THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS

I have the double cd version with the second disc consisting of a 34 1/2 minute alternate version of the song "The Sky Moves Sideways", as well as the amazing song "Stars Die" and two versions of "Moonloop". It's hard for me to put into words how much I love this spacey, soundscape music. The music drifts often in a dreamy and spacey way that just transcends me to another plane.There are also many violent and aggressive sections as well. This is such a trip ! Steven says that the original plan in making this album was to make one long 50 minute self titled track, but when that didn't happen they decided to include as a bonus this alternate version which is closest thing they have to it.

"The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 1" is such a psychedelic ride. It opens with spacey sounds as some brief processed spoken words come in.Then spacey waves start to roll in at 1 1/2 minutes.Guitar, drums and bass join in as well. Great sound ! Vocals after 4 1/2 minutes as the waves stop. It's so moving when the sound gets fuller before 6 minutes. A nice relaxed guitar solo follows. A beat kicks in at 8 1/2 minutes and we get some ripping guitar before 11 1/2 minutes. Amazing sound ! Travis Smith adds some flute 13 minutes in as the sound settles briefly then kicks back in hard. It settles again after 14 1/2 minutes to a spacey soundscape and acoustic guitar joins in. Just brilliant. "Dislocated Day" opens with the phone ringing before heavy drums and processed vocals lead the way. Lots of synths in this one. It gets fairly powerful with guitar becoming prominant. This contrast continues. Ripping guitar 2 1/2 minutes in that goes on and on. It ends with someone leaving a message on an answering machine.

"The Moon Touches Your Shoulder" opens with strummed guitar and reserved vocals. Gorgeous. It starts to build before 3 minutes until it's pretty heavy 2 minutes later. "Prepare Yourself" is a 2 minute song with some crazy distorted guitar. A beat comes in after a minute as guitar continues to light it up. "The Sky Moves Sideways Phase II " is dark to begin with as different sounds come and go. A spacey atmosphere takes over 2 minutes in. Loud synths come and go as does strummed guitar. In fact this song features some insane guitar, soaring guitar and scorching guitar, yes Mr.Wilson is busy. Female vocal melodies come in before 6 minutes then organ.The guitar is making some noise.The song then drifts along until guitar kicks in before 12 1/2 minutes. Love that part. You can hear the sound of water after 15 minutes when the guitar stops.

On the second disc, the alternate version of "The Sky Moves Sideways" is dark and spacey for the first minute then these beautiful waves of sound roll in. Very FLOYD-like. The guitar starts to solo after 3 minutes until we get a dead calm before 5 minutes. Fragile vocals come in followed by a fuller sound as the guitar solos tastefully. Drums and organ support. Vocals are back before 7 1/2 minutes. A beat kicks in before 9 minutes as synths join in. The beat stops after 16 minutes as we get a spacey calm. The song continues to change and evolve and we get female vocal melodies after 25 1/2 minutes. The guitar is back with some raw sounds. She's back after 32 minutes to the end.

"Stars Die" is such a beautiful, spacey and dreamy song.This is one of my favourite tracks by them. Pure bliss. "Moonloop (Improvisation)" is spacey with birds chirping as the song drifts along.The guitar starts to make some noise after 5 minutes until it's scorching a minute later as the sound builds. Guitar is lighting it up before 11 minutes. Spoken word samples 13 1/2 minutes to the end. Cool. "Moonloop (Coda)" features those birds singing again. Lots of atmosphere. Vocal samples after a minute. The tempo starts to pick up until we get a full and intense sound after 3 minutes. Raw guitar follows as it winds down.

My favourites on here are "Stars Die" , "The Sky Moves Sideways Phase I" and ""The Moon Touches Your Shoulder". A must for space cadets and PT fans.