Any heard of Porcupine Tree?

Ashra- PTree has been to the TROC in Philly twice, this year and 2004, where they opened for Opeth. Both times the sound has been horrible, not sure if it's the band's or the venue's PA system at fault. 2001 at the TLA, 2002 at the TLA and 2003 at the Tower had stupendous sound quality, try to catch them somewhere other than the Troc, they'll be doing a fall tour this year.
Stupid Dream is their most acessable (and my personal favorite) release, but it's currently OOP, should be re-released in the near future.

Alephman: With all of the raves that this band gets, i was tempted to buy another one of their discs just to give them a second chance. Then again, i bought Lightbulb Sun as many others suggested over at AA, so i didn't want to end up with two discs by the same band that simply collect dust. You know the old saying, "fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me"....

What are the major differences between Stupid Dream and / or Signify and the disc that i have ( Lightbulb Sun ) ? Sean
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PS... As a general rule, i typically prefer bands when they are on smaller labels. While it is true that they typically end up with glossier production due to big label money in the studio, it seems like many lose their creativity and / or the subtle things that make the band unique get lost in that big label production. I'd rather deal with slightly lower sound quality of good music than a highly polished recording of a "turd-like" performance.

Sean: Listen to the songs 'russia on ice' and 'shemovedon' from Lightbulb sun. Stupid Dream is similar to those two songs for the entire album. I only like about three of the songs on Lightbulb Sun actually, it's not my fav PTree.

I'm with Sean on this. Gave it numerous tries and couldn't get through the whole disc ( In Absenthia) each and every time. Bland, repetitious, pretentious, nothing innovative. Fairly good technically though, but techical savvy is not nearly enough for me to enjoy the music. I just can't get a point in it all. "Vague and bland" really describes it. Total lack of emotion in the absence of musical ideas. IMHO.
As a side note, just bought White Stripes " Get behind me Satan"- exact the same story. And I do have and like their previos one.

Richmon: I'll give those tracks a shot sometime this weekend and let you know what i think. Thanks for the specifics.

Maril: I'm with you all the way. The "total lack of emotion in the absence of musical ideas" is what i felt about Lightbulb Sun.

I'm also with you on the new White Stripes disc. Not only does this one feel kind of "forced" i.e. trying to push out artistic ideas before they've fully formed in order to cash-in on their current popularity, but Jack really needs to get away from the production methods that he's been using lately. The last "all tubed" disc didn't sound nearly as good as it should have and this new one has some real "sonic messterpieces" on it too.

Obviously, he's in control of the band and their sonic destiny, but i don't think that the path that he's taking is beneficial to them or the desires of their fan base. The only people that are really digging this disc are those that are brain-washed into thinking that the White Stripes can do no wrong and / or believe everything that they read in the press.

Please bare in mind that these comments come from someone that has been a very vocal supporter of Jack & Meg White aka The White Stripes in the past. Zaikesman and i have gone back and forth on this subject a few times quite a while back. Sean
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