Up the Downstair

Release type:What's this?
studio album
First released:
Nov 1997

Overview Edit

Up the Downstair is the second studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released in May 1993. It was originally intended to be a double album set including the song "Voyage 34", which was instead released as a single in 1992, and other material that ended up on the Staircase Infinities EP (1994). In 2005, it was partially re-recorded, fully re-mixed, remastered and re-released along with the Staircase Infinities EP as a double album. The re-release contains a new mix by Steven Wilson, along with recorded drums by Gavin Harrison that replace the electronic drums of the original version. Steven Wilson has stated that the title of the album came from a line in the song "Voyage 34." The there is still a title track however, and yet it can be considered a prequel to Voyage 34, due to the lyrics and sound. Another re-release on vinyl was pressed on August 14th, 2008 on Kscope records. This is identical to the 2005 release, except it is printed on coloured vinyl.

The Overview appearing in this section is attributed to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_the_Downstair. Portions of this Overview may be available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, version 3.0 or any later version, available at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. Additional terms may apply. See Wikipedia Terms of Use for details.

This particular version Edit

Record label:
Catalog number:
DELEC CD 020
Release dates:
  • Jun 13 2005

Genres

Classic Rock, Experimental Rock, Progressive Rock, Space Rock. Vote on Genres

What do Amazon.com customers think?

5 stars Fantastic!
I managed to get my hands on one and purchased it and must say that I'm quite pleased with everything. For me, this album takes me on an "Atmospheric" or "Euphoric Journey". I'm referring to 2 particular songs "BURNING SKY" and "FADEAWAY". Most of the songs are instrumental "jamming" tracks. Without relying heavily on loads of vocals, Steven Wilson knew exactly what he was thinking when he recorded the original in 1994. He was and will always remain a Beethoven reincarnate or "Musical Genius". F…
Written by Anthony Morelli "Woofbear"
2 stars 5 Star Album, 2 Star Reissue
I'm rating the reissue here and not the album itself. The album itself is one of Porcupine Tree's finest and is a psychedelic masterpiece in its own right.

With that said, save yourself the money and track down an original 1993 CD or the much easier to find 1997 remaster. Why? Because this reissue amounts to nothing more than an epic fail on Steven Wilson's part. When an artist goes back years later and revisits their art and changes something, 99.9% of the time it's not for the better. Such is…
Written by Suspicion

Track listing Edit

  • CD 1 : Up the Downstair

    format:
    number:
    title:
    number name artist hh:mm:ss
    1
    What You Are Listening To
    ?:??
    2
    Synesthesia
    ?:??
    3
    Monuments Burn into Moments
    ?:??
    4
    Always Never - Porcupine Tree, Duffy, Alan
    ?:??
    5
    Up the Downstair
    ?:??
    6
    Not Beautiful Anymore
    ?:??
    7
    Siren
    ?:??
    8
    Small Fish - Porcupine Tree, Duffy, Alan
    ?:??
    9
    Burning Sky
    ?:??
    10
    Fadeaway - Porcupine Tree, Duffy, Alan
    ?:??
  • unknown format 2 : Up the Downstair

    format:
    number:
    title:
    number name artist hh:mm:ss
    1
    Cloud Zero
    ?:??
    2
    The Joke's on You - Porcupine Tree, Duffy, Alan
    ?:??
    3
    Navigator
    ?:??
    4
    Rainy Taxi
    ?:??
    5
    Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape
    ?:??

Credits Edit

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Other versions Edit

Up the Downstair 10 tracks format: 1 x CD
record label: Delerium Music Limited
catalog number: DELEC CD 020
release dates: Nov 1997 in United Kingdom
view details
Up the Downstair 10 tracks format: 1 x CD
record label: Delerium Music Limited
catalog number: DELEC CD 020
release dates: Nov 1997 in United Kingdom
view details
Up the Downstair 15 tracks format: 1 x CD, 1 x unknown format
record label: Snapper Music
catalog number: SMACD885
release dates: 2005 in United Kingdom
view details
Up the Downstair 9 tracks format: 1 x CD
release dates: Jan 29 2008
view details
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Trivia Edit

  • First release in 1993, reissued, repackaged and remastered in November 1997. Re-recorded and re-released in 2005
  • Other formats released in 1993 include: Vinyl (UK Delerium – DELEC LP020)Cassette (PL Prog Rock Music (PRM 016) and PL Rock Serwis (RSMC 016))
  • All tracks written by Steven Wilson except tracks 4, 8 and 10 by Steven Wilson/Alan Duffy

Websites Edit

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