Regarding Steven Wilson, I arrived a little late on the scene. It wasn’t until 2022 I began listening to Porcupine Tree & his solo efforts. And I did so in reverse order because of the release of CR caught my eye, on the Steve Hoffman forums.
Of course I had seen his name popup often at remasters and remixed, for example Jethro Tull’s aqualung, songs for the woods and many others but I somehow was under the impression he was more an engineer type person. I do remember I checked out PT a few times but it didn’t quite click.
I might have checked the more heavier stuff at the time and didn’t really care for it, not quite sure. But somehow since 2022 that changed :).
Favs are now Deadwing, Light Bulb, and of course the solo albums Raven & Hand Cannot Erase.
Last month I read his book. And although at times he seems a little full of himself, but it did make me appreciate his earlier music more. So lately I listened to the earlier PT stuff and his solo albums. They are more about setting a mood
creating an atmosphere with music using electronics, and more inspired by 60s and 70s psychedelic music. This also made me check out other music I usually wouldnt think of like AIR (a french band) or somewhat more obscure concept albums. His podcast ‘the album years’ also helps with that!
It is later that the music get more heavier with Raven, inspired by the Tull etc remixes that earned him the ProgRock label. Which he doesn’t seem to like much, according to the book.
He is a little older than I am but I do recognize some trends and stories about music when he grew up in the 80s. Like the Cure and the Smiths. He seems to especially like the Cure. And browsing through vinyl at the used record store and buying a record just because it looked interesting. Also you didn’t have a lot of money so every lp you bought was kind of precious and you put more effort in, to ‘like it’.
His own lists are interesting Harmony Codes 11 ? weird for a new album. Note that Raven isn’t ranked at all.
- PT – In Absentia
- PT – Fear of a Blank Planet
- PT – Closure / Continuation
- SW = Insurgentes
- SW – Hand. Cannot. Erase.
- SW – The future bites
- Bas communion – Ghosts on magnetic tape
- Storm Corrosion – Storm Corrosion
- No-Man – Together we’re Stranger
- No-Man – Schoolyard Ghosts
- SW – The harmony codex
I haven’t heard 7,9 and 10 to be honest. The Storm Corrosion album is interesting but not something I’d listen to very often. No blackfield albums either. I do like those!
His last 3 solo albums are a little meh, especially The Future Bites. A bit too poppy and electronic. Although the Harmony Codex has a few very nice songs. Next year he’s releasing a new solo album and he’s going on tour again. We’ll see what kind of music he’ll bring then :).
Link to hoffman forums ranking the PT albums
Podcast – The album years -> well worth checking out, you learn about new music I never though I would check out, like AIR for example.
