| Fragile was my favorite album throughout high school and to this day still remains as one of the most frequently played CD's from my collection. Although Fragile represents a selection of musical vinettes and has very little fluidity to it overall, it still works exceptionally well. Each musician is given the space to create some solo sonic textures which all work well together. Each song is a classic and reveals the high degree of talent and creativity in the band. | |||
| Far too often Tai Phong is excluded from the progressive rock circles..and why I do not know. Windows represents perhaps Tai Phong's strongest release. Tai Phong blend the classic elements of 70's progressive rock with the fresh modern sound of YES. The lead singer (Khan) has the highest voice I have ever heard from a man, but never seems to become too overpowering or "stringy" for the music. Tai Phong brings strong classical elements into their music in a similar way to that of Renaissance. | |||
| Beautifully crafted and carefully written, delicate prog with a strong medieval aura! Asgard are one of my all time favorite progressive rock bands and Gotterdammerung represents for me the start of their genius. All of their albums are incredibly brilliant and ignoring any 1 of their few recordings is really sacrilege...In fact all of their albums should be reviewed to be fair within this website! Check out my section on my website devoted to Asgard called "CALLING ALL ASGARD FANS" for complete coverage. Asgard combine some of the most delicate and yet powerful prog ever recorded sure to please all prog fans. This music is essential ! | |||
| For those who don’t know of this band you are surely missing out! Visible Wind are true 100% professional Prog rock outfit very much in the vein of Saga/Rush but certainly have their own musical personality. Narcissus contains some excellent prog moments with exceptional keyboard and drum interplay which will please all prog fans. Visible Wind have written some highly memorable prog tracks over their tenure and Narcissus is no exception. Their songs are very melodic and musicianship is very high. This is a great addition to the Musea catalogue and I can promise that after you hear Narcissus Goes To The Moon "Your Whole World Will Change". Highly recommended by this prog lover. | |||
| This is one of the modern neo-prog acts which I absolutely love through and through. Galahad combine the progressive sophistication of Marillion with the early sound not unlike Genesis. This album has an under-produced feel to it and I think that may be why I am so attached to it? Galahad create a nice array of moods and emotions on this album and get into some real nasty proggy moments. Face To The Sun is still one of my all time favorite tracks that they have ever recorded.! | |||
| Those who are artistically inclined may immediately recognize the artist of this album cover (Mac Mazzieri) who was responsible for some of the early famous Le Orme covers. Mad Crayon create a sound a mood not unlike Genesis aka Selling England here with some beautiful proggy moments. Vocals and harmonies are superb and most of the lyrics are in english (that may please some of you who). Mad Crayon blend rich musicianship here with some very tasty guitar parts (very S. Hackett like!) and succulent keyboard parts. | |||
| Now here is a real swing for those who dig true instrumental prog! Trey is of course the bass player for the new King Crimson and is also a very talented musician as you can clearly hear here. 1000 Years parallels Sylvian and Fripp's - The First Day in many ways. Credits include Pat Mastelotto (Drums) and some guy named Serpentine (who has a great dark vox). What I find striking here is that no guitarist is credited and yet throughout the album appears to be full of Frippish acid laced guitar solos...I am told that these are created via Trey and his bass like Frippertronics......Amazing!!!! Songs a full in texture and sound great on the ol stereo. For those who would like a bass workout , this CD is right down your road! | |||
| The third release from Kaipa and arguably their most complete work. Kaipa has always valued and accentuated a strong instrumental influence in their music and Solo does not jeopardize this equation in any way. Kaipa’s Solo is a colorful and intricate progressive recording which mirrors the brilliance of their earlier releases with perhaps warmer tones. For those who love the FlowerKings, Kaipa is really your FlowerQueen! Roine Stolt plays his young little heart out here and adds some absolutely stunning guitar throughout the album. The vocalist (Mats Lofgren) featured on this recording was a new member at the time and does a great job, adding a new dimension to the music of Kaipa. Vocals are in native Swedish and should not wreck anyone’s enjoyment of the offering. Kaipa create a very warm and compelling prog sounds, delivered with the very highest of musical competencies. Kaipa’s music is very easy to listen to and never gets too sophisticated sounding. Instead we are treated to soaring musical escapes and clever musical interludes. The kind folks at Musea have added a couple of excellent live tracks to fill the digital medium and work very well in with the studio stuff. Many of the tracks have been re-mastered and the sound quality is very high! This is music of the highest caliber and is essential in my opinion. | |||
| This is truly one of the greatest German prog recordings to ever come from the basement of the legendary producer Connie Plank. Hoelderlin employ a wide range of moods ranging from heavy psychedelic to child-like nursery time melodies. Although this recording never really settles down on 1 theme, it does work well in it's entirety. Hoelderlin create deep dark Mellotron filled passages which are surrounded by guitar, bass and drum interplay. Every song is very carefully crafted and has an almost humorous component to them. Vocals and in English and are very well done with some nice harmonies. The big hitter for me here is the 20 Minutes epic Death Watch Beetle which has some of the most captivating progressive rock moments I have ever heard. Hoelderlin has a very strong underground German feel to it and stands in my mind as one of the pinnacle progressive rock recordings of all time. A real jem!!! | |||
| This is another one of my all time favorites and is in my opinion one of PFM's most complete offerings. Chocolate Kings is drenched in phenomenal musicianship with some superb song writing. Chocolate Kings is less symphonic than earlier releases, but offers a new prog challenge not unlike YES in many ways. Lyrics are in English here and work as well as earlier Italian recorded lyrics and vocals. As always, PFM employ amazing guitar and keyboard interplay which will certainly keep you amazed. This is a real classic! | |||
| Certainly any good prog collection would not be complete without Kansas'Leftoverture. Here is some old time classic prog with the classic rock ditty "Carry On My Wayward Son" which was one on every K-TEL record for miles. This is in my opinion Kansas' best offering of all time and certainly Magnus Opus is the best track they ever recorded...a true timeless masterpiece! | |||
| In fashion with acoustic tours, Adrian toured a few small venues playing a collection of his greatest numbers put to an acoustic guitar. These were captured on CD and represent in my mind perhaps the most emotional and hair raising acoustic numbers I have ever heard. This is a very well recorded CD and Adrian's guitar sounds crystal clear through and through. Adrian does everything from the Beatles to King Crimson here and also a few tracks from what was then the forthcoming album HERE | |||
| Swirling, twirling Hammond Organ backed by the Classic rock sounds of the '70's. Atomic Rooster may not be everyones cup of tea, but this is classic 70's prog rock probably fitting also in the Classic Rock category. Vincent Crane layers on some classic hammond keys which should make all lovers of this instrument drool in their sleep. Made In England represents in my opinion the most complete work for Atomic Rooster who seem to always be excluded from the prog circle for some reason. | |||
| This would certainly have to go down as one of the most bizzare yet brilliant prog recordings I have ever heard. As like all Devil Doll albums,the dark and foreboding nature of the music is pronounced and comfortably supported by the distorted vocals of Mr Doctor. Eliogabalus has a very strong theatrical presence througout and at times plays better as a movie soundtrack than an album. Devil Doll are not to listened to by the young at heart as this is highly disturbed music which does move in and out of some real dark atmospheres. Eliogabalus is comprised of 2 long monster tracks which really feed off of each other nicely giving the listener strong continuity. Devil Doll create everything from circus-like atmospheres to opera. Musically Eliogabalus is brilliant and contains lots of classical piano, E-Bow and Violin with great guitar as support. This is an album that will take a few listens before you may categorize as one of your favs, but you will be convinced!!! Amazing stuff!! | |||
| Now here is an absolute stunner of an album which will sure please all fans of extended psychedelic/prog jams. At times I get a strong Porcupine Tree/Floyd feel, but remains very accessible and unique . Somnium offers great speaker seperation and I love the massive moods swings this album offers the listener. SIANspheric offer a little of everything here and find a way to pull it all together. Solid guitar and bass surrounded by what sounds like keyboards (but is really guitar!). Highly recommended to all prog heads... | |||
| Here is yet another major classic Italian prog rock album sure to please all fans of the 70's Prog genre. Semramis blend lots of guitars (Classical and electric) with lots of excellent keyboard work. This album does get a bit heavy (which I like!) at times but always returns to the gorgeous settings promised. Considering the age of this recording , this album offers great stereo seperation and sounds even better with a good set of headphones on......Highly recommended !!! | |||
| I have been a big fan of this act for some time now and still rank them as one of my all time favorite prog acts. Anyone's Daughter mix gentle vocal harmonies with some superb progressive rock elements. Uwe Karpa adds some beautiful and tasty guitar leads which seem to blend to perfection with Harald Bareth's bass and lead vocal. Anyone's Daughter offer both English and German lp's and Adonis happens to be one they elected to sing in English . Although Adonis does certainly contain a rather awesome amount of great progressive moments, the major highlight still remains the title epic track "ADONIS" (27 mins). Musicianship is very high here and Anyone's Daughter are very easy to listen to and get into....the music is sophisticated but remains very much in control and many different moods swings. At times I get a very strong underground German feel to the music which I love. To this day Harald's voice still remains one of my all time favorites and the music of Anyone's Daughter is essential in your collection....Highly required and is very intelligent music... | |||
| If you have this recording then you need to have the re-mastered version……This may represent the best example of a dramatic and proper re-mastering that exists today. I find this re-mastered version much brighter and clearer than previous CD transfer attempts…in fact there is almost no hiss at all….But enough of the free promotion here. Days Of Future Passed is one of the first true progressive rock recordings of all time….not to mention one of the greatest as well. The Moody Blues mix heavy orchestral arrangements with some truly amazing song writing. The Mellotron is really introduced to the world here and used throughout sounding just superb with the orchestra led intro’s and conclusions. For those who may not be all that familiar with this recording it does contain several big time Moody Blue hits including Night In White Satin. The Moody Blues attempted to create one of the first concept like recordings ever having written songs which attemot to reflect the mood of a passing day. In my mind this album works as well as Sgt Pepper and early Floyd offerings. This recording is a true classic and is essential in all good collections… | |||
| Tagged with the misperception that these guys were the Beatles under a new mystery name Klaatu got the attention of the world. Of course this was not the case, but the truth is that the music is just as brilliant and anything the Beatles ever did. 3:47 EST is essential for all symphonic prog lovers with beautiful songs and amazing arrangements. In many ways this music does rival the Sgt Pepper era of music and has a strong Beatles'ish flavor to it with no mistake. Klaatu's musicanship is exceptionally high and the recording offers nice speaker seperation. Essential..... | |||
| Yet another jem from Klaatu with continued strong symphonic song writing very much in the vein of Beatles and ELO. Once again musicianship is very high and this album has great character to it with some of the most memorable music ever written. Another essential buy!!!! | |||
| For those who feel that NeoProg is rubbish please sit down and get ready for a classic concept album which you will love. Arena have certainly reached an all time high with the Visitor. Loads of great pattented keyboard work from Mr Nolan and amazing song writing talent. The Visitor takes you into a new world which has never been explored before. | |||
| Warning Prog heads, you may really like this one and you may have to open the 'ol wallet to afford it as well. England are a superb prog act which combine the best elements of Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant and Supertramp. This recording is brimming with mellotron textures, keyboards and organ to make you drool and variant time signatures which remind one very much of Gentle Giant. England have written some real classic prog songs here and after a few listens you will be hooked on their brilliance. Garden Shed has been remastered and offers great speaker seperation and a very clean crisp sound. This is classic progressive rock and is highly recommended by this prog head. | |||
| The debut album from the Los Angeles based duo,guitarist/songwriter Bill Forth and composer Jeff Fayman. Recorded at Paramount Studios, Hollywood with Robert Fripp on guitar, and Bill Rieflin of Ministry on drums. Mixing psychedelia, industrial and cyber - pop and asking the question - If you had only Ten Seconds what would you listen to?. This album has a wholesome quality which so many of today's recordings are missing. This album is very moody and ranges from loud driving prog (aka Thrak) and gentle cascading soundscaped melodies of Robert Fripp. The vocals are quite good and are distorted in many areas which will freak many of you out I am sure. This recording may not appeal to every prog fan, but I think it is delicious and works very well. | |||
| This is one of those essential gems from the fine folks at Musea. Neuschwanstein should appeal to all fans of early Genesis (aka Foxtrot era). Although they borrow liberally from the fine output of Genesis, they do not deliver a carbon copy by any stretch of the imagination. Sounds are deep and rich in texture with superb musicianship and song writing skills. The vocalist does sound a lot like young Peter Gabriel at times and also has a great range. Speaker separation is quite dynamic and the fine folks at Musea have done an outstanding job and reproducing and re-mixing this music. This is very clever progressive rock deeply rooted in the underground 70’s philosophy. Another essential purchase to show your mom and dad! | |||
| Well after what I would consider an excruciating amount of wait-time, this gem has been finally released. First the description: 4 CD set which contains 2 CD’s from the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (Live in LA), 1 CD of live stuff mostly from 1973 including single releases of Happy The Man and Twilight Alehouse, and 1 CD from the late 60’s (1968 mostly). The Lamb Lies down is exceptionally well recorded and for the most part this concert is a close replica to the studio version. I am very pleased that the Gabriel’s dialogue with the audience was not deleted from this recording as it adds so much more to the listening enjoyment. The third CD is the highlight for me and in many ways completes the Genesis Live recording released back in the 70’s. The treat is of course hearing Suppers Ready with the wonderful introduction. The fourth CD is from the Genesis era with Anthony Phillips and contains many excellent unreleased BBC tracks which never made their 1st or second releases. This box set is excellent and I would recommend it to anyone who has a deep love for early Genesis………………..….Walking Across The Sitting Room I turn the television on…………….. | |||
| Hold on to your hats kids...we are going on a walk on the wild side! Nuova Era are Italy's answer to Anekdoten. Nuova Era deliver heavy prog designed to make you sweat as you listen. This is 90's prog but heavily rooted in the classic 70's era. Nuova Era are great musicians and this is very fast and complex moving music. Songs are well constructed and have a great degree of feeling. | |||
| Now this is a defintive classic which needs to adorn your hearth at Christmas time! Aufklarung blend a wide range of influences giving the listener a very original offering. Imagine a blend of Tangerine Dream, Asgard and Old Genesis with just a dash of King Crimson and you have Aufklarung. For those who like me are avid Asgard fans, please Kikki Grosso sings throughout the CD (enough for most to buy it alone!). This is a very dark and secretive recording which is very moody and forboding....obviously not for weddings!. Musicianship is high here and they create a very surreal sound led by the use of synths and guitar. This is one the gems from Pick Up Records and is essential. | |||
| For those like me who could attend this world class progressive rock festival in California at least you can re-live the journey with this double live CD. This is a real nice package which contains a great assortment of prog music sure to please all prog heads. Highlites for me include Le Orme who play most of Felona E Serona and great exerpts from Il Fiume. I also love the Flowerkings and their 2 live tracks are solid (Retropolis with Ping Pong intro and Humanizzimo). Generally speaking compilations are not my choice, but this cd hangs together nicely and provides a great insight into the world of progfests...file under very delicious | |||
