STUPID DREAM

With "Stupid Dream", Steve Wilson attempted to turn his back on much of the band's previous output, and instigate a fresh start. Gone are the side long tracks, and the lengthy, sometimes indulgent instrumentals. In their place comes a much tighter, more commercial Porcupine Tree. It's all relative of course, and the band's basic sound is still there, as are the complex structures, and talented instrumental work.

Tracks like "Piano lessons" and "This is no rehearsal" are however far more straight forward and radio friendly than the band's previous works. The latter has a very striking structure, with soft verses interrupted by sudden loud riffs, and a screaming lead guitar.

"Even less", "Pure narcotic" and "Don't hate me" come closer to the progressive sounds of yore, but even these are trimmed back and much more focused. It is interesting to hear the rambling (but nonetheless good) 14 minute demo of "Even less" on the "Four chords which made a million" single and to compare it to the finished version on "Stupid dream". The lyrics on the final version are also less controversial!

With this album, Porcupine Tree moved up several divisions in terms of commercial appeal, while retaining much of what had made them popular with their core fans.

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