Descriptions taken from the PT Shop at http://www.burningshed.com
Porcupine Tree Discography
On the Sunday of Life... (1991)
The first album from 1992, recorded by Steven Wilson solo and originally released as a double LP. Lo-Fi by current PT standards, this is an album of future possibilities including everything from psychedelic pop to ambient interludes. The seeds of the future PT sound are also in evidence in tracks such as It Will Rain for a Million Years and the classic Radioactive Toy.
Voyage 34 EP (1992)
Up the Downstair (1993)
Second album from 1993, made by Steven Wilson solo with sampled drums, but with guest appearances from future PT members Colin Edwin and Richard Barbieri. This is the birth of the PT sound, a 48 minute flow of dreamy songs, spacey textures and guitar solos. Includes
Burning Sky and Fadeaway.
Voyage 34: Remixes (1993)
Staircase Infinities EP (1994) (Very Rare)
Moonloop E.P. (1994)
The Sky Moves Sideways (1995)
Third album from 1995, half solo/half band performances. This is the band's most spacious and epic album, dominated by the two part 35 minute title track which is arguably the most traditionally progressive work in the PT catalogue. Wistful English melancholy, liquid guitar solos, expansive chords and textures. Also includes the 18 minute Moonloop.
Signify (1996)
The first band album from 1996, this is one of the band's finest ever. Noticeably more rock than previous albums, it's a beautifully sequenced 60 minute flow of songs and instrumentals which includes future PT classics like Dark Matter and Sever, as well as the spooky ambience of Light Mass Prayers and the proto-progressive metal of the title track.
Coma Divine - Recorded Live in Rome (1997)
Stupid Dream (1999)
The first PT album where the emphasis shifted from more instrumentally orientated music to more vocal based tracks. A harmonious brew that moves from sublime melodic rock through to trippy space voyages. Released in 1999 it features well known PT tracks such as Even Less, Tinto Brass and Pure Narcotic.
Voyage 34 - The Complete Trip (2000)
A single instrumental composition from 1992/93 spread over 4 phases and lasting collectively for over an hour, this is PT's entry in the ambient trance genre popularised by artists like the Orb and became a big hit in the ambient club scene of the early 90's when it was originally issued as two 12 inch singles. Combines trance rhythms with more typical PT textures and guitar solos.
"4 Chords That Made A Million" Single (2000)
Lightbulb Sun (2000)
Recorded very soon after Stupid Dream this album from 2000 is in many ways a continuation of the feel of the previous record, but with a more melancholic atmosphere. Featuring lush string arrangements by Dave Gregory of XTC, killer guitar work, breathtaking harmonies and tripped out production, the overall effect sweeps from short beautiful gems through to soaring epics. Includes Shesmovedon, Hatesong and Russia On Ice.
"Shesmovedon" Single (2000)
Lightbulb Sun - Special Edition (2001)
Metanoia (2001)
65 minutes of improvisations recorded during the Signify sessions.
Recordings (2001)
A 65 minute collection of tracks released on singles during the 1999-2000 period plus 3 new recordings, including the 10 minute Buying New Soul. A compilation maybe, but the material here is as strong as anything on the albums and has been sequenced with the same care and continuity as the rest of the PT catalogue.
Stars Die: The Delerium Years 1991 - 1997 2CD Box (2002)
Long awaited double CD retrospective in a limited box set edition. This deluxe set includes previously unreleased tracks, assorted rare tracks and album cuts spanning the bands seven years with Delerium Records. Many of the tracks have been remixed. The package includes a 32 page heavily illustrated booklet featuring, for the first time anywhere, a full history of Porcupine Tree drawn from interviews with band members.
In Absentia (2002)
The first album for Lava/Atlantic from 2002, a 70 minute masterpiece that captures the band at their most powerful and dynamic. With the benefit of a bigger budget for recording the band have captured the power and edge of their live show with stunning instrumental work, orchestration and a quality to the production to rival any other audiophile's delight. Includes Blackest Eyes, Trains and Strip the Soul.
In Absentia (European version) 2CDS (2003)
Newest and Available:
Coma Divine (Live)-Remaster/Expanded 2CDS(2003)
The classic live recording from Rome in 1997. In impeccable sound quality this live document includes much of the best of the live repertoire from the early band era, including long versions of Radioactive Toy, Moonloop and The Sky Moves Sideways. The new 2003 edition has been expanded to a double CD and includes 4 additional tracks.
Signify-Remaster/Expanded 2CDS (2003)
This edition also includes Insignificance, a whole CD of high quality demos, many of which were not recorded for the final Signify album.
XM Live-XM Satelite Radio live performance in Washington DC (2003)
Released on the band's own Transmission label and housed in a beautiful digipack presentation, XM is the band's live session performance for XM Satellite Radio in Washington DC on the 12th November 2002. The CD contains 9 tracks, runs for just over 52 minutes and features the 5 piece touring line-up including John Wesley. XM is the band's first official live album (albeit not in front of an audience) since 1997's Coma Divine. Focussing mainly on material from the In Absentia album, this is an excellent performance in pristine sound quality. The CD was made specifically for the July 2003 US tour - a limited number of the remaining copies have been made available for the PT Shop.
Futile EP-only available to radio stations so far (2003)
Planned:
The Sky Moves Sideways Remaster/Expanded (late 2003)
Up the Downstair Remaster/Expanded to include the rare EP Staircase Infinities (late 2003)
Stupid Dream Remaster (2004)
Lightbulb Sun Remaster (2004)