Collaborators Top Prog-Rock Albums 2008

1. Opeth - Watershed
A popular, even if not fully aclaimed new Opeth release, Watershed ends up as 2008's Top Collaborator pick. Prog Reviewer Nightfly was one of the members who praised Watershed, so here's a quote from his review: "[...]although Opeth have released a number of excellent albums in the past, with Watershed they have hit a new peak with an album combining all their past elements and produced their most diverse release to date."

2. Il Bacio della Medusa - Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante
It should be mentioned that, unlike Opeth, Il Bacio di Medusa's second album was nominated the best album by our Collaborators more than any other album (but lost at points). Surprising, impressive work, but let's give the mike to Honorary Collaborator and Italian Prog Specialist Finnforest on this one: "You really get the whole package here: amazing composition, passionate performance, great melody, and tons of enthusiasm and spark. This is a band that pays homage to the greatest ‘70s Italian bands, English bands like Purple and Tull, and even flash the bluesy burn of Wicked Minds or Jack White."


3. The Tangent - Not As Good As The Book

No doubt, The Tangent treated their fans remarkably this year, with a release full of easter eggs besides the music, Not As Good As The Book ending up debated whether or not it's the band's best, and whether or not Tillison and his fellow musicians have outdone themselves this time. The following excerpt is from a review written by Special Collaborator King By-Tor: "[...]a must have album. It takes a bit for this album to grow on you, but after three or four spaced out listens you might find yourself coming back to it every single day needing more. 5 Soho Jazz clubs out of 5!"

4. Pendragon - Pure

Pure is definitely one of the albums that received overwhelming marks from its fans and other listeners, but more importantly, the word "change" was on many people's lips. Symphonic & Neo Prog Specialist Iván Melgar Morey explains: "[...]they have not left behind their natural sound, they have sharpened it and mixed [...] a new and unexpected sound in the border that divides Neo, Symphonic and Heavy Prog."

5. Beardfish - Sleeping In Traffic: Part Two

Swedish in-form and in-vogue band Beardfish completed their two-part concept album "Sleeping in Traffic" in two consecutive years. Succesful in almost every way. If last year "Part One" earned a rather low spot (place 87!), this time "Part Two" received more than enough mentions from Collaborators, ending in the top 5 accordingly. Prog Reviewer Liquid Eternity describes it as "[...]the stronger, more creative, more unique album. The whole album is very strong and very individual. [...] For a young and not well-known band, this is a tremendous release and one that needs much more attention. Fans of just about any style of melodic music will find something to appreciate here."

6. Steven Wilson - Insurgentes

"Overall an enjoyable, solid effort from STEVEN WILSON, which will keep legions of fans happy until the release of the next PORCUPINE TREE/STEVEN WILSON album." (valravennz, PA VIP member)

7. Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward

"This is most emphatically not easy music to just dive into unless Avant Garde tends to be your bread and butter of music listening, but with time and patience you will find many strong melodies and quirks that create a memorable experience, and this is the hallmark of any truly great album..." (sleeper, Prog Metal Specialist)

8. The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath

"With The Bedlam in Goliath, The Mars Volta have created a very fast-paced, aggressive yet both funky, melodic/memorable and powerful record..." (Moatilliatta, Prog Reviewer)

9. Cynic - Traced In Air

"This album tells a story, the music intertwines and connects after a few listens. There is really no way for me to put this album down in any way. A perfect score is well deserved here." (ProgBagel, Prog Reviewer)

10. Meshuggah - obZen

"...in the threshold of another brutal experience but with some changes." (The T, Prog Metal Specialist) "Back to the good old days, a return to the Chaos." (OpethGuitarist, Prog Reviewer) "Meshuggah at it´s best!" (el böthy, Prog Reviewer)

Admins' Choices