A look at the best prog albums through the years

 

Part 21: Prog Poll through the years 1987

Top 10 - Here is the prog poll for definitive albums of 1987.

A more mainstream sound creeping into prog but these 10 albums still delivered in an ordinary year for prog.

 

Clutching At Straws – Marillion

 

Killing Technology – Voivod

 

Within The Realm of a Dying Sun – Dead Can Dance

 

Hall Of The Mountain King – Savotage

 

Hold Your Fire – Rush

 

Crest of a Knave – Jethro Tull

 

A Momentary Lapse of Reason – Pink Floyd

 

Gaudi – Alan Parsons Band

 

Bi Kyo Ran Live I: Fairy Tales – Bi Kyo Ran

 

Joe’s Garage Acts I, II and III – Frank Zappa

 

 

The results:

Clutching At Straws – Marillion	21	[25.30%]
Killing Technology – Voivod	1	[1.20%]
Within The Realm of a Dying Sun – Dead Can Dance	3	[3.61%]
Hall Of The Mountain King – Savotage	3	[3.61%]
Hold Your Fire – Rush	7	[8.43%]
Crest of a Knave – Jethro Tull	7	[8.43%]
A Momentary Lapse of Reason – Pink Floyd	21	[25.30%]
Gaudi – Alan Parsons Band	0	[0.00%]
Bi Kyo Ran Live I: Fairy Tales – Bi Kyo Ran	1	[1.20%]
Joe’s Garage Acts I, II and III – Frank Zappa	11	[13.25%]
OTHER (specify in post)	8	[9.64%]

 

The others:

Tyger - Tangerine Dream

 

Sand – Allan Holdsworth

 

Big Generator – Yes

 

Berlin – Art Zoyd

 

The Perfect Prescription – Spacemen 3

 

Killing Time - Skip

 

 

 

The poll locked up as you can see for a while:

 

Marillion and Pink Floyd were battling it out. I would have rather Pink Floyd of the two.

However, this was the second draw and I love both albums so no harm done.

 

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

 

 

 

FOR THE SECOND TIME, WE HAVE A DRAW!

 

 

 

 

**** Neo-prog progenitors Marillion's followup to the “Misplaced Childhood” masterpiece certainly does not disappoint and features some of the tracks that permeated their live concerts. Fish was a commanding theatrical presence during this early era  and knew how to move an audience through an emotional experience using just the right dramatic intonation and costumes to evoke a response. He was a master vocalist similar to Peter Gabriel in the early Genesis phase.

Musically the band are legendary implementing into the songs intricate structures, the pleasant synths of Mark Kelly, strong melodies held together by the drums of Ian Mosley and the basslines of Pete Trewavas, and of course the powerful lead breaks of Steve Rothery. 

Of course the drawcard is the vocals of Fish; a key element to the brilliance of the early incarnation of the band. The band were the dominant force of the prog 80s. If it were not for bands like Marillion or Rush, prog would have suffered during the difficult 80s period.

 
Fish story telling vocals are prominent such as on ‘Hotel hobbies’, ‘Warm wet circles’ and ‘That time of the night (The short straw)’. The reverberated guitars and synths generate an ambience as Fish softly croons.

These first 3 tracks flow together seamlessly. Then the first power ballad comes with ‘Going under’. The vocals are exquisite, “I’m going under fast, slipping fast, am I so crazy”, and very spacey symphonic textures draw the listener in.

‘Just for the record’ has a faster tempo and heavier guitars and drums. The 80s synths are everpresent but this also has some heavy distorted guitar. The synth solo is terrific and it has a striking melody. A howling wind begins ‘White Russian’. Fish sings “where do we go from here” until a driving riff motors along and the next verses are sung more forcefully with images of terror, war, poppies on the cenotaph, the holocaust and uzzies on the street corner. Fish sings with insightful conviction “replace our faith in human rights” in this anti-war song that is a highlight on the album. It finishes with a musical box song, a nice touch.

 
‘Incommunicado’ is one of the fan favourites sung many times live, and it features a prevailing hook, and fast beat with progressive time sig changes. This one is a blockbuster, loud and brash, it breaks through the serenity with some stunning organ runs and Fish at his most roguish, singing aggressively and abrasively.

A quiet guitar begins ‘Torch song’ and Fish is temperate in mood, “burn a little brighter now”. There are some narrative sections over a chiming synth and guitar. It segues directly into the melodic ‘Slàinte Mhath’.Fish is excellent on this, “this is the story so far”, and the guitars of Rothery are hypnotic. The music on this album is truly infectious.  

‘Sugar mice’ is a Marillion classic with very serene passages in the verses and a commercial sound suitable or radio. In fact it was a single for the band. The lyrics are quite iconic, “I heard Sinatra calling me down through the floors”. The power ballads of the 80s are an 80s fixture and this is Marillion’s version. It builds in the mid section with loud lead guitar break, effective bassline and 4/4 percussion. The straight forward feel is welcome after the more intricate songs. The wonderful melody is soaring and easy to soak in to the system.  

‘The last straw’ closes the album and features Fish performing a duet with the powerhouse vocals of Tessa Niles. It closes the album with a soulful approach and the repeated phrase “we’re clutching at straws” is echoed by Niles’ “still drowning”. Thus ends a very effective album with consistent quality and some of Marillion’s best material. 1987was admittedly a weak year for prog but “Clutching at Straws” was one of the saviours as far as prog was concerned.  

Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - January 07 2012 at 07:38

octopus-4 wrote: Genesis? That's Freudian

Well spotted! Fixed - thanks

Ugh, if people think that Marillion and Pink Floyd made the best albums of 1987, they're really clutching at straws.  I'd like to blame it on a momentary lapse of reason. ;)

(think I already made that joke in the thread -- oh well).

Ich bin ein Berliner.

It's not a strong year according to my collection, even for this avant-prog lover (for my tastes, avant-prog is the strongest category throughout the 80's); however, I do like Art Zoyd's Berlin very much (which was my "other" choice).  Art Zoyd's under-recognised at PA, I feel, but that's according to my taste.
 

4.19 | 9 ratings
Berlin
1987

I also like Eider Stellaire's III (Zeuhl) a fair amount and some others.

Rune2000 wrote: Why was the 1977 poll added the 1978 post? It's an excellent Blog nonetheless!

I can't understand this? Did i add 1977 albums to 1978 poll? I checked that on the PA and it seemed right.

Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - May 27 2010 at 05:25

Part 23: Prog Poll through the years 1989

 

Top 15 - Here is the prog poll for definitive albums of 1989.

Prog was suffering again and this is the best of the bad bunch.

 

Perfect Symmetry – Fates Warning

 

Naked City - Naked City

 

Reflections – 2066 & Then

 

Nothingface – Voivod

 

Passion – Peter Gabriel

 

 Control and Resistance – Watchtower

 

Sacred Baboon – Yezda Urfa

 

Gutter Ballet – Savatage

 

 The Girl Who Was... Death – Devil Doll

 

Season’s End – Marillion

 

Pungent Effulgent – Ozric Tentacles

 

When Dream and Day Unite – Dream Theater

 

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe - Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe

 

Presto – Rush

 

The Best and The Rest of - Atomic Rooster

 

The results:

Perfect Symmetry – Fates Warning	5	[6.58%]
Naked City - Naked City	3	[3.95%]
Reflections – 2066 & Then	0	[0.00%]
Nothingface – Voivod	4	[5.26%]
Passion – Peter Gabriel	8	[10.53%]
Control and Resistance – Watchtower	1	[1.32%]
Sacred Baboon – Yezda Urfa	5	[6.58%]
Gutter Ballet – Savatage	2	[2.63%]
The Girl Who Was... Death – Devil Doll	4	[5.26%]
Season’s End – Marillion	9	[11.84%]
Pungent Effulgent – Ozric Tentacles	6	[7.89%]
When Dream and Day Unite – Dream Theater	0	[0.00%]
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe - Anderson, Bruford, Wak	20	[26.32%]
Presto – Rush	3	[3.95%]
The Best and The Rest of - Atomic Rooster	1	[1.32%]
OTHER (specify in post)	5	[6.58%]

 

The Others:

 

Gretchen Goes to Nebraska - Kings X

  

Disintegration – The Cure

 

The Portrait Of A Boy - Horizont

I posted:

Great voting proggers, but this was a ridiculous year for prog and Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe are winners easily! 

 

AND THE WINNER IS...

 

My review is coming eventually:

 

 

Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - October 20 2014 at 06:23

halabalushindigus wrote: all I can say is AtomicCrimsonRush, you have made your mark. Well done

Thank you!!!!

Wow - I'm both amazed and delighted that Master of Puppets was runner-up for 1986.

Edited by Certif1ed - June 09 2010 at 06:07

squire4001 wrote: You have made a great collection of amazing albums of every decade.. I cant wait for the next compilation of 90´s albums! Great stuff dude!

Thanks so much

Part 24: Prog Poll through the years 1990

 

Top 15 - Here is the prog poll for definitive albums of 1990.

A poor year for prog in a new decade but there were some treasures and a new genre with technical extreme metal as this list shows.

 

 

Amarok – Mike Oldfield

 

A Social Grace – Psychotic Waltz

 

Slow Dance – Anthony Phillips

 

Overground Music – After Crying

 

Erpland – Ozric Tentacles

 

Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors – Fish

 

Empire – Queensryche

 

U Totem – U Totem

 

Velha Gravura – Quaterna Requiem

 

The Wood of Tales – Malibran

 

Dirge – Mr Sirius

 

Patchwork – Arakeen

 

Arti e Mestieri - Live

 

Live au Bataclan 1973 – Gong

 

Room Temperature – Peter Hammill

 

 

The results:

Amarok – Mike Oldfield	10	[18.52%]
A Social Grace – Psychotic Waltz	5	[9.26%]
Slow Dance – Anthony Phillips	3	[5.56%]
Overground Music – After Crying	1	[1.85%]
Erpland – Ozric Tentacles	16	[29.63%]
Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors – Fish	3	[5.56%]
Empire – Queensryche	8	[14.81%]
U Totem – U Totem	3	[5.56%]
Velha Gravura – Quaterna Requiem	0	[0.00%]
The Wood of Tales – Malibran	0	[0.00%]
Dirge – Mr Sirius	0	[0.00%]
Patchwork – Arakeen	0	[0.00%]
Arti e Mestieri - Live	0	[0.00%]
Live au Bataclan 1973 – Gong	0	[0.00%]
Room Temperature – Peter Hammill	1	[1.85%]
OTHER (specify in post)	4	[7.41%]

 

 

The Others:

 

World Sinfonia – Al Di Meola

 

 

 

AND THE WINNER IS...

 

 

My Review coming soon:

Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - October 20 2014 at 06:30