Recordings

by Porcupine Tree

Overview

Released as a semi stopgap collection in mid-2001 during a period of general Porcupine Tree inactivity, outside of some concert appearances here and there, Recordings compiles the various B-sides and extra tracks from singles taken from Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun, adding a couple of unreleased goodies as well. It's obviously for the hardcore fans more than anyone else -- those wanting an introduction to the band will find it of interest but not the best place to start. Those hardcore fans, though, will find it a very enjoyable release, with the previously unavailable songs of definite interest. "Buying New Soul," which starts the album, is one of the band's subtler epics, an eleven-minute number with all the multitracked vocals and wistfully burnt imagery any fan of classic English prog could want. "Access Denied," originally planned for Lightbulb Sun itself, is (in part) a wonderfully jaunty little number which could have come from mid-eighties XTC, Wilson's contributions on hammered dulcimer an inspired touch. The remaining tracks reappear from the various singles, though sometimes in different form. "Oceans Have No Memory," originally surfacing as a demo, gets a full instrumental band version here, while "Even Less," the majestic opening blast from Stupid Dream, turns up in its full fourteen minute length, the second part having only appeared before on a separate single. The full "Even Less" features past guests the East of England Orchestra and Theo Travis, both of whom also turn up on "Ambulance Chasing," an unexpectedly successful fusion of everything from heavy tribal drumming to saxophone. There's an attractive range of stylistic experimentation on display with the various B-sides and extra numbers, ranging from the minimal, near-ambient exploration of "Cure For Optimism" to the building rocker "Disappear." ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	08/27/2021
Label:	Transmission
UPC:	0802644827216
Rank:	52690

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Porcupine Tree   Primary Artist
Steven Wilson   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Sampling,Mellotron,Mellobar Slide,Hammer Dulcimer,Organ (Hammond)
The East of England Orchestra   Primary Artist,Strings
Colin Edwin   Bass,Double Bass
Richard Barbieri   Keyboards,Mellotron,Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond)
Theo Travis   Flute,Saxophone
Chris Maitland   Drums
Nicholas Kok   Conductor

Technical Credits

Colin Edwin   Composer
Chris Thorpe   String Arrangements
Mark Daghorn   Assistant
Richard Barbieri   Composer
Steven Wilson   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,String Arrangements
Dave Anderson   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Chris Maitland   Composer