The Sky Moves Sideways by Porcupine Tree

The Sky Moves Sideways, Porcupine Tree's 1995 Masterpiece

An album that struck me from the first listen, with long, guitar-driven instrumental sections, evocative atmospheres, a predominantly instrumental nature, and long passages reminiscent of '70s progressive rock and ambient music.

An album that continues the steady growth of the first two and, in my opinion, is only the first masterpiece from this band, which has produced others since, for a beautiful series of frighteningly beautiful albums that will last at this level at least until Fear of a Blank Planet.

It was also the album that marked a significant shift for the project, which transformed from Steven Wilson's quasi-solo project to a full-fledged band featuring keyboardist Richard Barbieri, bassist Colin Edwin, and drummer Chris Maitland, in addition to Wilson, of course. The lineup remained stable until the album Lightbulb Sun, only to change with the arrival of Gavin Harrison from In Absentia (with Maitland's departure, of course).

None of the members from the first album, On the Sunday of Life, reappeared on subsequent albums, apart from Wilson.

Up the Downstair featured Richard Barbieri and Colin Edwin as guests, while the band was credited solely to Wilson. The drum parts were samples recorded by Wilson himself, later replaced in the 2004 edition by drum tracks by Gavin Harrison.

Some tracks from this album were also replaced in 2003 with drum tracks by Gavin Harrison.

The tracks are all of the highest quality in composition and execution, but there's no shortage of improvisation.

The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 1 begins with a spacey atmosphere that then builds to bass and drums. The synthesizer accompanies Wilson's truly interesting spoken word. The guitar solo is beautiful, almost violent, and the long flute solo is also beautiful, making the song truly epic. The acoustic guitar is magnificent. is TOP.
"Stars Die" is one of the album's best songs, highlighting dreamy and melancholic atmospheres.
"Dislocated Day" has hints of hard rock, with rhythm guitars and solos. Repetitive but beautiful.
"The Moon Touches Your Shoulder" is a beautiful song, a slow, acoustic track, perhaps Porcupine Tree's first. This very fluid song has a Floydian feel, culminating in a wonderful guitar solo and then moving into hard rock. A fantastic song.
Prepare Yourself is a short but beautiful intro with a great guitar solo.
The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 2 begins with an atmospheric and spacey intro that quickly becomes very heavy when a wonderful guitar solo kicks in that lasts almost three minutes. A masterpiece.
Moonloop is a spectacular jam with techno and ambient influences. A masterpiece.

This album is a cornerstone of any Porcupine Tree collection and of space rock and progressive rock in general.

The album features both dreamy and atmospheric sections and more energetic, rock-oriented jams.

Great atmosphere, great performances, and a progressive and psychedelic sound.

Highly, absolutely, recommended.

The Tracks (in this version)
1. The Sky Moves Sideways - Phase 1 18:40
2. Stars Die 05:07
3. Dislocated Day 05:24
4. The Moon Touches Your Shoulder 05:40
5. Prepare Yourself 02:00
6. The Sky Moves Sideways - Phase 2 16:56
7. Moonloop 22:23
Duration: 76:10

The Lineup
Steven Wilson - Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Flute, Vocals
Colin Edwin - Bass, Double Bass
Chris Maitland - Drums and Percussion (1, 2, 6, 7)
Richard Barbieri - Synthesizer, Electronics
Featuring
Theo Travis - Flute (1, 6)
Gavin Harrison - Drums (3, 4)
Rick Edwards - Percussion (2, 7)
Suzanne Barbieri - Vocals (1, 6)