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Porcupine Tree — Lips Of Ashes
Album: In Absentia
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2191









Released: 2002
Length: 4:35
Plays (last 30 days): 4
Paralysed
Lips of ashes
Synchronised
Blue vein crashes

Touching, touching you inside
Inside, inside, inside, inside, inside, inside

Idolised
Black eyes fading
You and I
Connection failing

I drill, I drill down inside
Inside, inside, inside, inside, inside, inside
Comments (259)add comment
Love that clean guitar work
 idiot_wind wrote:

Wow!

I thought this was some kind of David Crosby/family band!



Well that explains your user name.
William with an amazing set!!!
Much appreciated RP! 
I find with Porcupine Tree tracks I either love them or I love them so much I play them until I realise I've been playing Porcupine Tree tracks over and over for six hours.
i love harmony like this so much!
Always outstanding... Porcupine Tree, love it!
 bam23 wrote:


I get your point, but this band (Steven Wilson) is, in part, reflecting the music of the era you refer to. Who knows what this band would have sounded like in the 1970s. "I was born in 67, the year of Sgt. Pepper" suggests that he absorbed and transmogrified the music and zeitgeist of that and other eras to produce the brilliant music we are privileged to experience. There is no such thing as ahead or behind the times. Others catch up to innovations. Then look backward and write or rewrite whatever history interests them.


Well put, the original comment and your response.
 BCarn wrote:

Uh, no. You are the ONLY one who imagines these guys masturbating.  Weird comment man. Assuming you're a man. I guess my assumption could be wrong. either way...silly comment.


Hahaha!
I read some gossip to the effect that Wilson is interested in producing a keyboard-oriented PT album with Richard Barbieri.

Crossing my fingers.

Wilson is correct when he descries Barbieri as the best sound-scaper since Brian Eno.
Dang it, for a second I thought this was Tattva.
 timmus wrote:

Some bands are too early for their time.  Some bands are too late... this is one of them.  Porcupine Tree would have been heavily promoted by the labels and played on rock radio all the time in the late 1970s and 1980s, making them a part of our classic rock heritage.  Today's music industry, unfortunately, is entirely focused on pushing artists like Adele and Drake out to the masses.



I get your point, but this band (Steven Wilson) is, in part, reflecting the music of the era you refer to. Who knows what this band would have sounded like in the 1970s. "I was born in 67, the year of Sgt. Pepper" suggests that he absorbed and transmogrified the music and zeitgeist of that and other eras to produce the brilliant music we are privileged to experience. There is no such thing as ahead or behind the times. Others catch up to innovations. Then look backward and write or rewrite whatever history interests them.
 dwhayslett wrote:

Maybe you're projecting.

Good lord, I hope it’s just you. 
Some bands are too early for their time.  Some bands are too late... this is one of them.  Porcupine Tree would have been heavily promoted by the labels and played on rock radio all the time in the late 1970s and 1980s, making them a part of our classic rock heritage.  Today's music industry, unfortunately, is entirely focused on pushing artists like Adele and Drake out to the masses.
Wow!

I thought this was some kind of David Crosby/family band!
 johnalexford wrote:
Bill, more Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson, please!
 
Later Steven Wilson solo material has been taken out of circulation on RP.

Not a loss for me because I own all his solo albums and EPs and play them often.  

New Steven Wilson album coming soon!  I wonder if being married will affect the music.  I think it lent a sometimes poppy happy tone to some of his songs on To the Bone.
Bill, more Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson, please!
Thanks RP for introducing me to Steven Wilson and his guises; Having only discovered RP in the past four months I've become a massive fan of your diverse and eclectic playlists. LLRP
In recognition of keyboardist Richard Barbieri's contribution to the unique Porcupine Tree sound.
 haresfur wrote:
Sounds like someone chewed the bark off this one.
 

For the nutritional value. 
Sounds like someone chewed the bark off this one.
 1wolfy wrote:
Your imagination reeks of perversion  shakylegs wrote:
Am I the only who imagines these guys masturbating furiously over how good and ethereal they think they are?
 

 
Uh, no. You are the ONLY one who imagines these guys masturbating.  Weird comment man. Assuming you're a man. I guess my assumption could be wrong. either way...silly comment.
 westslope wrote:
Proposition:

In Absentia is one of the very best progressive rock/art rock style albums ever put out.   If it is not the best, it figures among the top 5.  
 
I accept your proposition, sir!
first I've heard of them.  CSNY meets Marillion.  nice...
Your imagination reeks of perversion  shakylegs wrote:
Am I the only who imagines these guys masturbating furiously over how good and ethereal they think they are?
 

 shakylegs wrote:
Am I the only who imagines these guys masturbating furiously over how good and ethereal they think they are?
 
Maybe you're projecting.
 shakylegs wrote:
Am I the only who imagines these guys masturbating furiously over how good and ethereal they think they are?
 
Yep, that'd be a safe bet
Am I the only who imagines these guys masturbating furiously over how good and ethereal they think they are?
Or David's "If I Could Only Remember My Name" - a classic.
chinaski wrote:
Something David Crosby could pull off. Guinevere?
 

Something David Crosby could pull off. Guinevere?
"My kingdom for a pair headphones right now"!!!!!!!!!!!!
Proposition:

In Absentia is one of the very best progressive rock/art rock style albums ever put out.   If it is not the best, it figures among the top 5.  
 ojibwe wrote:
Brilliant Mix:

3:30 pm - Harry Manx - Death Have Mercy
3:34 pm - Elton John - Sixty Years On
3:38 pm - Porcupine Tree - Lips Of Ashes

I came in here to rate this ... and saw I already had it as a 9. Should I make it 10?

 
Yeah!   Silly question.  
 kingart wrote:

Who is EKV?  

 
Ekatarina Velika

Serbian rock band from Belgrade.  Disbanded in 1994 upon the death of the lead man.
Radio Paradise was the first place I heard Porcupine Tree.
 westslope wrote:
jasko:  Is this a gimmick to promote EKV?   I don't hear the similarity with PT.

 
Who is EKV?  
Brilliant Mix:

3:30 pm - Harry Manx - Death Have Mercy
3:34 pm - Elton John - Sixty Years On
3:38 pm - Porcupine Tree - Lips Of Ashes

I came in here to rate this ... and saw I already had it as a 9. Should I make it 10?
That is Steven Wilson on lead guitar.

Wilson plays most of the guitar on his latest solo album To the Bone.  Slovak David Kollar makes a couple of tasty lead guitar contributions too.
Follow this with Tears For Fears "Sketches Of Pain"
Bill likes Porcupine Tree.... and so do I! Thx.
Love the guitar solo in this.
I saw SW 2 years ago, and he made a joke about how many people in the audience would be wearing Yes Tshirts
PT always takes me to another place... outstanding.{#Bananajam}
 No, there is nothing to promote, no member of EKV is alive today.. its just me probably to hear that conection.
im just a music fan, love both of bands.westslope wrote:
jasko:  Is this a gimmick to promote EKV?   I don't hear the similarity with PT.

 


Very relaxing song. 
jasko:  Is this a gimmick to promote EKV?   I don't hear the similarity with PT.
great harmonies. very reminiscent of Yes and CSN.
brilliant
This album should rank among the top 5 prog rock albums.
Despite that a mate complains I give out 10 ratings too easily, I don't give out 10s that often.  My self-description of a 10 is "seriously want to hear at any time, any place, and seriously doubt that will ever change".

That said, it's not often I get to hear two 10s back-to-back.  Love being able to hear this 10 song immediately after Sixty Years On from Elton John, another 10. 
 Totally and absolutely agree, this is so much more then a 7!adib wrote:

9 -> 10
Not many tracks get a ten from me - wonderful stuff...

 


Sometimes you just have to take music for what its worth, although PT always has alot going on in a song... 
It's interesting the different reactions to the music here on radio paradise. PT is highly rated yet I find them unpleasant. Yet the comments mostly reference other bands that I love.

Reading about the unique way this band makes their music I keep wondering if that's why I don't like it. I dislike the way they fill up the musical spectrum. Some people love this layering while I hear dissonance.

I wonder if there are other decorrelated bands? For a maybe not very relevant, example, I'm a fan of Jack Johnson but dislike Dave Matthews. Maybe fans of PT are the reverse?

OK, I just did a spot check of jbuhl's ratings and s/he seems to dislike Dave Matthews too 😁. Weird. The vast majority of our ratings are compatible except for Patti Smith. Maybe she's the decorrelated artist?

Someday it would be cool to run data analytics on the user ratings at RP and use it to provide some additional suggestions and contraindications for music.
 beeblebrocks40 wrote:

Funny, I was picking up YES harmonies. It's funny to read how different listeners take one style of vocals and attribute them to different artists. This is a good thing.

  
somebody wrote:

Yup.  I hear both

When I first heard this I was thinking it might be an old King Crimson I had not heard. 
 beeblebrocks40 wrote:

Funny, I was picking up YES harmonies. It's funny to read how different listeners take one style of vocals and attribute them to different artists. This is a good thing.

 
Yup.  I hear both
 {#Yes}adib wrote:

I agree with westslope - this one has always been my favourite album.

 


Just great stuff!
Could say that again and again any time I hear Porcupine Tree...

9 -> 10
Not many tracks get a ten from me - wonderful stuff...
Great tune, great album, great band!
 BigIslandBlues wrote:
I am picking up on some CSN like vocal harmonies...and that's a good thing.Nice.

 
Funny, I was picking up YES harmonies. It's funny to read how different listeners take one style of vocals and attribute them to different artists. This is a good thing.
Great harmony! Reminds me of CSN for sure, only with their own flair. Nice work!
 Skydog wrote:

also sounds like a Greg Lake composition with EL&P
My thoughts exactly!! :)
 


 BigIslandBlues wrote:
I am picking up on some CSN like vocal harmonies...and that's a good thing.Nice.

 
also sounds like a Greg Lake composition with EL&P
Stiven always on top!
Стивен всегда на высоте!
 xnavy wrote:


I am going to have to say that Signify is there best

 
Well, Signify is a terrific CD but my impression is that Steven Wilson is proudest of In Absentia from the work he did in this period.  
 BigIslandBlues wrote:
I am picking up on some CSN like vocal harmonies...and that's a good thing.Nice.

 
Agreed.  Though in interviews, Steven Wilson talks about the Beach Boys harmonies as a big influence.  
I am picking up on some CSN like vocal harmonies...and that's a good thing.Nice.
 adib wrote:

I agree with westslope - this one has always been my favourite album.

 
This was my "gateway" to PT - bought it totally and completely as a result of hearing them here. One of my all time favorite RP "finds." 
 xnavy wrote:


I am going to have to say that Signify is there best

 
I agree with westslope - this one has always been my favourite album.
8 -> 9
Doesn't get much better than this.
Needed some PT, thanks! {#Cheers}
 oldsaxon wrote:
Really clever artist. Takes cues from the greats and makes them fresh...brilliant work,really.

 
Clever indeed...it sounds a like like Porcupine Tree.
There is that Genesis sound again...Great though{#Cool}
That wonderful guitar … goose bumps!
one thing to say...Masterpeice{#Bananajam}
{#Cheers}  "Most Excellant"
Really clever artist. Takes cues from the greats and makes them fresh...brilliant work,really.
 westslope wrote:

Pensive.

Still the best CD to date. I am at a loss to understand why this CD has not garnered more attention.



 

I am going to have to say that Signify is there best
Truly great band. Serious Floyd influence in that intro.

Pensive.

Still the best CD to date. I am at a loss to understand why this CD has not garnered more attention.


Splendid guitars !
After the cult with no name's lies this is excellent. Bill, awesome feeeling! Spiraling down to soberness. Thanks.
Thanks to Radio Paradise, I discover Porcupine Tree on your radio ! I love itT
 coloradojohn wrote:
Wow, I'm really loving the sublime spectral nature of this piece...stunning strings, keys, percussion, vocals — and truly mind-blowing CRANKED on a good system in a place with good acoustics!
 
If you like this one it seems like someone is in for a rather large porcupine flavoured treat - they keep getting better
 ziakut wrote:
Beautiful in BIG way. Gleaming through the clouds in slow motion!
 

Just played this touring through the Cariboo-Chilcotin region of central British Columbia.  This area has some of the best high mountain lake and dry plateau views in the western cordillera.

 

Stunning.  


Wow, I'm really loving the sublime spectral nature of this piece...stunning strings, keys, percussion, vocals — and truly mind-blowing CRANKED on a good system in a place with good acoustics!
 justlistening wrote:
Anyone else reminded of CSN harmonies
 
...now that you mention it.
Anyone else reminded of CSN harmonies
Beautiful in BIG way. Gleaming through the clouds in slow motion!
 MiracleDrug wrote:

I DO play and I find Gavin's time displacement stuff to be AMAZING!

 
Harrison has posted a ton of videos on YouTube explaining some of his techniques and even giving demos. Truly a cool dude and an artist who wants to share his skills.
 Canlistener wrote:
Just went and saw Gavin Harrison's drum clinic - what a thrill.  I don't even play but a couple hours of watching a genius work for $10 was a great night.  What that guy can do with one hand while holding a mic is amazing enough!  Next week Steven Wilson concert and John Wesley is playing with him....
 
I DO play and I find Gavin's time displacement stuff to be AMAZING!

Just went and saw Gavin Harrison's drum clinic - what a thrill.  I don't even play but a couple hours of watching a genius work for $10 was a great night.  What that guy can do with one hand while holding a mic is amazing enough!  Next week Steven Wilson concert and John Wesley is playing with him....
I saw them twice, last year.  They are easily the most proficient and exact band that I have ever heard.  True professionals and students of their own music.
 
 Propayne wrote:
PT could easily put out a CD collecting the rare stuff and extras from old eps/singles etc.

Wish they were out on tour.

 
 
Steven Wilson is touring this fall to support his new solo album out the end of September.  Got tickets myself for Toronto....
PT could easily put out a CD collecting the rare stuff and extras from old eps/singles etc.

Wish they were out on tour.

 
 heliosweb wrote:

Well, this is what I appreciate about Steven Wilson and PT. They do experiment and break out of boxes musically, even though it usually retains the PT feel. Their different albums over the years show not just the ability to experiment and grow, but the persistent desire to do so. Steven Wilson and PT don't remain static, and that's a very good thing.

I enjoyed listening to some material from Wilson that I haven't heard before, posted here earlier by another listener, but I'll share the link here for your edification and listening pleasure.

I LOVE PT! If it wasn't for RP, I may have never discovered them. They deserve so much more widespread recognition than they're getting. I'm really hoping I can catch them live some day. (Missed them last year when they appeared here... dang it!)
 

I love this link!!! I listened to Disappear 1997 demo which surprisingly is on the European release of Lightbulb Sun. It is not on any other release that I know of and I got it from my years of gathering music from the now defunct alltunes/all of mp3 Russia Site. Yeah, talk to me later about stealing music, I got something light years before most Americans did. I even listed this song to the Radio Paradise Upload Song links, but it was shot down since Disappear is already on the RP list of songs via the Recordings CD. Steve Wilson is so dynamic and this song has so much angst, his story of him going nowhere and his lover going places too fast for him to keep up the pace.

Wonderful musicians and excellent writers, one of my favorite bands to date.
 Deadwing wrote:


Steven Wilson's favorite song in the world is the Beach Boys "God Only Knows"    true story   {#Music}
 

Steven is far from alone in that assesment.
 RadioDoc wrote:
And (*gasp*) The Doobie Brothers.
 
How Ironic !  

nice tune 
I saw them live in Heineken music hall twice, in the Melkweg and in Paradiso,  Amsterdam  (is there another place called Amsterdam? I mean the Capital!!!) their Paradiso gig was awesome, I'm just saying that I never saw a better gig.  (and i have seen a lot!)

 sirdroseph wrote:
And see this is one of the Porcupine Tree songs that I really like, but then they will play one that sucks and doesn't even sound like the same band! Strange band.{#Eek} I give this one a 7.
 
Well, this is what I appreciate about Steven Wilson and PT. They do experiment and break out of boxes musically, even though it usually retains the PT feel. Their different albums over the years show not just the ability to experiment and grow, but the persistent desire to do so. Steven Wilson and PT don't remain static, and that's a very good thing.

I enjoyed listening to some material from Wilson that I haven't heard before, posted here earlier by another listener, but I'll share the link here for your edification and listening pleasure.

I LOVE PT! If it wasn't for RP, I may have never discovered them. They deserve so much more widespread recognition than they're getting. I'm really hoping I can catch them live some day. (Missed them last year when they appeared here... dang it!)


 westslope wrote:
Not sure I really liked this song the first time I heard it.  But then it just grew and grew.    10

 
Agreed...it has grown on me as well, very nice.

Not sure I really liked this song the first time I heard it.  But then it just grew and grew.    10

I love the ethereal, ringing guitars. This would make a great instrumental, with violins playing the vocals.
These guys are growing on me. Next week the`ll play in Germany! I would like to see them!!
PT does CSN.   ; )
(Oh, looks like I wasn't the first to pick up on this!)
{#Notworthy}
"Prodigal" from this CD hooked me.  I've bought a ton of their stuff since.
Harmonies like Nash and Crosby..............beautiful and distinctive
The la la la bit is the best part. Nicely layered with the lead guitar.
too much la la la
meh
 posworld wrote:
OK, that's it. I have to get this CD.
 
That's funny I had the same reaction last week. Great album, though I found it to be pretty dark. I have to listen in small doses.

OK, that's it. I have to get this CD.
 RadioDoc wrote:
And (*gasp*) The Doobie Brothers.
 
Yah think!?!!

And (*gasp*) The Doobie Brothers.
And see this is one of the Porcupine Tree songs that I really like, but then they will play one that sucks and doesn't even sound like the same band! Strange band.{#Eek} I give this one a 7.
Shades of CS&N, Pink Floyd, EL&P
C,S,N & S (Satriani)


Commented on by Deadwing —> "I'd like to hear CSN tackle something as heavy as Anesthetize... (not that there's anything remotely wrong with CSN...)"
There was a time for CSN&Y, as there is a time for PT, but don't forget who came first and who's influence PT
has available to learn & emulate. They didn't pull "their" music out of a hat. PT should be so lucky as to influence
as many artists and the whole of the music world, as CSN&Y have. Today, behind every great group is another great group from yester-year. It's evolution, and if PT was identical to CSN&Y and some of the Pink Floyd influence I hear in their music, they would be just another R&R band. Give credit where credit is due.. as to assume that today's groups just fell of the turnip wagon with a golden touch is naive at best. 
"Teach your children well"- - - CSN&Y

Hi gang!

Am enjoying The Incident.  Immensely.   Listen to it almost obsessively if driving.

But reckon that In Absentia is still the single best CD to date.