Complete List Of Porcupine Tree Studio Albums And Songs

On the Sunday of Life…

Released 1992

“On the Sunday of Life…” is the inaugural studio album of Porcupine Tree, setting the stage for the band’s experimental approach to music. Blending elements of psychedelic rock with ambient influences, the album offered a window into the evolving genre landscape of the early ’90s. Virtually a solo endeavor by Steven Wilson, who took on the roles of musician and producer, the album was released under the Delerium Records label. The recording sessions for “On the Sunday of Life…” were carried out at No Man’s Land in Hemel Hempstead, England, between 1991 and 1992.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Music for the Head” – 2:42
2. “Jupiter Island” – 6:12
3. “Third Eye Surfer” – 2:50
4. “On the Sunday of Life…” – 2:07
5. “The Nostalgia Factory” – 7:28
6. “Space Transmission” – 2:59
7. “Message from a Self-Destructing Turnip” – 0:27
8. “Radioactive Toy” – 10:00
9. “Nine Cats” – 3:53

Up the Downstair

Released 1993

The follow-up to their debut, “Up the Downstair,” was released in 1993 and marked a significant progression in Porcupine Tree’s sound. The album shifted toward a more unified and focused brand of psychedelic rock while incorporating electronic elements. Like its predecessor, this album was primarily a Steven Wilson project, although it did feature guest musician Colin Edwin on bass. Wilson also handled the album’s production. “Up the Downstair” was released under the Delerium Records label and was recorded at No Man’s Land between 1992 and 1993.

CD Track Listings:

1. “What You Are Listening To…” – 0:57
2. “Synesthesia” – 5:16
3. “Monuments Burn into Moments” – 0:20
4. “Always Never” – 7:00
5. “Up the Downstair” – 10:03
6. “Not Beautiful Anymore” – 3:26
7. “Siren” – 0:57
8. “Small Fish” – 2:42
9. “Burning Sky” – 11:36
10. “Fadeaway” – 6:19

The Sky Moves Sideways

Released 1995

“The Sky Moves Sideways” was released in 1995 and serves as Porcupine Tree’s third studio album. This record marked a significant departure from their earlier work, delving deep into space rock and progressive rock territories. Steven Wilson, who was still the driving force behind the band, worked in collaboration with other musicians for this album, notably Richard Barbieri on keyboards and synthesizers, and Colin Edwin on bass. Produced by Wilson, the album was released by Delerium Records and was recorded at No Man’s Land, The Doghouse, and at a live recording in Rome between 1993 and 1994.

CD Track Listings:

1. “The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 1” – 18:37
2. “Dislocated Day” – 5:24
3. “The Moon Touches Your Shoulder” – 5:40
4. “Prepare Yourself” – 1:54
5. “The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 2” – 16:46

Signify

Released 1996

Signify, released in 1996, was the first Porcupine Tree album that was truly a band effort, featuring contributions from all the band members including Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Chris Maitland on drums. The album marked a transition into a more structured form of progressive rock while retaining their earlier psychedelic and experimental styles. Produced by Steven Wilson, the album was released by Delerium Records. The recording for Signify took place at No Man’s Land in Hemel Hempstead, England, during 1995 and 1996.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Bornlivedie” – 1:46
2. “Signify” – 3:26
3. “The Sleep of No Dreaming” – 5:24
4. “Pagan” – 1:34
5. “Waiting (Phase One)” – 4:24
6. “Waiting (Phase Two)” – 6:21
7. “Sever” – 5:30
8. “Idiot Prayer” – 7:37
9. “Every Home Is Wired” – 5:08
10. “Intermediate Jesus” – 7:29
11. “Light Mass Prayers” – 4:28
12. “Dark Matter” – 8:52

Stupid Dream

Released 1999

Stupid Dream, released in 1999, marked Porcupine Tree’s entry into a more accessible, song-oriented style, although it still retained the band’s signature elements of psychedelia and progressive rock. By this time, the band had crystallized into a four-piece ensemble featuring Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Chris Maitland. Produced by Steven Wilson, the album was released by Snapper Music and was recorded at Foel Studio, New Rising, No Man’s Land, and The Doghouse between 1998 and 1999.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Even Less” – 7:11
2. “Piano Lessons” – 4:21
3. “Stupid Dream” – 0:28
4. “Pure Narcotic” – 5:02
5. “Slave Called Shiver” – 4:40
6. “Don’t Hate Me” – 8:30
7. “This Is No Rehearsal” – 3:26
8. “Baby Dream in Cellophane” – 3:15
9. “Stranger by the Minute” – 4:30
10. “A Smart Kid” – 5:22
11. “Tinto Brass” – 6:17
12. “Stop Swimming” – 6:53

Lightbulb Sun

Released 2000

Lightbulb Sun, released in 2000, continued the trend toward a more song-focused approach that started with Stupid Dream. The album contained a rich tapestry of musical styles, from ballads to hard rock numbers. This album featured the same lineup as its predecessor: Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Chris Maitland. Wilson also served as the producer, and the album was released by Snapper Music. It was recorded at Foel Studio, No Man’s Land, and at Chris Maitland’s House between 1999 and 2000.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Lightbulb Sun” – 5:31
2. “How Is Your Life Today?” – 2:46
3. “Four Chords That Made a Million” – 3:36
4. “Shesmovedon” – 5:14
5. “Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled” – 4:48
6. “The Rest Will Flow” – 3:24
7. “Hatesong” – 8:26
8. “Where We Would Be” – 4:12
9. “Russia on Ice” – 13:03
10. “Feel So Low” – 5:18

In Absentia

Released 2002

In Absentia was a pivotal album for Porcupine Tree, released in 2002. It was their first album for the Lava Records label and also introduced drummer Gavin Harrison, replacing Chris Maitland. The music on this album explored darker themes and heavier sounds, making it a seminal record in the progressive metal genre. Along with Steven Wilson, the band featured Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Gavin Harrison. Wilson produced the album, and it was recorded at Avatar Studio in New York City in 2001 and 2002.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Blackest Eyes” – 4:23
2. “Trains” – 5:56
3. “Lips of Ashes” – 4:39
4. “The Sound of Muzak” – 4:59
5. “Gravity Eyelids” – 7:56
6. “Wedding Nails” – 6:33
7. “Prodigal” – 5:32
8. “3” – 5:25
9. “The Creator Has a Mastertape” – 5:21
10. “Heartattack in a Layby” – 4:15
11. “Strip the Soul” – 7:21
12. “Collapse the Light Into Earth” – 5:52

Deadwing

Released 2005

Deadwing, released in 2005, was inspired by a screenplay written by Steven Wilson and Mike Bennion. The album is a blend of progressive rock and metal elements and earned the band substantial acclaim. The lineup featured Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Gavin Harrison, with guest appearances from Adrian Belew and others. Produced by Steven Wilson, the album was released by Lava Records and was recorded at various studios including No Man’s Land, Bourne Place, New Rising, RAK, and The Artillery between 2004 and 2005.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Deadwing” – 9:46
2. “Shallow” – 4:16
3. “Lazarus” – 4:18
4. “Halo” – 4:38
5. “Arriving Somewhere but Not Here” – 12:02
6. “Mellotron Scratch” – 6:57
7. “Open Car” – 3:46
8. “The Start of Something Beautiful” – 7:39
9. “Glass Arm Shattering” – 6:13

Fear of a Blank Planet

Released 2007

Fear of a Blank Planet is Porcupine Tree’s ninth studio album, released in 2007. The album was a critical and commercial success, charting in multiple countries. It also received a Grammy nomination. This concept album takes a critical look at the challenges and potential dystopian outcomes facing modern-day youth. The lineup consisted of Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Gavin Harrison. Alex Lifeson and Robert Fripp made guest appearances. Produced by Steven Wilson, the album was released by Roadrunner and Atlantic Records. It was recorded in October and November 2006 at Avatar Studio in New York City and at No Man’s Land in Hemel Hempstead, England.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Fear of a Blank Planet” – 7:28
2. “My Ashes” – 5:07
3. “Anesthetize” – 17:42
4. “Sentimental” – 5:26
5. “Way Out of Here” – 7:37
6. “Sleep Together” – 7:28

The Incident

Released 2009

The Incident, released in 2009, is a two-disc conceptual album that features a 55-minute title track divided into 14 separate segments, meant to be heard as a single piece of music. The second disc contains four additional standalone songs. This release is considered ambitious even for Porcupine Tree’s standards and received widespread critical acclaim. Musicians on this album included Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Gavin Harrison. Produced by Steven Wilson, the album was released by Roadrunner Records and was recorded between February and April 2009.

CD Track Listings:

Disc One: The Incident

1. “Occam’s Razor” – 1:55
2. “The Blind House” – 5:47
3. “Great Expectations” – 1:26
4. “Kneel and Disconnect” – 2:03
5. “Drawing the Line” – 4:43 … (and more tracks)

Disc Two:

1. “Flicker” – 3:42
2. “Bonnie the Cat” – 5:45
3. “Black Dahlia” – 3:40
4. “Remember Me Lover” – 7:28

Closure/Continuation

Released 2022

The band’s most recent albusm and their first since 2009 made a lot of Porcupine Tree fans very happy, including this one. The album featured Steven Wilson on vocals, guitars, bass, piano, Richard Barbieri on keys and Gavin Harrison on drums,

CD Track Listings:

Disc: 1
1. Harridan
2. Of The New Day
3. Rats Return
4. Dignity
5. Herd Culling
6. Walk the Plank
7. Chimera’s Wreck

Disc: 2
1. Population Three
2. Never Have
3. Love in the Past Tense
4. Harridan
5. Of The New Day
6. Rats Return
7. Dignity
8. Walk the Plank
9. Chimera’s Wreck
10. Never Have