STUPID DREAM

Released in 1999, Stupid Dream marked a massive shift in the band's sound. The songs are focused and direct, and Wilson's lyrics are more personal than on past releases. This is the album where Porcupine Tree came into their own.

The opening "Even Less" acts something of a bridge between the old and new Porcupine Tree sounds. At seven minutes long, it's the second-longest song on the album, and it features many instrumental traits found on The Sky Moves Sideways and Signify. But the structure on this song is more coherent, and the chorus, while simple, is strong.

Stupid Dream is also the first album to display any significant pop sensibilities. "Piano Lessons" and "Stranger by the Minute" both border on being straightforward, with engaging melodies and memorable hooks. The instrumentation and structure remains intelligent and inventive, though.

Other highlights include the sinister "Slave Called Shiver", the slow-building "Don't Hate Me", and the strange instrumental "Tinto Brass". That last song, in particular, is an interesting fusion of the old and new Porcupine Tree styles with its jazzy flute licks and big guitar riffs. It incorporates both smart song structures and the construction of dramatic soundscapes.

Review originally posted here: theeliteextremophile.com/2019/11/24/deep-dive-porcupine-tree-steven-wilson/