Porcupine Tree On Track: Every Album, Every Song

Disclosure: I have always been an avid fan of Porcupine tree, from the early 90's. I've bought all the PT releases since then, other than some compilations.This On Track book follows the usual format of the On Track series, giving a summary by a fan of each track of albums in chronological order. This is intelligently written by musician / writer Nick Holmes. It's an easy read in straightforward language, which is a relief because it could so easily have been overblown with pompous art-rock language.The book covers albums from On The Sunday of Life up to The Incident, plus brief mentions of the live albums released under the Porcupine Tree band name. What surprised me was that the cassettes Tarquin's Seaweed Farm, Nostalgia Factory and Love, Death & Mussolini were only mentioned in passing and not given the track-by-track analysis for the other albums. Needless to say, don't expect any solo Steven Wilson albums to be covered here. Also, don't expect much outright damning criticism of tracks, because the author is obviously a fan. That's not a problem, because I bought the book to revel in the enjoyment of the band, rather than be made uncomfortable by someone slagging off my favourite band.There are a few colour photos of album covers and band members in concert . Nothing special about the image / print quality, but that's not the point of the book, which is about the music itself.There is a growing amount of PT / Steven Wilson literature emerging - official and unofficial material. This book stands well amongst them because:1. It's easy to read as a book that can be dipped into at any part;2. It's not overly expensive like some PT literature;3. It has detail about each track that even a long-time fan like myself didn't know.In conclusion: This is one of the better books in the On-Track series and if you like Porcupine Tree and / or Steven Wilson, i definitely recommend having this book.

As someone who has all the PT albums from 'Up The Downstair' onwards I just had to have this book as soon as I learned of its existence. The book did not disappoint.Another reviewer mentioned that the author appears to be a fan. Sure that is probably true but it doesn't take anything away from this very nicely detailed analysis of all the PT albums.Each album is described along with a track-by-track analysis. This includes the featured musicians, background stories to all the tracks and references where available to Steven's own notes and comments from the recording sessions and other published sources.I said to a friend and fellow PT fan that this was a fascinating read and a bit of an out of body experience. That was because the author is explaining to you what you already knew (or thought you already knew) but in a way that transcends and enhances your own thoughts and interpretations of each track.My friend read the analysis of 'Heart Attack in a Layby' and messaged me back with just two words... Goose. Bumps.I shall be re-visiting each of the albums whilst reading the corresponding chapter in the book in the run up to the London concert in November.This book was issued recently, in fact since SW released his most recent 'The Future Bites' album so I imagine the author will be considering an updated re-issue once the reunited Porcupine Tree's 'Closure/Continuation' album is released later this year. Mark me down for a copy.

Really informative with analysis of all track and the people involved.

Die geniale Reihe ''...on track'' ist für den Fan , der mehr erfahren möchte.Zum richtigen Zeitpunkt ( Porcupine Tree bringen im Juni ihr erstes Albumseit 2009 heraus ) nun also die britischen Psychedelia/Prog Heroen.Jeder Song wird detailliert besprochen , alle Alben ; alle EP's .Englisch - Kenntnisse vorausgesetzt ist dieses Buch zum auffrischender Bandhistorie und natürlich für Neueinsteiger. Genial !

Wanted it. Got it for Xmas..