Customer Reviews

We Lost the Skyline (Limited LIVE INSTORE Performance)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Obviously this is mostly aimed at PT completists, but it's very nice even so. On most of the tracks, Steven Wilson and John Wesley concentrate on the vocal passages from each song, and don't attempt to fill in the instrumental parts. "Even Less" sounds particularly abbreviated, which is a shame, because there's actually an extended vocal arrangement available. There's a false start on "Normal" (from the "Nil Recurring" EP) that Wilson apologizes for in advance; on the second try he nails it nicely. "Stars Die" is a lovely surprise; it's one of my favourites from the "Sky Moves Sideways" album. (It's also on the "Stars Die - the Delerium Years" collection.)

Hot on the trails of the "Nil Recurring" EP released here in the US a few short weeks ago, we are treated to this fine live acoustic EP. I was kinda miffed initially when I heard about this thing. It was supposedly only going to be released on the PT website for about $25 when you figure in the exchange rate and the shipping from the EU. Imagine my glee when I walked into my favorite record shop and saw it on the racks...for $6.99!
As expected, the music is excellent. An interesting choice of tunes, "Stars Die" being a great suprise, and a brilliant acoustic version of "Drown With Me" is also most welcome. The only real stinker on this thing would have to be "Even Less". I really love the original song, but this version is a stripped down electric guitar snippet. It would have gone over much better as just an acoustic number as the rest of the disc is.
For being an Live Instore recording the audio is great, the fans aren't too annoying and Steve Wilson has a few intros that are fun to hear.
This release is really for the diehard PT fans like my self. I can't see someone getting this as their introduction to the band and then going out and buying the whole back catalogue. But it is sweet.

THE BAND: Steven Wilson (vocals, guitars) only... accompanied by touring guitarist John Wesley. Bandmates Colin Edwin (bass), Richard Barbieri (keyboards) and Gavin Harrison (drums) were not present during this `unplugged' live performance.

THE DISC: (2008) 8 tracks clocking in at approximately 33 minutes. Included with the disc - nothing - no liner notes. Recorded live at Park Avenue CD store in Orlando, FL (October 2007). Label - Transmission Recordings.

COMMENTS: Porcupine Tree mastermind Steve Wilson flying solo on three tracks... then joined on the last five by touring (only) guitarist John Wesley. An interesting listen - especially for the long time PT fan. It's nice to hear unplugged acoustic versions of Tree standards - "Even Less", "Stars Die", Trains", and "Waiting". Highlights include - "Normal" from the just released (2007/08) "Nil Recurring", the unreleased "Drown With Me", and one of their all-time best songs "Trains". The title of the disc comes from the 1st verse in "The Sky Moves Sideways". Wilson sounds good - and the album sounds surprisingly sharp for being recorded in a small music store with perhaps a few hundred people in attendance. Don't start your Porcupine Tree with "We Lost The Skyline" - instead go for one of their best studio albums... "In Absentia" (2002), "Deadwing" (2005), or "Lightbulb Sun" (2000). "We Lost The Skyline" is a good release - just nothing spectacular at this point for the band - perhaps better appreciated once you know where the songs are coming from (3.5 stars).

Porcupine Tree is one of the most interesting groups in the prog-rock scene. They have several masterworks in their history. They have mutated from symphonic rock to prog-rock. Nevertheless, they are sometimes a little too hard-rock for my taste. In this EP, they (in fact only Steven Wilson with the help of John Wesley) present in an unplugged view some of their best songs. Some are beatiful, but others are simply marvelous. The version presented here of "normal" is far better than that of the "Nil Recurring" EP. The versions of "lazarus" and "trains" (probably PT best songs) are also glorious. Heartly recommended.

This is Porcupine Tree without all the extras. Small band tighter arrangements and live. The interplay between Steven Wilson and John Wesley makes the record on the top of my list this year. Hurry up before it gets out of stock.

I like this cd a lot, and just for what it is; an acoustic set with Wilson and Wesley. It's got guitars and they sing their own great songs...people laughed and clapped and had the BEST time. Wish i could have been there, but I will opt to add this to my collection. I like listening to it as it is different for them to have done such a personal, seemingly impromptu, appearance. I believe a musician reserves the right to shorten, lengthen, or leave various parts out of any given song as they perform it...GOD it's called something..OH YEAH, CREATIVITY!! People should pick and snivel less and just enjoy things more. Lets not understate John Wesley's incredible new CD, Shiver!! Ceilidh !!

This is a perfectly pleasant little release with a set list that looks fantastic on paper ("Stars Die" and "Drown With Me" are particularly welcome surprises). For an acoustic performance, it's about what you'd expect from a very talented musician. Some of the commentary is actually just as enlightening as the performance itself. It's almost worth what you'd pay for it just to hear Steve Wilson talk about "name dropping" Robert Fripp and "f***ing up" on the first go through of "Normal," which he (perhaps in a moment of false modesty) states is "hard to play." At the end, he tells the crowd to pretend the last cut, "Trains," IS the encore. The crowd eats up the close, intimate setting, and it is this--when compared to Wilson's professional, cordial, almost cold demeanor on "Coma Divine" or "Warszawa"--that makes this release special.

However, it begs mentioning that the song selection, while wonderful, does not fit this setting. Vocal harmonies are not brought in until AFTER "Stars Die," which is one of the loveliest vocal parts Wilson's ever written. The sinister bassline is totally missing from "Waiting," effectively neutering the song. Same goes for that gorgeous, meandering piano from "Lazarus." "The Sky Moves Sideways" is always welcome, but as a 4 minute snippet of its former glory? I understand this is a small, two-man show; so why choose THESE songs, I ask. This setting makes "Drown With Me," "Trains," and especially "Normal" sound exquisite, but it doesn't CHANGE the others so much as it DIMINISHES them.

Well here it is.... a short rev. for a really cool dude, Mr. SW!!!!1 The best version of starz die ever (imo) and i really like drown with me as well, it is like totally 2nd place to stars die tho :DDDD

For those PT fans who don't already know, We Lost the Skyline is an acoustic outing. So unless the prospect of listening to a bunch of songs you already own stripped to their bare essentials motivates you, then this CD is probably not for you. On the other hand, if you are a PT completeist, then you'll want this.
I bought my copy long before it was available here from the Burning Shed website at a price that while not as sweet as the one here, was not nearly as onerous as the band's website price mentioned by the first reviewer. I suppose I got my money's worth, but I'll be listening to this far less than to some of PT's other albums.
At just over thirty minutes long, We Lost the Skyline is a bit longer than a lot of other EPs. I like all of these songs in their original forms and I like them here as well. But to me, the best renditions on this EP are The Sky Moves Sideways, Drown With Me, and Trains.
If you like Porcupine Tree, you can't go wrong picking this up at its current low price. But if you are on a budget, take a pass and save for some other PT CD you've been wanting.

An interesting and worthy piece of the P-Tree collection. Here you get just Steve and fellow travelling band mate and guitarist John Wesley playing an interesting selection of tunes.
ALTHOUGH !, one thing I cannot figure out is that apparently this is offered in a Limited Edition or this is in fact a limited edition recording. I can't find anything that says how this is limited. Unlike their 2001 release 'Recordings' which we know for certain is a true collector item. I fail so see any differnce in ones here on Amazon being sold for $30 vs. the $8 CD. Same 8 tracks. Normally a limited edition will offer something above and beyond artwork. Though I don't even see anything indicating a book or enhanced art. Anyone?