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Stupid Dream is Porcupine Tree's breakthrough album, a departure from experimentation and psychedelic atmospheres toward rock, without sacrificing their progressive and atmospheric nature. There's a greater emphasis on melody, and the songs take on songlike structure, with a suspended and melancholic atmosphere.
The songs manage to be catchy, yet profound and complex. We're talking about twelve high-quality tracks that maintain the band's signature sound, and they're just the beginning.
In fact, beautiful, melodic works like Lightbulb Sun and the masterpiece In Absentia will follow, but speaking of Steven Wilson, it should be noted that the Blackfield project also had a melodic edge.
An album that embodies both the melodic and complex prog elements to which this band has accustomed us.
"Piano Lessons" and "This Is No Rehearsal," for example, are further removed from their previous works, with a sound that approaches easy listening but still features excellent compositions and creativity, variations, powerful riffs, and excellent guitar playing.
On the other hand, "Even Less," "Pure Narcotic," and "Don't Hate Me" feature the band's familiar, pure progressive sound, but differ from their previous albums in their shorter length.
Production, as always, is TOP, like all Steven Wilson's projects.
A pivotal album in the band's evolution, driven by their live successes, and chosen to reach a wider international audience, it remains a solid, solid album of refined prog and beautiful rock. In my opinion, this album is underrated, considering its importance to the band and their subsequent works.
Great Album
The Tracks
1. Even Less (7:11)
2. Piano Lessons (4:21)
3. Stupid Dream (0:28)
4. Pure Narcotic (5:02)
5. Slave Called Shiver (4:41)
6. Don't Hate Me (8:30)
7. This Is No Rehearsal (3:27)
8. Baby Dream in Cellophane (3:15)
9. Stranger by the Minute (4:31)
10. A Smart Kid (5:22)
11. Tinto Brass (6:17)
12. Stop Swimming (6:53)
Running Time 59:58
The Lineup
- Steven Wilson - vocals, guitars, piano, Hammond, sampler, bass (8, 9), orchestral arrangements, producer
- Richard Barbieri - synthesizers, Hammond organ, Mellotron, piano (1), Glockenspiel (4)
- Colin Edwin - bass, double bass (2, 12)
- Chris Maitland - drums, percussion, backing vocals (9)
With:
- Terumi - vocals (11)
- Theo Travis - flute (6, 11), tenor saxophone (6)
- East of England Orchestra - strings
- Nicholas Kok - conductor
- Chris Thorpe - orchestral arrangements
.jpeg "Counterparts by Rush")