Up the Downstair

Porcupine Tree | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kscope
• ASIN: B002NUZ93S
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,512 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Track Listing is Misleading, March 21, 2000

By 

P. A. Agnew (Wellington New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Up the Downstair (Audio CD)

Maybe Amazon might have corrected their error by the time you read this, but just in case they haven't, please note that "Up The Downstair" does not consist of the 17 tracks above. The tunestack is as follows: 1.What You Are Listening To 2. Synesthesia 3. Monuments Burn Into Moments 4. Always Never 5. Up The Downstair 6. Not Beautiful Anymore 7. Siren 8. Small Fish 9. Burning Sky 10. Fadeaway. Tracks 1, 3 and 7 are short "transitional" passages, while the title track and "Burning Sky" are ten minute epics. The remainder of the album consists of tracks between 3 and 5 minutes in length.

With "Up The Downstair," Porcupine Tree (actually still Steven Wilson at this point. The "band" Porcupine Tree would not evolve until "The Sky Moves Sideways") consolidated their position as one of England's leading post-progressive (not "neo" progressive) rock groups. Their debut album "On The Sunday of Life" had pointed to their influences, notably Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd, but with "Up The Downstair," Porcupine Tree began combining rock's old avant garde with the contemporary sounds of 90's music.

Pink Floyd looms large over this album - but only as a launching pad. Wilson deftly combines techo and dance beats, trance and acid house textures as well as ethnic percussion into his Floydian dreamscapes. Had they received the backing of a major record label, both "Synesthesia" and the title track would have become the ambient/dance classics they deserve to be. "Always Never" is a brilliantly realised song that moves through an array of moods and tempos without a single mis-step. "Not Beautiful Anymore" is an energetic guitar piece with a great vocal sample. The immaculate ballad "Fadeaway" serves as a satisfying closure to the album.

So why only 4 stars? Simply because "Up The Downstair" hardly does justice to the inspiring recording sessions that produced this album. Wilson himself must have realised this, for not long after this album's release, he put out a 30 minute EP titled "Staircase Infinities" which contained music from the same sessions. That EP follows through and completes the ideas pursued on "Up The Downstair." "Staircase Infinities" is now out of print, but those who do manage to track it down will be well rewarded.

"Up The Downstair," released in 1993, certainly established Porcupine Tree as a force to be reckoned with. Since then, Porcupine Tree have investigated a number of new musical avenues, and along with Djam Karet and Ozric Tentacles, the band are one of the brightest hopes for progressive rock as it heads into the 21st century.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of prog's best, October 4, 2001

By 

David A. Baumgartner (Colorado Springs, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Up the Downstair (Audio CD)

Curious musical minds are usually rewarded for their experimentations in exploring new or unfamiliar groups. Such was the classic case with this British wondergroup. Fans of some of the less complicated prog scene will cherish this prize forvever -- not to say that this work is simple, just more accessible. Cuts like "Always Never" & "Fadeaway" are beautiful and emotive pieces that hint at the magnificent isolatory themes of Floyd. A well conceived and complete record, "Up The Downstair" and Porcupine Tree deserve more recognition. Until then, they're a best kept secret. A * * * * * * album.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most underrated PT CD, November 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Up the Downstair (Audio CD)

This CD is the most under rated one in the Porcupine Tree catalog. It features some extremely solid tracks including Synesthesia, Always Never and Fadeaway, in addition to instrumental standouts Burning Sky and the title track. In my opinion, a stronger album than The Sky Moves Sideways.