Exposé Online

Reviewing the Porcupine Tree Discography —
with Steven Wilson (1999)

Steven Wilson is one very talented and prolific guy. In addition to being lead guitarist, vocalist, producer and primary composer for Porcupine Tree, Wilson has a number of other projects. He plays in a quirky pop band called No Man, a wild instrumental psychedelic project named IEM (The Incredible Expanding Mindf*ck), the ambient Bass Communion, and also various other production gigs and guest appearances. Clearly Wilson is a very busy fellow. Despite all of the other creative outlets, Wilson’s primary focus is Porcupine Tree. With the “band” now having been making music for nearly a decade, and with five studio albums plus numerous other releases to their credit, it seems that a look back at their recorded output is a good idea. Reviewing the Porcupine Tree discography is a true delight as the albums represent some of the best music that has been made during the 90s. The journey through the five studio CDs is also rather exhilarating, as one can watch Wilson (and later on the entire band) progress and grow in leaps and bounds.

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(Posted by David Ashcraft 2000-05-01)

Steve Walsh - Glossolalia

This is the second solo project commanded by Steve in his long career, and I must say, this was no small surprise! You see, I was expecting something rather middle-of-the-road, since — though...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 2000-03-01)

Atoll - Rock Puzzle

[Regarding Rock Puzzle]

Rock Puzzle is the long awaited CD reissue of Atoll’s fourth album recorded in 1979. True to their practice of releasing high quality CDs,...

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(Posted by Henry Schneider 1999-12-31)

Alrune Rod - Alrune Rod

This is the first of about seven albums by this Danish five-piece. Their sound at this early juncture is a mix of nimble heavy organ progressive rock and trippy spacy, sometimes plodding,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1999-11-01)

André Andersen - Changing Skin

Anderson is the keyboardist of Royal Hunt, a progressive metal band from Denmark that released the album Paradox on Magna Carta a couple years ago (and four more on other labels before that)....  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1999-11-01)

Ash Ra Tempel - Schwingungen / Seven Up & Join Inn / Starring Rosi

Here we have domestic releases of the consummate Krautrock band’s early albums. Though not as quotable to neo-Kraut hipsters as Can, Faust, Kraftwerk and Neu! — Ash Ra Tempel were...

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(Posted by Tom Hayes 1999-11-01)

Ayreon - Into the Electric Castle: A Space Opera

It seems that a simple album doesn’t satisfy Arjen Anthony Lucassen. This, his second foray into “Ayreon,” is even grander than the first. As you might surmise, this is a concept...

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(Posted by Dane Carlson 1999-11-01)

Azigza - ...Whose Portals are Night and Day

Azigza was the big surprise of Progfest ‘99, playing an intense show in the lobby that attracted a lot of spectators. Their sound is typified by a fusion of progressive rock and Eastern world...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1999-11-01)

Beyond-O-Matic - Sonic Reclaimator

Sonic Reclaimator is the second release of improvised space music from San Francisco’s Beyond-O-Matic. They use a wide variety of instruments, both electric and acoustic, some of them...  » Read more
(Posted by Jon Davis 1999-11-01)

Chester Thompson - A Joyful Noise

Chester Thompson is a well-traveled drummer with a long list of high-profile bands. From Weather Report’s most fertile period (Black Market) to Frank Zappa (One Size Fits...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1999-11-01)