The Ultimate PA Album List - Results!!!

#40 The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium
(9 votes - 1946 points) Highest rating: #2 by Heyitsthatguy
This album is, by no doubt in my mind, an Essential addition to any collection. The mars Volta are one of the most original and most important bands of the 21st century and this is, also without a doubt, their seminal album.Its an explosive record with some great atmospheric passages interspersed throughout both the songs and within the songs themselves.This is an essential album for anyone wishing to call themselves a progressive music aficionado and one of the most important releases of the last few decades.(Keiser Willhelm #15)

#39 Pain of Salvation - BE
(9 votes - 1979 points) Highest rating: #4 by Keiser Willhelm, Heyitsthatguy
An over the top yet relevant concept ties in with orchestra backed music to make their most progressive, if perhaps least metal, release in their career. Daniel Gildenlow's vocals shine throughout, from crying the plight of a doomed human race to the snide, condescending, and deliciously self interested musings of a certain Mr. Money. I like this one too (Heyitsthatguy)

#38 Gentle Giant - In a Glass House
(11 votes - 1990 points) Highest rating: #1 by Atavachron
An outfit so well-versed in myriad musics and so able to pull the very best from each member, that there are moments on this 1973 release that dwarf contemporaries and make Yes and Tull look like schoolchildren. Consequently, there is not a slow or insignificant moment on 'In a Glass House' and it remains the enormous masterwork it was then. This band is a glory to behold and we're left wondering why other prog acts so consistantly took the spotlight of history. No matter really, Gentle Giant made great records for us to enjoy forever. It doesn't get any better.(Atavachron)

#37 Ayreon - The Human Equation
(10 votes - 2042 points) Highest rating: #3 by Lofcaudio
This album grabbed me in the very first listen (not always a good thing) and has continued to thrill my ears on subsequent listens (definitely a good thing).With every song being loaded with numerous vocalists, there is never a dull moment despite the length of the entire album. I highly recommend this piece of art. It has left me stunned. (Lofcaudio)

#36 Van der Graaf Generator - H to He Who Am the Only One
(10 votes - 2072 points) Highest rating: #5 by Man With Hat
I don't know exactly why, but I find this to be a very enjoyable album to listen to. I enjoy its operatic and majestic nature which can switch from introspective musings to bombastic proclaimations. Truly an epic album of expression and creativity, which contains my favorite songs by Van der Graaf Generator. Although I feel that the band had progressed from here as musicans, this is the album I always find myself coming back to. (Moreitsythanyou #30)

#35 Premiata Forneria Marconi - Per Un Amico
(11 votes - 2127 points) Highest rating: #7 by Martinn
Per Un Amico is widely regarded as the landmark Italian Symphonic album. Its five songs range from exciting to haunting to beautiful. It proves that great music can surpass language barriers remains an excellent example of symphonic rock today, even against the British favorites. (Moreitsythanyou #92)

#34 Yes - The Yes Album
(14 votes - 2180 points) Highest rating: #5 by Atavachron
My introduction to the wonderful world that is Yes, and it couldn’t have been a better one. “The Yes album” may not be as colossal as "Close to the edge", "Tales..." or “Relayer” and yes, Tony Kaye obviously is not Rick Wakeman, but I still like it , and a lot. A classic!!! (El Böthy #29)

#33 Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element Part 1
(10 votes - 2233 points) Highest rating: #1 by Sleeper
On creating The Perfect Element Part 1 it appears that Pain of Salvation have created the perfect album. To me its a deep and emotionally involving concept that draws you in and makes you feel for the characters. In-fact this concept is the key to why I enjoy this album so much.The Perfect Element is one of those strange albums that proves to be the easiest starting point for the band in question whilst holding such huge reserves of emotional and musical depth that it remains as a fast favourite. (sleeper)

#32 Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (Zoso)
(11 votes - 2242 points) Highest rating: #3 by 1800iareyay, EnglishAssassin)
This is arguably the greatest rock record ever recorded, i certainly consider it so. Led Zeppelin at their finest. Stunning effort. i have owned this since the tender age of 7 and have enjoyed every year of it. hasnt gotten old yet! essential for ANY music fan, prog or otherwise. (Keiser Willhelm #6)

#31 Opeth - Still Life
(11 votes - 2273 points) Highest rating: #1 by enteredwinter
This is one of the very few albums that felt life-changing to me upon first hearing it. It was like nothing I had ever heard before, and I loved it. If metal (or prog-metal) is something you enjoy generally and if you can stomach the growl-vocals then what you will find is some extraordinarily well-written music within this album. There is an unbelievably well-done blend of intense growl/distortion parts mixed with clean-vocal/acoustic-guitar parts.(enteredwinter)