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Porcupine Tree — Stranger By The Minute
Album: Stupid Dream
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1326









Released: 1999
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Ghosts in the park
Appear just after dark
Killers, children...
But no-one has a harp
They look like tourists
It makes me want to laugh

Under floorboards
It's hard to fly a kite
Underwater
My cigarettes won't light
Standing in the shade
I'm getting frostbite

Strange as I seem
I'm getting stranger by the minute
Look in my dreams
It's getting stranger by the minute

When I'm drowning
You drag me up to you
Rings in the water
My only residue
But you're just fiction
And I'm a twisted boy

Strange as I seem
I'm getting stranger by the minute
Look in my dreams
It's getting stranger by the minute

Strange as I seem
I'm getting stranger by the minute
Look in my dreams
It's getting stranger by the minute

Strange as I seem
I'm getting stranger by the minute
Look in my dreams
It's getting stranger by the minute
Comments (176)add comment
Got my tickets for the Greek Theater in September '22 -  I think this is gonna be the last tour.
New PT album coming 6/24/22 and tour! Yes, I'm pretty amped about this since one of the stops is Chicago!
https://porcupinetree.com
Tasty licks and atmospherics got me in the door; emotive, vulnerable lyrics hooked me, and the abso-frickin' amazing drumming SOLD ME!
 itsme_bygolly wrote:



You invoked Yes. Join the few us in the corner who are not embarrassed to admit we like Progressive Rock.


Those who can't feel the beauty of progressive rock are the ones who should be embarrassed ;)
 westslope wrote:

Did I mention that Stranger By The Minute is my favourite cut off this CD?  

Maybe in part because I hear a little of Steve Howe's sublime lead guitar in this.  

Maybe in part because although I 'like' Jon Anderson's vocals, Steven Wilson's vocals are so, so much better. 




You invoked Yes. Join the few us in the corner who are not embarrassed to admit we like Progressive Rock.
Really? and not Joe?

say it ain't so!
 Propayne wrote:
One of Steven's tastiest solos.

 
Yup.  I hear Steve Howe.

The lyrics are terrific.  They capture the adolescent, young adult head space just perfectly.
One of Steven's tastiest solos.
Discovered this group, thanks to RP.
nice and easy listening
sitting in the Rockies B.C. writing in my travel journal and PT comes on...simply perfect!
 TerryS wrote:
Hey Westslope, $12 buys you a seat at the upcoming PNE Beach Boys concert. Or a growler of fine local beer.

 
I might have liked that except I was too busy moving.

So what kind of fans go to a beach Boy concert these days? 
 Deadwing wrote:

I think Pure Narcotic comes out on top for me, even though I love just about every track. Hope you are doing well old friend!

{#Cheers} 

 
Hey Deadwing!  Good to hear from you.   Glad to see you back posting on the RP song threads. 

Was just listening to Catherine Wheel Fripp.  CW makes me think of Talk Talk. Which I like a lot. 

We're doing great.  Moved to the desert and in the first two months it has rained 10 times.  
 westslope wrote:
Did I mention that Stranger By The Minute is my favourite cut off this CD?  

Maybe in part because I hear a little of Steve Howe's sublime lead guitar in this.  

Maybe in part because although I 'like' Jon Anderson's vocals, Steven Wilson's vocals are so, so much better. 

 
I think Pure Narcotic comes out on top for me, even though I love just about every track. Hope you are doing well old friend!

{#Cheers} 
Hey Westslope, $12 buys you a seat at the upcoming PNE Beach Boys concert. Or a growler of fine local beer.
 westslope wrote:
Did I mention that Stranger By The Minute is my favourite cut off this CD?  

Maybe in part because I hear a little of Steve Howe's sublime lead guitar in this.  

Maybe in part because although I 'like' Jon Anderson's vocals, Steven Wilson's vocals are so, so much better. 

 
Slope!    {#Wave}

Did I mention that Stranger By The Minute is my favourite cut off this CD?  

Maybe in part because I hear a little of Steve Howe's sublime lead guitar in this.  

Maybe in part because although I 'like' Jon Anderson's vocals, Steven Wilson's vocals are so, so much better. 
 Propayne wrote:
Discovered PT at "In Absentia" and had a wonderful journey exploring their back catalog.

Very sad when I got to the end of it and now no new PT on the horizon... 

 
Chris Maitland's drums are fabulous on this track {#Drummer}
Discovered PT at "In Absentia" and had a wonderful journey exploring their back catalog.

Very sad when I got to the end of it and now no new PT on the horizon... 
GodLike {#Jump}
This is why I love RP.  So fun to discover artists like this!
PT songs always seem to be able to break my chain of thought...regardless of chain strength.
{#Wave} ..... it works for me 
 Propayne wrote:

Beach Boys via Yes via Todd Rundgren/Utopia.

 

Not bad!

But yes the vocals and harmonies are great.   Some of the best in prog rock genre if I may say so.

 

Light and poppy, this song rocks out.


 WonderLizard wrote:

I agree with the quality of the vocals--something I believe PT doesn't get enough credit for.

 
Beach Boys via Yes via Todd Rundgren/Utopia.
 gemtag wrote:
Beach Boys married Dandy Warhols and had a stranger

 
I agree with the quality of the vocals--something I believe PT doesn't get enough credit for.
perfect tune to pop on in the car while zooming down your favorite byway.
 Dav3thedog wrote:
I really liked it! Who is this SW you speak of?
 
Really..? Steven Wilson, founder of PT......
Oh wow, the first Porcupine Tree song that had me perk up in my chair. Didn't even know this was them until I looked at my computer screen. Nice!{#Sunny}
Verges on perfect. Atmospheric, superb production and melody, guitar, takes flight. 
I really liked it! Who is this SW you speak of?
 Deadwing wrote:
I think SW was just being playful and whimsical with this one.

Slope you know I would walk through fire for these guys!!!!!
The guitar solo is pretty freaking good though    {#Guitarist}

Honestly though, I have to say that I'm slightly disillusioned with SW lately. The last PT album that I love start to finish is Deadwing (2005). I really DO like FoaBP, but I've never cared for Sentimental. That song just bores and annoys me. I pretty much despise "The Incident"- It is contrived and unnatural. I like Blind House, Black Dahlia, and a couple of the other songs.

SW is most definitely speading himself too thin and has become completely mesmerized by the King Crimson back catalogue. Fripp's strengths are his mathematical brain and fingers that defy space, gravity, and time. He is a musical engineer. There is no one else on Earth like him. SW's strength has always been his songwriting and a melodic sensibility that seems to come from God himself.

SW has always been heavily susceptible to what he is listening to musically at any given moment and his musical output
REALLY reflects it. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

He needs to put some space between himself and Fripp/Crimson before he tries to write another PT album. It's like when he worked with Opeth- he felt like he had to be some metal badass after that. He seems torn by conflicting desires to me. I honestly think he is he best songwriter alive right now- he just sets the bar so high for himself- he sets himself up to fail.

 
Can't really disagree with much of that, but on the other hand, maybe SW gets bored with his stuff and moves on, trying to find something novel to amuse himself and break a little new ground.  Real artists (vs. just enjoyable performers) go through phases like that, whereas we might get attached to stops along their journey, getting very attached to some of the work, but having less or no use for other locations they might visit.  Perhaps after a lengthy digesting of Frippertronisms and KC virtuosities etc. SW might come back with some new variation on prog rock that is a fresh synthesis of the Masters so to speak, sans the fart odors.
Yeah!
Thanks Bill!
I needed this.
A little light hearted SW makes my Saturday morning!
{#Bounce}

Such a sweet guitar solo too.     
 Deadwing wrote:
I think SW was just being playful and whimsical with this one.

Slope you know I would walk through fire for these guys!!!!!
The guitar solo is pretty freaking good though    {#Guitarist}

Honestly though, I have to say that I'm slightly disillusioned with SW lately. The last PT album that I love start to finish is Deadwing (2005). I really DO like FoaBP, but I've never cared for Sentimental. That song just bores and annoys me. I pretty much despise "The Incident"- It is contrived and unnatural. I like Blind House, Black Dahlia, and a couple of the other songs.

SW is most definitely speading himself too thin and has become completely mesmerized by the King Crimson back catalogue. Fripp's strengths are his mathematical brain and fingers that defy space, gravity, and time. He is a musical engineer. There is no one else on Earth like him. SW's strength has always been his songwriting and a melodic sensibility that seems to come from God himself.

SW has always been heavily susceptible to what he is listening to musically at any given moment and his musical output
REALLY reflects it. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

He needs to put some space between himself and Fripp/Crimson before he tries to write another PT album. It's like when he worked with Opeth- he felt like he had to be some metal badass after that. He seems torn by conflicting desires to me. I honestly think he is he best songwriter alive right now- he just sets the bar so high for himself- he sets himself up to fail.

 
It's like saying God should be a little more Godlike {#Biggrin}
 mistabird wrote:
kommt gut   die musik wer sie mal im club live gesehen hat , im kleinen rahmen ganz nah der fühlt, merkt und sieht wie genial der sound ist. und das gute ist : es gibt noch besseres von diesen musikern 
 



..^ what he sed (babel fish it)..
 Deadwing wrote:
SW (...) needs to put some space between himself and Fripp/Crimson before he tries to write another PT album. 
 
Completely agree with that. The Incident was a rather disappointing album, and his solo stuff, well, everything you said below is exactly what I think as well. There are moments of total brilliance, and moments of... well, something I simply don't want to listen to. That new track (Luminol) is just noise, for instance.

Interviews also seem to suggest that he is increasingly enjoying the smell of his own farts. Let's hope for the best.
Deadwing, spot on: ". . .   is not capable of self editing. . ." 
Beach Boys married Dandy Warhols and had a stranger
 westslope wrote:

Deadwing.   With all due respect, I regard Stranger by the Minute as genius.  Lyrics, harmonies, lead, none of it strikes me as throwaway. 

I do like the Stupid Dream to the Deadwing run.  FoaBP is fine.  Nil Recurring is great if more edge is sought.  The Incident is uneven.  Wilson went beyond music to noisy, in-your-face attention-getting.   In any event, the 'device' was overused.  

Sounds like you are not crazy about his solo stuff. Haven't heard the 2nd CD yet but Insurgentes worked for me.

take care -w. slope

 

His solo stuff is hit or miss for me. Harmony Korine is amazingly rich and textured and builds in a fantastic way. That song gives me chills. Deform to Form a Star is mournfully beautiful.

But...

Some of his solo songs sound like a cymbal falling down a flight of stairs. I could care less about his experimental crap. Considering the caliber of his well woven songs, when he whips out one of his "gee wouldn't it be cool if I repeat this same note over and over getting louder and louder and add some cacophonous white noise to it" crap makes me want to punch his skinny white ass.

I think he is the best songwriter alive, but I also feel he suffers from Stephen King syndrome and is not capable of self editing.

I still need the eggs though (obscure Woody Allen reference)       {#Wave}   

And it's always good to see you Slope!!   /hugs
Yep. Awesome. Yep.

Deadwing.   With all due respect, I regard Stranger by the Minute as genius.  Lyrics, harmonies, lead, none of it strikes me as throwaway. 

I do like the Stupid Dream to the Deadwing run.  FoaBP is fine.  Nil Recurring is great if more edge is sought.  The Incident is uneven.  Wilson went beyond music to noisy, in-your-face attention-getting.   In any event, the 'device' was overused.  

Sounds like you are not crazy about his solo stuff. Haven't heard the 2nd CD yet but Insurgentes worked for me.

take care -w. slope


I think SW was just being playful and whimsical with this one.

Slope you know I would walk through fire for these guys!!!!!
The guitar solo is pretty freaking good though    {#Guitarist}

Honestly though, I have to say that I'm slightly disillusioned with SW lately. The last PT album that I love start to finish is Deadwing (2005). I really DO like FoaBP, but I've never cared for Sentimental. That song just bores and annoys me. I pretty much despise "The Incident"- It is contrived and unnatural. I like Blind House, Black Dahlia, and a couple of the other songs.

SW is most definitely speading himself too thin and has become completely mesmerized by the King Crimson back catalogue. Fripp's strengths are his mathematical brain and fingers that defy space, gravity, and time. He is a musical engineer. There is no one else on Earth like him. SW's strength has always been his songwriting and a melodic sensibility that seems to come from God himself.

SW has always been heavily susceptible to what he is listening to musically at any given moment and his musical output
REALLY reflects it. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

He needs to put some space between himself and Fripp/Crimson before he tries to write another PT album. It's like when he worked with Opeth- he felt like he had to be some metal badass after that. He seems torn by conflicting desires to me. I honestly think he is he best songwriter alive right now- he just sets the bar so high for himself- he sets himself up to fail.

kommt gut   die musik wer sie mal im club live gesehen hat , im kleinen rahmen ganz nah der fühlt, merkt und sieht wie genial der sound ist. und das gute ist : es gibt noch besseres von diesen musikern 
While I agree with the sentiment,.... throwaway?   Huh?  I love this song!  
Not one of my favorites, but SWs throwaway songs are better than most bands best offerings.
{#Clap}
Hear! Hear!  
more  pocupine tree  please very good {#Clap}standing
More PT please! 
{#Bounce}
hey, you're playing the same song again, we just heard this leather sofa song a few minutes ago!

 ziakut wrote:
Exquisite songwriting! Harmonies...arrangement...chords...man...whew! This is great!!!!
 
What he/she said!

Exquisite songwriting! Harmonies...arrangement...chords...man...whew! This is great!!!!
{#Bananajam}
This entire CD is a thumbs up...quite different from their other stuff...love it
One of the most relaxing, uplifting PT songs on my favorite PT record (9).
Yes, not a huge Tree fan, they are hit or miss with me. This one is a definite hit though, great guitar!{#Guitarist}
Not familiar with it, but very nice indeed.  A solid 8.
 Dave_Mack wrote:

The guitar reminds me of Widespread Panic, while the bass is distinctly Yes-oid (Squiresque {#Bananajam})
 

Bassist Colin Edwins and keyboardist Richard Barbieri do not get enough recognition for their contributions to this unique Porcupine Tree sound.

 

One of my favourite cuts off a superb CD.


{#Bananajam}
Yes! Love it! {#Sunny}
Apparently somebody asked Robert Fripp if Porcupine Tree made mistakes.  He answered:  "In a word, no.".  
 westslope wrote:

Anybody else hear the Steve Howe-like guitar licks?

Gorgeous!


 
The guitar reminds me of Widespread Panic, while the bass is distinctly Yes-oid (Squiresque {#Bananajam})


Porcupine Tree is one of two bands RP introduced me to.
I remember I DISLIKED them - ...first!

I WAS WRONG!


 lbaltz wrote:
I just love these guys. (Thanks to Bill)  This is a nice cut that I had forgotten about...

Also a great band to see live.  I just got tickets for Radio City Music Hall Sept. 24.  I hope it lives up to my expectations.
 
I just saw them in Buffalo less than 3 hours ago (sigh) and Steven said that the Radio City music show was going to be very special with some very special stuff in the second set. He didn't say what but said it would be  a show to remember.

So you're in for a treat. They encored "The sound of Muzak" and Steve flubbed up/forgot his lines and said "I f_ed that up, forgot my lines
!". It was pretty funny to know that these perfectionists make mistakes. We all laughed.

Awesome band to see live, better than the studio for their sheer energy. My favorite band at this point in my life. Can't seem to get enough of them!!!

 westslope wrote:

Anybody else hear the Steve Howe-like guitar licks?

Gorgeous!

 
Yes !!  Probably my favourite parts in this song is the slide guitar playing and those guitar licks nicely laid back in the mix.
This song was my first exposure to PT, and it's still my favorite by a long shot.
 Deadwing wrote:
?? Does this song sound right to you guys? It's all choppy to me.
  Well, it doesn't sound choppy to me, but it still never sounds right.


I just love these guys. (Thanks to Bill)  This is a nice cut that I had forgotten about...

Also a great band to see live.  I just got tickets for Radio City Music Hall Sept. 24.  I hope it lives up to my expectations.
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Sounding excellent to me - AAC feed on a Mac on my office T1.

Perhaps your ISP was having problems.

 
{#Think}  feeling Stranger By The Minute


 Deadwing wrote:
?? Does this song sound right to you guys? It's all choppy to me.
 
Sounding excellent to me - AAC feed on a Mac on my office T1.

Perhaps your ISP was having problems.

No choppiness here...  I'm not familiar with these guys, but I'm liking it—nice tune, good guitar work and layered vocals... and I'm a real sucker for pop/rock with any degree of steel guitar or unexpected instruments in it. Some earlier Steely feature some awesome Dan Skunk Baxter tracks as well as stuff like accordion.
?? Does this song sound right to you guys? It's all choppy to me.
 leathepea wrote:
This is my favorite album from PT, at least for the moment.

 

I know what you mean!

Signify is always my favorite album from the boys but the number 2 and 3 etc always changes  {#Music}
The overall sound on this one reminds me of the Super Furries.
 csuess wrote:
Steven Wilson is a genius. Nothing less. Everyone who has not: watch him or his projects live. Love the guitar solo in this song.
 
Not only a genius, but he can also sing. Lucky man and lucky us.

Anybody else hear the Steve Howe-like guitar licks?

Gorgeous!


 keller1 wrote:


It sure is.  Wish you'd say that to all the Radiohead types who call me names when I bash Thom and the boys.

 
Ha!  I am maddeningly neutral on the subject of Radiohead.  Sometimes I like 'em and sometimes I don't.

 vivakitty wrote:

And I don't think I've ever gone higher than a 4 for one of their songs.  Ain't freedom of expression grand?

 

It sure is.  Wish you'd say that to all the Radiohead types who call me names when I bash Thom and the boys.

 keller1 wrote:
I don't think I've ever rated anything by PT less than a 7.

Great band.
 
And I don't think I've ever gone higher than a 4 for one of their songs.  Ain't freedom of expression grand?

I don't think I've ever rated anything by PT less than a 7.

Great band.
I'd love to see a collaboration between Alan Parsons and Steven Wilson someday.

Bill's on a roll today . . .
 shakylegs wrote:
"Under the floorboards, it's hard to fly a kite."

Genius. Right there, that's genius.
 

I think people are more referring to his body of work as opposed to a random line in a whimsical song. Check out his discography- it's 369 pages long- here is a link

https://www.voyage-pt.de/swdisco.pdf

Enjoy!

although difficult to judge, I agree westslope wrote:
This CD — Stupid Dream — is my no. 2 after In Absentia.
 


 csuess wrote:
Steven Wilson is a genius. Nothing less. Everyone who has not: watch him or his projects live. Love the guitar solo in this song.

 
{#Clap}

I'm here working and I hadn't noticed the song, but the excellent guitar solo made me turn around to see who it was.



This is my favorite album from PT, at least for the moment.

 mefrombrazil wrote:
morrissey's voice stolen
 
{#No}

Steven Wilson is a genius. Nothing less. Everyone who has not: watch him or his projects live. Love the guitar solo in this song.

"Under the floorboards, it's hard to fly a kite."

Genius. Right there, that's genius.
we only got mostly pine trees and oak trees, I need to get me some Porcupine Trees  TY RP
 snowcat wrote:
I've found Stupid Dream is very upbeat and pop-oriented compared to the others.  A very well-done departure.
 
Interesting how Bill follows up this song with a Beatle's pyschedlic-pop period (Dear Prudence).  They fit well.

Just getting to know Porcupine Tree...love this song!!!   {#Cheesygrin}
I've found Stupid Dream is very upbeat and pop-oriented compared to the others.  A very well-done departure.
This CD — Stupid Dream — is my no. 2 after In Absentia.
This is so lame.
If it weren't for the vocals I MIGHT be able to deal with it, but....{#Puke}
Every time a PT song comes on, whether I know it's them or not, I stop and listen.  Almost every song/album just jumps out at me.  Thanks again, RP for bringing new music into my life!

Great tune on a wet, cool coastal morning.
Nice save, Bill. From the dreck that is Pete Yorn to PT.
This is a lot more accessible and less prog-rock than the rest of the stuff I've heard from them.
Love it!
Wow... I still haven't met a PT cut I haven't enjoyed. Thanks once more, Bill and Rebecca!
morrissey's voice stolen
driver8 wrote:
When I saw Porcupine Tree in concert, Steve Wilson was barefoot the entire time.....strange but very cool!
I love playing barefoot. Whenever I record in a studio I do it barefoot. Helps to feel relaxed and connected. Nice to know Steve Wilson and I have ONE thing in common. :)
I love this whole CD..great way to finish my day.
I agree! boring bullitt wrote:
This song is getting more repetitive by the minute
I have loved these guys for years now, ALL THANKS TO RP, and finally got this whole record into my iPod... Love the Floydian thing coursing through this hiptrippy music they make!
driver8 wrote:
When I saw Porcupine Tree in concert, Steve Wilson was barefoot the entire time.....strange but very cool!
He plays almost all his concerts barefoot.
I love this album. I love this song. I love their shows. I love this band. Lotta love here.
When I saw Porcupine Tree in concert, Steve Wilson was barefoot the entire time.....strange but very cool!
Deadwing wrote:
Great song to wake up to
I agree. But not only to wake up to!
Deadwing wrote:
Great song to wake up to
What he said.
Great song to wake up to
One of my favourite cuts on a great CD. I am amazed that this has not received wider air play.
robco1 wrote:
Yeah!
It's getting better, they are featured in this issue of Roland Insider. Go here... https://www.rolandus.com/community/insider/artists_articles.aspx?ArticleId=63
bullitt wrote:
This song is getting more repetitive by the minute This song is getting more repetitive by the minute This song is getting more repetitive by the minute This song is getting more repetitive by the minute
*ahem*
A clear 10 again!