#1. Lightbulb Sun - Porcupine Tree (2000)This album is pure nostalgia for me. This is the one album I can go back to, no matter what. I feel I can really relate to a lot of what's on here. Relationships, childhood, etc... it just hits the spot. This probably isn't a very surprising pick, but yeah, it's my favorite. There are some songs on here that aren't regarded very highly such as "How Is Your Life Today?" and "Four Chords That Made A Million", but I love them as well. There's a certain magic to this album that I've never heard in another album. It's unique. The title track starts the album off in a really comfortable way, and the lyrics are basically about childhood and staying home from school some days just because. I remember doing that. I had like, 15 absences one year in middle school, and I was sick maybe 3 of those. Not skipping just to skip, but I'd always go off exploring into the woods or something. I felt really independent, it was fun. "Shesmovedon" and "Hatesong" really remind me of a special someone, and they're two totally different songs. "Hatesong" has the badass hard groove throughout. "Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled" is just outstanding. It starts and ends in completely different ways. Almost like a little ballad at first, but gets in this spacey atmospheric vibe as it goes on. "The Rest Will Flow" is short but sweet, giving off great positive energy. "Where We Would Be" really hit me hard recently, and I didn't realize how beautiful it was. I love the pace, and the relaxing mood, until the messy solo. But I love the solo, it's so out of place in the song, but it fits so well. If that makes any sense. It has my favorite line of the whole album: "Strange how you never become the person you see when you're young." "Russia On Ice" was my first Porcupine Tree song, and it still remains one of my favorites. It's the longest track, and it's just gorgeous. Slow, moody, dark. "Feel So Low" is fantastic, and closes the album on a really dark, melancholic note. The thing I really admire about this album is that it's an emotional roller coaster. When the album starts, I feel happy and upbeat. When the album ends, I feel a little down, BUT satisfied. It's a bittersweet kind of thing. Anyway, that's it.
Favorite Track: Where We Would Be