Coma Divine: The Music of Porcupine Tree - Part VI

Lightbulb Sun – 2000

“And how you would paint while I wrote my songs”

I don’t know why but whenever I list out Porcupine Tree’s albums in my head I always manage to skip this one. I quickly realize my mistake but Lightbulb Sun occupies a weird place in my mind. Essentially it’s a continuation of the ideas that the band started exploring on Stupid Dream but it’s as if those ideas have been collapsed into even smaller bits. Released less then a year after the last record, Lightbulb Sun takes the process started on Stupid Dream and pushes them to the absolute limits. The bite-sized songs collected here are probably the closest thing fans will ever get to a full on Porcupine Tree acoustic album, (2008’s We Lost the Skyline doesn’t count – it’s a live album.) While the lack of any complex instrumentation may turn away some fans, I find the album to be rather relaxing. Often I listen to Lightbulb Sun as I’m falling asleep. It’s has a whimsical atmosphere and has an uncanny ability to calm my mind into slumber. Honestly, this is probably one of my least favorite Porcupine Tree records. There’s not a whole lot to say here. As always the musicianship is top notch. Lightbulb Sun is a prime example of how these musicians can strip away all the complexity of the previous releases and still maintain those magical feelings that have been ever present since On the Sunday of Life. Despite the simplicity, this album still manages to provide a full and satisfying listen. I think this speaks volumes about the member’s commitment to the band. They are willing to abandon all the tried and true formulas that have elevated the band to the status among fans they have achieved. They threw caution to the wind and created the album they wanted to create. This is why Porcupine Tree has my respect. In an age where sales rule musician’s lives, Wilson and company have distanced themselves from all those ideals and work as a kind-of independent unit. They manage to create beautiful music in a rather oppressive environment and at the end of the day that’s what people will remember you for. But Porcupine Tree isn’t known for sticking with formulas. This is why their next release would be their biggest, (and most successful), release in the bands career.