The Sky Moves Sideways

Back in 1996 I stumbled with this cd in a Cheapo Store in Minneapolis. It was a used cd, and it was cheap (US$2.99), and I liked the cover: I guessed it was either some metallic or psychodelic stuff. What a good surprise was this cd at first hearing. Being as I still am a huge fan of Pink Floyd, I was first taken by the wonderful sonic atmosphere of the long songs, reminding me of such masterworks as Shine on you Crazy Diamond and Animals. But also of The Dark Side of the Moon. However, it was not at all a derivative album of the kind you say inmmediatly things like: "this passage is taken from that particular passage in that famous album". No, absolutely no, Porcupine Tree was already also an original, in spite of owing so much to Pink Floyd. As a reaction to those that insist so much in this issue of "imitation", wouldn't you say that Tool owes a lot to Metallica and King Crimson? However, Tool is a very original band. It is in those terms that I think of Porcupine Tree and this album in particular, that had the virtue of turning me into a faithful fan of Porcupine Tree to this day. Being as it is the first albim in which Steven Wilson made some pieces (not all of them) with a real band, because Porcupine Tree was himself alone before Sky moves sideways, this is an excellent album, a terrific discovery. It still lifts my spirit everytime I listen to it. No wonder it was so joyful to have a new version of the album with bonus tracks. As you know, the American version was different from the British version, as it used to happen with the Beatles or the Rolling Stones and others. This remastered version contains essentially what the British version was, plus alternate takes, the most impressive of which is the title track, Sky moves sideways, which has some interesting variations in relation to the original version. As an advantage, this alternate take is not divided in two halves, as it was in the original album, it runs freely as a single piece. I am tempted to say that I like it better than the original!!! In few words, this is an excellent album for a band that is beginning its career, although it is composed of already veteran musicians. It is progressive rock at its best. I thought, and I continue thinking, that Porcupine Tree is the true succesor of Pink Floyd in current times.

Several months ago, a friend turned me onto Porcupine Tree. The first disc I got was "In Absentia", which is one of the best releases I have heard in years. I wanted to go back and see what this band is all about; how they got to that point, and how they evolved. "Sky Moves Sideways" was one of those purchases. First of all, the term musical genius is one of the most over-used phrases in music, but Steve Wilson comes pretty close. Good vocalist, suberb guitarist, producer, and song writer. The new releases of PT's back catalogue is a great idea. excellent production, and the bonus previously unreleased material is easily woth the purchase. For those who came to this band later, the sound of the earlier releases is quite different; the later stuff is harder edged, while the earlier discs are much more like the old time "head music". Many people refer to Pink Floyd when reviewing the earlier discs, and there is some validity to that comparison. To ,however, dismiss PT's music as a Floyd wannabe's is a disservice to both bands. Of course, there are similarities. The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Who, the Yardbirds, Cream, etc...took the Music of the Blues as insiration. Steve Wilson had his inspirations, too. What is important is not what the inspiration was, but where does the artist take it. He takes it very far and puts his own stamp on it. The music is powerful, sweeping, almost orchestral. Every time you listen to it, another layer unfolds itself. You notice a guitar solo, a keyboard phrase for the first time. This is music of discovery. Highly recommended stuff, indeed.

First off, Steven Wilson raises the bar with anything he remasters, so sound is never an issue. That said, I think this album pales in comparison to 2002's "In Absentia" and 2005's "Deadwing". But hey, that's my opinion. You might have a completely different take on it. As we all know, music is very much subjective, and one man's trash could be another man's treasure. Take that for what it's worth. I love prog rock and there are a bunch of very cool, trippy, well written and well played instrumental passages. But sometimes it feels like they're dragged out a tad too long. These guys can occasionally sound quite Pink Floyd-ish, and that's never a bad thing. Truth be told, I had never even heard this CD before yesterday, so maybe it has just has to grow on me. The bottom line is Porcupine Tree is a fantastic band with great players. Unfortunately for all intents and purposes, they get zero airplay. It's a shame that such a fine band flies so far under the radar.

Grandes inicios de esta banda.

As I delve further into the Porcupine Tree catalogue, I find more music that is evocative of Pink Floyd. Not that it's a copy, as Steve Wilson and Co. are far too talented to be clones, but that Porcupine Tree seems to have brought new life to the progressive sub-genre once wholly owned by Pink Floyd. Its hard to improve on Lonnie Holder's thoughtful, well-written review so I won't try. Like Holder, I first came to Porcupine Tree via In Absentia, and since then have followed them forward and backward. I like Sky Moves Sideways in its entirety, but I'll give my impressions of a couple of the cuts I like best. Disc 1: 1) Sky Moves Sideways Phase One begins the voyage on a distinctly Floydian note. It is a gorgeous exercise in prog artistry. 2) Dislocated Day is a hard-driving, semi-psychedelic masterpiece. 5) Sky Moves Sideways Phase Two continues the surreal Floydian soundscape and is a masterful blend of the heavy and the dreamy. Excellent guitar work and riveting musical tension make this a satisfying aural experience. Disc 2: 1)Sky Moves Sideways, Alternate Version is a series of variations on the themes developed on disc one. With lots of nuance, this is best enjoyed with minimal distractions. 3)Moonloop Improv. finishes with an extended musical moonwalk. 4)Moonloop Coda is eerily reminiscent of some of Al DiMeola's modern output. Delightful! Sky Moves Sideways is not background music and definitely not for anyone stuck in a musical rut. It is very intricate and begs for your undivided attention. If you are able to spare the time, you will find this CD to be very rewarding indeed. Check it out and you can take your very own musical spacewalk without ever leaving your music room!

Porcupine Tree, the London prog band, has more talent and versatility than they know what to do with. I note reviews that compare them to Yes, King Crimson and some other earlier prog outfits, but where Yes and ELP and their ilk could easily and often stepped into virtuosity blahdom, PT wisely stay away from the stuffiness and pretentiousness that makes me dislike that genre overall. Much more acccurately, "The Sky Moves Sideways" fills a gap between Pink Ployd and "I Robot"-era Alan Parsons Project, and while one wouldn't think there was much room to squeeze in between those two spacy outfits, PT do, and what a delightful blend it is. Imagine David Gilmour rocking out just a tad harder, and Floyd's "Meddle" mellowness minus the Roger Waters' antisocial thematics, with a dollop of space music and you get the idea. Far from dull, always intriguing, and extremely hypnotic, this double disc belongs in every home. No one track stands out - rather, the set is a cohesive workout, that moves seamlessly and takes us into the stars, away from the chaos and hatred of this vile world, even if it's only for a little while.

This album is a favorite of mine from the older PT. Thought it would be cool to have the SW remaster on vinyl. However, this item is not the limited edition gold vinyl as stated in the description. Also, both discs are warped. I am returning this item. I advised Amazon that the description is incorrect but am not confident it will be updated.

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