TARQUIN'S SEAWEED FARM

"Tarquin's Seaweed Farm" and the followup "The Nostalgia Factory" are the earliest recordings under the name PORCUPINE TREE although this is all Steven Wilson doing it by himself at this point. It was released in 1989 in very limited numbers but it got a proper release by Delirium Records two years later. Fifteen songs worth over 77 minutes and I don't think this is Steven Wilson's proudest moment by any means since he hasn't given this the big makeover like "On The Sunday Of Life" and the ones that followed into the 00's.

Some real highs here though but at the same time a lot of so-so material that is forgettable. And it's kind of cool to hear some familiar songs sounding demo-like sure but I like these tracks the most and see why they made it onto "On The Sunday Of Life". That includes "Jupiter Island" a catchy uptempo piece. Lots of fun but it sounds much better "On The Sunday Of LIfe". Another familiar tune of course and my favourite on here is "Radioactive Toy". The album ends strongly with the last three rounding out my top five. "No Reason To Live, No Reason To Die" at over 11 minutes with those beautiful guitar leads. Some beats and atmosphere and it will turn very spacey late to end it.

"Daughters In Excess" is so atmospheric and even ominous early on. It turns powerful before 2 1/2 minutes, like a train that Steven is so obsessed with. The closer rounds out my top five. "The Cross/ Hole/ Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape" and it's the latter that is just so impressive and sounds good too for such a humble recording process. Not big on the section where it's like he's preaching but again the final section is great and makes up for it.

Very cool to finally hear this and please read TCat's review which really blew me away because I just didn't know the details of these early recordings that he lays out so well in his review.