Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways

Apparently this is the album the band have least affection for, as they claim it's derivative of Pink Floyd, and lacks imagination. Indeed, this was the first Porcupine Tree album I got, having been a hard core Pink Floyd fan at the time, and seeing it being highly recommended on the Floyd mailing list!

Well, it's partially true. The surrealist album cover does look like it could have been the work of Floyd artist Storm Thorgerson. "The Sky Moves Sideways (phase one)" is structured like Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", and this mood is helped by the lazy beats and plodding basslines. The combination of electronics and psychedelic guitar that follows, and dominate the second half of the album, are not really Floyd-like, but more reminiscent of "space rock" such as Ozric Tentacles or even (eep!) Hawkwind. "Dislocated Day" is a decent grinding psychedelic rocker.

It might not be original, but taken on its own this album is pleasing and listenable.

July 12, 2003

8 out of 10

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