Looking back at the Prog Year 2013

My question is simple: which Prog album released in 2013 was the biggest surprise (or simply achievement) for you and vice versa, which was the biggest disappointment?

It is possible to extend the question yet: Which musical event (some concert, change, leaving of musicians, etc.) are you most interested in, whether negatively or positively, last year?

Biggest surprise was probably Blue Cranes, a new band to me with a wonderful release. Also the ashes of Rational Diet producing two bands as good as 5 Storey Ensemble and Archestra.

Disappointment was not getting the chance to see the Steve Wilson tour as domestic logistics intervened.

Big highlight was the week in France attending Soleil Zeuhl and RIO Festivals. Stellar line-ups at both with Present being stunningly monstrous.

Ulver's Messe I.X. — VI.X was the biggest surprise I didn't expected such breathtaking work after extremelly dull 'Childhood's End'.

Shining's 'One one One' is a bit close to disappointment. Such a poppy album after monumental 'Blackjazz'

As for musical events, iamthemorning Kickstarter campaign really caught my attention. Also, Katatonia/Opeth/Steven Wilson live show in last April should have been a mindblowing event, but I had no chance to visit it


Edited by ole-the-first - January 12 2014 at 14:30

Biggest surprise was Sigur Ros's new edgier side, Arcade Fire's magnum opus, and Depeche Mode's great album. 

JD wrote: Stool Man wrote: Bowie album was the biggest surprise, obviously. I would agree, in that it was a huge surprise that Bowie would release such a dull, boring and uninspired album at a time in his life when he has all the time in the world to produce stellar work. Ziggy ! ...pull up your socks and get'r done. We deserve and expect better from you.

Ziggy's an old man and getting mellow ......and he's lucky he has that album in him.

Horizons wrote: Biggest surprise was Sigur Ros's new edgier side

No kidding, when I saw them live at Roskilde Festival they easily reached Neurosis or Swans levels of heaviness in some parts! Great concert by the way, with the type of light show I imagine Pink Floyd or Hawkwind to have had back in 1973.

Biggest surprise for me is Causa Sui's Euporie Tide. It's also a matter of national pride for me, that a Danish band has now placed themselves at the forefront of modern progressive rock and the current wave of 1960s/1970s psychedelia revivalism. With that album CS have shown themselves exactly how to continue the style while doing interesting new things with it.

Toaster Mantis wrote: Horizons wrote: Biggest surprise was Sigur Ros's new edgier side No kidding, when I saw them live at Roskilde Festival they easily reached Neurosis or Swans levels of heaviness in some parts! Great concert by the way, with the type of light show I imagine Pink Floyd or Hawkwind to have had back in 1973.

Triceratopsoil wrote: Horizons wrote: Disappointments were..   Hubardo,  Austin u drunk

Me two...

Horizons wrote: Disappointments were..  Russian Circles

2013 was the glorious year for contemporary prog. So many great albums, especially the brilliant debuts.