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Porcupine Tree — Collapse The Light Into Earth
Album: In Absentia
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1708









Released: 2002
Length: 5:38
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I won't shiver in the cold
I won't let the shadows take their toll
I won't cover my head in the dark
And I won't forget you when we part

Collapse the light into earth
Collapse the light into earth

I won't heal given time
I won't try to change your mind
I won't feel better in the cold light of day
But I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to stay

Collapse the light into earth
Collapse the light into earth
Collapse the light into earth
Collapse the light into earth

Collapse the light into earth...
Comments (137)add comment
 grexe wrote:

the perfect soundtrack for flying into a black hole 😉 absolutely love it, as almost everything from Steve Wilson.




If this statement is written on the basis of experience - you should probably share this with NASA/ESA (add space agency of choice...). They might be surprised you've come back to tell us
imho best PT album ever 
Playing Porcupine Tree right after Pink Floyd goes very well.  I find a lot similarities between the two bands and they're both great!
 vandal wrote:
I love PT, but this is not good and does not represent them very well. 
 
How so? Thoughtful, dreamy, vocal, piano and strings in gorgeous melody...perhaps there is another Porcupine Tree to be represented...
That guitar sound at the end, secretly upcoming, and then fading away with this beautiful track. So  amazing!
Masterpiece - One of my fav, love Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson is Genius
I love PT, but this is not good and does not represent them very well. 
 Canadese wrote:
I try to avoid negative comments, but this is really monotonous
 
and really not good.
I try to avoid negative comments, but this is really monotonous
First time hearing this song love it
the perfect soundtrack for flying into a black hole 😉 absolutely love it, as almost everything from Steve Wilson.
Sombre and reflective sound. Like it very much. 
Wow. This is giving me some feels 
 mogwei85 wrote:
One of those fantastic bands that I discovered here – thanks to RP!

 

Steve Wilson's contribution to the Tim Smith tribute album:

[YouTube search Porcupine Tree Cardiacs]

Bill must investigate Cardiacs despite all the superficial resistance that might first arise in him.
One voice, Piano, then add the synthesizers, add harmonies, string orchestra, then add the bass guitar.

Such a simple song with simple lyrics and such a wonderful build.  
Thanks to Radio Paradise I discovered Porcupine Tree. In absentia is one of my favourite albums. This is not the best song on the album by the way
Where art thou Miss Deadwing...I miss you 
Repetitious but it's moving and hypnotic and it's from what is/was the best band I know of in the last 20 years.
Outstanding tune, great album
 VH1 wrote:
Today I have been listening to RP for 3 hours now, and in this time there were 15 songs by that band! It is time for a new play list, or RP should be re-named in Porcupine Radio oder even Led Zeppelin Radio or Mark Knopfler Radio, Jethro Tull - these are the bands most often played EVERY DAY! Its getting booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

Every time one klicks "PSD" its either Led Zepplin, Porcupine Tree or Mark Knopfler. Today its 15 songs bei Porcupine, yesterday I had 10 songs by Led Zeppelin in one row....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!
 
I'm sure 3 or 4 of those songs were just in the last 60 seconds.
 VH1 wrote:
Today I have been listening to RP for 3 hours now, and in this time there were 15 songs by that band! It is time for a new play list, or RP should be re-named in Porcupine Radio oder even Led Zeppelin Radio or Mark Knopfler Radio, Jethro Tull - these are the bands most often played EVERY DAY! Its getting booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

Every time one klicks "PSD" its either Led Zepplin, Porcupine Tree or Mark Knopfler. Today its 15 songs bei Porcupine, yesterday I had 10 songs by Led Zeppelin in one row....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!

 
I thought I would die...make it stop! It's so repetitive and lame!
 {#Cheers} Deadwing {#Cheers} Carl wrote:

Agree. PT hung it up the same year as I: 2010. For a band that began as an elaborate hoax, they did very well, becoming one of the best bands ever, IMHO. I am eternally grateful to "deadwing" for introducing/promoting PT to us RP fans. At least I think she did.

 

The number of times I have thought 'I like this song' only to discover it is Porcupine Tree is becoming almost creepy.
Wow... perfect for a cold, snowy Sunday morning, looking out on a gray overcast sky with strips of white spraying from the east where the low sun is sneaking around the mountain peaks.
 VH1 wrote:
Today I have been listening to RP for 3 hours now, and in this time there were 15 songs by that band! It is time for a new play list, or RP should be re-named in Porcupine Radio oder even Led Zeppelin Radio or Mark Knopfler Radio, Jethro Tull - these are the bands most often played EVERY DAY! Its getting booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

Every time one klicks "PSD" its either Led Zepplin, Porcupine Tree or Mark Knopfler. Today its 15 songs bei Porcupine, yesterday I had 10 songs by Led Zeppelin in one row....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!

 
Then go away
Is this a break up song?  

If it is, it is one of the cooler 'love gone bad' songs around.
 kingart wrote:
I hear and move in the opposite direction. The more I hear PT, the more I want to hear. Alas, they seem to be a no-more band. Which is a shame.
 
Agree. PT hung it up the same year as I: 2010. For a band that began as an elaborate hoax, they did very well, becoming one of the best bands ever, IMHO. I am eternally grateful to "deadwing" for introducing/promoting PT to us RP fans. At least I think she did.
 kingart wrote:

I hear and move in the opposite direction. The more I hear PT, the more I want to hear. Alas, they seem to be a no-more band. Which is a shame. 

 
Yes, it seems unlikely that Wilson will take another journey with PT friends. However, his solo stuff is amazing. So, all is not lost.
 1wolfy wrote:
 I won't try to change your mind..ench wrote:
When I first heard Porcupine tree I loved them... But somehow the feeling ebbs more and more with each play I hear. It just doesn't seem to hold up, which is sad.

 

 
I hear and move in the opposite direction. The more I hear PT, the more I want to hear. Alas, they seem to be a no-more band. Which is a shame. 
8 at least!
This is the kind of music I can get lost in. Chilling in my room with my stereo, a mellowing libation, and low lighting. And PT fills the music bill very nicely. For me, anyways.
 I won't try to change your mind..ench wrote:
When I first heard Porcupine tree I loved them... But somehow the feeling ebbs more and more with each play I hear. It just doesn't seem to hold up, which is sad.

 


 VH1 wrote:
Today I have been listening to RP for 3 hours now, and in this time there were 15 songs by that band! It is time for a new play list, or RP should be re-named in Porcupine Radio oder even Led Zeppelin Radio or Mark Knopfler Radio, Jethro Tull - these are the bands most often played EVERY DAY! Its getting booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

Every time one klicks "PSD" its either Led Zepplin, Porcupine Tree or Mark Knopfler. Today its 15 songs bei Porcupine, yesterday I had 10 songs by Led Zeppelin in one row....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!

 
6 hours =  1 song by  Porcupine Tree, the current one — Collapse The Light Into Earth

and I only wish I could get  Mark Knopfler Radio with PSD.  My PSD doesn't work, nor the icons button, or color text.  Sheesh!
 gregr79 wrote:
Porcupine Tree Radio sounds fine to me!

I do hope they form again and tour with Songs from Deadwing, In Absentia, Signify, and the Incident and maybe some new stuff but alas I fear that Mr. Wilson is so busy with other projects it may not happen.

 

 
+1... Not seen them since the ´08 Incident tour - one of the best live acts I´ve been to, ever....!
Porcupine Tree Radio sounds fine to me!

I do hope they form again and tour with Songs from Deadwing, In Absentia, Signify, and the Incident and maybe some new stuff but alas I fear that Mr. Wilson is so busy with other projects it may not happen.

 
Great choice after Pink Floyd.
 VH1 wrote:
Today I have been listening to RP for 3 hours now, and in this time there were 15 songs by that band! It is time for a new play list, or RP should be re-named in Porcupine Radio oder even Led Zeppelin Radio or Mark Knopfler Radio, Jethro Tull - these are the bands most often played EVERY DAY! Its getting booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

Every time one klicks "PSD" its either Led Zepplin, Porcupine Tree or Mark Knopfler. Today its 15 songs bei Porcupine, yesterday I had 10 songs by Led Zeppelin in one row....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!

 
How unfortunate for you however I have a suspicion that you are exaggerating with the 15 songs in 3 hours crap. Maybe Bill can set you straight with your analysis otherwise find another music source that plays your favorite artists (to death).{#Smile}
When I first heard Porcupine tree I loved them... But somehow the feeling ebbs more and more with each play I hear. It just doesn't seem to hold up, which is sad.
Today I have been listening to RP for 3 hours now, and in this time there were 15 songs by that band! It is time for a new play list, or RP should be re-named in Porcupine Radio oder even Led Zeppelin Radio or Mark Knopfler Radio, Jethro Tull - these are the bands most often played EVERY DAY! Its getting booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

Every time one klicks "PSD" its either Led Zepplin, Porcupine Tree or Mark Knopfler. Today its 15 songs bei Porcupine, yesterday I had 10 songs by Led Zeppelin in one row....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!
Kind of an unfortunate use of the piano.  Close the lid.
 westslope wrote:
Here I am humming along to this.  This is still one of my favourite cuts off of one of PT's best CDs.  

That is the cool thing about Steven Wilson's most recent CD  Hand.Cannot.Erase.  I sing and hum along to most of the CD. 

 
I am really enjoying the Hand.Cannot.Erase cd. Can't wait to hear these songs live. 
Here I am humming along to this.  This is still one of my favourite cuts off of one of PT's best CDs.  

That is the cool thing about Steven Wilson's most recent CD  Hand.Cannot.Erase.  I sing and hum along to most of the CD. 
I won't forget you when we part.......{#Meditate}.
geege,

I find PT's music can very cathartic.  Let it wash over you like a warm meditation.   
 geege wrote:
this sums up the hopeless feeling I have of late..heart ache & sorrow

 
Sorry to hear that Geege.  Remember there is always a new adventure, a new horizon, a beautiful path forward. Every day is made of hope. Every moment is a gift. 
this sums up the hopeless feeling I have of late..heart ache & sorrow
soothing on my brain in these turbulent times..
BEAUTIFUL
There is an amazing video that fits perfect to this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2HRtXwINRc

 Comments on this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPk4CK2Hc3A (Music removed because of Warner {#Arghhh})






Well I like it{#Daisy}beautifully simple{#Daisy}bit like me
 westslope wrote:

smackiepipe:  How do you respond to the criticism that Porcupine Tree is 'over-produced'?  Just curious.

 

And if a song can be 'over-produced', then what is an under-produced song?  

 
Considering that Steven Wilson produces all of his own music, he's as much stated that the songs are simple, and that it's a lot of the production that makes them 'Porcupine Tree' songs. Atmosphere comes out of that production, but I wouldn't call it over-produced. Produced well, yes.

Under-produced? Anything by Robert Johnson, like Cross Road Blues for starters.


Wow! A great song like this with four chords :-)
..you know how to touch us RP-!..thx!!..
 h_in_bristol wrote:
The Beatles - A Day In The Life
Porcupine Tree - Collapse The Light Into Earth
Pink Floyd - Empty Spaces - Young Lust
Guster - Ruby Falls

What a lovely set!
 
and again, it really is, also preceded by Goyte too.
 
westslope wrote:

smackiepipe:  How do you respond to the criticism that Porcupine Tree is 'over-produced'?  Just curious.

 

And if a song can be 'over-produced', then what is an under-produced song?  

 
Personally, I feel a song is over-produced if the producer in the studio has produced a sound for the band that is so polished and precise that it detracts from the quality of the song. For me, the perfect example of over-produced music is anything by Garbage. Any band made up almost entirely of world-class producers would be at risk of suffering from this; Garbage seems to wallow in it.

An under-produced song is the inverse— any song that would benefit from a more professional-sounding production could be said to be under-produced. 
Wow.  My first time hearing this song.  Glad I'm at home with the Bose speakers instead of at work. 
 smackiepipe wrote:
Damn good simple song. 5 notes. Beautifully arranged.

 

smackiepipe:  How do you respond to the criticism that Porcupine Tree is 'over-produced'?  Just curious.

 

And if a song can be 'over-produced', then what is an under-produced song?  


 h_in_bristol wrote:
The Beatles - A Day In The Life
Porcupine Tree - Collapse The Light Into Earth
Pink Floyd - Empty Spaces - Young Lust
Guster - Ruby Falls

What a lovely set!
 
Same set this morning.  Most excellent.
For me this song is a masterpiece °_°
I love it
Damn good simple song. 5 notes. Beautifully arranged.

At working and not getting anything done listenting to PT.  Great Friday!

Every 6 hours, another Porcupine Tree gem.

Nice.


simply beautiful....love this
The Beatles - A Day In The Life
Porcupine Tree - Collapse The Light Into Earth
Pink Floyd - Empty Spaces - Young Lust
Guster - Ruby Falls

What a lovely set!
This is kind of Enya-like. {#Think}
Just an FYI in case anyone is interested, PT drummer extraordinaire Gavin Harrison will be on David Letterman this coming Tuesday, August 23. He will be sitting in with the band and will have a featured drum solo.

Weird and interesting... 
 Fartland wrote:
This song bores you? Would you rather Steven try to force a heavy riff down your throat instead? The mellow side of Mr. Wilson is best, I think

 
I prefer the Floydian influenced Steven myself.  But I do like some of the heavier stuff.

Steven was up for a Grammy for his surround sound mix for The Incident but lost to Keith O. Johnston for Britten's Orchestra.

Bummer.... 

that cover art is FREAKY!!
This song bores you? Would you rather Steven try to force a heavy riff down your throat instead? The mellow side of Mr. Wilson is best, I think

I played this and several other selections from Porcupine Tree for a friend who had never heard of Porcupine Tree.  I am proud to say that I have made another convert to the Porcupine Tree family.  She instantly downloaded this and others. 


 Jelani wrote:

as one in your profession you should know the slogan "act now or forever hold your piece(or is that peace?)
In my profession it's happened more times than I want to admit. I've finally learned to trust myself and move on my thoughts and ideas. 
 

Nice sentiment Jelani.  But frankly I never had any strong passion to play clarinet or any other musical instrument for a living.  Clarinet gave me a chance to skip classes and travel.  Ottawa and Syracuse New York are distance-wise very close to one another but sociologically, there is a massive distance.  It was all new, it was all very exciting.

 

I followed up on that passion and spent a few days short of 5 years hitching and hiking through South America and Africa.


P.S.  I am currently and passionately working on reinventing the wheel in my profession.

finally received my copy of the new DVD "Anesthetize".

Limited addition blue-ray, of course.... 
I find that after not hearing PT for a while, I NEED to play an album of theirs. I cannot say that about any other artist or group.

This album, Deadwing and Fear of a Blank Planet are my meds.

They can bury me or burn me to this track.  As stated elsewhere, get some decent headphones (like Shure se530s) and crank up a lossless version of this in a darkened room.  Simply beautiful.  Beautifully simple.
 westslope wrote:

I swear to God.  Steven Wilson reached inside my head and pulled out tunes I was playing on my clarinet in the washroom of the high school where I attended grade 10 in SE Ottawa.  How did he do that!?!!

 

 

P.S. Nice follow-up with A Day in the Life.

 
as one in your profession you should know the slogan "act now or forever hold your piece(or is that peace?)
In my profession it's happened more times than I want to admit. I've finally learned to trust myself and move on my thoughts and ideas. 
One of those fantastic bands that I discovered here – thanks to RP!

 farbenblinde wrote:
.... These guys really get inside my head - love 'em!  Thanks for introducing them to me RP!  Amy
 

I swear to God.  Steven Wilson reached inside my head and pulled out tunes I was playing on my clarinet in the washroom of the high school where I attended grade 10 in SE Ottawa.  How did he do that!?!!

 

 

P.S. Nice follow-up with A Day in the Life.


Genius {#Notworthy}
This band goes down with the best.  These guys really get inside my head - love 'em!  Thanks for introducing them to me RP!  Amy
horstman wrote:
This is still my favorite PT album to date. So complete.

Mine too, though Deadwing gets played more. Blackest Eyes, Trains into Lips of Ashes into sound of Musak into Gravity Eyelids . . . brilliantly arranged and paced all the way through to this eloquently simple and poignant conclusion . . . {#Notworthy}{#Sunny}{#Notworthy}
Looking forward to this fall! {#Cheers}
This is still my favorite PT album to date. So complete.
Simple & so sweet {#Hearteyes} grabs at the heart

Keyboard heavy this one.

Gorgeous.  Can you feel the re-birth?   Do you have to be Nordic to feel it?


DAMN this is melancholy.
Didn't remember this being from "In Absentia."
For a second I thought it was one of the Blackfield cuts.
but this .. this is so good!
Simply sublime.
 leathepea wrote:


Here is the original drawing. Long live Porcupine Tree.
 
{#Daisy}

10 but {#Sad}
Excellent band, excellent CD, excellent music.

This is a sad day in Santa Cruz and frankly, I can't take any more references to death, sand, collapse or Light.  Can you give me something uplifting?


 Buzzardcheater wrote:


It is extremely rare for me to hit the mute button on RP, but this morning the monotonous piano just made me pissy, and muted it was.
 
Hey, whatever, everybody's different. This is one of my favorite tracks. 10 for sure. (shrugs)

Agreed wolfy.  One of my favourite cuts off what I personally reckon is Porcupine Tree's BEST effort to date.

 


This is an excellent final track to a brilliant CD.
kimschoice wrote:
Though I'm glad RP turned me on to Porcupine Tree, I had to sign on just to say, this one doesn't just bore me, it annoys me.
It is extremely rare for me to hit the mute button on RP, but this morning the monotonous piano just made me pissy, and muted it was.
Here is the original drawing. Long live Porcupine Tree.
so sad...
I missed this one on RP again. It is one of my favourites off my favourite PT CD to date. And what a set! PT, Stevie Ray, Cash. ---------------------------- owld_skipper: Who is 'Hippie'?
ChicoCyclist wrote:
This song is best enjoyed with headphones on and very loud. Once you're isolated from the world and focus on the song, its genius comes through. I've toyed with having this played at my funeral, though I hope that's 50 years off!
Mine will feature this, Jeff Buckley's version of "Satisfied Mind," and William Shatner's "You've Got Time."
Hmm, definitely need to add this to the collection.
1wolfy wrote:
This song gets me..It is such a powerful goodbye song. I can't understand anyone not "feeling" it. I've been there Sometimes it sounds like collapse the light into us..
Think maybe Steven was working out some of the things that became Deadwing (the album, not the RP poster) here? Just a random guess.
Though I'm glad RP turned me on to Porcupine Tree, I had to sign on just to say, this one doesn't just bore me, it annoys me.
This song is best enjoyed with headphones on and very loud. Once you're isolated from the world and focus on the song, its genius comes through. I've toyed with having this played at my funeral, though I hope that's 50 years off!
Yes, that's the right combination: - Porcupine Tree - Collapse The Light Into Earth - Pink Floyd - Empty Spaces - Young Lust ! Two prog giants, I'd say...
This song gets me..It is such a powerful goodbye song. I can't understand anyone not "feeling" it. I've been there Sometimes it sounds like collapse the light into us..
diane wrote:
While the piano is technically a percussion instrument, it sure is a waste, and a giant bore, to have it used as one. Even with the limp strings, this song is a zero for me. I fail to see how it can stir anyone mentally or physically. Another PorPineTree -er.
Yeah, people are different. Shock! Newsflash! I stand by my previous statement. :P
After Fish left Marillion in 1988, the prog-rock crown probably fit Dream Theater best, though they never seemed comfortable wearing it, and toward the end of the 90's they permanently moved out from under the moniker. IQ carried it briefly, but garnered such a small audience few noticed or cared. Porcupine Tree's Stupid Dream (1999) announced their arrival, but it was In Absentia (2002) that cemented PT's place as monarch of contemporary prog rock. Not one of the stronger tunes from that album, which I highly recommend.
While the piano is technically a percussion instrument, it sure is a waste, and a giant bore, to have it used as one. Even with the limp strings, this song is a zero for me. I fail to see how it can stir anyone mentally or physically. Another PorPineTree -er.
Love this. More Porcupine Tree, please!
This is absolutely beautiful.
eeeyawwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
Picked up the disk recently based on what I'd heard here on RP over the past few months. Has 5 or 6 outstanding tracks, plus 2 or 3 cuts that are just too much loud head-bangin' for my forty-something ears. (I'd guess these guys are pretty loud live.) However, any disk with 6 really good songs is a worthwhile purchase in my opinion.
jberko wrote:
These guys are amazing, but they do have a bad album or two. I bought a real dog today about an LSD trip. Horrible.
LOL. After listening to this album to death, I went out and bought the Stars Die Anthology. Some great stuff on there, but there's a lot of stuff on there that is pretty unlistenable (I had to smile when I saw your post, there are undoubtedly a couple of songs from that CD on the CD I bought). In other Porcupine Tree news, Rhapsody has the single from the new disc on it. Waiting for someone to upload it here. Sounds a lot like the "In absentia" stuff.
These guys are amazing, but they do have a bad album or two. I bought a real dog today about an LSD trip. Horrible.
redeyespy wrote:
Has Thom Yorke heard this?
Has Chris Martin heard this?
Otherworldly beautiful. I love it. :meditate.gif:
RobGraham wrote:
I'm getting closer and closer to buying this album...
Do it, it will be the best $11.99 you'll ever spend.