XM

"XM" was recorded live at XM Satellite Radio Performance Studio One, Washington DC, USA, 12th November 2002. On "XM" Porcupine Tree features a 5 piece touring line up including special guest John Wesley on guitar and backing vocals.

"XM" is played in a live setting, but recorded without the "disturbing" audience. The track list of "XM" is superb. The only song that doesn't really please me is "Wedding Nails", but this is just a matter of personal taste. Furthermore every note and tone are played with the utmost perfection. The only song we can hear that it is not done completely live is "Heartattack in a Layby" as it is impossible for Steven Wilson to layer multiple voices live. So there must have been one tape playing during the recording session, or the layering could have been done afterwards by SW at "No Man's Land"

The original Transmission 1.1 version was limited to 1500 copies with a repress of 1000 copies as Transmission 1.2 Needless to say that with a total print of only 2500 copies this item is very rare and highly sought after. Therefore one has to save quite some money to get an original copy of "XM" nowadays. Fortunately "XM" is also available in a downloadable MP3 version (complete with artwork) in the Porcupine Tree Download Store at www.burningshed.co.uk/ptshop.asp for not even £7,00

4.5 stars as I think XMII is even better and deserves the full 5 stars.