My introduction to Porcupine Tree

When I was a young teenager I was into rock and metal. My favourite band was Nickelback, which I discovered back in 2001, when I was twelve years old. Of course, Nickelback is still one of my favourite bands out there, so you’re allowed to point your pitchforks at me, haha! I always had the feeling that I ‘missed’ something in the rock and metal music I listened to. It was too ‘straightforward’, while I was looking for rock music with surprising elements, a certain atmosphere and ‘more going on than the regular rock music’.

The album In Absentia was my introduction to Porcupine Tree’s music, back in 2007. My ‘then boyfriend’ was (and I hope he still is) a progressive rock fan, who introduced me to a lot of modern prog music. I grew up with the ‘old’ prog rock, thanks to my parents. Bands like Pink Floyd, Focus and Mike Oldfield, but I never knew that ‘progressive rock’ was still alive.

I saw the video clip of Blackest Eyes on YouTube and I was completely hooked, the bombastic intro gave me goosebumps! The track contained everything what I ‘missed’ in the rock/metal music I listened to. The ambiance, the surprising elements, it had everything!

I remember that I listened to In Absentia a lot when I was cycling and traveling with the train, because I lived one hour traveling from my ‘then boyfriend’. I had a free public transport travel card because I was a student, and I really ‘abused’ that card when I had it. I travelled through the complete country because I love to travel with the train. I actually listened to a lot of Porcupine Tree albums since 2007, because I ‘just discovered’ them. I still listen to a lot of their music, I listen to one PT album at least once a week.

Drown With Me, which is not on the original In Absentia album but on the bonus disc, is actually my favourite track. It’s one of my all-time favourite songs I love to listen to. The singing in the chorus is so beautifully done! Trains became one of the most important Porcupine Tree classics, and I do understand why!

In Absentia is not my most favourite Porcupine Tree album, while a lot of fans praise this album as one of their best albums. I barely listen to it in its entirety anymore, even though I do like all the songs on the album. I personally prefer the earlier material, the music that they made from Up The Downstair up to Lightbulb Sun, with Signify as my personal favourite.

I saw Porcupine Tree live back in 2009, during The Incident tour. A great experience! Too bad it was the first, and also the last time I would see them live.

I think Porcupine Tree is one of those bands I will always listen to… When I’m 80, I would probably still give their albums a spin! I do not have a desire to have children of my own, but I would love to be ‘that awesome aunt who has a wonderful music taste’! I will spoil my future cousins with lot of Porcupine Tree music!

A big hug from your roving reporter!

Iris, aka Ier!

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