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This Complete List Of Porcupine Tree Studio Albums And Songs presents the full discography of Porcupine Tree studio albums. The band Porcupine Tree was first formed in 1987 growing out of the musical project of Steven Wilson. Its membership has varied over the years at times being the sole and singular creation of Steven Wilson. The group hails from the area of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England.
All these extraordinary Porcupine Tree albums have been presented below in chronological order. We have also included all original release dates with each Porcupine Tree album as well as all original Porcupine Tree album covers. Every Porcupine Tree album listed below showcases the entire album tracklisting.
PORCUPINE TREE STUDIO ALBUMS
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:
- “Music for the Head” – 2:42
- “Jupiter Island” – 6:12
- “Third Eye Surfer” – 2:50
- “On the Sunday of Life…” – 2:07
- “The Nostalgia Factory” – 7:28
- “Space Transmission” – 2:59
- “Message from a Self-Destructing Turnip” – 0:27
- “Radioactive Toy” – 10:00
- “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:
- “What You Are Listening To…” – 0:57
- “Synesthesia” – 5:16
- “Monuments Burn into Moments” – 0:20
- “Always Never” – 7:00
- “Up the Downstair” – 10:03
- “Not Beautiful Anymore” – 3:26
- “Siren” – 0:57
- “Small Fish” – 2:42
- “Burning Sky” – 11:36
- “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:
- “The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 1” – 18:37
- “Dislocated Day” – 5:24
- “The Moon Touches Your Shoulder” – 5:40
- “Prepare Yourself” – 1:54
- “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:
- “Bornlivedie” – 1:46
- “Signify” – 3:26
- “The Sleep of No Dreaming” – 5:24
- “Pagan” – 1:34
- “Waiting (Phase One)” – 4:24
- “Waiting (Phase Two)” – 6:21
- “Sever” – 5:30
- “Idiot Prayer” – 7:37
- “Every Home Is Wired” – 5:08
- “Intermediate Jesus” – 7:29
- “Light Mass Prayers” – 4:28
- “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:
- “Even Less” – 7:11
- “Piano Lessons” – 4:21
- “Stupid Dream” – 0:28
- “Pure Narcotic” – 5:02
- “Slave Called Shiver” – 4:40
- “Don’t Hate Me” – 8:30
- “This Is No Rehearsal” – 3:26
- “Baby Dream in Cellophane” – 3:15
- “Stranger by the Minute” – 4:30
- “A Smart Kid” – 5:22
- “Tinto Brass” – 6:17
- “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:
- “Lightbulb Sun” – 5:31
- “How Is Your Life Today?” – 2:46
- “Four Chords That Made a Million” – 3:36
- “Shesmovedon” – 5:14
- “Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled” – 4:48
- “The Rest Will Flow” – 3:24
- “Hatesong” – 8:26
- “Where We Would Be” – 4:12
- “Russia on Ice” – 13:03
- “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:
- “Blackest Eyes” – 4:23
- “Trains” – 5:56
- “Lips of Ashes” – 4:39
- “The Sound of Muzak” – 4:59
- “Gravity Eyelids” – 7:56
- “Wedding Nails” – 6:33
- “Prodigal” – 5:32
- “3” – 5:25
- “The Creator Has a Mastertape” – 5:21
- “Heartattack in a Layby” – 4:15
- “Strip the Soul” – 7:21
- “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:
- “Deadwing” – 9:46
- “Shallow” – 4:16
- “Lazarus” – 4:18
- “Halo” – 4:38
- “Arriving Somewhere but Not Here” – 12:02
- “Mellotron Scratch” – 6:57
- “Open Car” – 3:46
- “The Start of Something Beautiful” – 7:39
- “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:
- “Fear of a Blank Planet” – 7:28
- “My Ashes” – 5:07
- “Anesthetize” – 17:42
- “Sentimental” – 5:26
- “Way Out of Here” – 7:37
- “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
- “Occam’s Razor” – 1:55
- “The Blind House” – 5:47
- “Great Expectations” – 1:26
- “Kneel and Disconnect” – 2:03
- “Drawing the Line” – 4:43 … (and more tracks)
Disc Two:
- “Flicker” – 3:42
- “Bonnie the Cat” – 5:45
- “Black Dahlia” – 3:40
- “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
Complete List Of Porcupine Tree Albums And Discography article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
