Definitely consciousness expanding, the prickly affectations of Porcupine Tree will only be lost on those too well-steeped in the cold, cruel world to avail themselves of these inebriating aural tonics. Fortunately, the rest of us lucky few who are mentally equipped to let UP THE DOWNSTAIR run barefoot through our minds will be ever so eager to do so. Take careful note of the sounds wafting from ye olde England–the wild potpourri of bands like Ozric Tentacles, Omnia Opera, Mandragora, and Porcupine Tree are making a mighty dent in those so exposed. This stuff is not going to be a secret much longer–and blessedly so. UP THE DOWNSTAIR’s charismatic potions penetrate, obfuscate, and violate the creeks of the sensible mind with dreamy veils of guitars, pulsing rhythms, and layer upon layer of bubbling, drifting electronics. Incredible stuff–former Japan keyboardist Richard Barbieri even adds his synthetic textures to the techno-funk landscape of the title cut.

Originally issued in 1993 – Disc one is a completely remixed and partially re-recorded version with the sampled drums replaced by the real drum performances of Gavin Harrison, recorded in 2004. Disc two is a remastered version of the mini album containing left over material from the original Up the Downstair sessions.