Getting into Porcupine Tree - what albums to get first?

Hey guys,

I've been listening to Opeth since forever, definitely one of my favourite acts, and I really loved the impact Steven Wilson had on Deliverance and Damnation. So I figured I'd try some Porcupine Tree, and started off with "Fear of a Blank Planet" 'cause I'd heard great things about it. It's easy to draw parallels between it and aforementioned Opeth recordings, and I really enjoyed it on the first listen.

So, I figured I'd ask what other albums Porcupine Tree fans around here would recommend. I generally dislike happy music but loved the melancholic atmosphere on "Fear of a Blank Planet".

Appreciate the help!

Quote:

Originally Posted by scytheavatar 

The Sky Moves Sideways
Signify
Stupid Dream
Lightbulb Sun
In Absentia
Deadwing

Their most important albums, besides Fear of a Blank Planet. Stupid Dream is my personal favorite, but In Absentia is considered by most to be their Magnum opus. Be warned that the pre-Stupid Dream albums are of a different style and can be hard to get into.

And while you are at it, check out Riverside, another great band, starting with either Out of Myself or Second Life Syndrome.

I imagine your CD collection is on the larger side

I'm very grateful for your assistance in my quest to expand on my music library, thanks a bunch.

Alot of PT fans here I say :) Like I said in the first post I got 'Fear of a Blank Planet' first and really loved it right away, and it gets better and better every time I listen to it. 'In Absentia' is currently playing, and halfway through I'm quite enjoying it, although it's a bit too accessible/mainstream for my tastes. I've listened to, and enjoyed, some weird music in my day, so I doubt that there's anything in their catalog that's too "difficult" for me.

Either way, I think it's becoming clear that this might very well be a new favourite of mine and I'll work my way their entire discography, and that's both good and bad news. Some 20 albums amount to a fair bit of cash :) And both Riverside and Blackfield sound interesting from what I could hear on YouTube.

Thanks all for your contribution!

Quote:

Originally Posted by golgi 

I also came to Porcupine Tree after listening to Opeth for a while.  For some reason though, I just can't get into Porcupine Tree's heavier albums such as In Absentia and Deadwing as much as their more psychadelic stuff. For me, their heavier stuff just isn't thought out at as well. 

I've only heard two albums thus far, where In Absentia didn't blow me away at all, but Fear of a Blank Planet had a LOT of Damnation atmosphere about it.