Good list. I think for me I’d have Deadwing higher because I LOVE the song "Arriving Somewhere but Not Here". It’s their “stairway to heaven” for sure. 👍
Porcupine Tree is one of the greatest unknown gems I have ever discovered. I have listened to them for nine years now and can’t believe I missed them. Sooooo happy.
I can relate. I jumped on the "band" wagon around 2009 and saw them live during their "The Incident" tour. Totally changed my taste of music forever. Hope they re-unite some day.
I’d heard of the name for years but didn’t get into them until about 5 years ago. Fast forward to now I have all their stuff on vinyl or CD and they’re absolutely one of my favorites. What a catalog, such great players. I even love most of SW’s solo work.
Yes it's been some 7-8 years and I don't know why it's very hard to listen to any other band like PT. Can you suggest me some music that can give me close to this level of amazement that PT does.
1. Fear of a Blank Planet 2. Deadwing 3. In Absentia 4. The sky moves sideways 5. Lightbulb Sun 6. Stupid Dream 7. The Incident 8. Signify 9. Up the downstairs 10. On the Sunday of life
Finally someone giving love to deadwig! My ranking is: 1. Fear of a Blank Planet 2. Dead wing 3. The Sky Moves Sideways 4. In Absentia 5. Lightbulb Sun 6. Up the Downstairs 7. The Incident 8. Signify 9. Stupid Dream 10. On the Sunday of Life
Your web site is crashing when I submit...so I'll post here...great appreciation...Thanks PETE - from UFO to Porcupine Tree to Genesis and Rush....you have brought intelligent music buying to the collective consciousness who should have reverence to music of the 70s thru 90s. Darkness is brought to Light.
These shows are the best Pete! You got me buying CDs again! Just can't beat having the actual album in your hand with booklet and artwork and all!. You sir have an amazing collection!!
@@rushxanthemtcg5607 C.Ds are like cassettes, only good when your on the go. Vinyl is best for listening at home. C.Ds now sound much,much better than they did before streaming took over. I would even say the 8-track was good for it's warm sound. I buy anything pre-1983 vinyl, post 1983 vinyl.
Great list! I’d rank them as follows: 10: On the Sunday of Life 9: The Incident 8: Signify 7: Up the Downstair 6: Stupid Dream 5: Lightbulb Sun 4: Fear of a Blank Planet 3: In Absentia 2: Sky Moves Sideways 1: Deadwing Favorite songs: 1. Trains 2. Anesthetize 3. Arriving Somewhere, Not Here 4. Russia on Ice 5. Start of Something Beautiful
The Sky Moves Sideways is like listening to 2001: A Space Oddyssey. I picked up the double disc digipack and when I get some cubenses it takes me on one hell of a journey
My ranking of Porcupine Tree albums 1. Deadwing 2. In Absentia 3. Fear Of A Blank Planet 4. Stupid Dream 5. Lightbulb Sun 6. The Sky Moves Sideways 7. Signify 8. The Incident 9. Up The Downstairs 10. On The Sunday Of Life
One of my all time favorite bands, who I was very fortunate to be involved with pretty deeply on a personal level from In Absentia through The Incident (I ran their street team during that time) Oddly I haven’t listened to them as much as I once did. After SW disbanded them, I got into much heavier and more extreme metal. This is a tough one for me because I like all their materiel fairy equally. I tend to like their more trippy space/psych rock period more (except Yellow Hedgerow and OtSoL which are both pretty uneven listens for me) than the poppier stuff and the more metallic later material before they split up. 1 Signify 2 The Sky Moves Sideways 3 In Absentia 4 Deadwing 5 Stupid Dream 6 Lightbulb Sun 7 Up the Downstairs 8 Fear of a Blank Planet 9 The Incident 10 On the Sunday of Life
Here’s my list 1. The Sky Moves Sideways 2. Fear of a Blank Planet 3. In Absentia 4. Signify 5. Lightbulb Sun 6. Deadwing 7. The Incident 8. On the Sunday of Life 9. Up the Downstair 10. Stupid Dream This is the most difficult list I’ve ever had to make, I love every album!
Porcupine tree are the last great progressive rock band. Amazing live performances and Stellar musicians. I agree this is s tough ranking. Here is my list 1 - Fear of a blank planet 2 - Deadwing 3 The Sky moved sideways 4 - In Absentia 5 - Stupid Dream 6 - The incident 7 - Lightbulb sun. Awesome job Pete , I am really enjoying your ranking 4-
@@reformedstoic1581 I just purchased Deadwing today. Never heard a note of Porcupine Tree just yet. I'm a huge RUSH fan, along with ELP, Yes, Pink Floyd, Bowie, etc. Most comments around the net say "Deadwing" is the best one to start, so that's where I'm at...
Pete you are the reason I have ONLY just discovered #porcupinetree mate 👍 - so thanks for all you do, produce and comment on, chap! I have another little wormhole to go down! #prog #spacerock #dreampop #progressivemusic
Along with Anekdoten, Anglagard, Spock's Beard, Dream Theater & Djam Karet, close to 30 years ago now PT were one of the signature bands heralding a renaissance of progressive rock (or at least a powerful second wave) - listening to them now triggers a different, subtler sort of nostalgia than the legacy bands of the 70s brIng on. Best to least-best: STUPID DREAM IN ABSENTIA LIGHTBULB SUN DEADWING FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS SIGNIFY UP THE DOWNSTAIR ON THE SUNDAY OF LIFE THE INCIDENT
My rank: 1 Fear of a Blank Planet 2 In Absentia 3 The Sky Moves Sideways 4 Deadwing 5 Stupid Dream 6 Lightbulb Sun 7 Closure/Continuation 8 Signify 9 Up the Downstair 10 The Incident 11 On the Sunday of Life
1. In Absentia 2. Signify 3. Fear of a Blank Planet 4. Stupid Dream 5. Deadwing 6. The Sky Moves 7. Lightbulb Sun 8. Up the Downstairs 9. The Incident 10. On the Sunday of Life
Saw them live in Switzerland in 2000 1- Sky Moves Sideways 2 - Stupid Dream 3- In Absentia 4- Deadwing 5- Signify 6- The Incident 7- Lightbulb Sun 8- Blank Planet 9- Staircase
Great Job, Pete!!! The keyboardist of PT is Richard Barbieri. He played in Japan (new wave British band 80's). Japan was an interesting career. ¿Glam rock? ¿Pop? ¿tecno pop?¿experimental? I really don't know. Interesting music. I love the evolution of the band and all the stuff they created after. David Sylvian (with Fripp, and very good solo albums). Mick Karn (RIP), incredible bass player collaborates with David Torn (Song X) and he recorded amazing albums. Steve Jansen (David Sylvian Brother) collaborates with Ryuichi sakamoto. Barbieri, released some beautiful albums... and two with Steve Hogarth!!! Quiet and dark. Elegant and sophisticate.
Hi Pete! I also recommend listening to Nil Recurring...it's an EP, around 30 minutes long. It is really remarkable; very proggy, heavy in some sections and with Robert Fripp joining in the open track... check it out!
Great stuff as usual Pete! Love this band. Ever considered ranking the albums of Steven Wilson’s solo output? Some killer prog stuff in there. Quite an impressive and diverse catalog he’s put together.
PT is almost unique in that their newer albums got better and better. They sure went out on a high note! 10: On the Sunday of Life 9: Up the Downstair 8: Deadwing (used to rank this higher, but didn't age well for me.) 7: Sky Moves Sideways (Always prefer to listen to Coma Divine live album instead) 6: Lightbulb Sun 5: The Incident 4: Signify 3: Stupid Dream 2: In Absentia 1: Fear of a Blank Planet
First, I like all of the records. I don't think there's a bad one. So, without much eplanation, here's my list: 10) On the Sunday of Life 9) In Absentia 8) Signify 7) Up the Downstair 6) The Sky Moves Sideways 5) Stupid Dream 4) The Incident 3) Lightbulb Sun ("Shesmovedon" is one of my favorite songs of theirs) 2) Deadwing (I could listen to "Arriving..." for hours) 1) Fear of a Blank Planet (still makes me feel nearly every emotion during it's runtime) As always, thanks for getting us talking about more great music, Pete!
Very difficult because I think every one besides the debut is fantastic. 1. In Absentia 2. Deadwing 3. Stupid Dream 4. Lightbulb Sun 5. Signify 6. Sky Moves Sideways 7. Fear of a Blank Planet 8. Up the Downstair 9. Incident
4 года назад
Thanks so much that you did this ranking instead of the risk to present your audence a band that is not that well-known as many of the bands you usually talk about!! Great, man - carry on giving the secret gems of rock a chance - its exactly there where the heart of Rock'n Roll is still beating...beside of all that commercial crap we are all confronted with every day!! - My first Porcupine Tree-CD was the live album "Waszawa" they recorded in Poland. For me it was a great help to have that live athmosphere to get into their music. Steven Wilson is a real phenomenon! The creativity of this man is astonishing! Beside of his work for Porcupine Tree, each of his solo albums contains fantastic pearls of progressive rock music. It's interesting that you say the music of Porcupine Tree perhaps is too "british" for the american music business. One may ask, if that is so, then why Pink Floyd ever had the chance to be so successful in the US, because I can hardly imagine a rock band that is more "british" then Floyd...but who knows?
Always a pleasure to watch your videos, Pete. Rank Savatage albums one day, please. Anyway, to me: 1 Fear of a Blank Planet 2 The Sky moves sideways 3 In Absentia 4 Recordings 5 Signify/Insignificance
Great post Pete , one of my fav modern bands. 🤘🏻 agree with in absentia , then FOABP, deadwing, stupid dream, incident, lightbulb sun , signify as my favs
Deadwing lives in In Absentia’s shadow for me. There was an interview where SW talked through his discography and he said he wasn’t all that pleased with it ultimately
Sir Pete does it again! 1. Lightbulb Sun 2. Signify 3. Stupid Dream 4. In Absentia 5. Deadwing 6. Up The Downstairs 7. Fear Of A Blank Planet 8. The Sky Moves Sideways 9. The Incident 10. On The Sunday of Life
Porcupine Tree might be my favorite band of all time. I was lucky enough to see them in Chicago on the Incident tour. My list: 10. On the Sunday of Life 9. Up the Downstair 8. The Sky Moves Sideways 7. Signify 6. Stupid Dream 5. The Incident 4. Lightbulb Sun 3. Deadwing 2. In Absentia 1. Fear of a Blank Planet
My ranking changed throughout time, currently this is mine: 1. Lightbulb Sun 2. Stupid Dream 3. In Absentia 4. Fear of A Blank Planet/Nil Recurring 5. Metanoia 6. Deadwing 7. Up The Downstair/Staircase Infinities 8. Voyage 34 9. Signify/Insignificance 10. The Sky Moves Sideways 11. The Incident 12. Recordings 13. On the Sunday of Life...
Thank you Pete! Better late than never this one popped up and I’ve bought a number of Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree albums after viewing. They did not disappoint! Wilson and band highly talented - so many great songs and recordings!
Hi Pete and greetings from Wolverhampton England. As a 60 year old lover of all things rock and prog. I have to say I love Porcupine Tree. Thanks for your list. Deadwing is my favourite
Just discovered Porcupine Tree on a friend’s recommendation. How did I miss them!? Really enjoying their music. Deadwing favourite album so far with Start of something beautiful the stand out song followed very closely by Arriving somewhere but not here a close second, amongst several great tracks.
Great list, Pete. I caught on to PT pretty late. The first song I heard was 'Radioactive Toy', on the now defunct Live 365 Prog Rock Radio. I had to find out more. The first album I got was 'In Absentia', and it's my favorite to this day. The rest of my list varies frequently.
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet 2. Deadwing 3. In Absentia 4. Stupid Dream 5. The Incident 6. The Sky Moves Sideways 7. Lightbulb Sun 8. Signify 9. Up The Downstair 10. On The Sunday Of Life Thank you so much Pete! You are so awesome! Really enjoy the rankings, rants and histories... Fav tracks... Arriving Somewhere But Not Here Anesthetize Shesmovedon My Ashes Radioactive Toy
Great ranking, I should start listening to Porcupine Tree, next we need the studio rankings: ELP, The Moody Blues, Asia, Dream Theater, Marillion, Arena, Spock's Beard, The Flower Kings, and Saga
Finally, a ranked albums episode of my favourite band! I wouldn't have the albums in the same order, but hey it's all about opinions. Cheers for doing this Pete, loved it! Oh and if you aren't into the Steven Wilson solo albums, you really should be, they're fantastic!!!
My first live exposure to Porcupine Tree was at NEARfest 2001, and I was sold almost from the first notes of Even Less. What a wonderful band. Stupid Dream is my favorite.
Watching and listening to Gavin Harrison play the drums with Porcupine Tree is one of the great pleasures in life. The man is amazing. In my opinion the best drummer on the planet now the Neal Peart has passed away.
Great list . I have one question . About Muse . They are floydish , queenish , hard rock , alternative and prog rock in a same time . 7 albums - all great . Last tour 1,3 mil people saw them , 55 shows and 130 mil $ earned. I dont like numbers but i just want to show how they are really intresting band . Their album "Drones " was produced by Mutt Lange - maybe his last input like producer 2015 .
Another great show, thanks Pete! I only have half of Porcupine Tree albums, will be getting the other half now after listening to your ranking. I will plead my case again for the even more underrated band Enchant to grace your channel :)
Nice one pete...personally my favourite album is fear of a blank planet, anesthetize is an absolute epic, there is a live performance of this song here on youtube live in tilburg, Holland,...masterpiece!
Ranked The Albums 10 On The Sunday Of Life 9 Stupid Dream 8 Lightbulb Sun 7 Up The Downstair 6 Signify 5 The Sky moves Sideways 4 The Incident 3 Deadwing 2 In Absentia 1 Fear Of A Blank Planet Top 10 Songs 10 Flicker 9 Sound Of Muzak 8 Arriving Somewhere, But Not here 7 Lazarus 6 Start Of Something Beautiful 5 Time Flies 4 Blackest Eyes 3 Trains 2 Sentimental 10 Honorable Mentions Open Car Gravity Eyelids My Ashes Way Out Of Here Fear Of A Blank Planet Sleep Together Wedding Nails Prodigal Creator has a Master Tape Melloton Scratch 1 Anesthetize Thats my Favorite. Woo! That took a while.
Love these guys! They basically got me into Progressive Rock which I'm now a massive fan of. Listened to PT so much back in the day that I honestly got a little burnt out on them! I would still count them as one of my favourite bands. I agree (most people likely do) that their 1st album is not great but all the others are fantastic in my opinion. So hard to rank them but here's my attempt: 10. On the Sunday of Life... 9. Up the Downstair 8. The Sky Moves Sideways 7. The Incident 6. Signify 5. Lightbulb Sun 4. Deadwing 3 Stupid Dream 2. Fear of a Blank Planet 1. In Absentia If I'm completely honest, I probably need to give those first 3 albums some more listens... Great video as always, thanks Pete!
I'm missing a couple PT albums...and I'd have to go back and revisit most of them to put them all in order. But for now I can say I'm one of those guys who think Fear of a Blank Planet is my favorite. But my favorite song might be Shesmovedon...especially in the 5.1 mix I own.
Thanks again, Pete, so glad you did one another of my favorite bands. Also, great job mentioning the EPs and odd lots, as they are all essential when collecting the band's stuff. Anyway, I can't say we see eye-to-eye on this one, as Deadwing is my clear favorite of the discography (and one of my top 20 albums ever). I'd rank them like this: 10. On The Sunday Of Life 9. Up The Downstair 8. Stupid Dream (I know, surprising) 7. The Incident 6. Signify 5. The Sky Moves Sideways 4. Fear Of A Blank Planet 3. Lightbulb Sun 2. In Absentia 1. Deadwing
Being a Rush fan for the last 20 years or so, I have heard this band come up in the forums, Facebook, etc. I finally checked them out 3 years ago, a little before C/C was announced, and they are my new favorite band. Great list, I like seeing some love for The Sky Moves Sideways. ✌️🤘
I'd agree with that list, great music and prog fans should salute Steven Wilson for keeping the prog scene alive at a time when it was pretty unpopular.
As a late devotee of Porcupine Tree, all I can say is, they don't get much air play in the U.S.A. but then, hey, what can you say. The corporate controlled radio outlets are NOT okay with bands that don't pay for play. Which is a terrible way to make hay. But someday PT will be way, way above the fray and they'll display the music they portray to a whole new coterie and their resume will earn hooray's from all that they slay with their amazing play. Good day.
My gosh. Porcupine Tree was someone I discovered in the late 90's. Gavin Harrison is one of the best drummers I've ever heard. Before this, I didn't know anyone outside of Yes, King Crimson, and...Flash. I didn't know how many new prog folks doing...Spock's Beard, Ozric Tentacles, Pure Reason Revolution, and a whole host of other new prog folks. Thanks for this. You and I have a similar prog taste. I have gobs of it. Cannot get away from it...still love all things rock and roll.
Last to first Sunday of Life, Up The Downstair, Sky Moves Sideways,Signify Recordings,Lightbulb Sun, Stupid Dream, The Incident, Fear of A Blank Planet,Deadwing, In Absentia. You're right, that was difficult!!! I also love Nil Recurring and would place it along Fear of a Blank Planet. Thanks for doing this,one of my favorite bands ever.
*Albums:* 1 - Deadwing 2 - In Absentia 3 - The Incident 4 - Fear Of A Blank Planet 5 - Signify 6 - Lightbulb Sun 7 - Stupid Dream 8 - Up The Downstair 9 - The Sky Moves Sideways 10 - On The Sunday Of Life All these albums are at least B tier. Most are S tier imo *Songs:* 1 - Lips Of Ashes 2 - Arriving Somewhere But Not Here 3 - Sentimental 4 - Russia On Ice 5 - Gravity Eyelids
1. Deadwing 2. Fear Of A Blank Planet 3. In Absentia 4. Stupid Dream 5. The Incident 6. Lightbulb Sun 7. Signify 8. The Sky Moves Sideways 9. Up The Downstair 10. On The Sunday Of Life Favourite songs: 1. Arriving Somewhere But Not Here 2. Anesthetize (live in Tilburg) 3. Time Flies 4. Sleep Together (live in Tilburg) 5. Don't Hate Me (live in Chicago)
Thanks for the video Pete, this is very educational! I have been slowly learning a bit more about Porcupine Tree and will check out more of their work. So far, The Sky Moves Sideways is the one that made me perk up the most.
Oh yay! I don't know the band and was just looking into them and found this vid. The pig! HA! Just gave that as a Christmas gift! Love the oink! 😄 Thanks for what you do.
Pete..Great list but perhaps some live stuff would have been a good idea,as they are a very intricate part of their catalogue etc..'Coma Divine' & 'Octane Twisted'
I became a Porcupine Tree freak since 2005. My first CD was In Absentia, then I continued with Deadwing, Lightbulb Sun, the Stars Die-The Delirium Years 91-96 compilation, Recordings-a collection of previously unreleased songs, Stupid Dream, Fear of a Blank Planet, Nil Recurring EP, The Incident, Signify, The Sky Moves Sideways and Up The Downstair. I used to have On A Sunday of Life as a digital download, but I lost it somehow. So, I would try to get it back in my collection, pretty soon. That said, I am going to let you know my own Porcupine Tree ranking. Worth to mention is that this ranking does not necessarily mean that I don´t like the albums on the bottom of the barrel. I like them, but in a different way. Top 3 Discs: 1. Signify , 2. In Absentia, 3. Deadwing. The rest of the ranking goes as follows: 4. Fear of A Blank Planet, 5. Stupid Dream, 6. Lightbulb Sun. 7. The Sky Moves Sideways, 8. The Incident, 9 Up The Downstair, 10. On A Sunday of Life. Honorific mentions: 1. Recordings, 2. Voyage 34: The Complete Trip. 3. Nil Recurring EP, 4.Stars Die: The Delirium Years 91-96.
I have loved Porcupine Tree for many years and i would put them up there with Opeth as one of the most important bands of all time, they have done lots of fantastic albums but i consider 'The Incident to be their greatest work and really captured the band at the peak of their musicial creativity. Highly recommend you check out Steven Wilson's solo stuff as there is some really good music
1 In absentia 2 Deadwing 3 Lightbulb Sun 4 The sky moves sideways 5 Signify 6 Fear of a blank planet 7 Stupid dream 8 Up the downstair 9 The Incident 10 On the sunday of life.
Nice list. A few tweaks and you’d like up with what I feel to be their definitive 10: 1. Fear of a Blank Planet 2. In Absentia 3. Deadwing 4. The Incident 5. Stupid Dream 6. Lightbulb Sun 7. Signify 8. The Sky Moves Sideways 9. up the Downstairs 10. On the Sunday of Life
Never really got into their last two records...but maybe I should listen to them some more? I just can't really recall much, unlike with their earlier albums that all glued to my musical memory right upon first listen. As for the early PT stuff, I would agree that it's good...but, yeah, just doesn't surpass the band's peak, which emerged shortly thereafter (with the exception of The Sky Moves Sideways). I think of TSMS to Deadwing as being their peak, with Lightbulb Sun being the low-point during that peak. So, in any order, my top-six PT albums would have to be TSMS through Deadwing, but with LS definitely sitting in 6th-place.
Great review! As a space-rock fan who came aboard in the early days, my list will be different than most. My 2 favorites are Up The Downstair and Sky Moves Sideways. The live Coma Divine would be 3rd if live albums were included. I do like the more recent, heavier albums too. Everything Steven Wilson touches turns to gold.
Great video, as usual... Love listening to your opinions and often great taste... Quite a recent PT convert... HUGE Opeth fan so always had a lot of respect for Steven Wilson but apart from the Anaesthetise live album"s first three songs i didn't give them much play but i have got more into them thru Spotify and they are truly incredible... In Absentia is the first real purchase and it will take a lot of beating by anything... Deadwing is amazing as is Lightbulb Sun... But i will take note of the zeal for the #2 pick... Brilliant timing, sir.. Greetings from the UK..
Ranking the Studio Albums: Judas Priest when? By the way You are great Pete, keep doing these videos. Always fun to see your take on the Albums and artists I love.
Loved the curveball at number 2! In Absentia in my current fave too, got it on vinyl and it’s the best sounding record I own. What about Tool? Are you fan at all?
Great list Pete..but ommiting the live stuff is perhaps a mistake,being an awesome live combo etc...'Coma Divine' & 'Octane Twisted' also the incredible 'Anesthetize'
1.) Deadwing (Love the heavy memorable rockers Shallow, Open Car, the groovy bass driven song Halo, softer melodic tuned like meltron scratch and deadwing. Strong album) 2.) In Absentia (Melodic ambient tracks like Heartbreak In A Layby, Lips of Ashes, Trains, and of course the psychedelic instrumental .3. Then rockin tracks like Blackest Eyes, Strip The Soul, Sound of Muzak that mix alternative and rock) 3.) The Incident (Incorporates more metal sounds like Opeth, and melodic soft groovy tunes) 4.) Lightbulb Sun (Shesmovedon is a heavy track with very memorable chorus then psychedelic groovy tracks like Hatesong and Russia On Ice) 5.) Fear of A Blank Planet (My Ashes is such a melodic almost psychedelic piece which is one of my favorites, along with the groovy title track, etc. But not one Ive listened to nearly as much as the rest)
I'm a big PT Fan sine 2010, I saw Steven Wilson at least since then 8 times, all the Concerts are what sound matters, high Quality, for me Steven Wilson is the Rock Beethoven in our time, for me is fear of the blank PLanet one of the best Albums ever.
Saw the band just as Maitland and Edwin joined around the time of Signify. They played in an old disused church in Colchester during a rainy November night. Great atmosphere and after the gig we we had to walk through a graveyard with the mists rolling in which was kinda creepy but seemed appropriate given some of the music played that night. Anyway love the band but still cannot 'get' The Incident. Seems to be mainly musical vignettes without any melodic structure. Shame they ended on such a low note... for me anyway. Now how about the biggest challenge..ranking all 32 Hawkwind albums? Only kidding!!
Barrie Strong I agree the incident was very uneven. SW mentioned that he considered the incident album one long song. Ok, but I don’t agree. That said, I love what’s there. The opening riff on this album gives me the chills in a good way. I put it fourth on my list.
My list would look like this: 10. The Incident 9. The Sky Moves Sideways 8. Up the Downstair 7. On the Sunday of Life 6. Signify 5. Lightbulb Sun 4. Deadwing 3. Fear of a Blank Planet 2. In Absentia 1. Stupid Dream I fucking hate The Incident so much. Everything else PT did varies from good to masterpiece, but The Incident... Yikes. OTSOL is just pure fun imo. TSMS doesn't click with me at all, except for the fantastic Moonloop. The track you're looking for from UtD is Sy-ne-sthe-sia, and it's my favourite from it as well. The riff from the title track of FoaBP is fantastic. So fucking fire. Probably my favourite riff of all time. Stupid Dream was my introduction to PT and helped me through the worst period of my depression. Holds a very special place in my heart.
Fantastic post--I was anxious to hear how you ranked the albums. "Fear of a Blank Planet" is at top of my list and the order of the others would take great thought. I would rank "Lightbulb Sun" a bit higher because of the mainstay songs, "Russia on Ice" and "Hatesong." Those two were constantly on their live set lists until they disbanded. I've listened to amazing music my whole life ("Stand Up" by Jethro Tull was my first album), and PT will always be among my Top Ten favorites ever.
