Porcupine Tree release that equals Lightbulb Sun?

"In Absentia" was the first PT disc I bought, and I was hooked immediately in the first four bars. I'm a bit of a metal head anyway. "Lightbulb Sun" strikes me as a complete work with many dynamics, tempos and variety. I like the earlier stuff..."Signify", "Sky Moves Sideways", etc. but they can get a bit monotonous because they lack variety, IMO. I do like them though.

For me, "Deadwing" is like "In Absentia" Part Two, but without the edge. Maybe that's why many of you like "Deadwing" better...less prog metal content.

I'll check out "Fear of a Blank Planet". Thanks.

FWIW, I owned a Riverside recording. It might have been "Second Life Syndrome" or "Out of Myself". I can't recall exactly. I didn't care for it. It seemed as though I had heard it all before in the 70s.

I bought "Fear of a Blank Planet" and sold it shortly thereafter. The music and recording, while typical PT high quality, was too reminiscent of "In Absentia" and "Deadwing", and offered little new, IMO.

The capper was the depressing theme of the lyrics. Not for me.

Rwwear, suffice it to say that I didn't care for "FOABP" enough to keep it, and the lyrics are downright dismal and depressing. Read 'em sometime. Of course, having said that, I'm certain some find the lyrics joyful and enlightening. To each his own.

Overall, I'm not one who collects everything a band has to offer. I usually cherry pick the best from an artist's discography. It's just my way.

I certainly respect your opinion, as well as the opinions of everyone who has offered suggestions. Thanks.

Thank you for those three suggestions, Albert.

I believe Lightbulb Sun is a worthwhile purchase and addition to your collection, Albert. Give it a shot.

Lightbulb Sun on CD is an outstanding recording. I suspect it will be even better on DVD-A.

Mapman, pick up the new CD/DVD-A re-release of "Lightbulb Sun".

FOABP is dismal...makes you want to Google "suicide", just to learn the possibilities.

Deadwing is good. In Absentia is better. And Lightbulb Sun is better than either by a fair margin, IMO.

The recent re-releases of Signify and Sky Moves Sideways include second discs containing primarily studio jams which would later evolve into the released versions of the albums.

Trippy and hypnotic with little if any vocals. I often listen to the jams rather than the official releases.

PT also have re-released earlier recordings. I suspect they include jams as well, but I'm not certain.