album. I only like about three of the songs on Lightbulb Sun actually, it's not my fav PTree.
I'm with Sean on this. Gave it numerous tries and couldn't get through the whole disc ( In Absenthia) each and every time. Bland, repetitious, pretentious, nothing innovative. Fairly good technically though, but techical savvy is not nearly enough for me to enjoy the music. I just can't get a point in it all. "Vague and bland" really describes it. Total lack of emotion in the absence of musical ideas. IMHO.
As a side note, just bought White Stripes " Get behind me Satan"- exact the same story. And I do have and like their previos one.