Porcupine Tree Up The Downstair CD

Definitely consciousness expanding, the prickly affectations of Porcupine Tree will only be lost on those too well-steeped in the cold, cruel world to avail themselves of these inebriating aural tonics. Fortunately, the rest of us lucky few who are mentally equipped to let UP THE DOWNSTAIR run barefoot through our minds will be ever so eager to do so. Take careful note of the sounds wafting from ye olde England--the wild potpourri of bands like Ozric Tentacles, Omnia Opera, Mandragora, and Porcupine Tree are making a mighty dent in those so exposed. This stuff is not going to be a secret much longer--and blessedly so. UP THE DOWNSTAIR's charismatic potions penetrate, obfuscate, and violate the creeks of the sensible mind with dreamy veils of guitars, pulsing rhythms, and layer upon layer of bubbling, drifting electronics. Incredible stuff--former Japan keyboardist Richard Barbieri even adds his synthetic textures to the techno-funk landscape of the title cut.

Up the Downstair feels noticeably different in tone from On the Sunday of Life -- the humor is nearly invisible, if present at all, and the focus is more explicitly up to date in keeping with Steven Wilson's long-stated belief that progressive music means incorporating the now instead of rehashing what progressive was. His singing is now more accomplished in turn -- it sounds like he might have been taking a lesson or two from his No-Man partner Tim Bowness, but he has his own dreamy approach. His already accomplished studio work seems to have turned even more so with time, and the end result is a delicate, complex, and remarkable effort. If there's an absolute standout, "Always Never" takes the cake. Starting with a soft combination of low vocals, acoustic guitar, and background electric feedback, it sweeps into life on the memorable chorus, with the keyboards swelling with a gentle majesty before turning into a full trip thanks to Wilson's ear for arrangements and space. Colin Edwin makes his debut with Porcupine Tree by playing bass here, as good a start as any, while Richard Barbieri also has an initial bow on the lengthy title track. Wilson's own playing here is just astounding, with some huge, driving feedback fills, while the equally long "Burning Sky" lets him exercise some guitar hero chops, and quite well at that. Brief cuts crop up throughout -- notably "What You Are Listening To...," which makes a nod back to the contents of Voyage 34 via the narrative spoken word sample at the start. The recurring use of synth loops and acid house rhythms alone mark Porcupine Tree's approach as being a more modern one, but at the same time a song like "Synesthesia" doesn't sound like a stab at crossover so much as it does one color on the palette. The unfolding guitar solos demonstrate that much, at least. [The album was reissued in 2005 with a bonus disc containing the band's five-track 1994 EP Staircase Infinities. The record was made up of leftovers from the Up the Downstair sessions plus two freshly recorded songs.] ~ Ned Raggett

Classic 1993 album remixed with bonus disc. Deluxe package featuring the stunning new re-recorded 2005 mix together with the rare companion release 'Staircase Infinities'.

Digitally remastered by Steven Wilson.

Lyricists: Steven Wilson; Alan Duffy.

Porcupine Tree: Steven Wilson (vocals, various instruments).

Personnel: Colin Edwin (bass guitar); Gavin Harrison (drums); Richard Barbieri (electronics).

Liner Note Author: Steven Wilson.

Recording information: 11/2004-12/2004.

Author: Francis Picabia.

Porcupine Tree includes: Steven Wilson (vocals, various instruments); Suzanna Barbieri (vocals); Colin Edwin (bass); Richard Barbieri (electronics).

Additional personnel: Suzanne J. Barbieri (vocals); Gavin Harrison, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin.