Recordings:Porcupine Tree

Artist: Porcupine Tree

Date Released: June 12, 2001

Label: Snapper

Produced By: Steven Wilson

Tracklisting:
 * 1) Buying New Soul (10:24)
 * 2) Access Denied (3:35)
 * 3) Cure For Optimism (6:11)
 * 4) Untitled (8:53)
 * 5) Disappear (Extended Version) (6:25)
 * 6) Ambulance Chasing (6:32)
 * 7) In Formaldehyde (5:19)
 * 8) Even Less (Extended Version) (13:55)
 * 9) Oceans Have No Memory (3:06)

Review: Recordings is yet another remarkable effort from Porcupine Tree. Steven Wilson's prolific songwriting allowed them to get ANOTHER full length album out, and while it may not be quite on par with the previous two, it should still be in any PT fan's collection.

Wait a second, these are b-sides?

That's right folks, these are the songs regarded as NOT GOOD ENOUGH to go on Stupid Dream and  Lightbulb Sun. The fact that both of those albums were fantastic makes this all the more remarkable. Most bands will never record a song as good as the awe-inspiring epic that is "Buying New Soul". The opening track is utterly hypnotic, and the fact that it gets religated to a b-sides album should be legally regarded as a crime against humanity. While it may be easily the best track, everything on here is worthwhile to at least some degree. "Access Denied" and "Disappear" are both shorter, more accessible songs, while "Cure For Optimism", "In Formaldehyde" and the short but sweet instrumental "Oceans Have No Memory" are all sheer beauty. The only two tracks that prevent this from being every bit as essential as the albums it wasn't good enough to make it onto are the "Untilted" jam which doesn't really go anywhere, and the extended version of "Even Less", which while in no way bad, doesn't really add a lot to the original. Regardless, you need this album. Period.