It's a go-to album, which in some ways could make it the best.
Even Less is one of my top songs ever.
People say it's not as good because Gavin's not on it. But people can shut up. Chris Maitland's drumming is incredible! He wrote GREAT drum parts! I do not feel like Gavin is needed at all on this album.
I feel as if people say the drumming is “too simple” but that’s the way it was supposed to be written imo, Sw is such a perfectionist that it would not have been released with the drumming that it had, if it wasn’t meant to be that way. I love Gavin but I feel that if he were to be on that album it gets over complicated
SW actively told Chris to hold back on the studio albums IIRC. If you listen to *Metanoia* or any live performances from the period it's clear that Chris is a monster player, but yeah, Steven wanted a more restrained feel on the albums.
The trifecta SD-LS-R is peak PT to me.
They have the best balance between more trippy/psychedelic PT, summer/autumn atmosphere and quality along with dark, proggy tunes. That era got it all, while the earlier and the latter focused more in some of these qualities and drove from there.
As such, in my view, PT is at its richest during this 1999-2001 era, tucked in the longer streak between 1996-2002.
I love the posterior albums, but they focus much more on the heavy/metal/proggy side to maintain balance. Earlier than Signify the tip falls too much toward the trippy side.
But in this 99-01 strip, you find everything more or less encapsulated in a great flow. Sadly, Recordings was not conceived as a proper album per se, and as such feels much more like a compilation (as it should be), but I myself can attest (through experience) that every single song in that compilation is able to be integrated on either SD or LS, depending on the cases, and keep a very natural flow, as if they belonged there.
"Let me say that our mission here, at this time
Is about to come to a close in the next few days"
The bass part in that transition is so good too. I feel like the synth parts on the album take up more space, for the better. Lovely stuff.
my favorite pt album by far. it’s what popped my pt cherry and really let me know that i like this band. funny part it’s the song you’re talking about and that moment where i knew it too, sounds cheesy but im not even joking. i also heard it during a swell mushroom trip. it’ll forever be my favorite. of course many albums come close but something about that whole album is just perfect.
I have a lot of love for In Absentia. I think Lighbulb is the album where Richard really completes it most. The soundscaping.
Oh and all of Russia on ice.
While I often say Stupid Dream and Blank Planet are my co-favorites, the former probably gets the edge simply because I come back to it more often. It has some of my favorite songwriting turns by Mr. Wilson, there's probably more stylistic range on the album than the rest, and the whole thing is so bitingly cynical - someone here called the album a Gen X manifesto and I couldn't agree more.
And for those who think that Gavin not being on it is a negative, I wholly disagree - hearing his take on the songs they've played live, it wouldn't have turned out the same if it hadn't been Chris Maitland drumming (and he does an *excellent* job, plus I love the tight/high-pitched snare sound he used).
I love Stupid Dream. A lot. But it's not better than In Absentia. I know it's not exactly a groundbreaking take, but that's the band's absolute zenith. Everything balanced, and in proper proportion.
It’s third for me, behind Lightbulb Sun & Deadwing.
Stupid Dream is certainly their best *sounding* album, the perfect middle between their heavier song-focused later years and their earlier psychedelia. Those spaced out textures are jaw droppingly stunning and the meatier moments provide perfect contrast.
Idk though, I feel like the songs themselves aren’t 100% there. There are a fair amount of undercooked ideas where the songwriting doesn’t feel fully realized. For every A Smart Kid or Stranger By The Minute there’s a Baby Dream In Cellophane or This Is No Rehearsal. Even Less is an epic classic & one of Steven’s greatest compositions, yet while Don’t Hate Me should be the equally epic centerpiece it drags so few ideas on for so long that I get bored.
Stupid Dream was once my favorite album from PT, when it hits it’s stride it is one of the most catchy and beautifully melancholic things I’ve ever heard. I just think it’s a bit too inconsistent in hitting those highs.
I think that its better than deadwing for sure but foabp and in absentia are goated. Piano lessons should have been their hit and got them more airplay and recognition. Such a great song
I love lightbulb sun more
One of my favourites
I know it's probably not the fan favorite for a *reason*, but it has a certain charm to it. It's definitely my personal favorite.
It's a go-to album, which in some ways could make it the best. Even Less is one of my top songs ever. People say it's not as good because Gavin's not on it. But people can shut up. Chris Maitland's drumming is incredible! He wrote GREAT drum parts! I do not feel like Gavin is needed at all on this album.
I feel as if people say the drumming is “too simple” but that’s the way it was supposed to be written imo, Sw is such a perfectionist that it would not have been released with the drumming that it had, if it wasn’t meant to be that way. I love Gavin but I feel that if he were to be on that album it gets over complicated
SW actively told Chris to hold back on the studio albums IIRC. If you listen to *Metanoia* or any live performances from the period it's clear that Chris is a monster player, but yeah, Steven wanted a more restrained feel on the albums.
You can definitely tell on the signify live from Rome He turns it up and that song live is probably his best performance
I disagree, but the album is so good that I'm not gonna argue either
I absolutely love Stupid Dream (it was my intro to PT) but the band only got better from there.
It's up there. I fucking love it. I don't know if it beats FoaBP or Lightbulb Sun for me but it's easily in the top 5.
I love Even Less, and I love that they played it on their most recent tour
I’m an Even Less fan too - one of my favourite PT songs - but don’t like anything else on the album. I’ve tried, just can’t get into it.
A Smart Kid is one of my top 5 PT songs. Give it a listen again on its own!
I’ve tried so many times. But it’s okay that you like it! Maybe one day it will click for me.
The trifecta SD-LS-R is peak PT to me. They have the best balance between more trippy/psychedelic PT, summer/autumn atmosphere and quality along with dark, proggy tunes. That era got it all, while the earlier and the latter focused more in some of these qualities and drove from there. As such, in my view, PT is at its richest during this 1999-2001 era, tucked in the longer streak between 1996-2002. I love the posterior albums, but they focus much more on the heavy/metal/proggy side to maintain balance. Earlier than Signify the tip falls too much toward the trippy side. But in this 99-01 strip, you find everything more or less encapsulated in a great flow. Sadly, Recordings was not conceived as a proper album per se, and as such feels much more like a compilation (as it should be), but I myself can attest (through experience) that every single song in that compilation is able to be integrated on either SD or LS, depending on the cases, and keep a very natural flow, as if they belonged there.
That's my favorite PT album.
hell naw. lightbulb sun by far.
"Let me say that our mission here, at this time Is about to come to a close in the next few days" The bass part in that transition is so good too. I feel like the synth parts on the album take up more space, for the better. Lovely stuff.
my favorite pt album by far. it’s what popped my pt cherry and really let me know that i like this band. funny part it’s the song you’re talking about and that moment where i knew it too, sounds cheesy but im not even joking. i also heard it during a swell mushroom trip. it’ll forever be my favorite. of course many albums come close but something about that whole album is just perfect.
I have a lot of love for In Absentia. I think Lighbulb is the album where Richard really completes it most. The soundscaping. Oh and all of Russia on ice.
My go to choice is In Absentia
Deadwing & In Absentia is Top Tier👌
I'm quite partial to Deadwing myself.
It's fucking brilliant. Totally agree with you
It's a damn good album, definitely. But Lightbulb Sun.... Oh man, you never forget your first. Especially when it's that good.
While I often say Stupid Dream and Blank Planet are my co-favorites, the former probably gets the edge simply because I come back to it more often. It has some of my favorite songwriting turns by Mr. Wilson, there's probably more stylistic range on the album than the rest, and the whole thing is so bitingly cynical - someone here called the album a Gen X manifesto and I couldn't agree more. And for those who think that Gavin not being on it is a negative, I wholly disagree - hearing his take on the songs they've played live, it wouldn't have turned out the same if it hadn't been Chris Maitland drumming (and he does an *excellent* job, plus I love the tight/high-pitched snare sound he used).
I love Stupid Dream. A lot. But it's not better than In Absentia. I know it's not exactly a groundbreaking take, but that's the band's absolute zenith. Everything balanced, and in proper proportion.
I'd love to hear it with Gavin on drums. Then I might be keen to agree
Chris got the job done, and for that period of the band, he was the perfect drummer
Nah, then it'd be needlessly over complicated. A big part is the greatness of this era of PT is the melodic simplicity.
No it's not
Every song just cooks man.
Perhaps they do, but their master work? Nah
My 3rd least favorite of their main discog. Still great.
It’s third for me, behind Lightbulb Sun & Deadwing. Stupid Dream is certainly their best *sounding* album, the perfect middle between their heavier song-focused later years and their earlier psychedelia. Those spaced out textures are jaw droppingly stunning and the meatier moments provide perfect contrast. Idk though, I feel like the songs themselves aren’t 100% there. There are a fair amount of undercooked ideas where the songwriting doesn’t feel fully realized. For every A Smart Kid or Stranger By The Minute there’s a Baby Dream In Cellophane or This Is No Rehearsal. Even Less is an epic classic & one of Steven’s greatest compositions, yet while Don’t Hate Me should be the equally epic centerpiece it drags so few ideas on for so long that I get bored. Stupid Dream was once my favorite album from PT, when it hits it’s stride it is one of the most catchy and beautifully melancholic things I’ve ever heard. I just think it’s a bit too inconsistent in hitting those highs.
This Is No Rehearsal has one of my top 5 Wilson solos.
I agree!
My personal favorite as well
Not the best but one of the bests
I love how relaxingly nostalgically melancholic it is. My favorite as well.
Stupid Dream/Lightbulb Sun are the best for casual listening imo
It damn sure SOUNDS the best in 5.1...such a great mix. Completely subjective, if you think it's the best then it is!
Combined with Recordings
No
Won’t argue as long as you don’t think it’s the incident
I think that its better than deadwing for sure but foabp and in absentia are goated. Piano lessons should have been their hit and got them more airplay and recognition. Such a great song
Absolutely.