Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. The Sky Moves Sideways (Phase 1)
2. Dislocated Day
3. The Moon Touches Your Shoulder
4. Prepare Yourself
5. The Sky Moves Sideways (Phase 2)

Disc 2:

1. The Sky Moves Sideways (Alternate Version)
2. Stars Die
3. Moonloop (Improvisation)
4. Moonloop (Coda)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13133 in Music
• Released on: 2004-07-26
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Porcupine Tree - Sometimes I Feel Like A Fist......
This is the album that first introduced me to Porcupine Tree. Back in the mid-90's I used to subscribe to a Pink Floyd fanzine called Echoes. In several of the issues there was an ad for this band I had never heard of called Porcupine Tree. The description aroused my curiosity and I finally decided to give the disc a try. I have been a huge fan ever since. This album is by far the most Pink Floyd influenced of all of the band's albums. Similar to "Wish You Were Here" by Floyd, the album opens and closes with the two part epic title track. The whole thing clocks in at over 30 minutes of music. In between are 3 shorter songs and another long 17 minute track. For progressive rock fans this album is by far has the most in common with classic prog from the 70's. After this disc the band would move in a direction featuring shorter songs and a somewhat more commercial sound. This album is also the first one where Porcupine Tree was truly a band and not just a Stephen Wilson project. Richard Beriberi, Colin Edwin, and Chris Maitland all share in the music here and even are involved in some of the writing. This was yet another transitional album for the band, and they would never make another album like this one (at least so far), but if you are a fan of the band or enjoy Pink Floyd influenced music, this album is a must own.

Essential PT...better than I remember
I was first turned on to PT by a friend back in '98 with 'Signify', and man, this is the good stuff of 'retro-feel/modern-sound' prog rock! I was blown away; I had no idea that these guys could take the old Floyd sound and make something of their own that is completely theirs - spacey, psychedelic, atmospheric rock.
I then found 'Coma Divine' in a local record store and immediately fell in love with the live version of 'The Sky Moves Sideways' albeit slightly different from the studio version, but nonetheless rocked hardcore...Richard Barbieri's synth talents cannot be overestimated; the guy can make ANY sound come to life out of his boards...Chris Maitland's drumwork thunders out precision at every corner and Colin Edwins' basslines establish him as the sonic anchor irreplaceable in the lineup...and then there's Steve Wilson - the man who brought this whole thing to light...musically and lyrically the moodiest, trippiest musician in the modern British scene today; mix old-school musical approach with new-school technology, and that's what you've got...unbelievable!
This album along with 'Signify', 'Stupid Dream', and 'Coma Divine' are absolutely essential '90's-era PT to have and to hold. Do yourself a flavor with these; you will not regret it...

Wonderful start as a new band!
Back in 1996 I stumbled with this cd in a Cheapo Store in Minneapolis. It was a used cd, and it was cheap (US$2.99), and I liked the cover: I guessed it was either some metallic or psychodelic stuff. What a good surprise was this cd at first hearing. Being as I still am a huge fan of Pink Floyd, I was first taken by the wonderful sonic atmosphere of the long songs, reminding me of such masterworks as Shine on you Crazy Diamond and Animals. But also of The Dark Side of the Moon. However, it was not at all a derivative album of the kind you say inmmediatly things like: "this passage is taken from that particular passage in that famous album". No, absolutely no, Porcupine Tree was already also an original, in spite of owing so much to Pink Floyd. As a reaction to those that insist so much in this issue of "imitation", wouldn't you say that Tool owes a lot to Metallica and King Crimson? However, Tool is a very original band. It is in those terms that I think of Porcupine Tree and this album in particular, that had the virtue of turning me into a faithful fan of Porcupine Tree to this day. Being as it is the first albim in which Steven Wilson made some pieces (not all of them) with a real band, because Porcupine Tree was himself alone before Sky moves sideways, this is an excellent album, a terrific discovery. It still lifts my spirit everytime I listen to it.
No wonder it was so joyful to have a new version of the album with bonus tracks. As you know, the American version was different from the British version, as it used to happen with the Beatles or the Rolling Stones and others.
This remastered version contains essentially what the British version was, plus alternate takes, the most impressive of which is the title track, Sky moves sideways, which has some interesting variations in relation to the original version. As an advantage, this alternate take is not divided in two halves, as it was in the original album, it runs freely as a single piece. I am tempted to say that I like it better than the original!!!
In few words, this is an excellent album for a band that is beginning its career, although it is composed of already veteran musicians. It is progressive rock at its best. I thought, and I continue thinking, that Porcupine Tree is the true succesor of Pink Floyd in current times.