In this post we include additional albums that might have been included with longer write-ups, but which are hereby acknowledged as exceptional albums that played a significant role in our shared discoveries.
Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring (1986)
The British synth band comes of age with their stunning third album, following the wonderful It's My Life (1983). Vocalist Mark Hollis shines as composer and singer, and the band provides what they describe as a deeper "organic" backdrop. "Happiness Is Easy," "I Don't Believe in You," and "Living in Another World" are all great pop/prog tunes, but there are no fillers on the album. Beautifully produced and balanced.
Spirit - Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus (1970)
The capper to the first incarnation of this classic American prog band. Featuring the wonderful "Nature's Way," a harbinger of the climate change crisis, as well as 11 other brief "dreams." The album mirrors the early 12" album format of 12 songs, each lasting less than 4 minutes (except for "When I Touch You" at 5:35). The dreams flow as a suite, to be heard in one sitting.
California band during the height of the psychedelic period. Loose, extended forms: The 25+ minute "Who Do You Love" suite consumes all of side 1; Side 2 has "Mona," "Maiden of the Cancer Moon," and "Calvary." These are the core parts of QMS's legacy, played without compromise. A signature band of the times.
Graham Parker - The Mona Lisa's Sister (1988)
After Parker's successful debut with Howlin' Wind in 1976, he made several strong albums with The Rumour, featuring guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. Mona Lisa discards much of the new wave/pub rock posture to create a more arranged and carefully self-produced masterpiece. The 10 new Parker songs explore both dangerous and tender topics and are capped by a cover of Sam Cooke's "Cupid." Splendid!
Steve Hillage - Fish Rising (1975)
Former member of Gong, Steve Hillage launched a successful run of solo albums with Fish Rising. This solid Canterbury scene band features long suites exploring aquatic imagery and Hillage's spirituality with lyrics by Miquette Giraudy. Dave Stewart handles the keyboards and some arrangements. Pure prog at its best.
Hatfield and the North - The Rotters Club (1975)
Tasty follow up to Hatfield's self-titled debut. This would be the only other album the group made excepting live gigs that were released years later. Full of Canterbury superstars - Richard Sinclair, Dave Stewart, Pip Pyle, Amanda Parsons, among others. The music just burbles along creatively and humourously.
Mike Bloomfield is featured along with Barry Miles in an awesome blues/rock album that signified early American prog. Anti-war sentiment is expressed directly, as then President LBJ's voice is mocked on the opening of "Killing Floor," and "Another Country" employs loud horn arrangements and a great guitar solo to climax a raucous but always skillfully played epic.
Jim Morrison offers some of his best vocals on the singles, but the album is distinguished by the lengthy title tune during which Morrison screams "YOU CANNOT PETITION THE LORD WITH PRAYER." The multi-part suite soars through a variety of songs, much like the Beatles did on Abbey Road. Doors fans value The Soft Parade for its alternative artsy approach versus the more popular hit-oriented albums.
American culture is a soft target for Elvis Costello's sardonic wit. Here's he's backed by legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown and aided in production by another legend, T-Bone Burnett. Accordingly, the sound is free from the punkish haze of earlier albums. "Brilliant Mistake" and "American Without Tears" are among his best compositions, and his singing voice is at its mature best. A jewel in his vast discography.
Cream - Disraeli Gears (1967)
Psychedelia's proof of mass appeal. Clapton, Bruce and Baker recorded the album in the US, where it reached #4 in 1968. "Sunshine of Your Love" is the most memorable hit, surprisingly for a song played over a bass riff that emphasizes beats 1 and 3, not the customary 2 and 4. "SWLABR" and "Tales of Brave Ulysses" are winners. Ginger Baker's "Mother's Lament" is a zany bit of fancy involving a skinny baby's fatal bath. Anything goes from this point forward.
Ric Ocasek's masterpiece. Every tune is hit worthy, and the ensemble never misses a note. The Alberto Vargas cover rivals Roxy Music's use of live glamour models on album covers, signifying a rise in respectability for glam rock. But Candy-O sports much more than its superficial trappings. The segue from "Shoo-Be-Do" to the title track at the end of side 1 is ultra cool, and "The Dangerous Type" closes the album on what just might be the greatest song The Cars ever made.
Camel's second attempt at writing music inspired by literature, The Snow Goose is perhaps the band's most familiar album. Despite questions about its status as rock music (Rolling Stone Record Guide panned it), Snow Goose proves the value of literary material in prog. Andrew Latimer shines on guitar and flute. A live version of the album on A Live Record (1978) was backed by The London Symphony Orchestra. While the band was always on the brink of dissolution, it remained resiliently creative throughout its long history.
A case could be made for The James Gang being the first college rock band. Kent, Ohio (yes, the site of the Kent State killings in 1970), adopted the nearby Cleveland-based band. (The dam in the cover photos is on Kent's section of the Cuyahoga River.) Yer' Album was the band's debut and included a prog-like smorgasbord of funky rock, balladry, Stephen Stills' "Bluebird," and the epic 12-minute version of Jerry Ragovoy's "Stop." Joe Walsh's solo on "Stop" forever established his reputation as one of rock's guitar superstars.
Roy Buchanan stood beside rock's early guitar greats. Largely a blues player, his first albums were widely hailed as influential, like a kind of white Buddy Guy. The producer of You're Not Alone was Ramon Silva, who steered Buchanan in new directions resulting in a quintessential prog-blues triumph. The opening 2-minute "Miles from Earth" sets the mood and is the perfect segue for the crushing instrumental version of Joe Walsh's "Turn to Stone." "Fly Night Bird" and the finale title track are other journeys into outer space. Great stuff!
Their 5th full album, Atom Heart Mother included yet another full-side monumental suite, this time with the aid of a brass section and choir. On side 2, Waters, Wright and Gilmour each get solo showcases, and it all ends with a lengthy instrumental/sound effects collage. Dismissed by the band afterwards, it shows a direction they would not pursue further, but the title suite is a great example of rock/orchestra that was tried by several progressive acts at the time.
A second honorable mention for Hillage. His follow up to Fish Rising, L ventures into covers of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and the Beatles' "It's All Too Much," versions which rival the originals. Along with the glissando following "Hurdy Gurdy Man," "Lunar Musick Suite" displays the guitarist's spacey conceptions and extended techniques. Spiritual prog of the highest order.
Following the demise of the mid-70s lineup of King Crimson, drummer Bill Bruford led an ambitious prog band of his own, with help from virtuosos like keyboardist Dave Stewart, guitarist Allan Holdsworth , bassist Jeff Berlin, and guest vocalist Annette Peacock. The result is an extension of Canterbury prog in the late 1970s. Bruford showcases his composing talents on Feels Good to Me.
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