Highest ranked Top Album completely unknown to you

 

Anyway, in order to more fully embrace the prog genre and find out what the fuss is about in terms of the classics, I ordered Close to the Edge and Selling England by the Pound a few months ago, as, believe it or not, I had never (knowingly) heard any of either.  From the reviews, it seemed I had nothing to lose.  However...

 

I listened to SEBtP first, and was immediately impressed.  It was clearly brilliant, and First of FIfth has become one of my favourite prog tracks.  I intend to get hold of some more early Genesis at some point.

 

Buoyed by this, I was looking forward to trying out the #1 rated album on the whole site - but boy, was I disappointed!  My first impressions, even beyond the first 3 minutes which include some of the worst music I have ever heard, was that the album was mostly uninspired self-indulgent twaddle.  Had it not been for that fact that CTTE is considered seminal I would not have bothered listening to it all, but I had to be missing something, so I pressed on and reluctantly listened to it again.

 

I have to admit it has improved after 3 listens, but I still cant' say I enjoy it.  THe first 3 minutes are at best misguided, at worst unlistenable musical w**kery.  The rest of the title track has its decent moments, but still plenty of dead time.  It doesn't help that I prefer a more modern bass tone (I am a bassist) and Squire's tone is about the worst I can imagine.  The second track (can't even remember the title) has mostly passed me by without retaining anything - I just don't find it memorable or inspired.  I felt nothing.

 

I'm quite expecting to be chased physically from this site at such heresy, but I am just being honest.  It wasn't as if I was prejudiced either - in fact I was fully expecting to love it. Perhaps my expectations have actually hindered my ability to enjoy it properly.  Maybe I'll come back later with my tail between my legs admitting it's actually quite good, but right now it gets 2 stars.

 

Anyway, back on topic - I can say with some certainty that I have never heard any of #2 Thick as a Brick!

Hey- I agree with you 100%, but Zarathustra is a freaking classic, Khan is also awesome, and Symbolic by Death is one of the best technical metal albums ever (if you dont count that written in waters also came out that year and was even MORE ahead of its time than anything chuck ever did)

Don't Have: Unquestionable Presence (126)

#25.. Harmonium...Si On Avait...I have heard some of it on you tube....and #34..Opeth with Still Life...don't think I have heard any of that album.

Rock Bottom-Robert Wyatt

Zarathustra-Museo Rosenbach

Time Control-Hirome Uehara

Space Shanty-Khan

Part the Second-Maudlin of the Well

Uzed-Universe Zero

Anabelas-Bubu

Symbolic-Death

Memento Z Banalnym Tryptkiem-SBB

Choirs of the Eye-Kayo Dot

Those are the ones I haven't listened to, most of those ranked between 90-100.

 

This would be it, if there wasn't SW's latest album at spot 28

And his previous would be the next one spot 40

 

Basically it would come down to naming Wilson, Opeth and Theater (twice each) in the top 60 ... Though I will admit to having heard some of those three's music at one point or another