"Signify," released on September 1996, is the fourth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree. It was the first album by the band that prominently featured the entire band, marking it as the first by the full band that consistently showcased their combined effort.
Porcupine Tree was led by Steve Wilson, with Richard Barbieri on keyboards, Colin Edwin on bass, and Chris Maitland on drums, appearing on every track. The album was also the first to incorporate more elements of psychedelia and space rock in their sound, departing from the pure psychedelic ambiance of their previous records.
While maintaining Porcupine Tree's signature elements of psychedelic rock fused with ambient textures, 'Signify' also marked a move towards more song-oriented writing, and a divergence from the lengthy atmospheric pieces that dominated their earlier albums. The album includes a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks.
Signify was generally well-received by critics and fans alike and marked significant development in the band's evolving sound. Its tracks like "Sleep of No Dreaming," "Waiting - Phase One" and "Sever" became popular among their listeners.
In terms of themes, Porcupine Tree's Signify deals with various subjects such as criticisms of modern society, religion, and the impact of the internet, laying foundations for the narrative style that Steve Wilson would often utilize in later albums. It's also noted for its diverse range of styles, including the hard rock of the title track, the gentle acoustics of "Waiting," and the ethereal sonic landscapes created in "Intermediate Jesus."
Despite the positive reception, commercial success was only modest. However, the influence of "Signify" could be felt in the band's future work- a pivot towards more structured songwriting, without sacrificing the lush sonic textures that characterized their sound.
