Porcupine Tree - Signify

Porcupine Tree
Signify

Delirium, 1996

Steve Wilson - vocals, guitars, samplers, organ, mellotron, electronics, piano
Colin Edwin - bass
Richard Barbiri - keyboards, tapes, electronics, synthesizers
Chris Maitland - drums, percussion, vocal harmonies

1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. Sleep Of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting Phase One
6. Waiting Phase Two
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. Light Mass Prayers
12. Darkmatter

Porcupine Tree is relatively new on the progressive rock scene, only having come about during the 90's. I hear a lot of comparisions to Pink Floyd made about them, and rightfully so. But writing them off as a Pink Floyd imitator would be wrong. They've got their own very modern sound, and are one of my favorite modern bands.

The album features a lot of bluesy, fuzzed-out rock riffing, ambient keyboards, and bass grooves. There is a heavy use of sampledspeech, most of which sounds like it came from radio or television programs, or possibly movies (this is probably what causes the near-constant Pink Floyd comparison.) There are basically two types of songs on this album: there are actual songs, and ambient jam tracks. I find that the band does very good with both of them on Signify, and some of the highlights for me include Signify, Sleep Of No
Dreaming, Waiting Phases One and Two, Idtiot Prayer, Sever, Intermediate Jesus, and Darkmatter. (Yes, I know that's more than half the album.)

So the verdict on this album is a ringing endorsement. It made me a fan, and this is one that I listen to at least once a week. The mood is a dark one, but accessible.