Porcupine Tree Album: “Up the Downstair [Bonus Disc]”

Maybe Amazon might have corrected their error by the time you read this, but just in case they haven't, please note that "Up The Downstair" does not consist of the 17 tracks above. The tunestack is as follows: 1.What You Are Listening To 2. Synesthesia 3. Monuments Burn Into Moments 4. Always Never 5. Up The Downstair 6. Not Beautiful Anymore 7. Siren 8. Small Fish 9. Burning Sky 10. Fadeaway. Tracks 1, 3 and 7 are short "transitional" passages, while the title track and "Burning Sky" are ten minute epics. The remainder of the album consists of tracks between 3 and 5 minutes in length.

With "Up The Downstair," Porcupine Tree (actually still Steven Wilson at this point. The "band" Porcupine Tree would not evolve until "The Sky Moves Sideways") consolidated their position as one of England's leading post-progressive (not "neo" progressive) rock groups. Their debut album "On The Sunday of Life" had pointed to their influences, notably Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd, but with "Up The Downstair," Porcupine Tree began combining rock's old avant garde with the contemporary sounds of 90's music.

Pink Floyd looms large over this album - but only as a launching pad. Wilson deftly combines techo and dance beats, trance and acid house textures as well as ethnic percussion into his Floydian dreamscapes. Had they received the backing of a major record label, both "Synesthesia" and the title track would have become the ambient/dance classics they deserve to be. "Always Never" is a brilliantly realised song that moves through an array of moods and tempos without a single mis-step. "Not Beautiful Anymore" is an energetic guitar piece with a great vocal sample. The immaculate ballad "Fadeaway" serves as a satisfying closure to the album.

So why only 4 stars? Simply because "Up The Downstair" hardly does justice to the inspiring recording sessions that produced this album. Wilson himself must have realised this, for not long after this album's release, he put out a 30 minute EP titled "Staircase Infinities" which contained music from the same sessions. That EP follows through and completes the ideas pursued on "Up The Downstair." "Staircase Infinities" is now out of print, but those who do manage to track it down will be well rewarded.

"Up The Downstair," released in 1993, certainly established Porcupine Tree as a force to be reckoned with. Since then, Porcupine Tree have investigated a number of new musical avenues, and along with Djam Karet and Ozric Tentacles, the band are one of the brightest hopes for progressive rock as it heads into the 21st century.

THE BAND: Steve Wilson (vocals, guitars, drum samples, bass), with assistance from Richard Barbieri (keyboards), Colin Edwin (bass), Gavin Harrison (drums & percussion on 2005 remastered version only).

THE DISC: (1993) Originally released in '93, this elegant digitally remastered foldout digi-pak was re-released in 2005 by Snapper Music. Disc 1 contains 10 tracks clocking in at just under 49 minutes. The 2nd (bonus) disc labeled "Staircase Infinities" contains 5 tracks at just over 30 minutes (this disc was originally released as an EP on Lazy Eye label in '94). Included with the discs is a 10-page booklet containing a 2-page intro by PT mastermind Steve Wilson, song titles/times, song lyrics, several trippy psychedelic pictures, and thank you's.

COMMENTS: For me, this was Porcupine Tree's first great album. While it's predecessor "On The Sunday Of Life" (1991) had some brief shining moments, it was simply too much off-beat jamming, odd songs and experimentation... quite simply "weird". "Up The Downstair" was almost solely created and produced by Steve Wilson. For this remastered edition, Wilson went back to the original recordings years later... he decided to remove some of the drum programs/samples and have current drummer (1999 - present) Gavin Harrison play them live. Still not happy, Wilson redid some of the guitar work... and he himself says it's a better album for it. Much warmer in depth, richer in texture, better playing in general and more listenable... not to mention substantial improvements with the recording equipment. Comparisons to Pink Floyd are frequent (and I'm okay with that because I loved Pink Floyd back in the 70's), but only slightly in my opinion. The Tree gives you many a long space jam, but I think their craft is much more modern. "Synesthesia" starts the album off as a mid tempo rock/pop song. "Always Never" features some beautiful acoustic moments laced with some brilliant electric guitars and shredding solos. "Fadeaway" is a beautiful mellow rocker - a fantastic album closer - as noted in the booklet the song is one of Wilson's favorites. Steve Wilson is a genius at his craft. As good as "Up The Downstair" may be, I'd recommend starting with PT's more accessible albums... "In Absentia" (2002), or "Deadwing" (2005). Then, expand to one of their live albums "Coma Divine" (1997) or "Warszawa" (2001)... and then collect everything else they've done including this one. With all their releases (except Deadwing), look for the remastered digi-pak versions. Great disc (4.5 stars).

Like any other PT album, this is exactly that... an album. Its not a collection of songs with filler but, rather, a well thought out album which lives and flows from song to song.

Any project from Steven Wilson incorporates the use of layering. Theres a lot of stuff going on in any one of these songs. And to hear it all on one listen would be near impossible.

Steven Wilson has mentioned himself that he doesn't typically make the most complex music, instead he makes simple songs with complex production.

Listen to Burning Sky for a good example of this.

Think of this as sort of pink floyd and spacey pop opera. There are quite a bit of instrumentals, so if you're coming from a pop background then i would recommend trying their newer stuff first: "Deadwing", "In Absentia", "Lightbulb Sun", or the newly reissued "Stupid Dream"

Great stuff. Great journey.

I've been listening to PT for several years now, and have found their music most moving. I really wouldn't care if they sound like Pink Floyd, or whomever. I don't believe that Steven Wilson sits around trying to imitate one group or another. I think it could be said that most artists have their influences from many sources, from many inspirations. So, thank you Steven for re-issuing this CD, and adding such quality and care to the songs. I believe you will influence many other future artists with your creativity. You certainly influence me to listen and enjoy. After all, my son and I travelled over 150 miles, one way, just to see PT in Michigan, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the concert.

I waited a while to review this and I'm glad. Not near as accessible as "In Absentia" or "Deadwing" but still awesome. Steve Wilson's songs have a way of growing on me like no one else's. Some were instantaneous mainstays, including "Always Never" and "Fadeaway," two of the most emotional performances ever! But the other tracks are all great. Some quite long instrumentals that don't get boring (are actually quite good!) And I really enjoy the bonus CD "Staircase Infinities." Some more great instrumentals. This is music from Porcupine Tree that most resembled Pink Floyd (along with The Sky Moves Sideways.) But I personally think these instrumentals are better put together than some of Pink Floyd's, partially due to updated sound effects, but I think overall due to Steve Wilson's seemingly unending imagination and creativity. I am glad to read that the drum tracks were re- recorded using Gavin Harrison (their present-day drummer,) instead of samples. Poor Gavin: you can hear the restraint in his playing since Steven told him to try to stay close to the original recording! But one of the main reasons I am writing this review is to give credit to Mr. Harrison's phenomenal performances. Even playing under restraint, he manages to out- shine many of his peers. But listen to him on In Absentia or Deadwing. This guy lets the sticks fly perhaps more than any other artist I've heard (with the exception of his predecessor, Chris Maitland!) Now I'm not much of one to get excited by someone banging on a drum, but Porcupine Tree has had two of the best percussionists I've ever heard! Well, there is Bill Bruford... But, anyhow... you can be sure that you will enjoy this recording very much, just give it time to sink in!