Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Tree – Lightbulb Sun
Artist: Porcupine Tree | Album: Lightbulb Sun | Style: Progressive Rock | Year: 2008 | Quality: DVD-Audio (MLP 5.1 48kHz/24Bit, MLP 2.0 48kHz/24Bit, DTS 5.1, PCM 2.0 48kHz/24Bit) | Bitrate: lossless | Tracks: 10 | Size: ~6.57 Gb | Recovery: 5% | Release: ©2008 Kscope | Transmission Recordings | Note: Not Watermarked

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. Certainly Wilson hasn’t turned into Max Martin or anything — it’s still very much Porcupine Tree, in its lyrical turns of phrase and general sense of exploration. One of the best tracks on the album is the brilliantly titled “Four Chords That Made a Million,” a barbed cut on some unnamed “emperor in new clothes” beset by a “moron with a cheque book.” The lead riff is a majestic hit of flange and feedback, while the hints of sitar and Indian percussion give the song even more attractive heft. But there’s a definite bent towards calmer art pop throughout Lightbulb Sun — those who preferred the sheer surge of Stupid Dream will find this album tamer in comparison. Still, it’s hard to resist the beautiful, understated tension about a fractured friendship or relationship on “Feel So Low” or the gentle, string-touched roll and build of “The Rest Will Flow,” flat out two of Wilson’s best tunes anywhere. Those who prefer the lengthy explorations won’t be disappointed, though — “Hatesong” unfolds its sharp message over eight minutes and the string-swept, slow time explosion of “Russia on Ice” over 13. Slyest title of the bunch — “Last Chance to Leave the Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled,” which samples the videotape made by the leader of the Heaven’s Gate cult before its mass suicide in 1997. (more…)

Porcupine Tree – In Absentia
Artist: Porcupine Tree | Album: In Absentia | Style: Progressive Rock | Year: 2003 | Quality: DVD-Audio (MLP 5.1 48kHz/24Bit, MLP 2.0 48kHz/24Bit, DTS 5.1, PCM 2.0 48kHz/24Bit) | Bitrate: lossless | Tracks: 12 + 3 bonus + 3 videoclips | Size: ~6.7 Gb | Recovery: 5% | Release: ©2003 DTS Entertainment | LAVA Records | Note: Not Watermarked

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. The best example of this is the chugging “Wedding Nails,” which recalls Dream Theater in its grandiose scope without utilizing the same sort of technical wizardry. But Wilson manages to bridge the gap between the various genres he utilizes, creating an environment where his haunting melodies could take a drastic turn at any minute. Porcupine Tree also continue their Radiohead fascination, although the influence is much less direct than on their last few efforts. Instead, it comes through at odd intervals, like the moments of sparse instrumentation on the otherwise lush “Heartattack in a Lay By.” Sonically gorgeous and deceivingly complex, In Absentia has the most immediate appeal of anything Wilson has released under this moniker up to this point. By keeping the songs at manageable lengths and avoiding the avant-garde electronica flourishes of the band’s early days, Porcupine Tree has grown into a fully realized pop group without cutting any of the elements that also make them an important force in the neo-prog movement. (more…)

Porcupine Tree – The Incident
Artist: Porcupine Tree | Album: The Incident | Style: Progressive Rock, Psychodelic Rock | Year: 2010 [2009 original] | Quality: DVD-Audio (MLP 5.1 48kHz/24Bit, MLP 2.0 96kHz/24Bit, DTS 5.1 48kHz/24Bit, LPCM 2.0 48kHz/24Bit) | Bitrate: lossless | Tracks: 18 + 3 videoclips (DVD-Audio only) | Size: ~7.84 Gb + 3.99 Gb | Recovery: 3% | Covers: in archive | Release: © Porcupine Tree Ltd. | Transmission Recordings | Transmission 11.1, 2010 + Audio-DVD Roadrunner (RR7857-8), 2009 | Note: Not Watermarked

Tracklist:
01. Occam’s Razor (01:55)
02. The Blind House (05:47)
03. Great Expectations (01:26)
04. Kneel And Disconnect (02:03)
05. Drawing The Line (04:43)
06. The Incident (05:20)
07. Your Unpleasant Family (01:48)
08. The Yellow Windows Of The Evening Train (02:00)
09. Time Flies (11:40)
10. Degree Zero Of Liberty (01:45)
11. Octane Twisted (05:03)
12. The Seance (02:39)
13. Circle Of Manias (02:18)
14. I Drive The Hearse (06:41)
15. Flicker (03:42)
16. Bonnie The Cat (05:45)
17. Black Dahlia (03:40)
18. Remember Me Lover (07:28)
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+Videoclips:
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01. Time Flies (05:24)
Directed By – Lasse Hoile
02. Octane Twisted (05:09)
Directed By – Przemyslaw Vshebor
03. TV Spot (00:32)
Directed By – Lasse Hoile
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+ Photo Gallery (by instrumental versions of “Flicker” and “Black Dahlia”)

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Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet
Artist: Porcupine Tree | Album: Fear of a Blank Planet | Style: Progressive Rock | Year: 2007 | Quality: DVD-Audio (MLP 5.1 48kHz/24Bit, MLP 2.0 48kHz/24Bit, DTS 5.1, PCM 2.0 48kHz/24Bit) | Bitrate: lossless | Tracks: 6 + 4 bonus | Size: ~7.04 Gb | Recovery: 5% | Release: ©2007 Roadrunner Records (RR8011-9, EU) | Note: Not Watermarked

Tracklist:
01. Fear of a Blank Planet (07:28)
02. My Ashes (05:07)
03. Anesthetize (17:42)
04. Sentimental (05:26)
05. Way Out of Here (07:37)
06. Sleep Together (07:28)
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Bonus Nil Recurring EP (only on DVD-Audio)
01. Nil Recurring (06:08)
02. Normal (07:07)
03. Cheating the Polygraph (07:06)
04. What Happens Now? (08:23)

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Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dream (2006)
Artist: Porcupine Tree | Album: Stupid Dream | Style: Progressive Rock | Year: 2006 [1999 original] | Quality: DVD-Audio (MLP 5.1 48kHz/24Bit, LPCM 2.0 48kHz/24Bit, DTS 5.1) | Bitrate: lossless | Tracks: 12 + 2 bonus | Size: 3.62 Gb | Covers: in archive | Release: Snapper | Transmission Records (SMACD913), 2006 | Note: Not Watermarked

Tracklist:
01. Even Less (07:11)
02. Piano Lessons (04:22)
03. Stupid Dream (00:28)
04. Pure Narcotic (05:02)
05. Slave Called Shiver (04:41)
06. Don’t Hate Me (08:30)
07. This Is No Rehearsal (03:27)
08. Baby Dream In Cellophane (03:13)
09. Stranger By The Minute (04:30)
10. A Smart Kid (05:21)
11. Tinto Brass (06:18)
12. Stop Swimming (06:53)

Bonus tracks:
01. Ambulance Chasing 5.1 Mix (06:41)
02. Even Less (Full Length Version 5.1 Mix) (14:07)

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