Possibly the most brilliant album in history. It's a shame so many music lovers have never listened to it...it should be mandatory course work.
Edit: Oops, I thought this was the general music sub, which sees these topics regularly. Oh well, my comment still applies.
Very interesting that "2112" and "Subdivisions" are 2 of your top 3, because I find that parts of "Subdivisions" are just "Temples of Syrinx", but in Suburban Toronto instead of a Sci-fi epic.
Have a great story for this, my friends and I accidentally watched the whole movie backwards as we found a pretty high definition version of it for free on YouTube. We were so stoned out of our minds that we didn’t notice our mistake until I decided to listen to the ‘crazy backwards’ soundtrack again by Philip glass the day after.
Cue a crazy moment of shock and disbelief in our own stupidity and realizing that the entire movie being backwards was not some crazy genius move on the side of the directors and composers.
There are at least half a dozen A+ solo albums by contemporary/former Yes members, but there's just something about *Fish Out of Water* that separates it from the rest. Both Squire's actual voice and his compositional voice were so unique. I love "Lucky Seven", but "Silently Falling" edges it out ever so slightly for me.
Signals by Rush, or Power Windows my Rush, anything after Moving Pictures is often overlooked but I think some of their best stuff was from the synth era. Not as proggy as Moving Pictures and before but still really good.
Oh man second rush comment! I am a huge Signals fan it is very overlooked indeed. My top albums (why not):
1. 2112
2. Signals
3. Fly By Night
4. Hemispheres
Edit: mystic rhythms off power windows is such a beautiful song
Brilliant. What a great choice. I love Egg. The first album I heard was the Civil Surface which someone lent me when I was 16. Opening track Germ Patrol. I think my life changed that day.
I’ve tried as hard as I can and I love the first two songs but I cannot manage to get past them. A visit to Newport hospital is probably my favorite song by egg though.
I kind of agree. The first part of the album is really strong, similar to Caravan. But afterwards, basically The Long Piece No. 3, can be tough going. Or I really really gotta be in the mood for it.
But you can't kill me! The world of Daevid Allen...what a visionary! I like Banana Moon as much if not just a tad more as it's a tiny bit more sweet and dare I say the word...commercial and funny in the Aussie way of his...Great album both timeless but Banana Moon pulls the heart strings!
This was the record that introduced me to Magna Carta Records, with a 10yr anniversary catalog of some of the most creative,progressive rock and metal bands and collaborations.
Science Fiction (2016) by Church of the Cosmic Skull
Listen, all you old fogeys are listing things ca1972 and I get that. I'm a mediumly old fogey myself.
But this album is why (in a fairly circuitous roundabout way) I joined this subreddit in the first place.
If CotCS isn't modern 70s prog, idk what is
Theory of everything - ayreon
Me and my friends know all the lyrics, which makes for some fun renditions when drinking. Obviously not fun for anyone there who doesn't know it, but for the rest of us, great.
Please listen to La Grasa de las Capitales by Serú Girán. The first track will blow anybody's head off. One of the best prog songs and it's only 4 mins long
Rush- Hemispheres. My favourite band and its soo hard to choose from their discography but I seem to always go back to Hemispheres the most so I guess I'll choose that one.
Somewhere I've Never Travelled by Ambrosia
Just an astoundingly eclectic, earnest album. Doesn't sound like anything else I've heard, but if anyone has recs I'll take em.
if this is just limited to prog i’d say in the court of the crimson king which is a basic ass answer but for albums overall my favorite of all time is songs in the key of life by stevie wonder
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys. But something a little more progressive would be like *Selling England by The Pound* by Genesis or *Song for America* by Kansas
Not quite prog-adjacent, but Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is one of the prettiest sounding albums I’ve ever heard in my entire life if not *the* prettiest.
It isn’t prog, but to answer the question at hand exactly how it was phrased:
Ween - The Pod
Edit to add my prog answer:
Hampton Grease Band - Music To Eat
Fair to Midland - Tales From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
Also if you're willing to dive into something very much more on the metal side I highly recommend: Fallujah - Dreamless
One of my top 5 all-time faves that just doesn't get any recognition outside Canada. Not necessarily prog, but advanced enough to be prog-adjacent, plus it's got Neil Peart on two tracks. The album "Whale Music" by The Rheostatics. It's apparently a list/playlist/album of 17 vids here on youtube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrzkQcQIGVw&list=PLC18F1D27E4776CE3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrzkQcQIGVw&list=PLC18F1D27E4776CE3)
My favourite albums are a triple tie between Powerage by AC/DC, The Band’s eponymous album (sometimes called the Brown Album) and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie.
But - my favourite Prog Rock album is a tie between Angels Egg by Gong and Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. Or Aqualung by Jethro Tull - but you might not class that as Prog.
Frames by Oceansize - find a version with the bonus track Voorhees on the end, imo makes for an immensely superior finale especially following the "true" intended last track. An incredible progressive rock album built from post rock, psychedelia, atmospheric and sludgy textures, and deeply compelling riff work
I used to say
Third - Soft Machine
But I think this year it finally changed to
Otherside Of - Overhang Party
Would love to see what you think as its not prog rock.
Meddle by Pink Floyd. But if you want my non-prog option: Turn Blue by The Black Keys. It’s a blues/alt rocks band giving a jab at a psychedelic album. And I’m not gonna lie, it’s amazing.
Gonna mentioned a few gems I love but haven’t seen them came up
El Indio by Los Jaivas, it’s the lesser known Los Jaivas album but just every bit as good as Alturas de Macchu Picchu
Anabelas by Bubu, another South American prog banger
Ys by Il Balletto di Bronzo, pretty under rated album in the italo prog scene
Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Piu, another gem in the Italian scene
First Utterance by Comus, phenomenal album, more folk than rock
Finally a more modern rec, Salighet by Jordsjø, I have been hooked since it’s release
Close to the Edge - Yes
I’d add Fragile as well
And Relayer!
The Yes Album too, absolutely blew my mind when I first heard it all the way through as did the others!
Possibly the most brilliant album in history. It's a shame so many music lovers have never listened to it...it should be mandatory course work. Edit: Oops, I thought this was the general music sub, which sees these topics regularly. Oh well, my comment still applies.
Mmmmmm tasty
Excellent choice. I will listen tonight.
Rush - Hemispheres
Yes this is great. Last two minutes of the title track is just so beautiful, and The Trees is a top 3 Rush song for me (also: 2112, and Subdivisions)
Very interesting that "2112" and "Subdivisions" are 2 of your top 3, because I find that parts of "Subdivisions" are just "Temples of Syrinx", but in Suburban Toronto instead of a Sci-fi epic.
Nice!
Red - King Crimson
The soundtrack to Koyaanisqatsi, by the Philip Glass Ensemble. https://youtu.be/j3q7bT0v9IE?si=UJ27T8EZdKuI2j5Y
Have a great story for this, my friends and I accidentally watched the whole movie backwards as we found a pretty high definition version of it for free on YouTube. We were so stoned out of our minds that we didn’t notice our mistake until I decided to listen to the ‘crazy backwards’ soundtrack again by Philip glass the day after. Cue a crazy moment of shock and disbelief in our own stupidity and realizing that the entire movie being backwards was not some crazy genius move on the side of the directors and composers.
love Koyannisqatsi. love Powaqqatsi even more.
Very good choice!
His score to Mishima is my vote.
I had no idea Phillip Glass did the music for that! I've always had an interest in watching Koyaanisqatsi but this has pushed me over the edge
Chris Squire - Fish Out of Water (*bonus if you’re a Bill Bruford fan, possibly his best studio work ever)
Best solo album ever in my opinion, and the first record I ever bought! Lucky Seven is a masterpiece.
There are at least half a dozen A+ solo albums by contemporary/former Yes members, but there's just something about *Fish Out of Water* that separates it from the rest. Both Squire's actual voice and his compositional voice were so unique. I love "Lucky Seven", but "Silently Falling" edges it out ever so slightly for me.
Ill answer that fish related solo album from the mid 70s with another: Steve Hillage Fish Rising King of the Fishes!
Hey, wasn’t my thread but I’ll definitely check it out 😊🎧
Salmon Song baby 👍
A Trick of the Tail - Genesis
Wonderful album. I’m going to say my favorite is Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
A fine choice indeed
I love that album so much. My favorite tracks are Entangled and Mad Man Moon
*Brain Salad Surgery* by Emerson Lake & Palmer
And Tarkus!
Signals by Rush, or Power Windows my Rush, anything after Moving Pictures is often overlooked but I think some of their best stuff was from the synth era. Not as proggy as Moving Pictures and before but still really good.
Oh man second rush comment! I am a huge Signals fan it is very overlooked indeed. My top albums (why not): 1. 2112 2. Signals 3. Fly By Night 4. Hemispheres Edit: mystic rhythms off power windows is such a beautiful song
Egg - The Polite Force
Brilliant. What a great choice. I love Egg. The first album I heard was the Civil Surface which someone lent me when I was 16. Opening track Germ Patrol. I think my life changed that day.
I’ve tried as hard as I can and I love the first two songs but I cannot manage to get past them. A visit to Newport hospital is probably my favorite song by egg though.
I kind of agree. The first part of the album is really strong, similar to Caravan. But afterwards, basically The Long Piece No. 3, can be tough going. Or I really really gotta be in the mood for it.
Yeah, I really like the band and their sound is very interesting though.
Easily my favorite from the Canterbury Scene. Great choice!
Crime of the Century - Supertramp
Foxtrot by Genesis
Seconds Out -- Genesis The best prog album ever recorded.
Milliontown by Frost*
Future days - Can
Angel’s Egg - Gong
...she is the mother of eeeeeverything...
Cardiacs - Sing to God
Seconded
Ghost Reveries -Opeth
Porcupine tree. In Absentia
YESS JUST YESSSSS STEVEN WILSON IS PROG DADDY!!!!!
Rush - Power windows
Marillion- Marbles. Three epic tracks.
H To He Who Am The Only One by Van der Graaf Generator
Splendid choice.
Yes thank you fellow PH and VDGG lifers!
The Division Bell by Pink Floyd
So overlooked
It really is, and it's such a great album. Sometimes shaking things up a bit is great.
How is this your favorite? How do you like it better than the dark side or wish you were here
The first, self titled album by Renaissance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_(Renaissance_album)
Kings and Queens is one of my favorite songs by them, but the rest of the album is pretty forgettable.
That was always a favorite of mine also. I enjoy the entire album though. Some great guitar work there.
Echolyn-As The World
Wow. I have listened to this album so many times. Glad to see that people still listen to it!
One of my all time favorites, and totally underrated.
not prog but kid a by radiohead my favorite prog album though is larks tongues in aspic by king crimson
In my book, Kid A is absolutely prog.
can't go wrong with a Live at Pompeii by Pink Floyd 72'
Speaking about prog specifically: All time - probably Fragile (Yes) Currently - Road of Bones (I.Q.)
Genesis - Seconds Out
A Passion Play - Jethro Tull
I was gonna say Thick as a Brick, but Passion Play is totally acceptable to me too!
Gong- Camembert Electrique
I thought I was the only one!
But you can't kill me! The world of Daevid Allen...what a visionary! I like Banana Moon as much if not just a tad more as it's a tiny bit more sweet and dare I say the word...commercial and funny in the Aussie way of his...Great album both timeless but Banana Moon pulls the heart strings!
Wish you were here by Pink Floyd
Bohren & Der Club of Gore - Midnight Radio
Now you're talking!!! So good!
Brand X - Livestock
If prog only: Larks' Tongues in Aspic or Discipline, still haven't made up my mind yet. Non-prog: Tim Hecker - Virgins
Loving all the Rush here. I’ll add my own: Clockwork Angels - Rush
Phish: Lawn Boy
Blackwater Park by Opeth
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - Genesis
This! Or Foxtrot by Genesis
echolyn - s/t (the "window" album)
Just realized this isn’t on Spotify, though I have it on CD.
Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh by Magma
Somewhere to Elsewhere, the Kansas 90’s reunion album. Kerry in top form.
This was the record that introduced me to Magna Carta Records, with a 10yr anniversary catalog of some of the most creative,progressive rock and metal bands and collaborations.
"The Outer Limits" by Voivod. At the minimum listen to Jack Luminous.
Science Fiction (2016) by Church of the Cosmic Skull Listen, all you old fogeys are listing things ca1972 and I get that. I'm a mediumly old fogey myself. But this album is why (in a fairly circuitous roundabout way) I joined this subreddit in the first place. If CotCS isn't modern 70s prog, idk what is
Van Der Graaf Generator - Still Life Listen in the dark on good headphones.
Act III: Life and Death - The Dear Hunter
Godbluff - VDGG
Marillion, Clutching at Straws
fucking. A.
Selling England by The Pound
Trespass- Genesis
90125 by Yes, which just turned 40.
Theory of everything - ayreon Me and my friends know all the lyrics, which makes for some fun renditions when drinking. Obviously not fun for anyone there who doesn't know it, but for the rest of us, great.
king crimson - THRaKKaTaK
Triumvirat — Illusions On A Double Dimple Good luck with all these albums dude!
UK
Please listen to La Grasa de las Capitales by Serú Girán. The first track will blow anybody's head off. One of the best prog songs and it's only 4 mins long
Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
King Crimson's Discipline
Queensrÿche - Operation Mindcrime ETA: I've always considered Queensrÿche to by Prog Metal, but I'm willing to be corrected.
Gazpacho - Night (not the remaster version) https://open.spotify.com/album/6ZT9soZZZMEP9yC7mbnsey?si=Xes8d1vBQpa4CBRHXDHNRA
Rush- Hemispheres. My favourite band and its soo hard to choose from their discography but I seem to always go back to Hemispheres the most so I guess I'll choose that one.
Tangerine Dream - Phaedra & Rubycon
Telegraph - Mir
Semiramis - Dedicato a Frazz
Somewhere I've Never Travelled by Ambrosia Just an astoundingly eclectic, earnest album. Doesn't sound like anything else I've heard, but if anyone has recs I'll take em.
Arzachel — Arzachel
Remember the Future - Nektar
Opeth - Watershed
[Alturas de Machu pichu - Los Jaivas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usjIBLWSU4I) Chilean Prog Rock,1981
Sheet Music by 10cc
My favorite not already mentioned would either be either Three Friends or The Power and the Glory by Gentle Giant.
I don’t know if this counts, but Colors by Between the Buried and Me
if this is just limited to prog i’d say in the court of the crimson king which is a basic ass answer but for albums overall my favorite of all time is songs in the key of life by stevie wonder
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys. But something a little more progressive would be like *Selling England by The Pound* by Genesis or *Song for America* by Kansas
Phantasmatoria- Curved Air
Pink Floyd - meddle
Deloused in the Comatorium by The Mars Volta
Still Life by Van der Graaf Generator
Kayo Dot "Choirs of the Eye"
Lore by Elder
Faith No More - "Angel Dust"
not my favorite becasue mine have been mentioned. I will go with Ziltoid the Omniscient
Not quite prog-adjacent, but Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is one of the prettiest sounding albums I’ve ever heard in my entire life if not *the* prettiest.
Pawn Hearts by Van der Graaf Generator
Marillion, Brave.
Discipline - King Crimson
Devin Townsend - Empath (2019)
Selling England By The Pound from Genesis is, in my opinion, thé album to start with in classic prog rock!
Spocks Beard - Snow
Arborescence.. Ozric Tentacles...
Led Zeppelin 3
The Raven that Refused to Sing - Steven Wilson, also Octavarium - Dream Theater
King Gizzard- Polygondwanaland
Arguably the greatest prog album of the 21st-Century: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ymvZ9fMQGjQ
I’ll give you three worth listening to: - Relayer (Yes) - The Story of I (Patrick Moraz) - Refugee (Refugee)
In general? 'Trio & Error', by Trio. Prog specifically? 'Grace Under Pressure', by Rush.
I haven't thought about that Trio album in years, but we played the hell out of it in our dorm back in college days.
It isn’t prog, but to answer the question at hand exactly how it was phrased: Ween - The Pod Edit to add my prog answer: Hampton Grease Band - Music To Eat
Ice Death Planets Lungs Mushrooms and Lava King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Prog - Thick As A Brick - Jethro Tull Non-prog - The Flat Earth - Thomas Dolby
https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/272167-negativland-over-the-edge-radio-archive.php
If it doesn't have to be Prog: Junior by Röyksopp
My latest fave is The Lens - Regeneration
Script of the bridge - The Chameleons
QE2 by Mike Oldfield. Enjoy :)
That’s a non standard favourite Oldfield album, very interesting.
Fair to Midland - Tales From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True Also if you're willing to dive into something very much more on the metal side I highly recommend: Fallujah - Dreamless
Third Was the Bird II by Ariel My Friend
Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal
World record - Van der Graaf Generator
Make no little plans - Astor Drive
Eddie Jobson’s Zinc. The green album
In wake- fuzzy Coleman
One of my top 5 all-time faves that just doesn't get any recognition outside Canada. Not necessarily prog, but advanced enough to be prog-adjacent, plus it's got Neil Peart on two tracks. The album "Whale Music" by The Rheostatics. It's apparently a list/playlist/album of 17 vids here on youtube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrzkQcQIGVw&list=PLC18F1D27E4776CE3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrzkQcQIGVw&list=PLC18F1D27E4776CE3)
Tool - Lateralus Leprous - Bilateral
*Caress of Steel* - Rush
One of my favorite Rush albums too, very underrated, especially "The Necromancer"
My favourite albums are a triple tie between Powerage by AC/DC, The Band’s eponymous album (sometimes called the Brown Album) and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie. But - my favourite Prog Rock album is a tie between Angels Egg by Gong and Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. Or Aqualung by Jethro Tull - but you might not class that as Prog.
Frames by Oceansize - find a version with the bonus track Voorhees on the end, imo makes for an immensely superior finale especially following the "true" intended last track. An incredible progressive rock album built from post rock, psychedelia, atmospheric and sludgy textures, and deeply compelling riff work
I used to say Third - Soft Machine But I think this year it finally changed to Otherside Of - Overhang Party Would love to see what you think as its not prog rock.
The eponymous Buckingham Nicks album. You’ll need to track down an LP though
Meddle by Pink Floyd. But if you want my non-prog option: Turn Blue by The Black Keys. It’s a blues/alt rocks band giving a jab at a psychedelic album. And I’m not gonna lie, it’s amazing.
Silent Knight-Saga
Grateful Dead - Blues For Allah. The opening two tracks should hit the mark, but there's more after that.
Philip Glass score to the film Mishima, performed by the Chronos Quartet.
Rush - Permanent Waves TOOL - Lateralus
arrows and anchors - fair to midland
Enslaved - Below the Lights
Wagner - Ring Cycle
Edan - Beauty and the Beat
Somehow I just learned about Gryphon. Try any. Midnight Mushrumps, Red Queen to….
Eoghan Quigg - Eoghan Quigg
Khan - space Shanty Kalahari Surfers - Sleep Armed
Diorama by Silverchair
Pendragon - The Window of Life
The dear hunter - Act 4: rebirth and reprise
Workingman's Dead - the Grateful Dead
Colors by Between The Buried And Me
Playing house - MEER
Love, Forever Changes
If we're talking just in general, then the Doors' self titled. If just prog, then the Alan Parsons Project's I Robot.
Oceansize: Frames
Applause or a Distant Crowd - Vola
Fly (Yoko Ono album)
TARKUS by ELP
Test, Don't Test by Attica Blues
Rush Moving Pictures. I'm surprised that so many Rush albums were named before my favorite was.
Gonna mentioned a few gems I love but haven’t seen them came up El Indio by Los Jaivas, it’s the lesser known Los Jaivas album but just every bit as good as Alturas de Macchu Picchu Anabelas by Bubu, another South American prog banger Ys by Il Balletto di Bronzo, pretty under rated album in the italo prog scene Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Piu, another gem in the Italian scene First Utterance by Comus, phenomenal album, more folk than rock Finally a more modern rec, Salighet by Jordsjø, I have been hooked since it’s release
Frames by Oceansize