Porcupine Tree are an English rock band formed by musician Steven Wilson in 1987. The band began essentially as a solo project for Wilson, who created all of the band's music. However, by 1993, Wilson desired to work in a band environment, and so brought on frequent collaborators Richard Barbieri on keyboards, Colin Edwin on bass and Chris Maitland on drums as permanent band members. With Wilson still in charge of guitar and lead vocals, this would remain the lineup until 2001, when the band recruited Gavin Harrison to replace Maitland on drums.

• 2016 Remaster by Steven Wilson
• Double LP Vinyl
• Pressed at Optimal Media in Germany
• Gatefold Cover 

Porcupine Tree's early sound evokes a style of psychedelic rock comparable to that of progressive rock band Pink Floyd. Upon signing with Kscope record label in the late 1990s, the band approached a more mainstream alternative rock sound. By the early 2000s, the band signed to a major record label and shifted their sound again, this time in a more progressive metal direction.

After the release and tour in support of their tenth studio album, The Incident, the band became inactive as Wilson began to focus on his solo career. While not formally broken up, they also have no particular reformation plans beyond "someday", with members all working on separate projects, and Wilson committing himself to his solo work through most of 2015.

"a wonderful release" - Classic Rock Society

"the spiritual heirs to Pink Floyd, the Tree offer a magical kaleidoscope of elegant rock pleasure, showcasing understated rhythm, grand synth washes and sweet, punchy electric guitar" - Record Collector

"Up the Downstair feels noticeably different in tone from On the Sunday of Life -- the humor is nearly invisible, if present at all, and the focus is more explicitly up to date in keeping with Steven Wilson's long-stated belief that progressive music means incorporating the now instead of rehashing what progressive was. His singing is now more accomplished in turn -- it sounds like he might have been taking a lesson or two from his No-Man partner Tim Bowness, but he has his own dreamy approach. His already accomplished studio work seems to have turned even more so with time, and the end result is a delicate, complex, and remarkable effort. If there's an absolute standout, "Always Never" takes the cake. Starting with a soft combination of low vocals, acoustic guitar, and background electric feedback, it sweeps into life on the memorable chorus, with the keyboards swelling with a gentle majesty before turning into a full trip thanks to Wilson's ear for arrangements and space.

Colin Edwin makes his debut with Porcupine Tree by playing bass here, as good a start as any, while Richard Barbieri also has an initial bow on the lengthy title track. Wilson's own playing here is just astounding, with some huge, driving feedback fills, while the equally long "Burning Sky" lets him exercise some guitar hero chops, and quite well at that. Brief cuts crop up throughout -- notably "What You Are Listening To...," which makes a nod back to the contents of Voyage 34 via the narrative spoken word sample at the start. The recurring use of synth loops and acid house rhythms alone mark Porcupine Tree's approach as being a more modern one, but at the same time a song like "Synesthesia" doesn't sound like a stab at crossover so much as it does one color on the palette. The unfolding guitar solos demonstrate that much, at least." - Ned Raggett, All Music

Track Listing:

Side A
1. What You Are Listening To... [0:57]
2. Synesthesia [5:13]
3. Monuments Burn Into Moments [0:26]
4. Always Never [7:13]

Side B
1. Up The Downstair [10:13]

Side C
1. Not Beautiful Anymore [3:26]
2. Siren [0:53]
3. Small Fish [2:49]

Side D
1. Burning Sky [11:42]
2. Fadeaway [6:19]

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