What is the best Porcupine Tree album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Fear of a Blank Planet" (2007). It's the most representative of what makes Porcupine Tree worth hearing.

What are the best Porcupine Tree albums?

The essential Porcupine Tree albums include "Lightbulb Sun" (2000), "In Absentia" (2002), "XM" (2003), "Deadwing" (2005) and "XMII" (2005).

How many albums does Porcupine Tree have?

Porcupine Tree has 56 releases in their discography, including 32 albums and 8 EPs.

Photo: Luca Dell'Orto · CC BY-SA 4.0

Porcupine Tree

Q: Who is Porcupine Tree for?

If you're into progressive metal and progressive rock, Porcupine Tree is worth your time. Porcupine Tree constructs a layered auditory tapestry marked by shifting dynamics, where dense rhythms interlace with ethereal melodies to create an expansive yet intimate listening experience.

Porcupine Tree constructs a layered auditory tapestry marked by shifting dynamics, where dense rhythms interlace with ethereal melodies to create an expansive yet intimate listening experience.

progressive metal · progressive rock · psychedelic rock

United Kingdom Est. 1987

Read about Porcupine Tree on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Fear of a Blank Planet album by Porcupine Tree

Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)

Represents their signature blend of progressive rock and metal with cohesive themes and engaging arrangements, making it accessible for new listeners.

The song

“Lazarus” from Deadwing

Features a memorable melody and emotional depth, encapsulating the band's style while being immediately engaging for first-time listeners.

See the full guide

About Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Tree has carved out a significant space in the contemporary music landscape by reshaping the boundaries of progressive rock and metal.

Their work resonates with listeners seeking depth and complexity, offering an immersive experience that challenges traditional structures while simultaneously inviting emotional engagement.

Their work resonates with listeners seeking depth and complexity, offering an immersive experience that challenges traditional structures while simultaneously inviting emotional engagement. By blending orchestral textures with heavy riffs and intricate arrangements, they have influenced a generation of musicians and contributed to the resurgence of interest in long-form songwriting, making their concerts a communal exploration of sound. The band's innovative approach lies in their seamless integration of diverse musical elements and technology. Each album serves as a sonic journey, meticulously crafted through layers of instrumentation and production techniques that elevate the listening experience. This focus on creating atmospheric soundscapes allows them to explore themes ranging from existential reflection to the darker facets of human emotion, ultimately bridging the gap between cerebral complexity and visceral reaction. Lyrically, Porcupine Tree often delves into introspection, examining personal struggles, societal issues, and the intricacies of consciousness. Their writing reflects a blend of sincerity and irony, employing vivid imagery to engage listeners' imaginations while maintaining a sense of authenticity that enhances relatability. The narrative style tends to oscillate between storytelling and impressionistic snapshots, leaving space for personal interpretation.

32 studio albums· 56 total releases· 3 decades· United Kingdom

Full discography

Porcupine Tree's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

56 releases • 32 albums • 8 EPS • 1989–2023

Type:

Studio albums (31)

Grouped by decade — 5 eras.

2020s ()

Closure/Continuation

2022

2010s ()

The Delerium Years 1991–1993 album by Porcupine Tree

2000s ()

Critical Peak

1990s ()

1980s ()

Tarquin's Seaweed Farm

1989

EPs ()

Live ()

Coma Divine – Recorded Live in Rome

1997

Singles ()

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Fear of a Blank Planet" — from Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"Deadwing" — from Deadwing (2005)

establishes the sonic palette early
3

"Shesmovedon" — from XMII (2005)

establishes the sonic palette early
4

"Blackest Eyes" — from XM (2003)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Blackest Eyes" — from In Absentia (2002)

accessible entry with immediate hook
6

"The Blind House" — from The Incident (2009)

accessible entry with immediate hook

Continue your journey

If you liked Porcupine Tree, start with Dream Theater

A guided entry point we think you'll like.

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Reference

Official site Wikipedia MusicBrainz Wikidata

Porcupine Tree

About Porcupine Tree

Full discography

Studio albums (31)

2020s ()

Closure/Continuation

2010s ()

The Delerium Years 1991–1993

Octane Twisted

Atlanta

Anesthetize

2000s ()

The Incident

Ilosaarirock

We Lost the Skyline

Fear of a Blank Planet

Rockpalast

XMII

Deadwing

Warszawa

XM

In Absentia

Stars Die: The Delerium Years 1991–1997

Recordings

Lightbulb Sun

Voyage 34: The Complete Trip

1990s ()

Stupid Dream

Stars Die – Rare & Unreleased

Metanoia

Signify

The Sky Moves Sideways

Spiral Circus

Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape

Up the Downstair

On the Sunday of Life

Love, Death & Mussolini

The Nostalgia Factory

1980s ()

Tarquin's Seaweed Farm

EPs ()

IA/DW/XT

Pure Narcotic - Acoustic Session 2012

Nil Recurring

Transmission IV

Staircase Infinities

Moonloop

Voyage 34 : Remix

Voyage 34

Live ()

Coma Divine – Recorded Live in Rome

Singles ()

Rats Return

Herd Culling

Of the New Day

Harridan

Time Flies

Lazarus

Shallow

Blackest Eyes

Shesmovedon

Four Chords That Made a Million

Tonefloating : The Use of Ashes vs Steven Wilson

Pure Narcotic

Stranger by the Minute

Piano Lessons

Coma Divine II

Waiting

Songs to start with