EQUINOX

The Grand Illusion usually gets all the attention, but I for one prefer Equinox. It's kind of the bridge album between their earlier proggier albums and their later commercial successes. Their sound is still very prog-like here, echoes of Rush and Yes crop up all over the place, but songs like "Loreli" have a pop-rock sound as well that would only become more pronounced later on. "Light Up" is the band's ode to marijuana, and "Mother Dear" and "Suite Madame Blue" boast more complex arrangements and some pretty crazy synth effects. The whole album is great, although I wouldn't recommend it for all prog fans.