prog album compilation: how to even this list out?
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Topic: prog album compilation: how to even this list out?
Posted By: lastdodobird
Subject: prog album compilation: how to even this list out?
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 22:33
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Update (05/14/2006): Well, I ultimately decided to split up my list into two: One for 70's prog-rock and one for modern prog-rock. Here are how the final lists are shaping up: 70's prog: (1969) king crimson - in the court of the crimson king (1970) van der graaf generator - h to he who am the only one (1971) caravan - in the land of grey and pink (1972) gentle giant - octopus (1972) yes - close to the edge (1973) emerson lake & palmer - brain salad surgery (1973) mahavishnu orchestra - birds of fire (1974) camel - mirage (1975) pink floyd - wish you were here (1976) genesis - a trick of the tail (1977) jethro tull - songs from the wood (1978) jethro tull - heavy horses (1979) pink floyd - the wall (1981) rush - moving pictures (1983) marillion - script for a jester's tear Modern prog: (1992) anglagard - hybris (1992) dream theater - images & words (1999) dream theater - metropolis part 2 scenes from a memory (1999) liquid tension experiment - liquid tension experiment 2 (2001) pain of salvation - the perfect element i (2001) tool - lateralus (2002) pain of salvation - remedy lane (2002) porcupine tree - in absentia (2004) ayreon - the human equation (2005) opeth - ghost reveries (2005) riverside - second life syndrome Pretty decent, or needs a lot of work? Original Post: (I had to change the topic from "top 5 albums" to this one since the discussion - as well as my purpose for starting the thread - just evolved into tweaking this list of albums that I've come up with. I hope that's okay, and I hope you guys would help. I think this would be a more fruitful discussion rather than simply asking what the top prog albums are. Peace!  )Anyway, I went on around the different discussions I've been following, plus some "top prog albums" lists and I took a shot at a decent album lineup to introduce myself to this genre. Things I wanted to take into consideration regarding the album list: *** I didn't want to saturate the compilation with albums only from one specific time period, although if you guy would see, there are quite a lot of albums from the 70s, only a few from the 80s and 90s, and it picks up a bit around 2000. But I'm thinking that's maybe acceptable since in my understanding, a lot of the great prog rock albums were released in the 70s right? *** I also didn't want to focus on a certain sub-genre. Although I didn't want the compilation to be too varied either. Here's the list: (1969) king crimson - in the court of the crimson king (1971) jethro tull - aqualung (1971) van der graaf generator - pawn hearts (1972) yes - close to the edge (1973) genesis - selling england by the pound (1973) gentle giant - in a glass house (1975) camel - the snow goose (1975) pink floyd - wish you were here (1981) rush - moving pictures (1992) anglagard - hybris (1999) dream theater - metropolis part 2 scenes from a memory (2001) pain of salvation - the perfect element i (2004) ayreon - the human equation (2005) riverside - second life syndrome What do you guys think? Good intro to prog rock or it could use a lot more tweaking? I've noticed a lack of albums from the 80s - or is that because no prog album from the 80s really compares to prog albums from the 70s? Taking these things into consideration, maybe you guys could suggest which albums I could take out of this list and what I could include for it TO BE AS EVEN AS POSSIBLE - both with regards to the time periods, and to the prog sub-genres involved. Thanks a lot! |
Replies:
Posted By: Arsillus
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 22:40
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First, welcome to the forum! Second, for me:
Prog
1. Foxtrot- Genesis
2. A Farewell To Kings - Rush
3. Relayer - Yes
4. Thick As A Brick - Jethro Tull
5. In The Court Of The Crimson King - King Crimson
I'm not one for Prog Metal, so I'll leave that to the Progtologist.
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Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 22:44
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thanks. glad to be here :) maybe if I get enough replies, I could compile them and post the overall results... ...although I would think that's already been done before? anyway, thanks for the quick reply! |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 22:48
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Progressive Rock (in no order):
Genesis: Foxtrot
King Crimson: Larks Tongues in Aspic Magma - MDK Pendragon - The Masquerade Overture
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Progressive Metal (in no order):
Pain of Salvation: The perfect Element Pt. 1
Dream Theater: Awake
Dream Theater: Scenes from a Memory
*
*
* Due to limited knowledge of Prog Metal, I can't really give any more. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: Ghandi 2
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 22:49
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Welcome to the forum!
Do you mean the 5 most essential 5 albums from either the genre of prog rock or prog metal? I don't know much about prog metal, but I can give you 5 prog rock:
Thick As A Brick--Jethro Tull
Dark Side of the Moon--Pink Floyd (If you like it get Animals--especially if you like heaver, darker stuff--and also Wish You Were Here)
Selling England by the Pound--Genesis (If you like it get Foxtrot)
Fragile--Yes (If you like it get Relayer. I actually haven't heard this one, but I've heard it's very acessible, and I can't bring myself to recommend Relayer to someone new to prog; if I hadn't been prepared earlier I might not have liked it. Avoid Close to the Edge!)
Brain Salad Surgery--ELP (Replace this with some Rush if you can't stand bombast and a 30 minute epic.)
That's pretty much the most famous classic prog. Some of those might require a little work to "get", but that should get you started nicely.
Because of your metal interest, I know somebody is going to recommend Rush. They're great writers, but listen a sample before you buy: Geddy's voice is...uh...unique on most of their albums. So unique that I can't stand to listen to them.
I also would advise against The Court...; some people really love it, but I personally can't understand why. As much as it pains me to say this, I would recommend that you download the song 21st Century Schizoid Man from iTunes or something and leave it at that for a while. It's a good song, but I find the rest of the album to be extremely uneven. If it had been my first prog CD I don't think I would have gotten into prog (unless I decided afterwards to buy DSOTM). ------------- "Never forget that the human race with technology is like an alcoholic with a barrel of wine." Sleepytime Gorilla Museum: Because in their hearts, everyone secretly loves the Unabomber. |
Posted By: The Miracle
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 22:50
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I'll give you three from the most essential subgenres: Symphonic:
Prog Metal:
Canterbury:
Art Rock:
RIO/Avant-prog
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/ocellatedgod" rel="nofollow - last.fm |
Posted By: Meddler
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 22:52
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Prog Rock:
Close To the Edge Selling England By The Pound Wish You Were Here <---- best out of these 3 
Thick as a Brick And now I'm going to list one of the BEST albums of the 00's: Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven |
Posted By: Ghandi 2
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:08
I agree, but I think DSOTM is better for a new person. I think I would have gotten bored during SOYCD if I hadn't listened to DSOTM first, although I don't really know. The same applies for SEBTP I guess.
Basically, no matter what you do, buy Dark Side of the Moon :D
------------- "Never forget that the human race with technology is like an alcoholic with a barrel of wine." Sleepytime Gorilla Museum: Because in their hearts, everyone secretly loves the Unabomber. |
Meddler wrote:
Posted By: HeirToRuin
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:12
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Yay I get to recommend favorite things...one album by each... Classic prog rock... Yes - Relayer Gentle Giant - Octopus Genesis - Foxtrot King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King Camel - Camel Prog Metal... Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray Dream Theater - Images and Words Pain of Salvation - Remedy Lane Opeth - My Arms, Your Hearse Shadow Gallery - Tyranny Newer prog albums... Marillion - Marbles King Crimson - The Power To Believe The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute VanDerGraaf Generator - Present Meshuggah - Catch 33 ------------- ARTEMIA - http://www.reverbnation.com/artemiamusic" rel="nofollow - http://www.reverbnation.com/artemiamusic L.i.E. - http://www.reverbnati |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:13
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I changed the title to more encompassing of prog rock as a whole :) It's probably easier that way without the 'metal' confusion :) Oh, and I have listened to DSotM already... actually years ago... and I remember being pretty indifferent about most of the album except "Great Gig in the Sky", which I thought was an awesome, awesome track. I better listen to the album again. Ooohh.. and I just noticed that there's a "Top 100: Prog Archives most popular titles" section on the front page... I guess I could rely on that too to some extent huh? |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:20
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definetly: Etron Fou Leloublan - Batelages Can - Tago Mago Fantomas - Delirium Cordia Univers Zero - 1313 Shub-Niggurath - Les Morts Vont Vites starting with easy stuff is for newbies.  A less sarcastic list would look more like this: King Crimson - Red Genesis - Nursery Cryme Yes - The Yes Album Rush - Moving Pictures and if possible, Semiramis - Semiramis (to touch on the equally virtuous italian scene) |
Posted By: KazimirMajorinc
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:36
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Pink Floyd - Meddle Omega - Time Robber Triumvirat - Spartacus ELP - Brain Salad Surgery King Crimson - In the Court of The Crimson King All five very accessible masterpieces. |
Posted By: The Miracle
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:40
It's quite poppy and overrated IMO... listen to Wish You Were Here and Animals, those are true masterpieces. If you like them, you might want to try some of Floyd's earlier stuff: Meddle, Atom Heart Mother, Ummagumma(VERY avnt garde and weird, that's why it's my favorite album of theirs but many people hate it, so be careful with that one)
Definitely. It's a great guide for beginners  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/ocellatedgod" rel="nofollow - last.fm |
Posted By: Cheesecakemouse
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:43
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Its a hard one to figure out, because a lot of prog can be hard going, what music do you listen to now? if it is Jazz, try Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return Forever and King Crimson's album Lizard.
If you like easy listening try Camel Snow Goose and some of Mike Oldfield
If you like metal try the prog metal bands
If you are into sonic Youth and alternative bands of the 90s I'd recommend the Kraut Rock bands like Can and Faust
If you like comedy in you're music try Primus and Frank Zappa.
There are hundreds of other possibilities, but tell us tastes, because the best place3 to start can be what you're most familiar with, because prog is a very broad style of music unlike say hip hop or punk, a lot of bands sound completely different, and some you mind find terrible but after some serious listening you may love. So what do you listen to?    ------------- |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:44
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1. Foxtrot- Genesis
2. Close To The Edge- Yes
3. Brain Salad Surgery- ELP
4. In The Court Of The Crimson King- King Crimson
5. Animals- Pink Floyd ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Zoso
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:48
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King Crimson - In The Court of the Crimson King Yes - Fragile Genesis - Foxtrot Emerson Lake and Palmer - Emerson Lake and Palmer Rush - Moving Pictures -------------  |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:51
Darn, now I wish I'd seen that section before creating this thread. Now I sound so redundant.  Anyway, this discussion might still bring up a lot of interesting things not included in the prog top 100 list. Re: Pink Floyd. Yeah, I'll be trying my luck with Wish You Were Here instead of DSotM. Thanks!
Well, my musical taste is really, really very broad. I love jazz, classical and rock music in genral - also metal. I don't go for most mainstream acts because most of them have honestly started to bore me (although some, like the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album is somewhat ok). I'm more into the indie rock genre. However, for the past few months, what's really been floating my boat is post-rock/instrumental rock/math rock: Like Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Don Caballero, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and the like. I find the genre very aurally stimulating I don't know if this would help, but I've got a last.fm profile --> http://www.last.fm/user/lastdodobird/ |
Posted By: Ghandi 2
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:59
You should listen to it again, but since you have already heard it I instead recommend Wish You Were Here instead. And since you like GYBE, I highly recommend it; as I'm sure you know, GYBE are incredibly influenced by Floyd. Or so I'm told; I haven't listened to much of them.
The top 100 is good, although I don't like how much emphasis the number of votes gets (CTTE is number one, but the 5 albums below it have a higher average), although I see why it's necessary. (to prevent albums which have 1 five star rating from being number one) Sometimes though a lower album is actually one that I like more, for whatever reason. For example, IMO, Relayer stomps Close to the Edge into the ground.
Just to tell you, I really don't like CTTE or ITCOTCK, but I'm in the minority by far. So maybe you'll like it. ------------- "Never forget that the human race with technology is like an alcoholic with a barrel of wine." Sleepytime Gorilla Museum: Because in their hearts, everyone secretly loves the Unabomber. |
Posted By: Cheesecakemouse
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 00:00
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Well I'd try Phish, a poprular indie group, Krautrock groups, Can, Faust and Neu!, King Crimson albums Larks tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bibleblack and Red. All thses groups have had (excapt maybe Phish because they are in the indie scene) a tremendous impact on the underground scene of the 90s and today. Also Van der Graft Generator; Still Life, Pawn Hearts and H to he who am the only one
In terms of Jazz Mahavishnu Orchestras albums; Inner Mounting Flame and Birds of Fire.
For more popular prog groups go for Jethro Tull; Aqualung, Benefit and Thick as a Brick,
Yes; Fragile and Close to the Edge and the Yes Album
Genesis; Selling England by the Pound and Foxtrot.
Well there are tons of others and I went over five but try one from each genre and see what you like.
But here are my five:
Can Tago Mago
Faust IV
King Crimson; Larks Tongues in Aspic
Mahavishnu Orchestra; Birds of Fire
Genesis; Foxtrot or Yes; Fragile. ------------- |
Posted By: Progger
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 00:03
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ELP-BRAIN SALAD SUGERY
YES-CLOSE TO THE EDGE
PINK FLOYD-WISH YOU WERE HERE
YES-RELAYER
SPOCKS BEARD-SNOW
Their you have the cream of progressive music!
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Posted By: Meddler
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 00:12
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{{Originally posted by Meddler
Prog Rock: Close To the Edge Selling England By The Pound Wish You Were Here <---- best out of these 3}} [ (Ghandi 2) I agree, but I think DSOTM is better for a new person. I think I would have gotten bored during SOYCD if I hadn't listened to DSOTM first, although I don't really know. The same applies for SEBTP I guess. Basically, no matter what you do, buy Dark Side of the Moon :D] I can see what you mean about SEBTP, but I liked it on first listen quite a bit and loved it on second. Even though it was my very first Genesis album. Just bought it today. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 00:12
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Only 5????...IMPOSSIBLE
If somebody is interested and even when my taste has changed a lot (This was written even before I joined Prog Archives).
http://rateyourmusic.com/list/Ivan_2069/110_masterpieces - http://rateyourmusic.com/list/Ivan_2069/110_masterpieces
Iván
------------- 
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Posted By: Gorp
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 00:30
member_profile.asp?PF=8354&FID=3 - lastdodobird welcome to prog.  ... is good to see how the people try to get into the prog because it´s a unique genre. Well... The firsts questions that come to mind are: Do you listen Metal? Do you like rock? what kind of bands/artists do you listen? (Rap - Emo - Electronic - Hip Hop - Pop - etc etc etc) I think those questions are important because they give us some ideas of the SOUND you like listen to. My recommendations are about metal because you already saw many others about rock. Andromeda: Extension of the Wish Circus Maximus: The 1st Chapter Threshold: Critical Mass Vanishing Point: Embrace the Silence Dream Theater: Scenes From A Memory Abydos: Abydos Pain of Salvation: Remedy Lane Maybe those bands have better albums that I did not mention (PoS: BE...), It was because you said you are INTRODUCING into prog. The last thing... Prog fans, when somebody ask you for recommendation and this persons is not a Prog fan, please, never NEVER! recommend the things that you are current listening, you should better recommend the things that introduced you in. Math: First you learn 1 + 1 = 2, and never ((234556421)^3/(((-123435 * 34876))^234768)-4 - ((3354)*(3478))/2)^433/34 |
Posted By: Mr. Sanchez
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 00:32
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Theres way to many albums that I love, and I find it nearly impossible to pick only 5, so here are only a few of my favourites... (In no order) Prog Rock: 1. Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick 2. King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King 3. Yes - Close To The Edge 4. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here 5. Genesis - Foxtrot 6. Rush - A Farewell To Kings Prog Metal: 1. Dream Theater - Scenes From A Memory/Images and Words 2. Pain Of Salvation: The Perfect Element pt.1/Be 3. Tool - Aenima/Lateralus 4. Opeth - Damnation I could name many many more albums, but i think this is a sufficient amount for now. ------------- It's Calling Me Back To My Home. |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 01:03
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Needs to be a nice mix- like this:
Rush- Moving Pictures
Dream Theater- Images and Words
Yes- Relayer
Pendragon- The Masquerade Overture
Pink Floyd- Animals
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Posted By: N Ellingworth
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 02:46
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As a reatively new fan of prog rock myself I'd recommend: Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon or Wish You Were Here Jethro Tull - Aqualung or Thick as a Brick Porcupine Tree - Deadwing or In Absentia Yes - Close to the Edge or Relayer and for something a considerably weirder than the rest: Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Heats I'm afraid I can't help you when it comes to prog metal. The best advice I can give you is to listen to the mp3s on this site before you make any desicions. |
Posted By: video vertigo
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 02:52
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Genesis - Foxtrot
Rush - Permanent Waves
Yes - Fragile
Van der Graaf Generator - H to He Who Am the Only One
Gentle Giant - Free Hand ------------- "The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Zappa |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 03:01
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First of all, welcome to the jungle.... ehm, the forum!
I see the others have been giving you all sorts of great advice... The thing is, prog is such a varied phenomenon, that it's not really easy to recommend something as starters to the genre. Anyway, if you're already into Experimental/Post Rock (with which I myself should get acquainted ASAP), you'd probably better try and discover the true roots of prog, namely the great bands of the '70s.
My personal recommendations? Here's just a few:
King Crimson - ITCOTCK (still a fantastic album after 37 years - it contains most genres in only five tracks)
ELP - ELP (more accessible and consistent than "Brain Salad Surgery", a true statement of intent)
Rush - Moving Pictures (stunning musicianship, great lyrics, even a great cover... need I say more?)
Yes - The Yes Album (definitely more accessible than both CTTE and "Fragile", and also rather uplifting)
Jethro Tull - Aqualung (again, this is more accessible than the wonderful TAAB, because there are individual songs - and what songs!)
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (possibly their best album ever, IMHO much better than DSOTM)
Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink (fantastic musicianship, lots of English humour and Richard Sinclair's vocals... how much better can you get?)
Kate Bush - Hounds of Love (her best album, progressive and accessible at the same time - lush, sensual and haunting)
Genesis - Selling England by the Pound (though I'm no great Genesis fan, this is a masterpiece - essential for any self-respecting proghead)
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Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 03:11
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Thanks for the added recommendations. I'll be sure to listen to all of them after some time. I don't think you guys should worry about me looking for the more accessible prog rock albums though since I am a fan of post-rock after all... and all experimentalism breaks loose in that genre as well  ( member_profile.asp?PF=3717&FID=3 - Ghost Rider , yeah you should get aquainted with the genre )I'm already seeing patterns as to what are the most recommended albums, and I'll be starting to look for them soon. |
Posted By: Man Made God
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 03:14
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Well, if you don't mind i'm gonna skip the limitation of 5. I'll just
put down some of the albums I like best in this genre. And remember,
I'm just a beginner Dream Theater - Scenes from a Memory Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Elememt pt. 1 Rush - 2112 Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Riverside - Out of Myself Deep Purple - Machine Head Ayreon - The Human Equation Opeth - Blackwater Park (or, if you don't like the grunts, there's only one left by Opeth, Damnation) ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/manmadegod/?chartstyle=ScarlettJohansson1"> 
Focus on the music... Focus! |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 03:45
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Hmmm, difficult... I see you like Jazz... jazz can also be quite diverse of course. Some recommendations: Jazz rock/fusion Nucleus - We'll Talk About It Later (a solid 5 star album, pretty much instrumental, apart from the final track. A great introduction to the world of jazz rock fusion. May also be worth seeking out their debut: Elastic Rock. You can get both album in one I believe. Mahavishnu Orchestra - The Inner Mounting Flame (quite a bit different to Nucleus, but very much worth the effort of listening to them) Miles Davis - Bitches Brew (I've yet to hear this, but this is a great place to start. The previous album is also a good place to start. Bitches Brew was one of the main albums to really get other bands interested in the jazz rock/fusion genre) Jazz (Canterbury scene) Caravan - In The Land of Grey and Pink (not their best album in my opinion, but the best place to start for a beginner. Great Hammond organ, great bass and singing and the lyrics are amusing at times) Hatfield and the North - The Rotter's Club (a bit more unusual than Caravan, but has the same bass player/vocalist as Caravan. They have more of a fusion tinge, but they're still Canterbury sounding.) Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom (maybe a difficult album to get into, but once it clicks, you absolutely fall in love with it. Quirky, original, thought provoking at times.) Soft Machine - The Soft Machine (aka Volume One) (Yet another seminal album to listen to, maybe the best place to start with the genre. Again, very quirky lyrics of the English variety, great drumming by Robert Wyatt, plus some juicy organ at times) Progressive rock/symphonic/art rock This is not quite so easy for me, as I do not own any Yes or Genesis, but I do own some Van der Graaf Generator (VdGG) and love this band to almost fanboy proportions. But, I do not recommend them at first, I recommend you seek out Genesis, Yes and maybe some Gentle Giant. VdGG will just be too hard on your ears I feel. Having said that, I started off on VdGG! King Crimson - Difficult to decide on them... they are one of the most diverse bands around. If you like metal, try Discipline or Thrak. If you like Jazz, try Lizard. If you prefer symphonic, harder rocking stuff, try In The Court of the Crimson King. If you like more avant-garde, noodly, experimental, try either Larks Tongues In Aspic, Red or Starless and Bible Black. RIO/Avant Prog I would say avoid this genre for now... but if you want to dip your feet and legs and hips into the water, then the following may help: Taal - Skymind (mad french people, but very very good) Alamaailman Vasarat - Either of their two albums (this will probably hurt your ears! But once they click, they click. They're from Finland and have two 'cellists, a drummer and a pump organist. A completely instrumental band, they can almost sound full on electric, producing some awe-inspiting metal!) Gong - The Flying Teapot trilogy of albums (I've only heard the one album and again, it's difficult on the ears, so approach with caution. Check out the Canterbury bands first, as Gong have a close association with the Canterbury genre). Mr. Bungle - A side project of Mike Patton's (Faith No More and Fantomas). I've yet to hear them, but I know they are a great band. Check out Disco Volante as a starting point. I'm not sure what else to advise to you. For now, avoid Zeuhl! Kraut Rock may interest you as well, check out bands like Can, Faust!, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze... I forgot prog metal! Opeth - Ghost Reveries (warning: contains death metal growls - my personal favourite metal band and I dislike death metal! If you don't appreciate death metal, then try they're non-death metal album Damnation) Pain of Salvation - I only have their debut, but they have one of the best vocalists in the genre (Daniel Gildenlow). Others are more qualified than I am to talk about them. Tool - Contain a bit of everything. If you decide you like King Crimson, then you may like some Tool also. If you like space rock, then they also have some elements of that genre too. They're probably the biggest band (fan wise) in the archives at the present time and I am sure you're aware of them already. I also forgot the space rock/psychedelic genre. Pink Floyd - The best place to start in this genre. I don't have any of their albums, but I am quite familiar with their output. Porcupine Tree - They are a little more diverse, bordering on rock and metal at times. I recommend Signify, In Absentia and Deadwing. Their live album Coma Divine Live is also a great place to start. Hidria Spacefolk - A Finnish band, completely instrumental, but if you like them from the off, you'll love them, they suck you in. Ozric Tentacles - I've yet to hear them, but they're one of the mainstays of the genre and have released a lot of albums. Definitely worth seeking out. You already know about post-rock it seems, so I do not really need to delve into that. Last of all. Good luck and welcome! -------------   
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 03:48
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Impossible to say really but here's a variety of essential prog albums recorded over a large span of years:
King Crimson -In The Court of The Crimson King (1969)
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (1975)
Rush - Moving Pictures (1981)
IQ - Ever (1992)
Tool - Lateralus (2000)
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Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 04:05
and don't forget no bass player either -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 04:08
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And mostly only one keyboard player of course (although Hugh Banton had an Hammond and a Farfisa in a single setup of course), except for when Peter Hammill took up (mainly) piano duties. -------------
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Posted By: eddietrooper
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 04:20
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King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King
ELP - Tarkus
Yes - Close To The Edge
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Genesis - Foxtrot.
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Posted By: DrGoon
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 04:36
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Can - Tago Mago (you may as well start with the greatest rock album by the greatest rock band of all time) Van der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts Genesis - Nursery Crime Pink Floyd - Meddle Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink So, there's some pretty different, influential and essential prog albums from 1971. I had to limit it somehow. |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 04:37
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Hey guys, I went on around the different discussions I've been following as well as all your suggestions on this thread, plus the top prog albums lists and I took a shot at a decent album lineup to introduce myself to this genre. Things I want to take into consideration regarding the album list: *** I didn't want to saturate the compilation with albums only from one specific time period, although if you guy would see, there are quite a lot of albums from the 70s, only a few from the 80s and 90s, and it picks up a bit around 2000. But I'm thinking that's maybe acceptable since in my understanding, a lot of the great prog rock albums were released in the 70s right? *** I also didn't want to focus on a certain sub-genre. Although I didn't want the compilation to be too varied either. Here's the list: (1969) king crimson - in the court of the crimson king (1971) jethro tull - aqualung (1971) van der graaf generator - pawn hearts (1972) yes - close to the edge (1973) genesis - selling england by the pound (1973) gentle giant - in a glass house (1975) camel - the snow goose (1975) pink floyd - wish you were here (1981) rush - moving pictures (1992) anglagard - hybris (1999) dream theater - metropolis part 2 scenes from a memory (2001) pain of salvation - the perfect element i (2004) ayreon - the human equation (2005) riverside - second life syndrome What do you guys think? Good intro to prog rock or it could use a lot more tweaking? Taking these things into consideration, maybe you guys could suggest which albums I could take out of this list and what I could include for it to be as even as possible - both with regards to the time period, and to the sub-genres involved. Thanks a lot! |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 04:46
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Take out Pawn Heats and start with H to He Who Am The Only One, as this is less harsh on the ears for a beginner. I don't want you to dislike a great band such as VdGG, after hearing such a great (yet sonically difficult album), such as Pawn Hearts. I've no other issues, except I don't really like Dream Theater! That's a pretty good list actually. But I think you need at least one Canterbury album, as well as at least one fusion album in that list. Canterbury: Caravan - In The Land of Grey and Pink Jazz Rock/Fusion: Mahavishnu Orchestra - The Inner Mounting Flame or Birds of Fire Oh yes and the best advice I can give you is: Go through the bands on the archives and listen to the streams of sample tracks (which are full length). Most of the bands in your list, if not all, should have at least one track available to listen to, the more diverse ones have even more. So please do check those out, before potentially spending money on something you will not like. -------------
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Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 04:58
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PSYCHEDELIC/KRAUT ROCK
CAN - TAGO MAGO
IKARUS - IKARUS
NEKTAR - A TAB IN THE OCEAN
ASH RA TEMPEL - ASH RA TEMPEL
ELOY - FLOATING
SYMPHONIC/ART ROCK
YES - CLOSE TO THE EDGE
GENESIS - FOXTROT
EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - TARKUS
CAMEL - MIRAGE
URIAH HEEP - LOOK AT YOURSELF
FOLK/EXPERIMENTAL ROCK
KEBNEKAJSE - KEBNEKAJSE II
FRANK ZAPPA - HOT RATS
JETHRO TULL - THICK AS A BRICK
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Posted By: sbrushfan
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 05:01
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How about:
Rush-A Farewell To Kings
Rush-Moving Pictures
Yes-Relayer
King Crimson-In The Court Of The Crimson King
Genesis-Selling England By The Pound
Yes-Fragile
Genesis-Foxtrot ------------- Some world views are spacious, and some are merely spaced... |
Posted By: Rocktopus
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 05:04
Good list, but I'd choose 'Ege Bamyasi'. ------------- Over land and under ashes In the sunlight, see - it flashes Find a fly and eat his eye But don't believe in me Don't believe in me Don't believe in me |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 05:14
Hey thanks for the advice, I thought about that and here's how it looks... Here's the list: (1969) king crimson - in the court of the crimson king (1970) van der graaf generator - h to he, who am the only one ../Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=1416 - (1971) mahavishnu orchestra - the inner mounting flame (1971) jethro tull - aqualung (1971) caravan - in the land of grey and pink (1972) yes - close to the edge (1973) genesis - selling england by the pound (1973) gentle giant - in a glass house (1975) camel - the snow goose (1975) pink floyd - wish you were here (1981) rush - moving pictures (1992) anglagard - hybris (1999) dream theater - metropolis part 2 scenes from a memory (2001) pain of salvation - the perfect element i (2004) ayreon - the human equation (2005) riverside - second life syndrome What do you guys think? Isn't this list getting a little too heavy on albums from the 70s? What about the 80s? Any good prog albums from that time period? Taking these things into consideration, maybe you guys could suggest which albums I could take out of this list and what I could include for it TO BE AS EVEN AS POSSIBLE - both with regards to the time period, and to the sub-genres involved. Thanks! |
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 05:24
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Top 5 essential prog rock albums - it's not possible to compile such a list, because there are far more than 5 sub genres. Each of the genres is essential, so to be really well informed about prog rock you'd at least need one album from each genre. ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to: 
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Posted By: borussia
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 05:26
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1 - VDGG - Pawn Hearts
2 - KING CRIMSON - In the Court
3 - PINK FLOYD - Animals
4 - MARILLION - Script
5 - I don't know. Probably another album ok the first 3 band!!!!!!!
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Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 06:16
So how do you think this list could improve? Isn't this list getting a little too heavy on albums from the 70s? What about the 80s? Any good prog albums from that time period? What more could I do to "even it out" so to speak? (1969) king crimson - in the court of the crimson king (1970) van der graaf generator - h to he, who am the only one ../Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=1416 - (1971) mahavishnu orchestra - the inner mounting flame (1971) jethro tull - aqualung (1971) caravan - in the land of grey and pink (1972) yes - close to the edge (1973) genesis - selling england by the pound (1973) gentle giant - in a glass house (1975) camel - the snow goose (1975) pink floyd - wish you were here (1981) rush - moving pictures (1992) anglagard - hybris (1999) dream theater - metropolis part 2 scenes from a memory (2001) pain of salvation - the perfect element i (2005) riverside - second life syndrome Thanks! |
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 06:24
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^that's a difficult question. I would:
- remove Riverside
- DSOTM instead of WYWH
- Include Spock's Beard - The Light
- Include Tool - Lateralus
- Octopus instead of In a Glass House
- Hemispheres instead of Moving Pictures
- Awake instead of Scenes From a Memory
- Include Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Grey
- Include Marillion - Script
- Include Frank Zappa - Hot Rats
- Include The Flower Kings - Space Revolver
But that's only me! ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to:
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Posted By: Jimbo
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 06:41
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If I were you, lastdodobird, I would check the top-rated albums from
each sub-genre, and choose those, because there are way too many
suggestions coming in at the moment IMO. But since you seem to be a fan of post-rock, I would definitely get King Crimson's Red rather than In The Court Of The Crimson King. Not that King Crimson has anything to do with post-rock, but I think Red is closer to the genre somehow (the same "atmosphere", perhaps?) ------------- 
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Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 07:12
Thanks! Well, I've already listened to DSotM so I guess I'll go with WYWH, and I've already listened (and loved) Zappa's Hot Rats, so I could also omit that too. Other than that, all the other suggestions will surely be looked into. Thanks!
Seeing that Red seems to be the second most popular KC album anyways. |
Posted By: Kid-A
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 07:19
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Well if you want something from the 80's, definitely Marillion - Script for a jesters tear ------------- 
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Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 09:35
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Newer Neo-Prog-
Satellite: The Street Between Sunrise And Sunset (just got it a few days ago and am floored by it) IQ: Dark Matter Pendragon: Masquerade Overture Additionally: Spock's Beard: V Neal Morse: Testimony, One, or ? Rush: Grace Under Pressure (all of my other favorites were mentioned, but I just love this disc) And last, but not least (what would a post from me be without a mention of my favorite): Marillion: Fish era - Misplaced Childhood, Script, Clutching At Straws H era - Seasons End, Brave, Afraid Of Sunlight, Marbles E ------------- 
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Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 11:58
| yeah, Marillion is probably the only artist I would get from the 80s... |
Posted By: Ghandi 2
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 12:11
I think you definately should switch Red for ITCOTCK, (with your taste, it's hard for me to see you liking more than the first track of In the Court...) Thick As A Brick for Aqualung, (I know TAAB is one long song, but it really doesn't feel like it--that's how good it is) and Relayer for Close to the Edge. (Relayer rocks much harder than CTTE; it has much better lyrics; and it a wonderful Jazz tint because of Moraz.) I don't have much experience with Gentle Giant, but from what I've heard Acquiring the Taste and Octopus are much more acessible, which is what you need when you're just starting with a band. However, since I have no direct experience with most of those other bands I'm not going to suggest anything further.
Oh yeah, I recommend you check out In Abstentia by Porcupine Tree if you some newer space-rock prog.(with a significant metal tint) ------------- "Never forget that the human race with technology is like an alcoholic with a barrel of wine." Sleepytime Gorilla Museum: Because in their hearts, everyone secretly loves the Unabomber. |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 13:09
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Get RED, instead of ITCOTCK. Will do... and I'll see if indeed it satisfies my post-rock appetite more than the latter
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Posted By: Zweck
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 13:22
..but you can also get the best King Crimson albums, a few Coil-albums, Japan and a bit more. |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 13:23
What specific albums did you have in mind Zweck? |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 03:22
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Well, I ultimately decided to split up my list into two: One for 70's prog-rock and one for modern prog-rock. Here are how the final lists are shaping up: 70's prog: (1969) king crimson - in the court of the crimson king (1970) van der graaf generator - h to he who am the only one (1971) caravan - in the land of grey and pink (1972) gentle giant - octopus (1972) yes - close to the edge (1973) emerson lake & palmer - brain salad surgery (1973) mahavishnu orchestra - birds of fire (1974) camel - mirage (1975) pink floyd - wish you were here (1976) genesis - a trick of the tail (1977) jethro tull - songs from the wood (1978) jethro tull - heavy horses (1979) pink floyd - the wall (1981) rush - moving pictures (1983) marillion - script for a jester's tear Modern prog: (1992) anglagard - hybris (1992) dream theater - images & words (1999) dream theater - metropolis part 2 scenes from a memory (1999) liquid tension experiment - liquid tension experiment 2 (2001) pain of salvation - the perfect element i (2001) tool - lateralus (2002) pain of salvation - remedy lane (2002) porcupine tree - in absentia (2004) ayreon - the human equation (2005) opeth - ghost reveries (2005) riverside - second life syndrome Pretty decent, or needs a lot of work? |
Posted By: N Ellingworth
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 03:38
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That looks like a very good list |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 03:41
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The modern stuff is metal heavy, which is ok if you're a metal fan. Instead of AToTT, I'd go with SEBTP maybe??? Only one Jethro Tull album is essential IMO too, and that would be Thick as a Brick. Other than that, it's a good list to start out with. ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: lastdodobird
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 04:30
But isn't most of the recent modern stuff predominantly metal heavy? I know very little modern prog act's which aren't metal. Any suggestions?
Well... call me obsessive compulsive (I am, a little actually, especially when it comes to music. Haha.), but I really wanted to get at least an album each from the dominant bands of this era, while at the same time getting at least an album each from each year... I was going over the album lists for the bands, and this is the combination of albums I came up with. Like, if I replaced AToTT for SEBTP, that would give me 0 albums from 1976 and 3 albums for 1973... And if I replaced both JT albums with Thick as a Brick, that woudl leave 0 albums for 1977 and 1978, and put 3 albums in 1972! It's crazy, I know... But I'll work on it. Hehe. Thanks! |
Posted By: Cheesecakemouse
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 04:34
Look everyone is going to keep correcting you and this thread will just go on forever, I don't 100% agree with it, but hey its a start, if I was you I'd start purchasing them, anyway your choice will alter
as what is available in the stores, I think you've got a good list, you may as well end this thread because we'll keep suggesting stuff and confusing you. These album will start you into the crazy world of prog, later on you can get into Krautrock and zheul etc, but this is a start. ------------- |
Posted By: Kleynan
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 04:38
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I don't see any problem with introducing a noob to Close to the Edge. It's one of the first prog cd's I owned, and I loved it the second time i heard it through. One of Yes' most accesible albums. Relayer however requires some time and patience. ------------- 
You've just had a heavy session of electroshock therapy, and you're more relaxed than you've been in weeks. |