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Porcupine Tree — Dark Matter
Album: Signify
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2319









Released: 1996
Length: 8:10
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Inside the vehicle the cold is extreme
Smoke in my throat kicks me out of my dream
I try to relax but it's warmer outside
I fail to connect, it's a tragic divide

This has become a full time career
To die young would take only 21 years
Gun down a school or blow up a car
The media circus will make you a star

Crushed like a rose
Feel the river flow
I am I know
I am I know

Dark matter flowing out on to a tape
Is only as loud as the silence it breaks
Most things decay in a matter of days
The product is sold the memory fades

Crushed like a rose
Feel the river flow
I am I know
I am I know

'''Spoken:'''
You've just had a heavy session of electroshock therapy and you're more relaxed than you have been in weeks. All those childhood traumas magically wiped away along with most of you personality.
Comments (463)add comment
PSD'd me right here.  Crank it up, baby.  What a track...
The guitar solo towards the middle is epic.    Got to love it
 Deadwing wrote:
My favorite song.
{#Meditate}

I agree with you as a favorite PT song.

Would have thought you might have said something off Deadwing, Deadwing. 
Is this track one of the late 20th century's most compelling pieces of  progressive rock guitar-and-synthesizer music? If I blasted it how I want to, the neighborhood block would call the police. 
 Edweirdo wrote:

Try counting 1-2-3-4-1-2-3 


This advice increased my enjoyment of this song tremendously. Well observed.
 Dave_Mack wrote:

I'm trying desperately to figure out the time signature of this one. It seems like it might be 7/8, but I haven't really been able to count it out that way. Anybody know?


Try counting 1-2-3-4-1-2-3 
New album coming out, a tour, a collection available at Burning Shed. Great news! 
There is only one word for this piece, and it is “magnificent”. 
PT Tour Fall 2022!!!

https://twitter.com/PorcupineT...
Definitely one of my favorite PT songs, and really just favorite songs. Subtle greatness. As to the earlier question I count it in 7/4 . What may be throwing you off is the snare accents which you might expect on the downbeat on 3 and 6, but are in this song on 3 and the AND right after 6.
love the intro to this track. Probably in my top ten PT songs. 
 dmcanany wrote:
Is that cover art supposed to be sexy, funny, or just Dada? It definitely grabs my attention. Though I don't get it, I do like it. 
 
You get it! You don't have to understand it :)
nice segue from Old 79s/Jagged
Is that cover art supposed to be sexy, funny, or just Dada? It definitely grabs my attention. Though I don't get it, I do like it. 
Guitar solo reminds me of some stuff by Marillion back in the 80s
Wow.
New Steven Wilson album coming out soon. 
 Dave_Mack wrote:
I'm trying desperately to figure out the time signature of this one. It seems like it might be 7/8, but I haven't really been able to count it out that way. Anybody know?
 
I don't know , but i was curious and the intertubes say that it is 7/8.
i'm just a novice piano player with no musical education, and i find understanding exactly what a time signature means to be a bit confusing.

I'm trying desperately to figure out the time signature of this one. It seems like it might be 7/8, but I haven't really been able to count it out that way. Anybody know?
 emcibulka wrote:
RP introduced me to this group not so long ago and I am mesmerized by them. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. So sad to hear they are no longer together. Would have loved to have seen them in concert. I'm sure it would have been epic!  I rate this song a 100! It is so awesome!
 
See Steven Wilson live, closest you'll be to the tree.
Dark Matter came on this morning as I was cutting off the last lower control arm bolt on the 4X4.

I hear enough of it -- before the reciprocating saw drowned out everything -- to be reminded of the important contribution that keyboardist Richard Barbieri made to constructing Porcupine Tree's unique sound.
 emcibulka wrote:
RP introduced me to this group not so long ago and I am mesmerized by them. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. So sad to hear they are no longer together. Would have loved to have seen them in concert. I'm sure it would have been epic!  I rate this song a 100! It is so awesome!
 
RP introduced me as well, and I've since seen Steven Wilson in all his projects, including PT and BF. Don't despair, Steven Wilson, the MAN, is still active and touring with other great musicians. Catch him live and you'll be treated to a few PT tunes.
 rominator wrote:
All time favourite Porcupine Tree song. Dreamy, melancholic, and inspiring. Wish they stayed together and kept making music like this!!
 
I hear you.  It's my 2nd favorite. IMO, the top of their crop is Arriving Somewhere, Not Here.  But this is right on its tail.  Only one proper response to either track: volume knob to maximum+. 
RP introduced me to this group not so long ago and I am mesmerized by them. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. So sad to hear they are no longer together. Would have loved to have seen them in concert. I'm sure it would have been epic!  I rate this song a 100! It is so awesome!
I would rate this 11 or 12 if possible
Always soooo good!!{#Cool}
All time favourite Porcupine Tree song. Dreamy, melancholic, and inspiring. Wish they stayed together and kept making music like this!!
enjoy, I was in your shoes about 10 years ago, one of the best things that ever happened to me was discovering PT on RP,
Saw Steven Wilson a couple of years ago, great show. 

Stevexcess wrote:
Never heard of PT before or very little, thanks Radio Paradise for introducing me. {#Clap} 

 

Never heard of PT before or very little, thanks Radio Paradise for introducing me. {#Clap} 
 kingart wrote:
I just l-o-v-e when PSD lands me on this PT diamond. 

 
What he said. 
I just l-o-v-e when PSD lands me on this PT diamond. 
My favorite song.
{#Meditate}
 stunix wrote:
Im a fan of wilson but I cant help but think that his song writing strategy is little more than formulaic.    As there is only 8 notes to a scale the chances of being sued for plagerism are always around the corner even if it is unintentional.     Sam Smith/Tom Petty is just one of many many many cases in this litigious world.   Stevie boy just introduces a syncopated time signature somewhere in the song, and reverts it back to a 2 or 3 chord wonder, I assume Gavin taught him that.  

 
Who cares - its a brilliant track.
live version in tilburg on youtube is an absolute killer {#Notworthy}
I thought I heard some Jeff Beck-like riffs. 
 Relayer wrote:
Just noticed I had this rated at a "9".  I don't know what I was thinking.  Corrected to "10".

 
Me too!
Ok Bill, where's the "11" !!

Only recently started branching out on Steven's other stuff when I heard stuff from his "Hand Cannot Erase" album.  And then some of the better recorded live shows with him.. incredible music!!
Brilliant!!!
I PSD from wherever I was. Suzanne Vega or something. I scroll forward. For the nth time I hit this tune, and for the nth time I stick around. I never get tired of PT and the build up of this track knocks me out. So flipping hot. Cranking speakers. Glad my neighbors are not home. 
 
E P I C .. {#Cheers}
I AM  I KNOW
 mgkiwi wrote:
I'm not so much as rating this particular song a 9, I'm rating the overall album which I believe to be outstanding, possibly PT's best ever. Has everything that's good about PT in my view. {#Sunny} is shining here!!!!

 
Well PT connoisseur and general walking encyclopaedia RP poster Deadwing would agree with you.   I believe In Absentia is PT's 'best'.

 But any serious PT fan must have Signify.   Dark Matter and Waiting are the two best songs on the CD.
Восхитительная песня!
Amazing song!

I'm not so much as rating this particular song a 9, I'm rating the overall album which I believe to be outstanding, possibly PT's best ever. Has everything that's good about PT in my view. {#Sunny} is shining here!!!!
I swear, Porcupine Tree is like Pink Floyd of the new era.
{#Clap}
Shivers...a work of art
Fantastic....
pretty beguiling song
 Yes, and do savor the guitar solos !  Oxen1morale wrote:
Oh, I like this. I love the unusual rhythms in a really nice unpredictable chord progression. I'll have to listen to it again to catch the lyrics but from what I've heard sounds pretty good also

 

Im a fan of wilson but I cant help but think that his song writing strategy is little more than formulaic.    As there is only 8 notes to a scale the chances of being sued for plagerism are always around the corner even if it is unintentional.     Sam Smith/Tom Petty is just one of many many many cases in this litigious world.   Stevie boy just introduces a syncopated time signature somewhere in the song, and reverts it back to a 2 or 3 chord wonder, I assume Gavin taught him that.  
Rich are the Prog lovers with lots of PT in their music libraries.
A poor mans Prog, Methinks
Oh, I like this. I love the unusual rhythms in a really nice unpredictable chord progression. I'll have to listen to it again to catch the lyrics but from what I've heard sounds pretty good also
Just noticed I had this rated at a "9".  I don't know what I was thinking.  Corrected to "10".
Best Damn Guitar Solo Hell Yeah. (I know, there are others, but..)
 wgsu_1978 wrote:

Interesting view. In my experience dull, soulless music didn't make it into the Top 40. There were other reasons to dislike a lot of it. But obviously you feel differently.
 
We probably don't differ a whole lot in music opinions, but to me it seems there was a lot of dull, soulless music which made the Top 40 over the years - Christopher Cross or Kenny G spring to mind (unfortunately) as well as those arena rock acts I mentioned earlier.  Well, it's all subjective anyhow, right?
Hey.... Does the World really need a Pink Floyd Lite?...................................................................NO
 Piranga wrote:
PT and Steven Wilson continue to produce one amazing CD after another. The best body of work in recent years.

 
Like PT a lot but the best body of work IMHO is Radiohead.
 Proclivities wrote:

"Professional and polished" in rock music far too often equates to dull and soulless (e.g. Toto, Journey, Boston), but it does not seem to in the instance of this band.

 
Interesting view. In my experience dull, soulless music didn't make it into the Top 40. There were other reasons to dislike a lot of it. But obviously you feel differently.
Best PT I've heard yet (and I hear it all on RP). Lovely playing with big Gilmour-esque guitar solo. And the lyrics don't cross the line into banality like some PT/SW I've heard.
 LizK wrote:
This is so professional and polished.  Good music even it isn't your cuppa.  And I'll say, it's my cuppa.

 
"Professional and polished" in rock music far too often equates to dull and soulless (e.g. Toto, Journey, Boston), but it does not seem to be in the instance of this band.
Nice symphony with a great gitar solo. Though a different style, reminds me of Pink Floyd if you know what I mean.
One of my favorite PT songs. Perfect Good Friday work groove.

Waaay too many years ago a lab rat friend of mine gave me a comp disc of PT songs to get me hooked on the band right after In Abstentia came out. This bad boy was sandwiched between Russia on Ice and Even Less. He thought I would get hooked by ShesMovedOn (Lightbulb Sun version); he was wrong.

A few years later I was fortunate enough to see them at The Filmore in SF(Nice playbill, BTW). Will never forget that show. I was struck by how surprised the (few) girls in the audience seemed amazed to see so many middle aged guys so completely emotionally absorbed by the music. Guess we didn't act like they expected at a concert.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus...
Just so everybody knows, keyboardist Richard Barbieri is in great part responsible for the unique sound of this piece and much of Porcupine Tree's work.
PT and Steven Wilson continue to produce one amazing CD after another. The best body of work in recent years.
I 100% agree, a reason why I keep on listening  to RP everyday at work for a number of years
Nerubo wrote:

Hmm, I have 8 Porcupine Tree songs rated 8 or higher. I just realized I'm a Porcupine Tree fan. I know, I know, most of you got there way before me.

One of my favorite things about listening to RP is discoveries like this.



 


Have tickets for June when he tours through Vancouver.  
I got this CD when I was in London at a music store in Piccadilly Circus - Can't get enought of SW - Have tickets for May when he comes to NY
Only as loud as the silence it breaks.

This is the first consistently good CD Porcupine Tree released.  If you are a 'fan', you have to have it.

 
I segued from Norah Jones to this. I hit the RP lottery. A most impressive track and on it a smoking hot guitar rip.  
 {#Dance} I agree with  that. 
Nerubo wrote:

Hmm, I have 8 Porcupine Tree songs rated 8 or higher. I just realized I'm a Porcupine Tree fan. I know, I know, most of you got there way before me.

One of my favorite things about listening to RP is discoveries like this.



 

Hmm, I have 8 Porcupine Tree songs rated 8 or higher. I just realized I'm a Porcupine Tree fan. I know, I know, most of you got there way before me.

One of my favorite things about listening to RP is discoveries like this.


Wow. This is from '96? 

I am ever amazed at the illusive gems that were cut in the late '90s… and just discovering today… 

Thanks, Bill!  Good mining! 
This is so professional and polished.  Good music even it isn't your cuppa.  And I'll say, it's my cuppa.
 coloradojohn wrote:
I just love how this thing is as long and epic as old Yes or Floyd, and it just carries my soul along for the ride, and I love how it JAMS OUT.

 
It's a beauty however I have a feeling this might be the end of PT. Steven Wilson just seems too busy with his own music to be bothered with PT. {#Sad}
I just love how this thing is as long and epic as old Yes or Floyd, and it just carries my soul along for the ride, and I love how it JAMS OUT.
I have always loved slow shouldering songs ..
yes...{#Guitarist}..
 westslope wrote:

About 10 days ago on a long drive, Steven Wilson's latest solo CD--the raven that refused to sing--finally grabbed me.

 



 
It took me a few listens (to Raven) as well, perhaps that is what makes it a great addition to the library.  I have not heard any of it on RP but Bill might put one or two songs in the rotation at some point, I think Drive Home fits pretty well with the RP vibe.
 westslope wrote:

King Crimson fans absolutely must listen to this.  

Parsons co-produced.  

I didn't know about the Parsons link. But I agree about the similarity with King Crimson, now that you mention it. A similar acquired taste, not always easy to listen to at the first exposure. Porcupine Tree seems to keep growing on me...


With that screaming guitar hitting my inspiration button just right, I'm bumping this 8  > 9.  Now that is one happening tune. 
Who are these guys?  I've listened to them here -- of course nowhere else -- and just now ... I get it.

About 10 days ago on a long drive, Steven Wilson's latest solo CD--the raven that refused to sing--finally grabbed me.

 

It is an acquired taste--it might help if you enjoy both Yes and King Crimson--but I think he finally made something on par with Porcupine Tree's In Absentia.

King Crimson fans absolutely must listen to this.  

Parsons co-produced.  


magnificent
 
PT is one of the earliest and best reasons I kept coming back to RP years ago. I have to thank Deadwing (who we haven't heard from enough lately) for her enthusiastic promotion. PT is one of my favorite bands ever (and "ever" is a meaningful time-frame for moi). Agree with fellow RPers, PT is wonderful. What's amazing is how relatively few have heard of them—sadly for them, happily for us.
 Totally in agreement. They are truly talented. Thanks to Radio Paradise for letting me know about them, now have all their records. ottovonb wrote:
I just really enjoy the way so many PT songs evolve over the course of 3 minutes or so. There's a complexity there that keeps them interesting over repeated plays. And they just create so many wonderful melodies.
 


I just really enjoy the way so many PT songs evolve over the course of 3 minutes or so. There's a complexity there that keeps them interesting over repeated plays. And they just create so many wonderful melodies.
Amazing. 1st class. A consistently enthralling band. 
Okay, so you make me walk back in from the garden and log back in just to rank this song. Good radio.
A Masterpiece  
Don't know if this is the correct word but I consider this one of the most "consistent" bands of the last 20-25 years
Coworkers again comment once I crank the guitar solo: 'Must be that porcupine band again.'
 smackiepipe wrote:
That song is SOFA KING the bomb!
 
"Sofa king." Laughing out loud - I'm SO stealing that!
 So True ! westslope wrote:
That lead guitar just doesn't get any better.
 


That lead guitar just doesn't get any better.
Why don't I have this album?.......................?
High score for music, high score for cover art.
If anyone ever asks, "What is 'Porcupine Tree'?" just play this (preferably through good speakers and amp) and get their reaction. You'll see if they know…
 hansvw wrote:
The more often I hear this song and many other Porcupine Tree songs the better they get. Also their live performances, such as the excellently recorded DVD in Tilburg (Netherlands), are really good. Some are even better than the studio recordings, especially the ones with second vocal and guitar parts by John Wesley in live setups. 
 
just gonna comment meself...
The more often I hear this song and many other Porcupine Tree songs the better they get. Also their live performances, such as the excellently recorded DVD in Tilburg (Netherlands), are really good. Some are even better than the studio recordings, especially the ones with second vocal and guitar parts by John Wesley in live setups. 
 gjeeg wrote:
Today's stuff is often great but never measures up to the Original Masters.
I'm stuck and dated on the First Innovators; Yes, Genesis, Floyd.
Everything since then is derivative - not plagerized, and often a good tribute - but never rises to the same frisson.
 

Proclivities wrote:

That's pretty much the same sentiment a prior generation has said about a subsequent generation's music, throughout history.  Maybe that "frisson" cannot be attained for you from newer artists because you are no longer as young as you were when you first heard those other artists.
 

I have to agree with Proclivities up there...  What appears original to us usually only appears that way because we have not heard what came before.  I don't think it's a stretch to say that Yes, Genesis, and Floyd were influenced by the early guitar legends, some freestyle blues guitar, and early psychedelic music.  Then, to bring it further back, you could point to big band music and jazz.

While I'm no music historian, and I'm also not old enough to remember the early rock greats, I feel pretty confident in saying that all music, like all life on Earth, is in a constant state of evolution.  Humans and chimpanzees are not the same animal at all, but if you look at our DNA you will see much that is alike and can draw a direct line in our shared evolution.  

In nearly all music I've heard, I could do the same if I am familiar with what influenced the musicians.
 
Sh!t yeah, It's gonna be a good day when it starts out with this.
 donnyballgame wrote:
PT

Skull Candy Phones

My head just melted and I got absolutely nothing done for the last 4 minutes.
 
Heck yeah, that last 2-minute guitar run can peel paint off the walls.
PT

Skull Candy Phones

My head just melted and I got absolutely nothing done for the last 4 minutes.
That song is SOFA KING the bomb!
 gjeeg wrote:
Today's stuff is often great but never measures up to the Original Masters.
I'm stuck and dated on the First Innovators; Yes, Genesis, Floyd.
Everything since then is derivative - not plagerized, and often a good tribute - but never rises to the same frisson.
 
That's pretty much the same sentiment a prior generation has said about a subsequent generation's music, throughout history.  Maybe that "frisson" cannot be attained for you from newer artists because you are no longer as young as you were when you first heard those other artists.
 westslope wrote:

The later CDs are much edgier.  Some of the material has been described as prog metal.  

 
That begs an interesting question.  This may be kind of an open ended query, but has anyone done a chronology or timeline of PT/Steven Wilson albums?  i.e. how do their early albums compare to their later stuff, or are they more random than that?

One more comment and I will shut up.

Gavin Harrison is an amazing drummer.  But the former drummer Chris Maitland contributed excellent vocal harmonies and that talent has been lost. 


 gjeeg wrote:
Today's stuff is often great but never measures up to the Original Masters.
I'm stuck and dated on the First Innovators; Yes, Genesis, Floyd.
Everything since then is derivative - not plagerized, and often a good tribute - but never rises to the same frisson.
 

I love Yes, Genesis and Floyd.  Listened to Yes obsessively in the early 1970s while still in high school.

Must disagree. Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree is better.  


Today's stuff is often great but never measures up to the Original Masters.
I'm stuck and dated on the First Innovators; Yes, Genesis, Floyd.
Everything since then is derivative - not plagerized, and often a good tribute - but never rises to the same frisson.
 horstman wrote:

It came out about 2 months ago. Typical Steven. Dark, introspective, haunting.

In other words, awesome!

 Hi horstman!  

Just received Grace for Drowning a couple of days ago.  It will require a few more listens before I dial in.


So is this song psychedelic, progressive rock, space rock?    Labels please!

Just bought On the Sunday of Life, one of the first PT CDs with basically Steven Wilson on all instruments.  What can I say?  I'm hard core.  The blurb by Steven Wilson that comes with the CD is most interesting and almost worth the cost of the CD alone. 


 Poacher wrote:
Oh                        my                          goodness.        This is rather good!

I bought this cd a while back, played it once did not get it and dismissed it. My ears must have been turned off that day.

How weird it is that one can 'miss' something when you are not in the right mood to receive it in the aural cavities.

 



Yes! Did the same with 'In Absentia' many years ago. Put it away after initial listening-Now, like most Tree Nuts, I.A. Is one of my Favs.
I agree with the comments below.  Never heard of PT before RP.  The more I hear them the more I like them.  Can't wait for them to visit the Burgh.
 scrubbrush wrote:
i don't listen to much, if any, commercial radio. I do listen to KEXP (Seattle's 'college/underground/alternative'-type station... i've never heard PT ANYWHERE (except RP) and i don't understand why they're not more popular on commercial radio and/or 'underground' stations... they're really great
 
Snap that. I'd not heard of them either until I wandered in here many years ago. Great band.
Still a big Waouh !!! What a fabulous song.

Yess... love these earlier PT stuff.
it really is THAT good
Fabulous song.