Madfish Records UK
2003
The Sky Moves Sideways
About This Album
Though Porcupine Tree's permanent lineup was in place by the time Sky Moves Sideways was complete, it was actually a combination of old and new, with a number of tracks once again done by Steven Wilson on his own. Regardless of the provenance of one song or another, though, it was another fine release under the Porcupine Tree name, continuing the excellence of Up the Downstair while achieving a new liquid sense of drama and overall flow. Richard Barbieri's keyboard skills alone made for a wonderful addition to the ranks, easily capturing the slow sense of unfolding atmosphere and elegance combined from earlier Porcupine Tree work while adding his own touches here and there, touches of playfulness and improvisation. The Colin Edwin/Chris Maitland rhythm section sound like they were born to work together, able to both set slow, spacy moods and quick gallops and dance-skewed approaches. Wilson, meanwhile, is still himself, calling to mind strange lyrical images of rural collapse and romantic connection in his ever stronger, commanding but never straining vocals. As for guitar, there's subtle delicacy and headbanging overload and plenty of space in between for more. Overall, there's not much in the way of immediate sonic difference from Up the Downstair, but more a sense of exploring and establishing styles, almost as if the bandmembers were getting used to working with each other. The tripped-out title track bookends the album (perhaps in a not-so-subtle nod to a similar sequence on Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here with "Shine on You Crazy Diamond"). The real winners, though, are the jazz-touched acoustic/electric dreamscape of "Stars Die," with a great lead melody and overdubbed chorus from Wilson, and the immediately following "Moonloop," an instrumental calm then rocking jam that's credited to all four members. [Delerium/Snapper's 2003 reissue included a bonus tracks with alternate versions and more.] ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
Track List

Disc 1 (try tracks 2,3 and 4)

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Disc 2 (try tracks 2 and 4)

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