Porcupine Tree release that equals Lightbulb Sun?

Hi Tvad, being a big fan also of Porcupine Tree, I am encouraging you to find everything you can by them.

The originals do sound better and are worth finding if you can. There are some 10" releases that didn't seem to get to CD until later and they then sound like someone processed them on some bad notebook software; you definitely want the originals.

I've used Voyage 34 (LP) for years as a demo at CES- the sound is amazing (this is not the DLP reissue but the original with the op art cover). The LP of Coma Divine has additional material not on the CD. The 10" releases have studio outtakes and live material not found anywhere else. The Italian reissues have extra studio material (Sky Moves Sideways is a good example- include the Stars Die EP).

I got to open for PT on their 2005 tour when they came to Minneapolis. Its great to be able to say that I opened for one of my favorite bands, and it was especially nice to find out that everyone in the band was really nice- not stuck up or pretentious.

Enjoy the ride!!

My first experience with PT was 'Up the Down Stair' from about 1992, which was also about when I encountered it. Then 'Voyage 34', 'Staircase Infinities' and then the 'new' album, 'Sky Moves Sideways'.

These albums were right up my alley- a lot in common with the happier, trippier Floyd pre-Dark Side, with some strong Kraut-rock influences, yet still its own aesthetic. I like them so much that I forgive anything that has followed (most of which I enjoy a lot). 'Signify' brought a new sound for the band, less of the amazing jamouts and more harmonized vocals (usually with dark lyrics). Later albums confirmed that pathway, more song/pop oriented, but the roots are plainly obvious to me with any of their work to date.

FWIW its worth it to look for the earlier vinyl if you can find it. At least in the case of Voyage 34 and Up the Downstair, the originals sound better.