[TR24][OF] Porcupine Tree - Staircase Infinities (EP) (Remastered) - 1994/2017 (Progressive Rock)

"Staircase Infinities" is a studio EP by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released in December 1994 as a limited 2,000-copy 10" vinyl by Lazy Eye and reissued on CD by Blueprint in the UK in October 1995. It contains outtakes from the "Up the Downstair" sessions. Originally, "Staircase Infinities" was intended to be released on a double album version of Up the Downstair but was not completed in time. "Up the Downstair" was therefore released as a single album in 1993 but was reissued in an expanded version in 2005 (with recorded drums by Gavin Harrison that replace the electronic drums of the original version), this time including the EP "Staircase Infinities".
Composed of outtakes from the Up the Downstair disc, this album is a bit on the short side. The material here is strictly instrumental and based in a melodic, rather mellow progressive rock format. The overall sound seems to be a blend of such artists as Hawkwind and Pink Floyd combined with fusion. Other elements occasionally show up, like David Bowie, Synergy, and even '80s music. Many times releases of odds and ends like this tend to be of interest strictly to hardcore fans of the given band. Such is not the case with this release, as it is a very entertaining release that stands up by itself. The only complaint, really, is that it is too bad there wasn't more material to put on the disc. What is here is quite good, but like a snack, it leaves you wishing for more.