Yet another Porcupine Tree question....

seachto7

I have heard of this band, since 1999, but never actually heard an album of theirs. I had only heard some songs on the radio, and just checked out some live stuff.

I think I will start by getting one of their live dvds, as I think this would be anb excellent way of dipping my toes into PT. I enjoy watching live gig dvds too, so which one should I go for?

More importantly, what album should I start with. Just listened to Trains, and the banjo coming in halfways through is just fecking glorious!!

GLaDOS

From what I've seen of them, Anaesthetise or Arriving Somewhere would be the best bet in terms of DVDs. I haven't watched them in full myself so you might get a better recommendation from someone else on that front.

Edit: Actually they're their only 2 DVDs I'd probably swing for Arriving Somewhere myself, based on the track list.

In terms of studio albums, Deadwing or In Absentia (the album Trains is from) would be my recommendations

Personally I reckon Deadwing is their best.

Listening to Trains on one of their live albums now funnily enough

Somnus

I think Anesthetize is by far the better of their two live DVDs. But it's probably not great for a new listener, depending on what other stuff you like of course!!

Best album for starters is In Absentia, followed by Deadwing.

Enjoy! This band is like the musical equivalent to heroin, good luck listening to anything else once you get into them.

jenizzle

I made the mistake of getting their discography and trying to listen to it all at once...

..it takes time to embrace such a band - one album at a time

Kess73

Deadwing or Fear Of A Blank Planet would be my choices as where to start with their albums.

You really cannot go wrong with any of their albums though imho.


As for getting one of their live dvds, I would have to say Anesthetize. I have it on blu ray (it comes in a bluray/dvd combo pack) and the sound quality is simply stunning in that format.

RayCon

Dr.Poca wrote: »

Enjoy! This band is like the musical equivalent to heroin, good luck listening to anything else once you get into them.

- true.

Albums go with :
Deadwing
Fear Of A Blank Planet
In Absentia
Lightbulb Sun
The Incident

DVD's :
Either one ... they're both excellent.

seachto7

Been checking out some live stuff all day, and while not familiar with most of their stuff, it's easy to see it's good straight off. I saw the Anesthetize dvd on their site for less than a tenner, no bluray left on the site....

I'll start with InAbsentia and Deadwing as albums, a live one, and then take it from there! :cool::cool:

Mushy

Was nice knowing ya seachto.

I started with FoaBP. Oh that innocent typing noise. That or InAbsentia are best starting points. Man I hope the new album is done this year.

Must dig out On the Sunday of Life this weekend. Been too long.

rednik

Anesthetize on blu ray is reference quality and is also an excellent concert, highly recommended.

seachto7

Mushy wrote: »

Was nice knowing ya seachto.

I started with FoaBP. Oh that innocent typing noise. That or InAbsentia are best starting points. Man I hope the new album is done this year.

Must dig out On the Sunday of Life this weekend. Been too long.

Just streaming FOABP off the Eircom site. I already listened to InAbsentia amd Deadwing earlier. I do like the live stuff, so will plump up for one of the dvds first. I don't have a bluray player though, so the regular dvd will have to do...

Mushy

I only have the regular dvds too, they're still class.

seachto7

So I just ordered the Anesthetize regular dvd for €9 off their website.

I'm up in Dublin next week, so will have a look to see if I can pick up any of their albums.

I may just have to getthe other live dvd too.

I dunno what it is about bands, but even if I don't know their stuff, I will sit and watch live stuff for ages.....

EDIT: Just ordered Arriving Somewhere dvd too, as the setlist is different to Anesthetize. You can't beat live dvds!!

Mushy

If you go to their website, you can see 'Way Out of Here' from the Anesthetize dvd. I remember only 'liking' that song...then heard that version and it kicked my ears in the balls.

Somnus

Mushy wrote: »

If you go to their website, you can see 'Way Out of Here' from the Anesthetize dvd. I remember only 'liking' that song...then heard that version and it kicked my ears in the balls.

Yeah, the album version of Sleep Together sounds so tame compared to the live version which is absolutely immense.

Nea

Dr.Poca wrote: »

Yeah, the album version of Sleep Together sounds so tame compared to the live version which is absolutely immense.

+1,000,000.Stunning version.
What Happens Now is equally as amazing.

Anyone buy Steven's Grace For Drowning?I cant get into it as much as I did with Insurgentes. It seems too jazz influenced for my liking. I have only got it so may give it more listening

Comparing PT to the musical equivalent of heroin is a great statement!

Somnus

Nea wrote: »

What Happens Now is equally as amazing.

Gah! What Happens Now on Anezthetize is f*cking incredible!! I love how into it Steve clearly is. That's what makes it the better live dvd in my opinion (discounting the better video/audio quality). Steve seems so much more in the zone, and those performances are incredible

Can't find the live version on youtube so I'll substitute it with another great song off that dvd :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeegedVToRQ

GLaDOS

Dr.Poca wrote: »

Yeah, the album version of Sleep Together sounds so tame compared to the live version which is absolutely immense.

Nea wrote: »

+1,000,000.Stunning version.
What Happens Now is equally as amazing.

Anyone buy Steven's Grace For Drowning?I cant get into it as much as I did with Insurgentes. It seems too jazz influenced for my liking. I have only got it so may give it more listening

Comparing PT to liquid heroin is a great statement!

Was never particularly into Sleep together, but seeing it live blew me away.

Not mad on Grace for Drowning. It's not bad, but like you, I find it hard to get into. Wasn't hugely enamoured with Insurgentes either, but I think it's the better of the two.

googsy

Hope they come back to Ireland soon..... gig in the tripod in 2010 was f*ckin' class!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMnNtq4bwl4

bnt

I really missed the boat on PT, only starting to get in to them now after picking up The Sky Moves Sideways. The presence of Richard Barbieri in the band was the first thing to get me interested, since he was in one of my other favourite bands - Japan - years ago. He continued to work with Steve Jansen and Mick Karn of Japan, and at one point even roped in Steven Wilson for live work - so it was almost like a Japan / PT crossover. Here's an example from 1997:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgvInF6FeG0

Mushy

So ye know, Stevens next release will be Storm Corrosion, with Mikael Akerfeldt.

Somnus

Mushy wrote: »

So ye know, Stevens next release will be Storm Corrosion, with Mikael Akerfeldt.

Yeah, it's gonna be interesting anyway. I was expecting weird ****, but they said recently that it sounds cinematic to an extent, which has me interested

Mushy

Dr.Poca wrote: »

Yeah, it's gonna be interesting anyway. I was expecting weird ****, but they said recently that it sounds cinematic to an extent, which has me interested

Yeah because of their kast respective outputs, it wont be as extremely different than expected. Cant wait for it.

rednik

Richard's next album is with Steve Hogarth which I pre ordered through the Marillion website. It will be released on Feb 12th. Luckily I got in the first 1000 to get it signed by both.;)

http://www.marillion.com/music/solo/hogarthbarbieri.htm

RayCon

rednik wrote: »

Richard's next album is with Steve Hogarth which I pre ordered through the Marillion website. It will be released on Feb 12th. Luckily I got in the first 1000 to get it signed by both.;)

http://www.marillion.com/music/solo/hogarthbarbieri.htm

hhmmmm interesting ... but Im on record as not liking Hogarth's vocal style.

seachto7

got the first of my dvds yesterday, want to see it all in one sitting though, to get into the flow of the set...

Jim_Kiy

Based on this song I really thought wow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTEWlSTQ1RI

But I find them/him inconsistent and patchy brilliance..

GLaDOS

Interesting opinion, personally I wouldn't rate time flies in their top 20 or so songs, it's a good song, don't get me wrong, but I think they have much better.

Mushy

Jim_Kiy wrote: »

Based on this song I really thought wow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTEWlSTQ1RI

But I find them/him inconsistent and patchy brilliance..

Obviously thats opinion, to me they have probably the most consistantly brilliant albums. Also, thats only half of time Flies:pac:

LetsZep

Excellent excellent band, hopefully they come back again soon

groovie

Does their drummer get much respect? I find his playing amazing.Like a relaxed Peart sometimes.

Mushy

groovie wrote: »

Does their drummer get much respect? I find his playing amazing.Like a relaxed Peart sometimes.

Yes he does, although not as universal as it should be. Some grooves he has, love his stuff with O5RIC.

RayCon

groovie wrote: »

Does their drummer get much respect? I find his playing amazing.Like a relaxed Peart sometimes.

He sure is ... fantastic drummer - extremely well respected and sought after. He did a drum clinic last year in X-Music and I was lucky enough to be there. It was like a private lesson with a world class musician - sharing tips, giving demonstrations. Unreal drummer up close.

seachto7

look at the drummer's discography on wiki!!:eek::eek:

Mushy

seachto7 wrote: »

look at the drummer's discography on wiki!!:eek::eek:

Impressive to say the least. Love how he has worked with Iggy Pop, direct and in your face stuff, to PT and O5RIC, very much the opposite. Shows his progression as an artist IMO.