Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - What are the most accessible prog rock albums?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

What are the most accessible prog rock albums?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
SteveG View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20604 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote SteveG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 05:55
Rick Wakeman said "Sorry Radiohead, you're prog."
This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
Back to Top
Cristi View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Crossover / Prog Metal Teams

Joined: July 27 2006
Location: wonderland
Status: Offline
Points: 43626 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 06:00
Originally posted by SteveG SteveG wrote:

Rick Wakeman said "Sorry Radiohead, you're prog."

He did?
I agree with him. Big smileLOL
Back to Top
Blacksword View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Blacksword Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 06:32
^^^ Meh! What does Wakeman know about prog..?
Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!
Back to Top
AFlowerKingCrimson View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 02 2016
Location: Philly burbs
Status: Offline
Points: 18269 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 08:22
I would say any prog that focuses mostly on shorter "typical" kinds of songs would be the first ones that should be mentioned. So that would mean a lot of crossover prog and neo prog. 
Back to Top
A Crimson Mellotron View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: September 10 2020
Location: Bulgaria
Status: Offline
Points: 4122 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A Crimson Mellotron Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 10:10
Originally posted by TheLionOfPrague TheLionOfPrague wrote:

Supertramp, Alan Parsons, Moody Blues, ELO and Kansas if they count as prog. I'd say Leftoverture is definitely a prog album and is accesible. 

The Wall is very accesible, more accesible than Dark Side that isn't as accesible as sometimes considered, Money aside. Although some would argue The Wall isn't prog. 

The Yes Album and Fragile are pretty accesible. Trilogy (ELP) is pretty accesible. Selling England by the Pound is also pretty accesible. Aqualung too. ITCOTCK and Red are accesible if you leave out Moonchild and Providence. Logically there's a high correlation between accesiblity and commercial success LOL. 

And yeah, neo-prog is pretty accesible alghough it wasn't very commercially succesfull aside from Marillion. 


Quite accurate. Thumbs Up
Back to Top
A Crimson Mellotron View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: September 10 2020
Location: Bulgaria
Status: Offline
Points: 4122 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A Crimson Mellotron Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 10:11
Originally posted by SteveG SteveG wrote:

Rick Wakeman said "Sorry Radiohead, you're prog."
When exactly did he say this? LOL
Back to Top
Nogbad_The_Bad View Drop Down
Forum & Site Admin Group
Forum & Site Admin Group
Avatar
RIO/Avant/Zeuhl & Eclectic Team

Joined: March 16 2007
Location: Boston
Status: Offline
Points: 20847 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Nogbad_The_Bad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 10:24
Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

Originally posted by SteveG SteveG wrote:


Rick Wakeman said "Sorry Radiohead, you're prog."
When exactly did he say this? LOL


June 29th 2013, Independent interview
Ian

Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com

https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/
Back to Top
A Crimson Mellotron View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: September 10 2020
Location: Bulgaria
Status: Offline
Points: 4122 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A Crimson Mellotron Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2021 at 11:00
^Thanks, here's the quote:
"He added: "I know Radiohead say they aren't prog but, sorry chaps, you are, and it's brilliant."
Back to Top
richardh View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28028 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 26 2021 at 16:34
I always remember a magazine article where Radiohead where compared to Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd. It was obvious they were prog as soon as Paranoid Android landed.
Back to Top
Frenetic Zetetic View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 09 2017
Location: Now
Status: Offline
Points: 9233 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 26 2021 at 22:48
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

I always remember a magazine article where Radiohead where compared to Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd. It was obvious they were prog as soon as Paranoid Android landed.

Funny, because Radio Head always sounded like a 90's alt rock band vs prog to me.

I wouldn't classify something like Creep as progressive rock.

I certainly don't hear Yes or KC in their music, nor it's influence.

I also admittedly don't listen to much OF them; what I've heard, sounds like 90's rock to me.

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021
Back to Top
richardh View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28028 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2021 at 05:04
Originally posted by Frenetic Zetetic Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

I always remember a magazine article where Radiohead where compared to Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd. It was obvious they were prog as soon as Paranoid Android landed.

Funny, because Radio Head always sounded like a 90's alt rock band vs prog to me.

I wouldn't classify something like Creep as progressive rock.

I certainly don't hear Yes or KC in their music, nor it's influence.

I also admittedly don't listen to much OF them; what I've heard, sounds like 90's rock to me.

If you are talking about The Bends then I agree but they took a massive leap with OK Computer. The KC influence in Paranoid Android is obvious to me. Airbag as well. There is a touch of Floyd in Karma Police to me as well.
Back to Top
Saperlipopette! View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 20 2010
Location: Tomorrowland
Status: Offline
Points: 11621 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Saperlipopette! Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2021 at 06:56
Originally posted by Frenetic Zetetic Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

I always remember a magazine article where Radiohead where compared to Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd. It was obvious they were prog as soon as Paranoid Android landed.

Funny, because Radio Head always sounded like a 90's alt rock band vs prog to me.

I wouldn't classify something like Creep as progressive rock.

I certainly don't hear Yes or KC in their music, nor it's influence.

I also admittedly don't listen to much OF them; what I've heard, sounds like 90's rock to me.
Nobody classifies something like Creep as progressive rock. But that's like saying you don't hear what's so progressive about Genesis based on a song from their debut album like... In Hiding or Am I Very Wrong? Radiohead has progressed as a band their whole career, and somehow managed to stay popular whether incorpoating pendereckian strings, prog, space rock, motoric, kraut, IDM, EDM etc... in their alternative rock
Back to Top
The Anders View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 02 2019
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 3529 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The Anders Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2021 at 07:05
Funny how it has turned into a Radiohead thread.

I don't really know if they classify as prog or not, but who cares? A lot of people apparently...

If I had to use a label myself, I would probably choose art rock as the first one, and since I am a big art rock fan first of all, I of course dig Radiohead. I love how they combine relatively melodic music with sonic experimentation and avant-garde.

There is also clear inspiration from bands like Can, f.e. on an album like Kid A.
Back to Top
Progressive Enjoyer View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie
Avatar

Joined: August 09 2021
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 32 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Progressive Enjoyer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2021 at 08:14
Anything by Supertramp (Especially Breakfast in America) and Duke + "...And Then There Were Three.." By Genesis
"You know what you are, you don't give a damn" Peter Gabriel
Back to Top
Sean Trane View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator

Prog Folk

Joined: April 29 2004
Location: Heart of Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 20240 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sean Trane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2021 at 13:24
I'd say Supertramp, Floyd and maybe Camel & Eloy.
Renaissance & Marillion as well

However, going for Alan Parsons, Moody Blues, ELO, i wouldn't use them as a first approach if you want to introduce them to "prog" (cos they aren't really)... But for preparing the grounds to an introduction, to see if they might find something into that proggy direction... yes, they might be indicated
let's just stay above the moral melee
prefer the sink to the gutter
keep our sand-castle virtues
content to be a doer
as well as a thinker,
prefer lifting our pen
rather than un-sheath our sword
Back to Top
Frenetic Zetetic View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 09 2017
Location: Now
Status: Offline
Points: 9233 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 28 2021 at 01:06
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Originally posted by Frenetic Zetetic Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

I always remember a magazine article where Radiohead where compared to Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd. It was obvious they were prog as soon as Paranoid Android landed.

Funny, because Radio Head always sounded like a 90's alt rock band vs prog to me.

I wouldn't classify something like Creep as progressive rock.

I certainly don't hear Yes or KC in their music, nor it's influence.

I also admittedly don't listen to much OF them; what I've heard, sounds like 90's rock to me.

If you are talking about The Bends then I agree but they took a massive leap with OK Computer. The KC influence in Paranoid Android is obvious to me. Airbag as well. There is a touch of Floyd in Karma Police to me as well.

Got it! I'll have to take some time and delve a tad deeper.

Originally posted by Saperlipopette! Saperlipopette! wrote:

Originally posted by Frenetic Zetetic Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

I always remember a magazine article where Radiohead where compared to Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd. It was obvious they were prog as soon as Paranoid Android landed.

Funny, because Radio Head always sounded like a 90's alt rock band vs prog to me.

I wouldn't classify something like Creep as progressive rock.

I certainly don't hear Yes or KC in their music, nor it's influence.

I also admittedly don't listen to much OF them; what I've heard, sounds like 90's rock to me.
Nobody classifies something like Creep as progressive rock. But that's like saying you don't hear what's so progressive about Genesis based on a song from their debut album like... In Hiding or Am I Very Wrong? Radiohead has progressed as a band their whole career, and somehow managed to stay popular whether incorpoating pendereckian strings, prog, space rock, motoric, kraut, IDM, EDM etc... in their alternative rock


I agree completely, hence me being eager to admit I have no idea what I'm talking about regarding Radio Head Cool.

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021
Back to Top
essexboyinwales View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: April 27 2015
Location: Bridgend
Status: Offline
Points: 4951 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote essexboyinwales Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2021 at 04:25
Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

Interesting question. 
IQ - Ever

Wow!  I'm a huge fan, but Ever is accessible?!  Surely Are You Sitting Comfortably? would be more suitable as a nomination here?.....

Season's End and Holidays In Eden by Marillion maybe
Back to Top
Beautiful Scarlet View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie
Avatar

Joined: December 20 2020
Location: Vancouver
Status: Offline
Points: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Beautiful Scarlet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2021 at 04:36
I will die on this hill, Egg. They run the gamut in terms of what to expect from Progressive Rock and are a good starting point. On the flip side never use something “sh*tty” like Stubbs (some unoriginal band I love and show people all the time despite always getting VERY negative reactions)
Music Music Music
Back to Top
Magog2112 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 05 2023
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 539 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Magog2112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2023 at 07:25
I always thought that Duke by Genesis was the perfect balance between prog and pop. For me, that is the probably the most accessible prog rock album. The album that preceded Duke, ...And Then There Were Three..., is also very accessible.

The two IQ albums with Paul Menel on vocals, Nomzamo and Are You Sitting Comfortably?, are accessible while still retaining IQ's progressive disposition. While I prefer everything that the band has done before and after those albums, they're still great.

Hounds of Love by Kate Bush, like Duke, is another album that encapsulates prog and pop all in one beautiful album.

Almost any album from Marillion could be included in this, as I've always seen them as having a pop element to their sound, from as early as the Fish days till now. The album that I chose for this discussion is Holidays In Eden, because I truly find it to be their most accessible album while still having progressive qualities. It's far from my favorite album from the band, but that doesn't diminish from its undeniable accessibility.

Almost any album from Peter Gabriel could also be included in this. It makes the most sense for me to go with his most critically acclaimed album, So.


Edited by Magog2112 - July 30 2023 at 07:27
Back to Top
Hrychu View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: November 03 2013
Location: poland?
Status: Offline
Points: 5357 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2023 at 07:44
Originally posted by essexboyinwales essexboyinwales wrote:

Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

Interesting question. 
IQ - Ever

Wow!  I'm a huge fan, but Ever is accessible?!  Surely Are You Sitting Comfortably? would be more suitable as a nomination here?.....

Season's End and Holidays In Eden by Marillion maybe


Ever is super accessible as far as prog goes. In the very same genre you've got stuff like, I dunno, Eskaton - 4 Visions or Sax Ruins - Yawiquo.
“On the day of my creation, I fell in love with education. And overcoming all frustration, a teacher I became.”
— Ernest Vong
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.234 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.