Signify (Dig) [Import]

Porcupine Tree | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Madfish Records UK
• ASIN: B0002FR07O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,919 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Expanded from a single album to a double CD this package features a complete bonus album called 'Insignificance (Demos 1995-96)' that was previously released as a fan club cassette in an edition of only 500 copies! 'Insignificance' contains rare material that didn't make it to the 'Signify' album as well as an acoustic version of 'Nine Cats'. Fully remastered sound & improved slip case packaging. 'Signify' is one of Porcupine Tree's best-sellers & one that established Porcupine Tree as a major force in modern rock. It's therefore an essential part of any Porcupine Tree fans collection. This expanded edition contains a wealth of rare & sought after material that will make it an essential purchase for many buyers. Slipcase. Delerium. 2003. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Band In The World!, December 11, 2001

By 

G-Dexter (Lakewood, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Signify (Audio CD)

Perhaps saying Porcupine Tree is the 'best band in the world' is a little strong; they have some pretty strong competition out there. And I didn't say the best band of all time, because someday, perhaps somebody better will emerge. But if you are a fan of progressive, thoughtful, briliantly executed and flawlessly produced music, you will do no better than PT.

The early albums, ON THE SUNDAY OF LIFE, and VOYAGE 34, THE COMPLETE TRIP are very psychodelic in nature, evoking LSD trips and magic mushroom imagery, (I'm guessing, as I've never actually done that myself). Inevitable comparisons with Sid Barret and early Pink FLoyd will be made. In fact, the specter of Pink Floyd will follow PT's work through much of their catalog, including UP THE DOWNSTAIR, never more evident than in THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS, and up to SIGNIFY. It should be stressed that PT is not a clone band, trying to be like.... Steven Wilson has a unique and distinctive style that blends many influences, from techno dance, space ambient, progressive blues, and alternative rock; into absolutely brilliant compositions. The later albums, STUPID DREAM and LIGHTBULB SUN move the band further away from their influences and into their own catagory, by which other bands eventually will be compared.

I have been searching for a great contemporary progressive band for years; many of the offerings out there are good, but leave me unsatisfied and wanting more. Marillion, Spocks' Beard, Dream Theater, Flower Kings, etc... all good bands who, for me seem to fall just short of the mark. The old standard bearers like Yes, Roger Waters, King Crimson and Jethro Tull are still making some very good music (or releasing the same old music, like Floyd), but they don't seem to be able to capture the sparks that made them great way back when.

However, Porcupine Tree has fully pleased and satisfied my expectations with each new release. I find that I can't get enough and cannot wait for the next album. It baffles me that they are not better known in America - given their consistent level of excellent music, I would expect that Porcupine Tree would be a household name. Yea, as far as I'm concerned, they are the best band in the world today.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Signify + Insignificance = Another must have Porcupine Tree release, August 18, 2006

By 

R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Signify (Dig) (Audio CD)

THE BAND: Steve Wilson (lead vocals, guitars, mellotron, keyboards, samplers & tapes), Richard Barbieri (keyboards, synthesizers & sequencers), Colin Edwin (bass), Chris Maitland (drums & percussion).

THE DISC(S): Originally released in 1997, this revised and remastered foldout digi-pak 2-disc set released in 2004. 22 songs clocking in at approximately 108 minutes (the original 12-track album is disc-1 at approximately 62 minutes, and the 2nd (bonus) disc titled "Insignificance" at approximately 46 minutes). Included with the discs is a 6-page booklet containing songs titles/credits, song lyrics, musicians, and odd pictures. The "Insignificance" disc is a selection of Wilson demos that includes several tracks that were not recorded for the final "Signify" album, as well as formative versions of some that were. Label - Snapper Music.

COMMENTS: This was my first disc from Porcupine Tree. I like it a ton, but it's definitely not my favorite (favorites include "In Absentia", "Stupid Dream", Lightbulb Sun" and "Deadwing"), but absolutely essential in their catalog of must-have albums. Some great songs here... the best in my opinion are the "Sleep Of No Dreaming" (dark, moody, wonderful), the opening jam "Signify", "Waiting Phase 1" followed by the instrumental "Waiting Phase 2", and the 8 minute album closer "Dark Matter". More than other recent Tree albums, "Signify" features many (6) instrumentals. Some being minute-and-a-half synthesizer experiments, while others being full blown 6-7 minute jams... the best being "Intermediate Jesus", "Idiot Prayer" and the title track. The soft acoustic "Every Home Is Wired" is a gem of a song too (with futuristic words from Wilson about the home PC). The bonus disc is a nice addition. It contains a few different takes (demos) of songs included on disc-1, as well as new material not previously released. Two excellent instrumentals with "Neural Rust" and Dark Origins". And, the two best songs with vocals being "Wake As Gun I" and "Sever Tomorrow". This disc made me go out and buy the rest of their material... several years ago, this turned out to be a great discovery for me - since 2002 Porcupine Tree has been my favorite band. I rate "Signify" as PT's first essential disc. Look for the digi-pak (4.5 stars).

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Cool, March 23, 2005

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Signify (Audio CD)

I think I misunderstood what art rock meant, or could mean, until I listened to Porcupine Tree. While art rock may call to mind groups like Yes, King Crimson, the Moody Blues and other early progressive rock groups, there was a certain pretension and bombast to their work that often made you wonder whether the heavy music was overdone just to show you how awesome rock music could be (I love these groups, by the way). Porcupine Tree has some music that approaches bombast, and yet their focus is on the art of music. Through more than a decade of sculpting music they have yet to succumb to the dark side of rock (commercialism), keeping true to their musical vision in spite of mediocre sales.

"Signify" is somewhat different from the two previous Porcupine Tree CDs I have reviewed, the incredible "In Absentia" and the excellent "The Sky Moves Sideways." The latter album is focused on psychedelic instrumentals; vocals, though infrequently used, are well done. The former album I consider to be one of the best rock albums I have ever heard, and the best progressive rock album I have ever heard. "Signify" seems to be a combination of genres, with more standard rock elements than either of these two albums, yet combining highly surreal poetry with the music. There are still sufficient musically interesting elements for most progressive rock fans, but only four of the twelve tracks are beyond six minutes. One should not be misled by the length, however, as some tracks feed the next track.

This CD opens with "Bornlivedie," an instrumental track with a voiceover that invites you to sit back and enjoy the music. This artistic track ends with the word, `signify,' before launching into a rock instrumental with synthesizers and mellotron helping expand the musical scope of the guitars and drums.

"Sleep of no Dreaming" is the first song, and the music has a hard bite to it to match the heavily poetic and psychedelic lyrics. I would provide a sample of the lyrics, but a portion here would be to short-change the true effect of all the lyrics. The closest I can come to giving a reference are some of the more bizarre lyrics of Tool, and even that is a woefully inadequate description. "Pagan" is another instrumental that feels somewhat dreamlike with samples, synthesizers and drums.

The next two tracks are linked. "Waiting Phase One" is a gloomy song about some of the worst things that life has to offer, depression, drugs, and pain. The music has an almost pop-like flavor, and could be pop but for the topic. "Waiting Phase Two" is the fourth instrumental and the longest yet on this CD, with two even longer instrumentals to come. True to form, Richard Barbieri's phenomenal synthesizer skill unites the samples, pianos, guitars and percussion to form a track that is interesting and challenging, and yet not so esoteric that it becomes inaccessible to a casual listener, which might also be said of the other instrumentals on this CD.

The following track starts off with interesting vocal effects before launching into incomprehensible lyrics that may push beyond avant garde. The lyrics of "Sever" transcend poetry as they are a juxtaposition of images that hint at a unifying theme without immediately revelation. This song contains elements that would be exploited more fully in "In Absentia," particularly the lush harmonies alternating with a more dramatic vocal style. This track is one of the best on this CD.

"Idiot Prayer" begins as a two-layered instrumental. In the background are a variety of electronica that provides the backdrop for programmed drums. There is a spoken part that I can hear only partially, with only the "please help" standing out. The instrumental finishes enthusiastically with a more traditional rock beat standing out from the electronic effects. This instrumental is nothing special, just very good music for listening.

Another of the better tracks on this CD is "Every Home Is Wired." My preference for the style of music that would be on "In Absentia" is obvious, as this song has that style, though with far more surreal lyrics. This song is relatively unique on this CD as it is the only one that is similar to the style of Yes. The vocals multi-layered harmonies, with numerous overdubs, and the result is excellent. The last two minutes of this song features an eerie assortment of electronic effects that may invite comparison to science fiction movie sound effects of the 50s and 60s.

Two instrumentals follow that are related at least by title, "Intermediate Jesus" and "`Light Mass Prayers.'" The first instrumental features a heavy and somber sound with occasional vocals by an evangelical type person. This instrumental may have been a musical commentary on the heavy-handed way in which some religions deal with people and problems. The second instrumental is in sharp contrast to the first in that it is very meditative. The effects are mellow and harmonious, and somewhat in contrast with much of the rest of this CD. However, given the breadth of the music included on any Porcupine Tree CD, the scope this instrumental adds is consistent.

The last instrumental flows smoothly into "Dark Matter." This song could be interpreted in so many ways. The ephemeral nature of life and fame are subtly, and poetically, suggested. The song may also be a partial condemnation of the coverage and momentary fame our society, exemplified by the media, gives violent criminals. This song is well crafted and yet another excellent track.

Porcupine Tree has impressed me with each of the three CDs I have heard. I plan to get them all. Porcupine Tree may not be the best rock band, or the best progressive rock band, which is always a matter of opinion anyway, but, in my opinion they are close.