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Hrychu View Drop Down
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    Posted: February 22 2021 at 12:03
Hello there! The last Symphonic Prog Appreciation thread is locked and kinda dead now so I decided to make a new one. This is for all of us Symphonic Prog lovers! 💕 🎼
I can't even describe how much I love this subgenre. There's a little bit of not quite essential albums labeled as Symphonic Prog over here at PA but the majority at least from the ones I've heard are of top quality! In addition to that it seems Symphonic Prog checks almost all the boxes of what I expect to enjoy out of prog in general. The keyboard tones Symph artists tend to utilize, from the liquid acidic piercing minimoog leads to the swarming tapey Mellotron washes to the bubbly spinning hammond chops are soooo goooood. Analog, or digital. 70s or modern. Guitar centric? Guitarless? I don't really care. I think that's the first thing that pops out that really makes the music so... Symphonic. The classical style compositional techniques are amazing as well but I'm no expert on classical music so I don't think I can go in a huge detail about that.

My favorite essential Symphonic Prog bands as of February 2021:
Yes
the sheer elegance and beauty of what I consider THE archetype of symph. prog.
The Flower Kings
Stunning modern take on the 70s sound with mesmerizing guitar work and flawless arrangements full of quirky flavors and tasteful touches courtesty of Roine and company!
ELP
Legendary organ solos, over the top sound, amazing drumming, perfect triocentric arrangements. There is a kind of "crude humpor" thing to the sound of ELP but that's what makes them unique.
early Spock's Beard/Neal Morse Band/Transatlantic (to some point)
And other projects which feature Neal Morse at the primary composer/arranger. They just roar: "EPIC!" There's a kinda formal thing to the sound those projects represent. The music is very angular and blocky but thanks to the classicistic embelishments, the simple hooks really shine and entertain! And the simplicity is what makes these hooks so catchy, at least for prog standards. xD

And here are the non-essential bands that I love equally as much:

Anyone's Daughter
70s Kaipa
Simon Says
Triumvirat
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JD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 12:10
What are you looking at me for... I agree 100% !

Add the Moody Blues, Triumvirat, SFF, Gryphon, Tomita & Synergy. Thumbs Up
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 12:12
You just reminded me that I gotta revisit Schicke, Führs & Fröhling! xD It's been a few years since I last gave their songs a proper listen.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 12:19
The Top 37 Symphonic Prog albums of all time, as voted for in a recent poll by the good members of ProgArchives. Smile

1. YES - Close to the Edge (316 points)
2. GENESIS - Foxtrot (140 points)
3. YES - Tales from Topographic Oceans (112 points)
4. GENESIS - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (110 points)
5. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (93 points)
6. GENESIS - Selling England by the Pound (90 points)
7. CAMEL - Moonmadness (80 points)
8. KANSAS - Leftoverture (75 points)
9. HARMONIUM - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquieme saison (72 points)
10. ANGLAGARD - Hybris (67 points)
 
11. FOCUS - Hamburger Concerto (64 points) 
12. WOBBLER - From Silence to Somewhere (62 points)
12. RICK WAKEMAN - The Six Wives of Henry VIII (62 points)
14. YES - Relayer (49 points)
14. CHRIS SQUIRE - Fish Out of Water (49 points)
16. SPOCK'S BEARD - V (46 points)
16. RENAISSANCE - Ashes Are Burning (46 points)
18. DISCIPLINE - Unfolded Like Staircase (43 points)
19. GLASS HAMMER - The Inconsolable Secret (42 points)
20. NEAL MORSE - Sola Scripture (41 points)
 
21. CAMEL - The Snow Goose (40 points)
21. YES - Fragile (40 points)
21. GENESIS - Trespass (40 points)
21. CAMEL - Mirage (40 points)
21. SOLARIS - Marsbeli Kronikak (40 points)
26. GENESIS - A Trick of the Tail (38 points)
26. REFUGEE - Refugee (38 points)
28. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus (35 points)
29. FANTASY - Paint a Picture (34 points)
30. CRESSIDA - Cressida (32 points)
 
31. GENESIS - Duke (30 points)
31. SPOCK'S BEARD - Snow (30 points)
31. ECHOLYN - The End is Beautiful (30 points)
31. GENESIS - Wind & Wuthering (30 points)
31. NEAL MORSE - Similitude of a Dream (30 points)
31. TRANSATLANTIC - Bridge Across Forever (30 points) 
37. ALL TRAPS ON EARTH - A Drop of Light (29 points)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote yogev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 12:28
Wow, a lot of people here love The Flower Kings. Well... I got into the right place at the right time!
They are my favorite prog band in the last year or so.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote progaardvark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 13:40
Even though I've been getting more and more into the avant world, I'll always have an appreciation for symphonic prog. It is, for most people, the gateway into prog.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 15:53
Originally posted by JD JD wrote:

What are you looking at me for... I agree 100% !

Add the Moody Blues, Triumvirat, SFF, Gryphon, Tomita & Synergy. Thumbs Up

He said Triumvirat already. I don't know if I consider them symph though. Wouldn't that be like calling ELP or Nektar symph? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 15:54
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

The Top 37 Symphonic Prog albums of all time, as voted for in a recent poll by the good members of ProgArchives. Smile

1. YES - Close to the Edge (316 points)
2. GENESIS - Foxtrot (140 points)
3. YES - Tales from Topographic Oceans (112 points)
4. GENESIS - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (110 points)
5. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (93 points)
6. GENESIS - Selling England by the Pound (90 points)
7. CAMEL - Moonmadness (80 points)
8. KANSAS - Leftoverture (75 points)
9. HARMONIUM - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquieme saison (72 points)
10. ANGLAGARD - Hybris (67 points)
 
11. FOCUS - Hamburger Concerto (64 points) 
12. WOBBLER - From Silence to Somewhere (62 points)
12. RICK WAKEMAN - The Six Wives of Henry VIII (62 points)
14. YES - Relayer (49 points)
14. CHRIS SQUIRE - Fish Out of Water (49 points)
16. SPOCK'S BEARD - V (46 points)
16. RENAISSANCE - Ashes Are Burning (46 points)
18. DISCIPLINE - Unfolded Like Staircase (43 points)
19. GLASS HAMMER - The Inconsolable Secret (42 points)
20. NEAL MORSE - Sola Scripture (41 points)
 
21. CAMEL - The Snow Goose (40 points)
21. YES - Fragile (40 points)
21. GENESIS - Trespass (40 points)
21. CAMEL - Mirage (40 points)
21. SOLARIS - Marsbeli Kronikak (40 points)
26. GENESIS - A Trick of the Tail (38 points)
26. REFUGEE - Refugee (38 points)
28. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus (35 points)
29. FANTASY - Paint a Picture (34 points)
30. CRESSIDA - Cressida (32 points)
 
31. GENESIS - Duke (30 points)
31. SPOCK'S BEARD - Snow (30 points)
31. ECHOLYN - The End is Beautiful (30 points)
31. GENESIS - Wind & Wuthering (30 points)
31. NEAL MORSE - Similitude of a Dream (30 points)
31. TRANSATLANTIC - Bridge Across Forever (30 points) 
37. ALL TRAPS ON EARTH - A Drop of Light (29 points)

Thanks Paul. It looks like you just created a playlist for me if I ever get stuck on a desert island. Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 17:02
^ My pleasure. It's not bad going, considering it only began as a Top 10 list of Symphonic Prog, and surprisingly, I actually know  two thirds of the albums in the Top 37. Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Grumpyprogfan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 17:11
^Great list from Paul. Nice to see Discipline and Echolyn made the top 37. The only other missing band is Izz. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rushfan4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 18:51
Definitely a lot of good music in the symphonic prog category.  I'm definitely a fan of all things related to the Flower Kings and Spock's Beard.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 23:44
Originally posted by Grumpyprogfan Grumpyprogfan wrote:

^Great list from Paul. Nice to see Discipline and Echolyn made the top 37. The only other missing band is Izz. 

Thanks. I'm guessing Hrychu will be disappointed that The Flower Kings didn't make it into the Top 37. Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 00:18
Symphonic is arguably the go-to, especially on PA! Symphonic, Eclectic, and ROI/RPI are my go-to's.

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote geekfreak Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 01:09
Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

The Top 37 Symphonic Prog albums of all time, as voted for in a recent poll by the good members of ProgArchives. Smile

<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">1. YES - Close to the Edge (316 points)
<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">2. GENESIS - Foxtrot (140 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">3. YES - Tales from Topographic Oceans (112 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">4. GENESIS - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (110 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">5. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (93 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">6. GENESIS - Selling England by the Pound (90 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">7. CAMEL - Moonmadness (80 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">8. KANSAS - Leftoverture (75 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">9. HARMONIUM - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquieme saison (72 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">10. ANGLAGARD - Hybris (67 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> <div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">11. FOCUS - Hamburger Concerto (64 points) <div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">12. WOBBLER - From Silence to Somewhere (62 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">12. RICK WAKEMAN - The Six Wives of Henry VIII (62 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">14. YES - Relayer (49 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">14. CHRIS SQUIRE - Fish Out of Water (49 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">16. SPOCK'S BEARD - V (46 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">16. RENAISSANCE - Ashes Are Burning (46 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">18. DISCIPLINE - Unfolded Like Staircase (43 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">19. GLASS HAMMER - The Inconsolable Secret (42 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">20. NEAL MORSE - Sola Scripture (41 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> <div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">21. CAMEL - The Snow Goose (40 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">21. YES - Fragile (40 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">21. GENESIS - Trespass (40 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">21. CAMEL - Mirage (40 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">21. SOLARIS - Marsbeli Kronikak (40 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">26. GENESIS - A Trick of the Tail (38 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">26. REFUGEE - Refugee (38 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">28. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus (35 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">29. FANTASY - Paint a Picture (34 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">30. CRESSIDA - Cressida (32 points)<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> <div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">
31. GENESIS - Duke (30 points)
31. SPOCK'S BEARD - Snow (30 points)
31. ECHOLYN - The End is Beautiful (30 points)
31. GENESIS - Wind & Wuthering (30 points)
31. NEAL MORSE - Similitude of a Dream (30 points)
31. TRANSATLANTIC - Bridge Across Forever (30 points) 
37. ALL TRAPS ON EARTH - A Drop of Light (29 points)


Thanks Paul. It looks like you just created a playlist for me if I ever get stuck on a desert island. Wink



Absolutely incredibly awesome list
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 06:22
Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

Originally posted by JD JD wrote:

What are you looking at me for... I agree 100% !

Add the Moody Blues, Triumvirat, SFF, Gryphon, Tomita & Synergy. Thumbs Up

He said Triumvirat already. I don't know if I consider them symph though. Wouldn't that be like calling ELP or Nektar symph? 
I've never considered ELP (my fav band) Symph. They are, IMHO Heavy Prog. I even think Emerson himself said something along those lines in an interview many years ago. I would say T-Rat is at least Symph like.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Catcher10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 11:21
Not much more to add after Paul's list, The Flower Kings are very high on my list.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 11:46
I once had an argument with a woman who insisted Yes were not symphonic prog. I would like to know what she considers symphonic prog and who she does consider to be symph prog. They might not be the best example but that's usually what they are labelled as. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lazland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 11:52
Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

I once had an argument with a woman who insisted Yes were not symphonic prog. I would like to know what she considers symphonic prog and who she does consider to be symph prog. They might not be the best example but that's usually what they are labelled as. 

You should get her in touch with Ivan. Should be an interesting exchange of views LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Catcher10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 12:18
Originally posted by lazland lazland wrote:

Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

I once had an argument with a woman who insisted Yes were not symphonic prog. I would like to know what she considers symphonic prog and who she does consider to be symph prog. They might not be the best example but that's usually what they are labelled as. 

You should get her in touch with Ivan. Should be an interesting exchange of views LOL

LOLLOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 13:52
I totally forgot to add Wobbler to my list. Their last 3 albums are absolute masterpieces.
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