THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS

The Sky Moves Sideways represents the band's attempt at Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. It has a very similar album structure, with the title track in two parts which bookend some "shorter" songs. The songs themselves are incredibly atmospheric, which is indicative of most of the material of that album, especially Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Unfortunately this just it doesn't quite measure up. This album finds itself too far in ambient land and doesn't focus nearly enough on melodic, and well, good music.

I will say the opening title track is easily the strongest piece on the record. It has a very deep, lush atmosphere with some decent, slightly more upbeat bass parts. Yet much of it is still draggy and overlong.

The rest of the songs are, well, overlong. 'Moonloop' and the second part of The Sky Moves Sideways' especially.

This is an example of an album that is probably far too reliant on atmosphere and directionless wankiing, but then again, maybe that's the whole point. Regardless, Porcupine Tree has done much better.

3/10