Stupid Dream (studio album) by Porcupine Tree

I absolutely love this album. It doesn't have the killer riff which opens 'In Absentia' or the trippy spaces of 'Voyage 34' but it sure as hell has everything else! I personally like 'Piano Lessons', 'Pure Narcotic' and 'Don't Hate Me'. But it's all brilliant!

Another amazing album by an amazing and unappreciated band. Still struggle to fathom how they never made it mainstream... none of their albums ever made a top 20 in the UK!

This album has something for everyone - pop song (Piano Lessons), 9 minute prog song (Don't Hate Me), beautiful piano ballad (Pure Narcotic). All the best of Porcupine Tree, it's just missing a heavy rock song.

My highlights are Piano Lessons, Pure Narcotic, Slave Called Shiver and Stranger By The Minute. Stop Swimming is the only forgettable song off the album for me.

Any Radiohead or Pink Floyd fan, you have to listen to these guys.

From teague 07/27/2020 21:39

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100/100

Top 30 albums of the 1990s without a doubt!

From jhuik 02/25/2017 17:03

Digging into Mr. Wilson's back catalogue. This is just more amazing music from a true master. The dude just keeps moving higher up my list of favourite musical artists. I don't get why there's not more love for Stranger by the Minute, a riff as great as any of the best Frusciante.

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From Bork 05/25/2013 02:49

Will probably need to return to this one in a not too distant future. My impression is that it starts out fantastic but loses momentum with Baby Dream in Cellophane and never manages to pick it back up (despite a rather strong track in Tinto Brass). Nevertheless, a decent album that very well may become better with subsequent listens.

From sageamagoo 12/16/2012 14:42

The best Porcupine Tree album, and one of the best albums I've ever listened to. Consistent all the way through and perfect for long listening sessions. The whole album is fantastic - there is never a low point.

Just look at A Smart Kid, Tinto Brass, Piano Lessons, Don't Hate Me, and Even Less; they are all the best song on the album, depending on your mood when listening to it. Stop Swimming, Pure Narcotic, and Stranger By The Minute are other highlights. Slave Called Shiver, Baby Dream In Cellophane, and This Is No Rehearsal are also great. And Stupid Dream's awesome, as far as 30-second interludes go.

I don't think there are any songs left on the album once you take those away. :)

So give it a try. And once you try this, check out the rest of their fantastic discography (specifically In Absentia and Deadwing). You'll be marvelled and taken away by their sound, unique to every release they've put out.

Their most commercial album but none the worse for it. Every track is spot on. It starts with For Even Less - a brilliant, haunting tale of lost youth and friendship. Piano Lessons follows - for anyone who has ever taken any, it aches with memories. Slave Called Shiver and This Is No Rehearsal also stand out, with the final song - Stop Swimming - rounding it all out. Just wonderful.

Brilliant album from Porcupine Tree. Favourites are Even Less, Don't Hate Me, A Smart Kid and Tinto Brass. It was this album that got me interested in Radiohead - for obvious reasons!