The List of Porcupine Tree Albums in Order of Release Date

Porcupine Tree Albums image

Exploring Porcupine Tree Albums in Order offers one of the most fascinating journeys in modern rock history.

Formed in 1987 by visionary musician Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree began as an experimental solo project before evolving into a full-fledged band with Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Chris Maitland. Over more than two decades, the group earned widespread critical acclaim, built a devoted cult following, and quietly shaped the sound of progressive and alternative rock. From their psychedelic and space-rock-inspired origins to their later embrace of alternative, progressive, and metal elements, each album marks a distinct creative chapter. Their discography mirrors a fearless evolution—moving from immersive soundscapes to tightly crafted songs and ambitious concept albums. Even after their 2010 hiatus, the band’s legacy continued to grow, culminating in their powerful 2022 return with Closure/Continuation.

For fans, newcomers, and music historians alike, reviewing Porcupine Tree Albums in Order provides a clear lens through which to understand the band’s unique artistry, constant reinvention, and enduring influence on generations of musicians. So, if you are a die heart fan of Porcupine Tree Albums then check out here we have list of Porcupine Tree albums in order of release so far.

All Porcupine Tree Albums Available on:  Apple Music 

Also See: Opeth Albums in Order

How many albums does Porcupine Tree have?

The band Porcupine Tree has released eleven major studio albums and 7 EPs, as well as many limited editions and revamped material.

The List of  Porcupine Tree Albums in Order of Release Date

Here is the list of Porcupine Tree Album in Order of Release Date:

  1. On the Sunday of Life… — 21 April 1992
  2. Up the Downstair — 7 June 1993
  3. The Sky Moves Sideways — 30 January 1995
  4. Signify — 30 September 1996
  5. Stupid Dream — 22 March 1999
  6. Lightbulb Sun — 22 May 2000
  7. In Absentia — 23 September 2002
  8. Deadwing — 28 March 2005
  9. Fear of a Blank Planet — 16 April 2007
  10. The Incident — 14 September 2009
  11. Closure/Continuation — 24 June 2022

All Porcupine Tree Albums List in Order


1. On the Sunday of Life… (1992)

On the Sunday of Life...Album Image

Tracks:

1: First Love

  1. Music for the Head
  2. Jupiter Island
  3. Third Eye Surfer
  4. On the Sunday of Life…
  5. The Nostalgia Factory

2: Second Sight

  1. Space Transmission
  2. Message from a Self-Destructing Turnip” Wilson 0:27 8. “
  3. Radioactive Toy
  4. Nine Cats

3: Third Eye

  1. Hymn
  2. Footprints
  3. Linton Samuel Dawson
  4. And the Swallows Dance Above the Sun
  5. Queen Quotes Crowley

4: Fourth Bridge

  1. No Luck with Rabbits
  2. Begonia Seduction Scene
  3. This Long Silence
  4. It Will Rain for a Million Years

On the Sunday of Life… is the debut album by English progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released on 21 April 1992. Created from Steven Wilson’s early cassette recordings, it blends experimental rock, psychedelic vibes, and imaginative soundscapes. Many lyrics were written by Wilson’s friend Alan Duffy, adding surreal storytelling to the music. The album features standout tracks like “Radioactive Toy” and “Nine Cats,” showcasing Wilson’s growing creativity. Initially released in a limited edition of 1,000 copies, it later gained wider recognition, selling over 20,000 copies. This album offers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of Porcupine Tree’s unique and evolving progressive rock journey.

2. Up the Downstair (1993)

Up the Downstair Album Image

Tracks:

Side one:

  1. What You Are Listening To…
  2. Synesthesia
  3. Monuments Burn into Moments
  4. Always Never
  5. Up the Downstair

Side two:

  1. Not Beautiful Anymore
  2. Siren
  3. Small Fish
  4. Burning Sky
  5. Fadeaway

Up the Downstair is the second studio album by English progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released in June 1993. Blending space rock, ambient textures, and psychedelic influences, Steven Wilson crafted a unique sound inspired by acts like The Orb, Pink Floyd, and Ozric Tentacles. Originally planned as a double album, some tracks were later released separately on Voyage 34 and Staircase Infinities. A 2005 remixed edition introduced new live drums by Gavin Harrison for a richer and more dynamic experience. Celebrated for its atmospheric soundscapes, inventive production, and imaginative songwriting, the album remains a fan favorite in Porcupine Tree’s evolving journey.

3. The Sky Moves Sideways (1995)

The Sky Moves Sideways Album Image

Tracks:

  1. The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 1
  • The Colour of Air
  • I Find That I’m Not There
  • Wire the Drum
  • Spiral Circus
  1. Dislocated Day
  2. The Moon Touches Your Shoulder
  3. Prepare Yourself
  4. Moonloop
  5. The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 2
  • Is…Not
  • Off the Map

The Sky Moves Sideways is the third studio album by English progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released on 30 January 1995. Often compared to Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, it features long, atmospheric pieces that open and close the record, forming a single musical journey. This album marks an important transition as Porcupine Tree evolved from Steven Wilson’s solo project into a full band, introducing richer instrumentation and collaborative songwriting. With fan favorites like “Stars Die” and “Moonloop,” the album blends space rock, ambient textures, and emotional storytelling. Its multiple versions and later remasters highlight its enduring popularity among prog rock listeners worldwide.

4. Signify (1996)

Signify Album Image

Tracks:

  1. Bornlivedie
  2. Signify (instrumental)
  3. Sleep of No Dreaming
  4. Pagan
  5. Waiting (Phase One)
  6. Waiting (Phase Two)
  7. Sever
  8. Idiot Prayer
  9. Every Home Is Wired
  10. Intermediate Jesus
  11. Light Mass Prayers
  12. Dark Matter

Signify is the fourth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released in September 1996. It marks a major turning point for the band as their first fully collaborative album featuring Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin, and Chris Maitland working together from start to finish. The record blends psychedelic and space rock influences with a more structured and melodic progressive rock style, creating a dynamic and accessible sound. Songs like “Waiting,” “Sever,” and “Dark Matter” highlight the album’s emotional depth and evolving songwriting. Widely praised by fans and critics, Signify is considered a key milestone in Porcupine Tree’s musical evolution.

5. Stupid Dream (1999)

Stupid Dream Album Image

Tracks:

  1. Even Less
  2. Piano Lessons
  3. Stupid Dream
  4. Pure Narcotic
  5. Slave Called Shiver
  6. Don’t Hate Me
  7. This Is No Rehearsal
  8. Baby Dream in Cellophane
  9. Stranger by the Minute
  10. A Smart Kid
  11. Tinto Brass
  12. Stop Swimming

Stupid Dream is the fifth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released in March 1999 and later re-released in 2006 as the band’s popularity grew. This album marks a key transition from their earlier psychedelic and instrumental sound toward more structured and melodic songwriting. Blending accessible pop rock with rich progressive elements, it showcases thoughtful lyrics inspired by Steven Wilson’s personal experiences and his critical view of the music industry—referenced by the album’s title. Filled with emotional themes, lush arrangements, and standout tracks like “Piano Lessons” and “Pure Narcotic,” Stupid Dream remains a fan-favorite and an important milestone in the band’s evolution.

6. Lightbulb Sun (2000)

Lightbulb Sun Album Image

Tracks:

  1. Lightbulb Sun
  2. How Is Your Life Today?
  3. Four Chords That Made a Million
  4. Shesmovedon
  5. The Rest Will Flow
  6. Hatesong
  7. Where We Would Be
  8. Russia on Ice
  9. Feel So Low
  10. Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled
  • Winding Shot (Summer, 1981)
  • Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before it is Recycled

Lightbulb Sun is the sixth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released in May 2000. The album blends melodic, radio-friendly songwriting with the band’s experimental roots, creating an emotional and accessible listening experience. Known for its organic sound and personal lyrics, it explores themes of relationships, nostalgia, and emotional struggle. Standout tracks like “Shesmovedon,” “Hatesong,” and the epic “Russia on Ice” highlight the band’s mix of rock, pop, and atmospheric prog elements. Widely praised by fans and critics, Lightbulb Sun remains a significant release in Porcupine Tree’s evolution, bridging their early style with their later, heavier sound.

7. In Absentia (2002)

In Absentia Album Image

Tracks:

  1. Blackest Eyes
  2. Trains
  3. Lips of Ashes
  4. The Sound of Muzak
  5. Gravity Eyelids
  6. Wedding Nails
  7. Prodigal
  8. .3
  9. The Creator Has a Mastertape
  10. Heartattack in a Layby
  11. Strip the Soul
  12. Collapse the Light Into Earth

In Absentia is the seventh studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released on 24 September 2002 through Lava Records. Featuring new drummer Gavin Harrison, the album marked a bold shift toward a heavier progressive metal sound while retaining the band’s atmospheric and emotional style. Led by vocalist and producer Steven Wilson, the record explores dark psychological themes through standout tracks like “Blackest Eyes,” “Trains,” and “The Sound of Muzak.” Widely praised for its musicianship, production, and storytelling, In Absentia became the band’s biggest commercial success, often considered their crowning achievement among fans and critics.

8. Deadwing (2005)

Deadwing Album Image

Tracks:

  1. Deadwing
  2. Shallow
  3. Lazarus
  4. Halo
  5. Arriving Somewhere but Not Here
  6. Mellotron Scratch
  7. Open Car
  8. Start of Something Beautiful
  9. Glass Arm Shattering

Deadwing is the eighth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released in 2005 through Lava Records. Inspired by a surreal ghost-story screenplay written by Steven Wilson and Mike Bennion, the album blends atmospheric rock with cinematic storytelling. It became one of the band’s most successful releases, featuring standout singles like “Shallow” and “Lazarus”, the latter accompanied by a music video. The album includes notable collaborations with King Crimson’s Adrian Belew and Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt, adding unique guitar work and harmonic depth. Deadwing was later remastered in 2018, offering improved sound quality and renewed appreciation from fans and critics alike.

9. Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)

Fear of a Blank Planet ALbum Image

Tracks:

  1. Fear of a Blank Planet
  2. My Ashes
  3. Sentimental
  4. Way Out of Here
  5. Sleep Together
  6. Anesthetize
  • Anesthetize
  • The Pills I’m Taking
  • Surfer

Fear of a Blank Planet is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released in April 2007. Produced by Steven Wilson and issued through Roadrunner and Atlantic Records, it became the band’s best-selling album before 2009. The record explores modern youth struggles—technology overload, social isolation, and medication dependence—delivered through powerful prog-rock soundscapes. Inspired by Bret Easton Ellis’ novel Lunar Park, the album forms a continuous 50-minute musical journey with acclaimed tracks like “Anesthetize” and “Way Out of Here.” Widely praised by critics, it earned “Album of the Year” from Classic Rock magazine and charted worldwide, confirming Porcupine Tree’s progressive rock legacy.

10. The Incident (2009)

The Incident Album Image

Tracks:

Disc one:

  1. Occam’s Razor
  2. The Blind House
  3. Great Expectations
  4. Kneel and Disconnect
  5. Drawing the Line
  6. The Incident
  7. Your Unpleasant Family
  8. The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train
  9. Time Flies
  10. Degree Zero of Liberty
  11. Octane Twisted
  12. The Séance
  13. Circle of Manias
  14. I Drive the Hearse

Disc two:

  1. Flicker
  2. Bonnie the Cat
  3. Black Dahlia
  4. Remember Me Lover

The Incident is the tenth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released on 14 September 2009 by Roadrunner Records. Presented as a powerful double album, it features a 55-minute title track exploring impactful “incidents” that change life forever, showcasing the band’s emotional storytelling and dynamic sound. The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Surround Sound Album and reached the top 25 in both the US and UK charts. Known for its deep concept, standout track “Time Flies”, and rich production led by Steven Wilson, The Incident marked the band’s final release before their long hiatus, making it a significant milestone in their career.

11. Closure/Continuation (2022)

Closure Continuation Album Image

Tracks:

  1. Harridan
  2. Of the New Day
  3. Rats Return
  4. Dignity
  5. Herd Culling
  6. Walk the Plank
  7. Chimera’s Wreck

Closure/Continuation is the eleventh studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released on 24 June 2022. It marks their long-awaited return after 2009’s The Incident, recorded secretly over a decade by Steven Wilson, Gavin Harrison, and Richard Barbieri. The album explores fresh and collaborative songwriting, featuring powerful tracks like “Harridan”, “Of the New Day”, “Herd Culling”, and “Rats Return”. Without longtime bassist Colin Edwin, Wilson handled bass duties while the trio blended modern progressive rock with emotional depth and complex rhythms. The album achieved major chart success, debuting at number two in the UK and topping charts in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Conclusion:

Exploring the Porcupine Tree Albums in Order reveals the remarkable evolution of a band that consistently pushed creative boundaries while remaining fiercely individualistic. From their psychedelic beginnings to their progressive rock masterpieces and later metal-leaning experiments, Porcupine Tree carved a unique path that influenced countless artists without ever conforming to mainstream expectations. Their discography reflects Steven Wilson’s visionary songwriting, the band’s technical brilliance, and their dedication to artistic authenticity. Whether you’re a longtime follower or a new listener discovering their work chronologically, the Porcupine Tree Albums in Order offer an immersive journey through some of modern rock’s most innovative music.


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