VOYAGE 34 - THE COMPLETE TRIP

Originally released as two separate twelve inch singles, "The complete trip" brings the four phases of "Voyage 34" together for the first time. The tracks have been remixed and remastered, but are otherwise unaltered. It must be said straight away, this is not Porcupine Tree's most accessible work. Those who have only discovered the band in recent times, .i.e. since "Stupid dream", should approach this album with caution. The tracks are not titled as such, but are simply numbered parts one to four.

Part one, which has similarities to "The sky moved sideways - part 1", is probably the most commercial and the best of the four. The album relates the tale of a chap called "Brian", who has a bad drug induced trip, through various themes interrupted by newsreader- like narration. Part 2 is a slightly more ambient continuation, but it remains very much in the same mould.

Parts ("phases") 3 and 4 appeared about a year later, but are very much a continuation of the first EP. Part 3, which was remixed by Astralasia, is firmly rooted in trance, with little of the overt guitar work of parts 1 and 2. It is by far the most ambient of the tracks so far (but see part 4), and also the dullest.

Part four, which sees future full time band member Richard Barbieri guesting on synthesisers, was abbreviated from its full length for this release. As this was not for reasons of space, one can only assume it was to give it greater focus. The reality is however that this is the least focused of the four phases, containing by far the least music. Part 4 is a moody, ambient piece with occasional guitar, but mostly waves of atmospheric noise and unaccredited drug related propaganda.

In some ways, it is a shame that this album requires to be classified as a compilation. In reality, it stands up reasonably well as a bona-fide release in its own right. The best parts are towards the beginning, the focus being rapidly lost as we pass through phases 3 and 4. In all though, not a bad album.

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