Seeing them next week and can't wait...

Enjoy it! :)

I have heard In Absentia, and I downloaded the beginners compilation (from that thread in General Music-"the beginners guide to...")

I liked it, but wasn't intriuged enough to find more. Then today BAM and I feel in love with this band. What should I get next?

Buy 'Fear Of Blank Planet' or 'Stupid Dream' next...

I would add to this list also Deadwing.
Or the best solution - buy all these 3 albums :)

I can't believe I didn't say Deadwing... I'm really not with it today haha

Haha :D

So @mrguy - you see, you really should listen to these three:
Stupid dream - 1999
Deadwing - 2005
Fear of a blank planet - 2007

I think after listening of these albums (+ In Absentia), you will know if you love Porcupine tree or not.

On top of that...
PT is one band that I can say that I have no problem with listening to their entire discography. Every album I've heard is unique and can be listened to regularly.

Really? There are songs I've got to skip over in a couple of the albums. Steven Wilson comes off as pretentious to me at times - especially when I watch live footage. There are songs that are just way too lovey dovey emotional for me to handle. Now Fear of a Blank Planet was just brilliant. I was about to listen to it all the way through the very first time without skipping any tracks. The lyrics are brilliant. Deadwing was my favorite before that, but still, there were songs that I had to skip over. I know a lot their stuff pertains to love and heartbreak, and that's fine and all, but when they put forth more energy making music that portrays other concepts, it's genius.

I guess I'm a little different. Okay, i'll say this, out of all their albums you're right about FOABP. That is one that I never tire of. But honestly I can still listen to Up The Downstair and Voyage 34 without missing a track.