VOYAGE 34 - THE COMPLETE TRIP

Voyage 34 was originally issued as a limited edition of two 12-inch singles in 1992 (known as Phase I and II) and Voyage 34: Remixes in 1993 (known as Phase III and IV). This is a remastered edition released 2000 of all four phases brought together under the title Voyage 34: The Complete Trip. Later it would be reissued by Snapper Music in 2004 as a digipak with new cover art.

Voyage 34 is basically the story of the LSD trip of a guy named Brian and consists chiefly of spoken words over long instrumentals that clock in between 12:54 and 19:24. Voyage 34 seems even more inspired by Pink Floyd then the first three studio albums Porcupine Tree released between 1991 and 1995. These influences are most noticeable with Steven Wilson's delayed guitar riffs (just like Gilmour's style from The Wall). In addition, there's a good dose of trance music fused with these progressive/psychedelic soundscapes.

The major problem with this release is that things become quite repetitive and similar very quickly as the whole listen seems like one long song that goes on forever, but never goes anywhere. The spoken parts don't add much to the whole either. Whether this is a good CD for taking a trip is debatable, but not an area of expertise I can comment on. I find brushing my teeth or picking my nose more entertaining.

Two stars. Collectors and fans only.