Steven Wilson - Porcupine Tree/No-Man

[Brad Barton]

Any fans around here? I'm just discovering Porcupine Tree (Fear of a Blank Planet, In Absentia), and his work producing Opeth, which is all amazing.

His stuff with Porcupine Tree really concentrates on full albums. It's a little refreshing amongst today's "iTunes Playlist", singles driven music market. Their upcoming album, "The Incident", consists of a single 55-minute long track. If that's not rebellious in today's market, I don't know what is.

Rebellion aside though, the music is fantastic. Almost impossible to nail down stylistically, but that's probably Porcupine Tree's main strength.

Anyway, what are your favorite Porcupine Tree albums and/or Steven Wilson projects?

[Punchy]

I'm hip to Porcupine Tree and have heard some of the stuff but don't have any records. But I should. What I've heard is pretty amazing.

[cactusmaac]

I got into them with Deadwing and have been a big fan since. Got Deadwing, In Absentia, Fear Of A Blank Planet and Stars Die.Saw them live in Oct 2007. Steven Wilson was probably the most timid front-man I've seen but the very diverse crowd were just loving him to pieces. I got into No-Man too with Schoolyard Ghosts but what I've heard of Blackfield hasn't really impressed me.

I might get Wilson's solo album. Wil definitely get The Incident and see them live when they're touring the UK in October.

[Brad Barton]

I got into them with Deadwing and have been a big fan since. Got Deadwing, In Absentia, Fear Of A Blank Planet and Stars Die.Saw them live in Oct 2007. Steven Wilson was probably the most timid front-man I've seen but the very diverse crowd were just loving him to pieces. I got into No-Man too with Schoolyard Ghosts but what I've heard of Blackfield hasn't really impressed me.

I might get Wilson's solo album. Wil definitely get The Incident and see them live when they're touring the UK in October.I haven't gotten around to Deadwing yet, but I've heard both that it was great and that it was their worst, so I'm eager to judge for myself.

Fear of a Blank Planet, though, is nothing short of brilliant. I've been listening to it pretty much non -stop for about the last week, and I'm still hearing things I hadn't detected before. Little harmonies and atmospheric keyboards, heavily layered melodic vocal lines, all sorts of ear candy. The production is about the best I've heard.

Haven't seen them live yet, but I know Steven Wilson tends to be very laid back on stage. I liken their live shows to a Pink Floyd gig. Lots of cool visuals and tight, almost flawless performances.

[Infinity Man]

Words cannot describe how awesome Porcupine Tree is. In Absentia is a masterpiece. You should check out Lightbulb Sun. It was recently rereleased, and is a great album. Also don't pass up an opportunity to see them live. They will give you one of the best live performances you've ever seen.

[Laurence]

I kind of went off them after Fear of a Blank Planet. Not because of distaste or anything, I just fell out of love due to a general feeling of apathy (ironic considering the subject matter of the album). But I have just ordered the new one, looking forward to it.

[mailedbypostman1]

Porcupine tree is great, what really got me into prog. No-man is pretty good too, but I like less of them than PT.