Porcupine Tree
„Recordings“
Prog, Art, Psychedelic Rock. CD Digibook, Compilation, Reissue 2010 (2001)

With "Recordings," Porcupine Tree released a compilation in 2001 featuring unused tracks from their last two albums, Stupid Dream (1999) and Lightbulb Sun (2000). This review attempts to demonstrate that this is not simply a collection of leftovers.

"Recordings" begins with the song "Buying New Soul," a slightly jazzy track (beautifully played bass), psychedelic, with melancholic lyrics and a pleasant prog feel. Not quite as playful. It's somewhat understandable that stylistically he didn't quite make it onto "Stupid Dream" or "Lightbulb Sun." After 10 minutes, it transitions into "Access Denied," which sounds like Britpop, originating from the recording sessions for "Lightbulb Sun." I really like "A Cure For Optimism" with its dark opening. It was initially released on the single CD with "Shesmovedon." Here, Steven demonstrates his exceptional feel for beautiful melodies. This continues in the song "Untitled," which again begins with wonderful bass. It subtly builds in volume, only to return to the mood of the beginning two minutes before the end. That's how instrumentals should be. It was also initially released on the single CD "Shesmovedon." "Disappear" leans back towards Britpop (I don't like that term; it doesn't do Porcupine Tree justice) and is a snappy 3:37. It was recorded during the sessions for "Lightbulb Sun." "Ambulance Chasing," on the other hand, is an interesting and dynamic instrumental piece. It was recorded during the "Stupid Dream" sessions. "In Formaldehyde" is a perfect example of how Steven consistently manages to create interesting songs that are worth listening to again and again (from the "Lightbulb Sun" sessions). "Even Less," at 13:55, is twice as long as the track on the "Stupid Dream" album. This alone makes "Recordings" worth having in your collection. It's a very strong prog song that deserved to be included in its entirety on "Stupid Dream." Now it forms the heart of "Recordings." "Oceans Have No Memory" is the short instrumental closer. And I inevitably think of "Albatros" by Fleetwood Mac.

Conclusion

"Recordings" isn't cohesive, nor could it be. There's a reason why these particular tracks didn't make it onto the last two albums ("Stupid Dream" and "Lightbulb Sun"). If I didn't know "Recordings" was a compilation, I'd happily listen to art rock and psychedelic prog, which comes across more subdued, and mistake it for a regular album. My personal highlights are "Buying New Soul," "A Cure For Optimism," "Untitled," "In Formaldehyde," and of course, "Even Less." Is it like the EP "Nil Recurring," which some consider to have the better songs on as on "Fear Of A Blank Planet"? I say no, because the songs on "Recordings" are spread across several sessions and, for me, work as a standalone album. Even though it's a compilation.

Since some Porcupine Tree fans like to nitpick, they often mistakenly believe that "Stupid Dream" and "Lightbulb Sun" marked the end of Porcupine Tree's psychedelic sound, even the demise of their prog. And indeed, Steven John Wilson doesn't exactly make it easy for us. Nevertheless, I take a pragmatic view: Do you love the psychedelic phase? Then stop after the album "Signify." Do you prefer something a bit more compact, art rock mixed with Britpop? Then "Stupid Dream," "Lightbulb Sun," and "Recordings" are the albums for you. Do you like it heavier, progressive rock at its best? Start with "In Absentia." Steven Wilson isn't a musician who stands still, and it's precisely this evolution that I find interesting. It doesn't have to appeal to everyone. But I had to learn that myself.

Steven Wilson, born November 3, 1967, in Kingston Upon Thames, created the Porcupine Tree project on a whim in 1987. Initially inspired by psychedelic rock music of the 1970s, Wilson blended prog and other styles to forge his own path. While the musicians were initially a necessary "accompaniment," the Porcupine Tree project evolved into the band Porcupine Tree with the 1996 album "Signify," when the entire band worked together in the studio for the first time. Steven is undeniably the mastermind of the band.

Richard Barbieri, born in London in 1957, is at the keyboards and synthesizers. Initially "just" a musician in the project PT, RB developed into an indispensable part of the band.

Chris Maitland was the drummer from 1993 to 2002, before Gavin Harrison took over in 2002. Harrison, although Maitland is an excellent drummer, raised the level even further.

To my regret, Colin Edwin, born in Melbourne, Australia in 1970, has not been part of Porcupine Tree since 2012. An outstanding bassist, and I will miss his playing with PT.

On The Sunday Of Life 1992
Signify 1996
Coma Divine (Live) 1997
Stupid Dream 1999
Lightbulb Sun 2000
Recordings 2001
In Absentia 2002
Deadwing 2005
Fear Of A Blank Planet 2007
Nil Recurring 2007
Anesthetize – Live In Tilburg 2008
We Lost The Skyline Live 2008
The Incident 2009
Octane Twisted Live 2012
Closure/Continuation Live 2022

The photos are all from my LP. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.

No AI was used in the making of this Review.
©06.02.2026