This Friday marks the achievement of one of my life long ambitions: the completion of the English progressive bock band,Porcupine Tree's discography (at least in terms of full length releases). Finally that dream was realizes when I caved and purchased their third album, The Sky Moves Sideways at my local Newbury Comics. This marks the end of my long arduous quest to buy things. So how does this, the last piece of Porcupine Tree full-length (at least until the next album), compare to their other releases? Results are generally favorable. As a fan of both the band's earlier, more psychedelic releases and their newer, more modern progressive rock, I had high expectations for this album. I am grateful to say that they were, for the most part, met.
As you may be able to tell from the album's cover art, it falls under the label of "earlier, more psychedelic" work, being the third album, released in 1993. The more accessible sound did not come to fruition until 1999's Stupid Dream. Adamantly displaying this psychedelia is the first track, the beginning half of the primarily instrumental monolithic title song. While an eighteen minute and thirty-nine second opening track may deter the casual listener, the sheer amount of diversity contained in this piece is more than enough to keep the attention of those who commit to the track. The song also has a section with very well done vocals with an interesting echo effect on them. From there, the album goes through more accessible, but equally well done material. The main riff of "Dislocated Day" is particularly engaging. The album concludes with "The Sky Moves Sideways [Phase 2]", the continuation of the introductory track. Though this song is significantly shorter at a mere sixteen minutes and forty-nine seconds, this one is less accessible as there are no vocals and significantly more ambient sections. However, if one is able to make it this far into the album it is obvious that they were enjoying it enough to find the last track to be equally as incredible as the rest. If I would be forced to find something negative to say about this, I'd say it's the fact that the title tracks make everything else seem like filler.
Regardless, fans of psychedelic and progressive music should check out this release because it's very enjoyable.
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