10 most important albums in prog's history

Valarius wrote: But this thread is about 'important' albums, not 'best' albums.   'Images and Words' is arguably one of the most important albums in the history of prog metal.

Images and Words is an infantile attempt on progressive metal. Go to Awake or Train of Thought for the real deal. And of course Scenes from a Memory is even better.

Valarius wrote: This thread is seriously lacking some 'Images and Words' by Dream Theater.   Ok ok it's not as 'important' as Yes or King Crimson, but Prog probably wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for Dream Theater.

brainstormer wrote: Epignosis wrote: Alitare wrote: I'll correct your error, Rob - It's a half prog, half folk, all boring.  That's what I meant but never said.  Tank is very innovative and was the first example of a really crushing synth/rock jam.

Epignosis wrote: Alitare wrote: I'll correct your error, Rob - It's a half prog, half folk, all boring.  That's what I meant but never said.

Tank is very innovative and was the first example of a really
crushing synth/rock jam. 

BaldJean wrote: it is highly interesting that no-one mentioned "Psychedelic Underground" by Amon Düül. anyone who is familiar with Krautrock should know about the importance of this album. it is incredibly bad, but that is exactly why it was so important. there had already been many German bands at least two years before that album came out, but none had dared to make an album out of a kind of inferiority complex. after this incredibly bad album no band needed to have an inferiority complex anymore; they could hardly be worse than that. and suddenly many bands made their first album. the importance of "Psychedelic Underground" for the development of Krautrock can't be overestimated; it was much more important for the development of Krautrock than "In the Court of the Crimson King" was for the development of prog. had there been no ITCOTCK prog rock would have happened nevertheless; many bands were already working on something similar. had there been no "Psychedelic Underground" it is highly doubtful Krautrock would ever have happened

Interesting.  I must go and buy it.

it is highly interesting that no-one mentioned "Psychedelic Underground" by Amon Düül. anyone who is familiar with Krautrock should know about the importance of this album. it is incredibly bad, but that is exactly why it was so important. there had already been many German bands at least two years before that album came out, but none had dared to make an album out of a kind of inferiority complex. after this incredibly bad album no band needed to have an inferiority complex anymore; they could hardly be worse than that. and suddenly many bands made their first album.
the importance of "Psychedelic Underground" for the development of Krautrock can't be overestimated; it was much more important for the development of Krautrock than "In the Court of the Crimson King" was for the development of prog. had there been no ITCOTCK prog rock would have happened nevertheless; many bands were already working on something similar. had there been no "Psychedelic Underground" it is highly doubtful Krautrock would ever have happened

1. Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's:  It started it all, really.
2. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King:  Many would say this started it all. It came close.
3. King Crimson - Red:  The best of the bunch; meticulously crafted.
4. Yes - Close to the Edge:  The band's trademark sound augmenting stupefying lyrics.
5. Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery:  All stops pulled out.
6. Van der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts:  A fan favorite that even comes with Fripp!
7. Maxophone - Maxophone:  These guys apparently knew when to quit. A defining example of the Italian sound.
8. Camel - Mirage:  Fluid and seamless. Perhaps the artiest of the original line-up.
9. RDM - Contimination:  More a demonstration than a concept album. Missing only the kitchen sink.
10. Genesis - A Trick of the Tail:  Easily the band's best production and on the heels of an overpublicized exit.

Not necessarily in this order and only IMHO.

ghost_of_morphy wrote: esky wrote: ghost_of_morphy wrote: From a historical perspective, with justifications.   1.  The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed.  No matter what anybody tells you, this was the first prog album. 2.  King Crimson - In The Court of King Crimson.  The album that most people believe began the prog movement. 3.  The New Trolls - Concerto Gross Per 1.  The birth of the Italian Prog movement. 4.  Genesis - Foxtrot.  One of two albums that comes to define classic prog. 5.  Yes - Close to the Edge.  The other album that defines classic prog. 6.  Marillion - Script for a Jester's Tear.  The album that resurrects prog in the English speaking world. 7.  Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon.  This was popular for an insanely long time, bringing prog to the masses. 8, King Crimson - Discipline. In the wasteland of the '80's, Fripp kept the torch lit. 9  Premiata Forneria Marconi - Per Un Amico.   The crown jewel of the Italian prog movement. 10.  Rush - Permanent Waves.  This kept the prog fires alive during times that were growing increasingly darker.   It saddens me that I could not find room for ELP or The Flower Kings in this list. You still can - just flush the Rush and eradicate Marillion. I can understand flushing the Rush.  There are plenty of other albums that could hit that 10 spot.  Gotta love Marilion for resurrecting a genre though, whether you like them or not.

In no Particular order: