Porcupine Tree are one of the most acclaimed and influential progressive rock bands of the modern era. Built around the restless vision of Steven Wilson, they evolved from psychedelic dreamscapes into some of the most crushing, beautiful and melancholic prog of the last thirty years. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Arriving Somewhere but Not Here”, “Anesthetize”, “Trains” and “Blackest Eyes” — their finest epic, a seventeen-minute masterpiece, the song that wins everyone over, and a riff-driven classic. The full ranking is below.

Movies for the ears

Porcupine Tree began in 1987 as Steven Wilson’s solo outlet for experimental, Pink Floyd-inspired psychedelia, complete with a fictional band mythology. By the mid-1990s it had become a real band — Wilson on guitar and vocals, Richard Barbieri (formerly of Japan) on keyboards, Colin Edwin on bass and, from 2002, the extraordinary Gavin Harrison on drums — and its sound kept evolving: from space rock to lush art-rock to the crushing, melancholic prog metal of their imperial phase. The classic run of In Absentia (2002), Deadwing (2005) and Fear of a Blank Planet (2007) made them one of the most acclaimed bands in modern prog. After a long hiatus from 2010, they returned triumphantly in 2022. These fifteen songs are the best of a remarkable catalogue.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing songwriting, atmosphere, ambition and lasting impact across their whole career. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Arriving Somewhere but Not Here” (2005), the twelve-minute epic that many fans call their finest moment. With it: “Anesthetize” (2007), the seventeen-minute centrepiece of their masterpiece Fear of a Blank Planet; “Trains” (2002), the irresistible, banjo-laced song that has won them more converts than any other; “Blackest Eyes” (2002), the riff-driven opener of In Absentia; “Lazarus” (2005), a fragile, beloved ballad; and the title track “Fear of a Blank Planet” (2007), a furious indictment of modern alienation.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “The Sound of Muzak” (2002) is a wry, melodic In Absentia highlight; “Sentimental” (2007) aches with adolescent melancholy; “The Sky Moves Sideways” (1995) is the sprawling, Floydian epic of their psychedelic years; “Even Less” (1999) opens Stupid Dream with a surge; and “Shesmovedon” (2000) is one of their most gorgeous songs.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “Sleep Together” (2007) closes Fear of a Blank Planet on a hypnotic, orchestral climax; “Time Flies” (2009) is the accessible heart of the sprawling Incident; “Harridan” (2022) announced their return with a funky, propulsive groove; and “Radioactive Toy” (1992) is a psychedelic epic from their very first album.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with “Trains”, then the album it comes from, In Absentia — their 21st-century breakthrough. From there, Deadwing and the masterpiece Fear of a Blank Planet complete an essential trilogy, while the earlier Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun reward deeper exploration.

The players

Porcupine Tree have always revolved around Steven Wilson — singer, guitarist, principal songwriter and producer, who founded the project in 1987 and shaped every note of its sound. The classic line-up added keyboardist Richard Barbieri, formerly of the art-pop band Japan, bassist Colin Edwin, and — from 2002 — drummer Gavin Harrison, also of King Crimson and The Pineapple Thief, whose playing transformed the band. After their 2010 hiatus, Porcupine Tree returned in 2022 as a trio of Wilson, Barbieri and Harrison. Away from the band, Wilson has built an acclaimed solo career and become rock’s most sought-after surround-sound mixer, reworking classics by King Crimson, Yes, Jethro Tull and many more.

Why they still matter

Few bands have shaped modern progressive rock as profoundly as Porcupine Tree — or proved that progressive music could be as emotionally devastating as it is technically dazzling. Steven Wilson’s production touch and songwriting run through the whole modern scene, from the melodic death-prog of Opeth (whom he produced) to the atmospheric grandeur of Anathema (whom he mixed), the kindred melancholy of Riverside and the rhythmic invention of The Pineapple Thief, Gavin Harrison’s other band. Few have ever made sadness sound so beautiful.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Porcupine Tree albums, find an entry point with where to start with Porcupine Tree, or dig into the underrated Porcupine Tree albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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