Signify

Product Description
Expanded from a single album to a double, this package features a complete bonus album called 'Insignificance' that was previously released as a limited fan club cassette. Originally released in 1997. Snapper. 2004.

Signify,Porcupine Tree,Snapper,Ambient,Experimental,Experimental Rock,Post-Rock/Experimental,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Liked other P. T. recordings better An interesting departure from earlier work Perhaps the finest album from the '90s I heard Signify + Insignificance = Another must have Porcupine Tree release Amazing, stunning, like the end of listening to music

Signify Porcupine Tree Manufacturer: Madfish Records UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sky Moves Sideways Up the Downstair Stupid Dream In Absentia Coma Divine ASIN: B0002FR07O Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. The Sleep Of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting (Phase One)
6. Waiting (Phase Two)
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home Is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. 'Light Mass Prayers'
12. Dark Matter

Tracks:

1. Wake As Gun I
2. Hallogallo
3. Signify
4. Waiting
5. Smiling Not Smiling
6. Wake As Gun II
7. Neural Rust
8. Dark Origins
9. Sever Tomorrow
10. Nine Cats (Acoustic Version)

Product Description

Disc 1 - Signify (1996):
1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. The Sleep Of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting - Phase One
6. Waiting - Phase Two
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home Is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. "Light Mass Prayers"
12. Dark Matter

Disc 2 - Insignificance (Demos 1995-96):
1. Wake As Gun 1
2. Hallogallo - Signify
3. Signify
4. Waiting
5. Smiling Not Smiling
6. Wake As Gun 2
7. Neural Rust
8. Dark Origins
9. Sever Tomorrow
10. Nine Cats (acoustic version)

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Liked other P. T. recordings better .......2007-06-27

I like other Porcupine Tree CDs much better. This disc is a little too moody for for my taste, it drifts. In spite of this luke warm review, this is a GREAT band!!

An interesting departure from earlier work.......2007-05-25

Steven Wilson never sits still. "Signify" is a move in a pleasant direction. There's still some of the atmospheric stuff that marked earlier works such as "The Sky Moves Sideways" and "Up the Downstair" but there are also slightly more upbeat -- musically if not lyrically -- ballads. "Sever," not written by Wilson, is one of the highlights in my opinion. "Dark Matter," the moody closer to disk one, is another of the best song. The bonus CD contains demos and unreleased stuff. Among the most enjoyable is the acoustic version of "Nine Cats." You could sing along to it with your kids without a worry.

Perhaps the finest album from the '90s I heard.......2006-09-29

1996's Signify was Porcupine Tree's final studio album for Delerium, they recorded a live album in '97 for the label called Coma Divine Live, before moving on to Snapper. I have not heard Stupid Dream or anything they did afterwards, that means that so far, I have to say Signify is by far the finest album Porcupine Tree had ever done, certainly for the Delerium label. I first heard of Porcupine Tree back in 1996 when a mail order catalog described them as a "laid back Ozric Tentacles". In 1997, I bought The Sky Moves Sideways and was amazed. The Ozric Tentacles comparison was basically only valid during the more techno moments of the group, the Pink Floyd comparison was much more valid. The tone of their music was much darker and more sinister than anything the Ozrics could come up with. Steven Wilson admitted the Pink Floyd influence in his music with Porcupine Tree, but later found it an albatross around his neck, since he wanted their music to move on beyond that, like their more recent releases.

Signify was certainly PT at the top of their game. While only half the cuts on The Sky Moves Sideways featured a complete band (as the band was assembled halfway through making that album), Signify had much greater band interaction. This album is stuffed with lots of great songs like "The Sleep of No Dreaming", "Waiting Phase One", "Sever", "Every Home is Wired" and "Dark Matter". I really love the vocal arrangements on "Every Home is Wired". In between many of these cuts are some great ambient experiments like "Pagan" and "Intermediate Jesus". I really appreciate how some of the cuts tended to be acoustic, others electic, others electronic, and some of all in some of the cuts. I also liked how the production was modern, but not giving it a sterile feel, too many albums I've heard from the '80s and '90s with a modern production had that very plastic, sterile and synthetic sound to it, Porcupine Tree avoided that. Same for Steven Wilson and Richard Barbieri's use of keyboards, most of them digital, but done in the most tasteful way, I usually criticize the use of digital synths because too many of them use the most synthetic sounds, but not Porcupine Tree. These keyboards created a wonderful atmospheric backdrop to go with the music. The entire Signify CD never fails to amaze me every time I listen to it, it's not only my favorite Porcupine Tree CD, it's by far the finest album I've ever heard from the 1990s.

And I own the digipak reissue that includes a second CD, a 1997 disc called Insignificance, which was originally only available through a Porcupine Tree newsletter called Transmission. These were 1995-1996 outtakes from the Signify sessions. About 80% material is stuff found nowhere else, with alternate versions of "Signify", "Waiting" and "Sever". Plus you get a totally acoustic version of "Nine Cats", which originally appeared on the 1991 cassette The Nostalgia Factory (and of course On the Sunday of Life). Honestly I prefer the version off On the Sunday of Life, because the combination of acoustic and electric. Many of these other cuts are excellent, although a couple pieces, like "Dark Origins" sounds like half-finished demos. This is truly nice stuff to have.

If you came through Porcupine Tree through albums like Stupid Dream, Lightbulb Sun, In Absentia, and Deadwing, and want to dig deeper in their catalog, Signify is a great place to start!

Signify + Insignificance = Another must have Porcupine Tree release.......2006-08-18

THE BAND: Steve Wilson (lead vocals, guitars, mellotron, keyboards, samplers & tapes), Richard Barbieri (keyboards, synthesizers & sequencers), Colin Edwin (bass), Chris Maitland (drums & percussion).

THE DISC(S): Originally released in 1997, this revised and remastered foldout digi-pak 2-disc set released in 2004. 22 songs clocking in at approximately 108 minutes (the original 12-track album is disc-1 at approximately 62 minutes, and the 2nd (bonus) disc titled "Insignificance" at approximately 46 minutes). Included with the discs is a 6-page booklet containing songs titles/credits, song lyrics, musicians, and odd pictures. The "Insignificance" disc is a selection of Wilson demos that includes several tracks that were not recorded for the final "Signify" album, as well as formative versions of some that were. Label - Snapper Music.

COMMENTS: This was my first disc from Porcupine Tree. I like it a ton, but it's definitely not my favorite (favorites include "In Absentia", "Stupid Dream", Lightbulb Sun" and "Deadwing"), but absolutely essential in their catalog of must-have albums. Some great songs here... the best in my opinion are the "Sleep Of No Dreaming" (dark, moody, wonderful), the opening jam "Signify", "Waiting Phase 1" followed by the instrumental "Waiting Phase 2", and the 8 minute album closer "Dark Matter". More than other recent Tree albums, "Signify" features many (6) instrumentals. Some being minute-and-a-half synthesizer experiments, while others being full blown 6-7 minute jams... the best being "Intermediate Jesus", "Idiot Prayer" and the title track. The soft acoustic "Every Home Is Wired" is a gem of a song too (with futuristic words from Wilson about the home PC). The bonus disc is a nice addition. It contains a few different takes (demos) of songs included on disc-1, as well as new material not previously released. Two excellent instrumentals with "Neural Rust" and Dark Origins". And, the two best songs with vocals being "Wake As Gun I" and "Sever Tomorrow". This disc made me go out and buy the rest of their material... several years ago, this turned out to be a great discovery for me - since 2002 Porcupine Tree has been my favorite band. I rate "Signify" as PT's first essential disc. Look for the digi-pak (4.5 stars).

Amazing, stunning, like the end of listening to music.......2006-07-10

Just spent the evening playing all my Porcupine Tree albums, one by one, at a volume which should cause cerebral damage. From each one I've taken something new or revisited something of note, but this album, this evening, has been a revelation. It has never been my favourite but the opening track "Signify" caught me and that was that. My opinion has been revised. The sometimes immature and cringe-worthy lyrics aside, the music just soars and soars. Full marks to Steve Wilson, hats off to everyone else concerned and a big thanks to the nonconscious Darwinian process which stumbled upon hearing and the mathematical, emotionally loaded register of notes as (perhaps) pure speech-acts in the overall framework of self-reflexive consciousness--lol! Whatever, this is a great album and I'm playing it again, now, with my friends and wishing that I had a PA loud enough to play it to, reading this, wherever you are...

BTW - I've reviewed Porcupine Tree elsewhere and there are no need for specifics as to this release. Suffice to say, if you love guitars, soaring apparently infinite spaces, psychedelic riffs, riffs that will blow your speakers out, washes of keyboards that sound like God just walked into the room to the sound of his own theme music, a masterful knowledge of how to play anything and everything, darkness and explosions of light without pretentiously overdone crap then welcome home. You've been looking for this for a while ;)

Average customer rating: Ambient Rock that soothes my soul Awesome ! Not what I expected oh, now I get it!! Melancholic minimalism at its best

Signify Porcupine Tree Manufacturer: Ark 21 ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sky Moves Sideways Up the Downstair In Absentia Stupid Dream Deadwing ASIN: B000001YOW Release Date: 2000-03-07

Tracks:

1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. Sleep Of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting Phase One
6. Waiting Phase Two
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home Is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. Light Mass Prayers
12. Darkmatter

Customer Reviews:

Ambient Rock that soothes my soul.......2007-07-15

It started with their album Deadwing for me. After listening to that great disc I was hungry for more and starting gobbling up more albums from these talented British rockers. If you are not familiar with Porcupine Tree, I'm not sure I am qualified to pigeon-hole these guys even though I try in the title of this review. My Ipod / I-Tunes library automatically catogerized them as Alternative - whatever. What I can tell you is these guys are great and this is a good album to start with. It has some good mellow music turns to into rock tunes. Now I guess I can understand some of the comparisons to Pink Floyd because of the surreal portions of the melodies and then changinging into fullout rockers. I find that to be a good thing. The muscianship is stellar and holds up next to anybody you choose to compare! Normally, Porcupine Tree albums require at least 3 listens before the flower blooms, but this one opened up right away for me. I highly recommend this album . Later PT albums lean a tad harder on the rock side than this one I think. Some portions of this disc reminds me of theme music from a cool movie. Other notable discs to consider are In Absentia, Deadwing and Fear of a Blank Planet. Each one is worthy of your attention. Ciao.

Awesome !.......2007-05-15

My review is based after only few listening of this cd, in fact, I am new to Porcupine Tree, a friend of mine suggest to get some cd's of the band and I can tell that I am very pleased of what I have heard. The more I listen, the more I like ! If you are a prog music fan and you are looking for something new, you can't go wrong with Porcupine Tree.
Very good cd from the beginning to the end.

Not what I expected.......2007-03-24

Let me start by saying that I am admittedly new to Porcupine Tree. I bought Deadwing and thought it was a great CD. Given that, I decided to give Signify a shot. I can't say I was impressed. I bought it based on hearing The Intermediate Jesus. Being an old-school Brand X fan, I found this track intriguing and figured Signify must contain more of the same. Alas, it just didn't have much else to attract my attention. I'm sure a long-time Porcupine Tree fan would see it differently, but this CD was a bit of a let-down for me.

oh, now I get it!!.......2007-01-29

I never really understood all the hoopla that had been swirling around Porcupine Tree. I read the Amazon reviews, listened to the sound snippets, took the advice of all the people that supposedly were 'in the know.' I bought "Deadwing" and "In Absentia," but I just didn't get it. Those records certainly had their moments, but comparisons to prog icons like Pink Floyd were a real stretch. The heaviest parts of those two albums were just noise to my ears. The more melodic parts bore an uncanny resemblance to an '80's Christian rock band called The Choir (if you can get your hands on a copy of "Shake the Tree" or "Circle Slide," you will swear you are listening to "In Absentia.") That is not entirely bad, but certainly nothing to get all worked into a lather over.

So I listen to "In Absentia" and "Deadwing" every now and then, but I can't say I have ever recommended either to a friend, and I thought I would certainly never go out of my way to buy anything else PT has put out.

Then in a weak moment (and with an Amazon gift card, so I had nothing to lose) I bought "Signify." ******GULP****** Now THAT is a great record!

"Signify" is a much more instrumental, almost ambient record. Whereas the songs on "In Absentia" and "Deadwing" seem to have lyrics because songs are supposed to have lyrics, on "Signify" the songs carry on without vocals until they are necessary and actually add something to the overall feeling of the music.

In my rating system, a record gets 5 stars when I always want to hear the entire record in one sitting, and "Signify" is one of those. I don't want to skip a note, and I feel cheated if I can't listen to the whole thing all the way through. And if I really want to treat myself, I replay the closing track "Dark Matter" a couple times, when I have the time.

Melancholic minimalism at its best.......2006-07-29

"Signify" is my first experience with older Porcupine Tree. Compared to the newest "Deadwing", it feels much less dense, much less complex and much more lonely and solitary. It's almost hard to believe that it was really a 'band' effort and not just Steven Wilson. Drums have a tendency to do the same thing through entire songs, basslines are simple alternations of a couple notes. Guitars are either very emotional soloing or simple chord progressions. Trademark ethereal melodies and sounds are still intact. This sort of minimalism creates of feeling of space and like much (if not all) of Steven's work, sadness and melancholie. At its best, "Signify" is like a misty, foggy day in the fall.

"Bornlivedie" (10/10) is a fitting introduction, with a sweeping synth sound and a 'telephone voice' repeating each word in the title separately followed by "Signify".

"Signify" (8/10) is an instrumental with a very simple and frankly unimagininative riff (2 notes alternating) that's none-the-less developed quite well. Moody atmospherics are placed over the rhythms and a great solo finishes it out.

"Sleep Of No Dreaming" (9/10) introduces us to Wilson's voice and lyrics, which on this album were very literal, honest and occasionally ironic. With lines like "married the first girl who wasn't a man" there's a lot to infer- the irony of it sets the tone of bitterly laughing at past mistakes and lack of experience, etc. This album seems to be the product of an honestly lonely soul, much more so than "Deadwing". The music of this song is really 2 simple riffs, one for verses and one for the chorus. Both are fantastic, but like most of the songs on the album there's no DIRECTION... it doesn't progress to anywhere or anything as it goes on. For "Signify" though it's possible this style was a stylistic choice and a good one.

"Pagan" (10/10) is a fantastic short ambient interlude. Wilson is great at ambient music.

"Waiting Phase One" (10/10) is probably the best song on the album. A very memorable and sad chord progression with perfectly chosen pointillist keyboard notes overlayed, fantastic vocal melodies. "Waiting - the saddest kind of pain".

"Waiting Phase Two" (8/10) is a pleasant but not really standout instrumental. Hand drums and a rhythmic but simple bass line with all sorts of little piano riffs and distant guitar playing over it. Seems more like a collage than a focused effort. It sets a tone but may bore some.

"Sever" (9/10) is a strange rock song that suffers from too much repetition. The mysterious verse and sad, desperate chorus nicely contrast each other as far as tone, but again they're the only things really present. The drums do not change at all and after a while kind of detract from the effect of the rest. It feels looped rather than organic. Samples of a man hysterically laughing and yelling ("The only way to survive is on your knees!") fit in, in an odd sort of way.

"Idiot Prayer" (10/10) is one of the best instrumentals. Simple beat and bassline again, but very focused and structured. Keyboards and guitars that mirror the bassline rise to a loud climax and communicate the feeling of something epic. Eventually it drifts into some dreamy and beautiful chords on the guitar. Most of these instrumentals are long-form, lasting about 5 to 7 minutes.

"Every Home Is Wired" (10/10) begins with some acoustic guitar and an instantly memorable tune. Wilson's lyrics are more external to himself this time around, talking about the invasion of technology into our everyday lives. "Surfing on the network, part of me is dead". A beautiful chorus with overdubbed vocals works very well. There's some jamming after the song has seemingly ended. The song in general is pretty spaced out and psychedelic.

"Intermediate Jesus" (10/10) is an ominous instrumental with a lot of creative and interesting fretless bass work that steals the show. It follows the formula of 'drum beat, bass and atmospherics' once again. These instrumentals usually get their names from the samples in them.

"Light Mass Prayers" (10/10) is the most minimalist song here, also one of the most effective. For 4 minutes it's simply 2 synth chords on a setting that sounds like a voice alternated with pauses and space in between. Somehow it manages to be amazingly sad, beautiful and strange.

"Dark Matter" (10/10) is an excellent, developed and well-written rock song. It begins much in the manner of "Sleep of No Dreaming" or "Every Home Is Wired" and progresses to sound more and more grandiose, heavy and epic. Great, more complex guitar work. 9 minutes of melodic bliss. One of Porcupine Tree's best ever songs.

In summary, with "Signify", you'll get the same sort of sense of melody infused into the other PT albums, but a different style of songwriting than he uses today. This is a mostly instrumental release, leaning in an ambient direction. I wouldn't recommend starting here with this band, but it's great for fans.

Average customer rating: Ambient Rock that soothes my soul Awesome ! Not what I expected oh, now I get it!! Melancholic minimalism at its best

Signify Porcupine Tree Manufacturer: Navarre Corporation/ ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sky Moves Sideways Up the Downstair In Absentia Stupid Dream Deadwing ASIN: B000003GMQ Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. Sleep of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting Phase One
6. Waiting Phase Two
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home Is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. "Light Mass Prayers"
12. Dark Matter

Customer Reviews:

Ambient Rock that soothes my soul.......2007-07-15

It started with their album Deadwing for me. After listening to that great disc I was hungry for more and starting gobbling up more albums from these talented British rockers. If you are not familiar with Porcupine Tree, I'm not sure I am qualified to pigeon-hole these guys even though I try in the title of this review. My Ipod / I-Tunes library automatically catogerized them as Alternative - whatever. What I can tell you is these guys are great and this is a good album to start with. It has some good mellow music turns to into rock tunes. Now I guess I can understand some of the comparisons to Pink Floyd because of the surreal portions of the melodies and then changinging into fullout rockers. I find that to be a good thing. The muscianship is stellar and holds up next to anybody you choose to compare! Normally, Porcupine Tree albums require at least 3 listens before the flower blooms, but this one opened up right away for me. I highly recommend this album . Later PT albums lean a tad harder on the rock side than this one I think. Some portions of this disc reminds me of theme music from a cool movie. Other notable discs to consider are In Absentia, Deadwing and Fear of a Blank Planet. Each one is worthy of your attention. Ciao.

Awesome !.......2007-05-15

My review is based after only few listening of this cd, in fact, I am new to Porcupine Tree, a friend of mine suggest to get some cd's of the band and I can tell that I am very pleased of what I have heard. The more I listen, the more I like ! If you are a prog music fan and you are looking for something new, you can't go wrong with Porcupine Tree.
Very good cd from the beginning to the end.

Not what I expected.......2007-03-24

Let me start by saying that I am admittedly new to Porcupine Tree. I bought Deadwing and thought it was a great CD. Given that, I decided to give Signify a shot. I can't say I was impressed. I bought it based on hearing The Intermediate Jesus. Being an old-school Brand X fan, I found this track intriguing and figured Signify must contain more of the same. Alas, it just didn't have much else to attract my attention. I'm sure a long-time Porcupine Tree fan would see it differently, but this CD was a bit of a let-down for me.

oh, now I get it!!.......2007-01-29

I never really understood all the hoopla that had been swirling around Porcupine Tree. I read the Amazon reviews, listened to the sound snippets, took the advice of all the people that supposedly were 'in the know.' I bought "Deadwing" and "In Absentia," but I just didn't get it. Those records certainly had their moments, but comparisons to prog icons like Pink Floyd were a real stretch. The heaviest parts of those two albums were just noise to my ears. The more melodic parts bore an uncanny resemblance to an '80's Christian rock band called The Choir (if you can get your hands on a copy of "Shake the Tree" or "Circle Slide," you will swear you are listening to "In Absentia.") That is not entirely bad, but certainly nothing to get all worked into a lather over.

So I listen to "In Absentia" and "Deadwing" every now and then, but I can't say I have ever recommended either to a friend, and I thought I would certainly never go out of my way to buy anything else PT has put out.

Then in a weak moment (and with an Amazon gift card, so I had nothing to lose) I bought "Signify." ******GULP****** Now THAT is a great record!

"Signify" is a much more instrumental, almost ambient record. Whereas the songs on "In Absentia" and "Deadwing" seem to have lyrics because songs are supposed to have lyrics, on "Signify" the songs carry on without vocals until they are necessary and actually add something to the overall feeling of the music.

In my rating system, a record gets 5 stars when I always want to hear the entire record in one sitting, and "Signify" is one of those. I don't want to skip a note, and I feel cheated if I can't listen to the whole thing all the way through. And if I really want to treat myself, I replay the closing track "Dark Matter" a couple times, when I have the time.

Melancholic minimalism at its best.......2006-07-29

"Signify" is my first experience with older Porcupine Tree. Compared to the newest "Deadwing", it feels much less dense, much less complex and much more lonely and solitary. It's almost hard to believe that it was really a 'band' effort and not just Steven Wilson. Drums have a tendency to do the same thing through entire songs, basslines are simple alternations of a couple notes. Guitars are either very emotional soloing or simple chord progressions. Trademark ethereal melodies and sounds are still intact. This sort of minimalism creates of feeling of space and like much (if not all) of Steven's work, sadness and melancholie. At its best, "Signify" is like a misty, foggy day in the fall.

"Bornlivedie" (10/10) is a fitting introduction, with a sweeping synth sound and a 'telephone voice' repeating each word in the title separately followed by "Signify".

"Signify" (8/10) is an instrumental with a very simple and frankly unimagininative riff (2 notes alternating) that's none-the-less developed quite well. Moody atmospherics are placed over the rhythms and a great solo finishes it out.

"Sleep Of No Dreaming" (9/10) introduces us to Wilson's voice and lyrics, which on this album were very literal, honest and occasionally ironic. With lines like "married the first girl who wasn't a man" there's a lot to infer- the irony of it sets the tone of bitterly laughing at past mistakes and lack of experience, etc. This album seems to be the product of an honestly lonely soul, much more so than "Deadwing". The music of this song is really 2 simple riffs, one for verses and one for the chorus. Both are fantastic, but like most of the songs on the album there's no DIRECTION... it doesn't progress to anywhere or anything as it goes on. For "Signify" though it's possible this style was a stylistic choice and a good one.

"Pagan" (10/10) is a fantastic short ambient interlude. Wilson is great at ambient music.

"Waiting Phase One" (10/10) is probably the best song on the album. A very memorable and sad chord progression with perfectly chosen pointillist keyboard notes overlayed, fantastic vocal melodies. "Waiting - the saddest kind of pain".

"Waiting Phase Two" (8/10) is a pleasant but not really standout instrumental. Hand drums and a rhythmic but simple bass line with all sorts of little piano riffs and distant guitar playing over it. Seems more like a collage than a focused effort. It sets a tone but may bore some.

"Sever" (9/10) is a strange rock song that suffers from too much repetition. The mysterious verse and sad, desperate chorus nicely contrast each other as far as tone, but again they're the only things really present. The drums do not change at all and after a while kind of detract from the effect of the rest. It feels looped rather than organic. Samples of a man hysterically laughing and yelling ("The only way to survive is on your knees!") fit in, in an odd sort of way.

"Idiot Prayer" (10/10) is one of the best instrumentals. Simple beat and bassline again, but very focused and structured. Keyboards and guitars that mirror the bassline rise to a loud climax and communicate the feeling of something epic. Eventually it drifts into some dreamy and beautiful chords on the guitar. Most of these instrumentals are long-form, lasting about 5 to 7 minutes.

"Every Home Is Wired" (10/10) begins with some acoustic guitar and an instantly memorable tune. Wilson's lyrics are more external to himself this time around, talking about the invasion of technology into our everyday lives. "Surfing on the network, part of me is dead". A beautiful chorus with overdubbed vocals works very well. There's some jamming after the song has seemingly ended. The song in general is pretty spaced out and psychedelic.

"Intermediate Jesus" (10/10) is an ominous instrumental with a lot of creative and interesting fretless bass work that steals the show. It follows the formula of 'drum beat, bass and atmospherics' once again. These instrumentals usually get their names from the samples in them.

"Light Mass Prayers" (10/10) is the most minimalist song here, also one of the most effective. For 4 minutes it's simply 2 synth chords on a setting that sounds like a voice alternated with pauses and space in between. Somehow it manages to be amazingly sad, beautiful and strange.

"Dark Matter" (10/10) is an excellent, developed and well-written rock song. It begins much in the manner of "Sleep of No Dreaming" or "Every Home Is Wired" and progresses to sound more and more grandiose, heavy and epic. Great, more complex guitar work. 9 minutes of melodic bliss. One of Porcupine Tree's best ever songs.

In summary, with "Signify", you'll get the same sort of sense of melody infused into the other PT albums, but a different style of songwriting than he uses today. This is a mostly instrumental release, leaning in an ambient direction. I wouldn't recommend starting here with this band, but it's great for fans.

Average customer rating:

Signify Porcupine Tree Manufacturer: Snapper ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sky Moves Sideways Stupid Dream Coma Divine Blackfield ASIN: B0002CU4YI Release Date: 2004-08-02

Tracks:

1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. Sleep of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting Phase One
6. Waiting Phase Two
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home Is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. "Light Mass Prayers"
12. Dark Matter

Tracks:

1. Wake as Gun I [Demo Version]
2. Hallagallo [Demo Version]
3. Signify [Demo Version]
4. Waiting [Demo Version]
5. Smiling Not Smiling [Demo Version]
6. Wake as Gun II [Demo Version]
7. Neural Rust [Demo Version]
8. Dark Origins [Demo Version]
9. Sever Tomorrow [Demo Version]
10. Nine Cates [Acoustic Version][Demo Version]

Album Description

Expanded from a single album to a double, this package features a complete bonus album called 'Insignificance' that was previously released as a limited fan club cassette. Originally released in 1997. Snapper. 2004.

Album Details

Expanded to a Doube CD, this Package features a Complete Bonus Album Called "Insignificance" that was Previously Released as a Fan Cassette in an Edition of Only 500.

Average customer rating: one of the best progressive hip-hop albums releasd that year 4.5 - Signify should not be slept on any more CONSISTENT HMMM...... hip hop horror

Sleep No More DJ Signify Manufacturer: Lex Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Language Arts Square Hope Weirdo Magnet Talkin' Honky Blues ASIN: B0001HAH14 Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

1. Fly Away
2. Kiddie Litter
3. Migraine
4. Stranded
5. Nods
6. Haunted House Party
7. Winter's Going
8. Peek a Boo, Pt. 1
9. Peekaboo, Pt. 2
10. Peek a Boo, Pt. 3
11. Cup of Regret
12. Shatter & Splatter
13. Red to Black
14. Five Leaves Left (For Lauren)
15. Dirty
16. Where Did She Go?
17. Breath

Customer Reviews:

one of the best progressive hip-hop albums releasd that year.......2005-03-09

I was extremely excited when I heard this album was in the works [in Dazed & Confused of all places] and that anticipation elevated unchecked for several months until now. Finally the album joining the Johnny Cash of hip-hop, Buck 65 and Sage Francis, the dangerously skilled and confrontational, with relative newcomer DJ Signify is here. It could just be my own high hopes bringing this album down for me but, although the creepy samples, scratching and fuzz doom of Signify's beats create a thick atmosphere and both MC's are their usual selves, not too much really stands out about this project considering the ingredients. It is by all standards a great trip-hop album as chill-ghostly as Portishead's Dummy but it's not mind-blowing. Instead of using this as a chance to push themselves and try new and daring things, Sleep No More basically comes off like a regular Buck 65 album with a more hellish overtone as opposed to his occasional fun side. But, then again, I did have pretty high expectations so those Lex Records fans unfamiliar with Buck's work will fall immediately in love with this. It is still one of the best progressive hip-hop albums released this year.

4.5 - Signify should not be slept on any more.......2004-11-27

Dj Signify comes very correct on this solo excursion. The content is very solemn and brooding, and both guest emcees Buck 65, and Sage Francis contribute some of their best abstract work. Notable tracks are "Winters Going", "Haunted House Party" and "Cup of Regret". The samples Signify employs are very obscure and some are haunting indeed.
He juggles a comedian (who sounds very amateruish) with organs, bells and whistles on one track, in contrast with several others which are bass ridden and downright spooky. I disagree with the reviewer who states that the emcees detract from Signify's music. Somehow he manages to meld the material in a way that is edifying for both Buck 65 and Sage. The only weak tracks are "Peekaboo pts 1 and 2" they simply don't belong anywhere on this album, and stick out badly.
Signify is a wicked dj and producer...this release is a definite head nodder, some of the beats are just superb.

CONSISTENT.......2004-10-27

These brooding beats that droop as they OOZE into your skull will have you entranced. Simplicity is the key for this albums aura, the darkness that is encaspulated by signify is only enhanced by buck and sage (emcees).
The two emcees are telling you stories so vivid that sometimes it seems they are comprimising thier flows (this may be the reason for some reviewers harsh remarks). However you are so wrapped up in the imagery of the fable that is being depicted, that the sometime untraditional rhyme structure only adds to the mood.
Signify's first album in neither groundbreaking nor original, but neverthless it has something that seems to be dimishing in new releases and that is a journey, a story. This album is meant to be listened from start to finish, not skipping to find a catchy tune!
It is not worthy of 5 stars (5 being a classic), but it will be an album that will be enjoyed on an infinit occasions. If down-tempo, trip-hop music like Dj Shadow, Dj Vadim, Dj Krush is to your liking than you will thoroughly benefit from this.

HMMM.............2004-08-20

This album is definetly dark and different. Some of the songs are amazing and wiked beats. The thing that turned me off this album a little was the rapping and the content of the rapping gets really tired quick. The beats in the back are almost insulted by the rapping.
I still recomend it but Signify is definetly more talented then this album. I expect better on the next release.

hip hop horror.......2004-07-29

It's a dark, moody affair on Lex records- the hip hop Warp offshoot. "Fly Away" kicks it off by asking "Why if god is good is there so much evil in the world"? This gives the record direction which is straight to the darkest places of our urban environment. Buck 65 and Sage Francis take us along for the ride, describing the dark atmosphere of motel rooms and toliets where signs read "don't flush the needles". If you like some of the old HEADZ compilations you should dig this.

Average customer rating:

Signifyin' Breaks DJ Signify Manufacturer: Cease & Desist ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00006IZO5 Release Date: 2001-04-16

Average customer rating:

Signify Porcupine Tree ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000024NEO Release Date: 2002-06-28

Tracks:

1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. Sleep of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting Phase One
6. Waiting Phase Two
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home Is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. "Light Mass Prayers"
12. Dark Matter

Album Description

1996 & fourth album by prog rock band previously compared with My Bloody Valentine, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Talk Talk, The Blue Nile, The Orb & Bjork. Rock, pop & avant garde stylings in the form of melodic radio friendly songs, aggressive hard rock, hy

Average customer rating: badass (should be 4 1/2 stars though) A Breakthrough Album!!!

Mixed Messages DJ Signify Manufacturer: Four Ways to Rock ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004NKFN Release Date: 2000-03-21

Tracks:

1. Untitled
2. Untitled
3. Untitled
4. Untitled
5. Untitled
6. Untitled
7. Untitled
8. Untitled
9. Untitled
10. Untitled
11. Untitled
12. Untitled
13. Untitled
14. Untitled
15. Untitled
16. Untitled

Customer Reviews:

badass (should be 4 1/2 stars though).......2003-04-11

really good. this guy is of the 1200 hobos and he puts together one of the best mixes I've heard. if you like this and are into a trade for some similar stuff (I also have his other mix "signifyin breaks") email me puff3j@hotmail. I'll send you my list and we can exchange cds

A Breakthrough Album!!!.......2000-09-06

"Mixed Messages" is a masterpiece. DJ Signify (of 1200 Hobos fame) deftly blends in beats and music that you would never expect. The most important thing is that there is SUBSTANCE to this album, not a bunch of wicked scratching with dope beats. The music is entrancing, and the scratching complements its, while not overtaking it. The album for the new millenium. BUY THIS ALBUM...YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!

Average customer rating:

Signify Porcupine Tree Manufacturer: Delerium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000LX4VGU

Average customer rating: It's Awsome!! It's Awsome!!

Signify Porcupine Tree Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00009YOUV Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

1. Bornlivedie
2. Signify
3. Sleep of No Dreaming
4. Pagan
5. Waiting Phase One
6. Waiting Phase Two
7. Sever
8. Idiot Prayer
9. Every Home Is Wired
10. Intermediate Jesus
11. "Light Mass Prayers"
12. Dark Matter

Tracks:

1. Wake as Gun I [Demo Version]
2. Hallagallo [Demo Version]
3. Signify [Demo Version]
4. Waiting [Demo Version]
5. Smiling Not Smiling [Demo Version]
6. Wake as Gun II [Demo Version]
7. Neural Rust [Demo Version]
8. Dark Origins [Demo Version]
9. Sever Tomorrow [Demo Version]
10. Nine Cates [Acoustic Version][Demo Version]

Album Description

Expanded from a single album to a double CD this package features a complete bonus album called 'Insignificance (Demos 1995-96)' that was previously released as a fan club cassette in an edition of only 500 copies! 'Insignificance' contains rare material that didn't make it to the 'Signify' album as well as an acoustic version of 'Nine Cats'. Fully remastered sound & improved slip case packaging. 'Signify' is one of Porcupine Tree's best-sellers & one that established Porcupine Tree as a major force in modern rock. It's therefore an essential part of any Porcupine Tree fans collection. This expanded edition contains a wealth of rare & sought after material that will make it an essential purchase for many buyers. Slipcase. Delerium. 2003.

Album Details

Expanded to a Doube CD, this Package features a Complete Bonus Album Called "Insignificance" that was Previously Released as a Fan Casseette in an Edition of Only 500.

Customer Reviews:

It's Awsome!!.......2003-08-29

Okay, I'm an avowed PT fan so it is hard for me to be objective, but this is just a great release and I recommend it to all PT fans, even if you own an earlier version. I have the Ark produced earlier release and I'm sure those of you who own it will agree that the production needed a bit of work. It sounded good when you cranked it up, but was below par compaged with In Abstentia and Stupid Dream. Steve Wilson has gone back and remastered all the tracks and the result is worth the import price. I hear subtleties on this one I never noticed on my old copy, and it sounds great.

Not only do you get a better version of the original great album, but you get the Insignificance Demos as a bonus disc, also remasterd. It was a limited edition release back in 1997 with alternate Signify tracks and others that didn't make it onto the album. Plus it has an acoustic version of Nine Cats....who wouldn't want that??? Thanks for sharing these tracks with us Steve, they rock!

Overall, a great purchase, as I'm sure fellow fan and graphic designer Woofbear would attest. For those of you who don't own a single PT CD, this is a good place to start, though I'd recommend Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream as perhaps better introductions. If you enjoy melodic, spacey and somewhat dark rock with clever, introspective lyrics; then you should definitely give this double CD a listen. This isn't my favorite PT CD, I'd give it 4 stars when compared with the rest of their discography. But compared to most groups out there, this is a 5 star release, and thus my rating.

* A really worthless CD, don't waste your time.
** A CD that has some good stuff, but some major defects. Don't bother unless completeing a collection.
*** An OK CD that will please fans of the artist in question but may not convert new listeners.
**** An excellent CD that represents the best work of the artist in question and can be bought with confidence.
***** An absolute classic that is the best, or among the best, of its genre. Your collection should start here.

It's Awsome!!.......2003-08-29

Okay, I'm an avowed PT fan so it is hard for me to be objective, but this is just a great release and I recommend it to all PT fans, even if you own an earlier version. I have the Ark produced earlier release and I'm sure those of you who own it will agree that the production needed a bit of work. It sounded good when you cranked it up, but was below par compaged with In Abstentia and Stupid Dream. Steve Wilson has gone back and remastered all the tracks and the result is worth the import price. I hear subtleties on this one I never noticed on my old copy, and it sounds great.

Not only do you get a better version of the original great album, but you get the Insignificance Demos as a bonus disc, also remasterd. It was a limited edition release back in 1997 with alternate Signify tracks and others that didn't make it onto the album. Plus it has an acoustic version of Nine Cats....who wouldn't want that??? Thanks for sharing these tracks with us Steve, they rock!

Overall, a great purchase, as I'm sure fellow fan and graphic designer Woofbear would attest. For those of you who don't own a single PT CD, this is a good place to start, though I'd recommend Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream as perhaps better introductions. If you enjoy melodic, spacey and somewhat dark rock with clever, introspective lyrics; then you should definitely give this double CD a listen. This isn't my favorite PT CD, I'd give it 4 stars when compared with the rest of their discography. But compared to most groups out there, this is a 5 star release, and thus my rating.

* A really worthless CD, don't waste your time.
** A CD that has some good stuff, but some major defects. Don't bother unless completeing a collection.
*** An OK CD that will please fans of the artist in question but may not convert new listeners.
**** An excellent CD that represents the best work of the artist in question and can be bought with confidence.
***** An absolute classic that is the best, or among the best, of its genre. Your collection should start here.

Rock Music:

1. Stereo Blues [Import]
2. Stronger Together [Import]
3. Stronger Together [Import]
4. The Hustle [Import]
5. The Paul & Georgia Album
6. The Pretty Weapons
7. The White Wheel
8. Tokyo Disney Sea: the Live Entertainment Music [Import]
9. Ultimate Live [Live] [Import]
10. Uncovered and Ignored

Rock Music