Search - Porcupine Tree :: Sky Moves Sideways

Porcupine Tree - 'The Sky Moves Sideways' (C&S)

Mike Reed | USA | 01/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Seems that ANYONE who enjoys the Pink Floyd-'Ummagumma' 2-CD classic is more or less guaranteed to dig this disc,or for that matter a good most of ALL Porcupine Tree releases.'The Sky...' was originally put out in 1995,as it was the group's second piece of work to rattle our brains.The line-up here,which is Steve Wilson-guitar&vocals,Colin Edwin-bass,Richard Barbieri-keyboards and Chris Maitland-drums appears to be a long-lasting one,because I believe this very line-up remains intact even today.'The Sky...' is not so much as space rock,like some may assume(including myself at first),but more like 'progressive art rock'.The tracks here I was sort of blown away with were the two(2)title cuts,"The Sky Moves Sideways-Phase One"(18:43)and "The Sky Moves Sideways-Phase Two"(16:46).Plus,I also liked "Moonloop",of which also shows up on their live 'Coma Divine' CD(see my review).Well worth checking out."

All things Porcupine Tree are EXCEPTIONAL . . .

Goobie Doober | New York, NY | 07/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . and this is no exception.This is one of Porcupine Tree's several masterpieces! Fantastic, moving long songs, great eery, mystical lyrics and sound, just the most perfect harmonies -- you've got to have The Sky Moves Sideways.Get this cd, and then pick up Stupid Dream, Lightbulb Sun, Signify, On The Sunday of Life, Recordings,and Up The Downstairs. You will be forever grateful since such purchases will pay you back 1000-fold in pure joy!P.S. I just saw Porcupine Tree in concert in NY, and that was undeniably the BEST musical event I've ever attended in my life. This band is simply the best!"

Silence in the Studio

Junglies | Morrisville, NC United States | 08/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A phone call with a friend in England recently led to a suggestion that I listen to Porcupine Tree. My friend, knowing of my suupoty of the Pink Floyd, and who himself had been an avid fan, was bemoaning the long overdue appearance of a new Floyd album and hoping against hope that David Gilmore would reassemble the band in the aftermath of the settlement of Roger Waters' lawsuit.



I managed to find this album at the local music store along with a number of later releases and from the moment the first chord struck, I thought Floyd.



Now, dear reader, a long time ago in England's pleasant land, I had suspected that the Pink Floyd would follow a different path than the one they chose by recording Dark Side of the... I believed that the Tangerine Dream album Zeit should have been the course they charted but alas they did not and steered themselves into the megaband they once were.



So, having heard this album a couple of times I still think Floyd whenever it is on. Not any old Floyd but UmmaGumma Floyd with dashes and Sprinkles of other, earlier albums predominantly although there are some animals in there too and wish you were here. In many respects it is reminiscent of the first Starsailor album being too Tim Buckley than Tim Buckley. They say that the best form of praise is to copy the originator so clearly there is a genuflection to the earlier band. And, as you listen closely there are Gilmore's hallmark devices, the saoring guitar and those recognisable ;ittle quirks. Praise indeed.



Do not get me wrong. The music here is very listenable and strolls along in a very amiable and quixotic way. Ambient yet not, rock yet not. There is a very dreamlike quality about it and it really does sound very clear on a good sound system with separation much like Dire Straits Brothers In Arms. in comaprison to later works this is a more experimental album and yet it is a strong testament to early influences. It is a mood album with it's own dynamic and is clearly an early morning chill album much like some Indian ragas.



I would compare thee to a fine wine. It is clear that the bottle comes from a strong branded family but it is obvious that it is a different vintage and comes from an off the beaten track chateau. It is music for the dawn as the night is slowly vanquished by the strengthening rays of the sun until the tired watcher falls into slumber.



Certainly an album to savour, certainly music to miss Floyd by and certainly a point of departure for a band who clearly have much more to offer.



Watch this space for more reviews of their other albums."