Porcupine Tree - Where to Start?

I've become interested in this band and I was wondering where should I start? What album should I buy first?

I've got "In Absentia" and "Deadwing" and they're brilliant.  However, they've got a heavier sound than PT's early work, from what I heard from other fans, and this has turned some proggers off.

If you don't mind some heavy guitar work, the two albums above are a great sort of "prog-pop", in my opinion.  From what I understand earlier albums like "The Sky Moves Sideways"  have a real Floyd feel and are more "prog" for the purists among us. 

Sky Moves Sideways and Lightbulb Sun are my favorites.  If you want something that's more Acid-Popish (think early Syd-era Floyd.... sorta...) go with their first album, On the Sunday of Life.  Not their best, and it's way too long and could do without a few songs, but I see no reason not to start from the beginning.  But yeah, as was previously stated, their latest work is heavier and more prog-pop.  All their albums are good though (excluding Voyage 34), so you can't go wrong with any of them.

I've got all of them, and can tell you - get yourself "Coma Divine, Live in Rome" new 2 CD edition.

Despite I do not like live albums in general, this one IMO is the best of Porcupine tree, and basically you need nothing else from their discography .

 

chamberry wrote: Firepuck wrote: Start with the latest and work your way back - at least that's what I'm doing. If you don't mind some heavy metal riffing then start with their latest, Deadwing. But if you don't like the metal sound then start with In Absentia and then go to Deadwing and then backwards with the rest of their albums. Whatever you do don't pass the chance of hearing Deadwing.

I've only got Deadwing to date and I know what you mean by that metal sound but the album flows so nicely - and you know, from an old fool like me it's kind of refreshing to hear a little heavier music now that I've gotten up the courage to get back into progressive rock. The thing I really like about Deadwing is that there is such a variety of sound that the heavier components don't turn me off - if this makes any sense what-so-ever...

Anyways, I will be purchasing additional PT material.

And, in case I haven't said it enough, I love this website! It has resparked my interest in the progressive rock scene - seriously, I was stuck in the 70's.

Their last two (Deadwing & Absentia) are much heavier than previous stuff. My favorite was Sky Moves Sideways. Very dreamy Floyd-like.
That would be where i'd start.
Then I'd go for Signify and Stupid dream. Very melodic, great atmospheres.

One more thing, don't get put off by listening and not enjoing one album. Almost all of them don't sound alike. So If you don't like it, move to the other.

Thanks.... I've started with Deadwing and I like most of it although it is a bit too popish for me... not too heavy, I like metal.... I would like it more if it would have been less pop more prog but its still good..... sortof refreshing to hear less progressive and complicated things once in a while...

mystic fred wrote: i'd say "in absentia", "deadwing" and "stupid dream" would be good albums to start a porcupine tree collection, their other albums seem very "deep" and take time to get into.

That is exactly how I got into PT.But definately get Coma Divine as a fantastic roundup of their earlier material.PT live is where they really shine,some of the earlier work can be a little sleepy at times but the band started to bring a heavier feeling to some of those works on Coma Divine.

Oxygen Waster wrote: START AT THE BEGGINING!!!!!!  Its so self explainatory. The beggining is always a good place to start....If you dont like it try the next in line.

Exactly!!!

Anyway, "Signify" and "Coma Divine Live" are my favourite.