Arguably this is Queen’s best album. Controversial, n'est-ce pas? It’s often overlooked, because Night Of The Opera and Day At The Races came next, but it’s the one where all their styles and strengths first came together. They look fabulous on the cover, and they sound fabulous within. It manages to deliver heavy rock, rock-opera, … Continue reading #1079 Queen – Sheer Heart Attack
Category: Progtastic!
#856 The Moody Blues – Days of Future Passed
I played this last week to my 13 month old nephew and he absolutely loved it. It is orchestral rock or progressive pop? Who knows? Who cares! It’s just great music. A highwater mark in the increasing maturity and creativity of late 60s British pop, recorded in the months following the release of The Beatles' … Continue reading #856 The Moody Blues – Days of Future Passed
#612 Bo Hansson – Lord Of The Rings
I bought this for a couple of euros at a record fair in the Netherlands. I’d never heard of the artist and was attracted to it purely by the album cover and the concept. I love concept albums, just the concept of them is great. It’s the difference between the album as a novel telling … Continue reading #612 Bo Hansson – Lord Of The Rings
#1208 Soft Machine – The Soft Machine Vol. One
One of several bands who have taken inspiration from William S Burroughs. Whether that puts you off, or turns you on is a matter of taste, but for lovers of psychedelia, jazz-rock or early progressive rock, Soft Machine’s first album, the ambitiously titled Volume One, offers a smorgasbord of each, effortlessly sandwiched together in a … Continue reading #1208 Soft Machine – The Soft Machine Vol. One
#542 Genesis – Foxtrot
Supper’s Ready was my first introduction to Genesis. I’ve already mentioned that awakening briefly when the randometer turned up Nursery Cryme early on. It was a life-defining moment when I realised that there was a world of creative sound-making that went way beyond what one generally heard on the radio and might trouble the Top … Continue reading #542 Genesis – Foxtrot
#967 Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
This album is a little like Queen’s A Day at the Races in comparison to A Night at the Opera, often considered the poorer cousin of the previous album’s greatness, but this is as wrong for Pink Floyd as it is for Queen. A Dark Side of the Moon was always going to be a … Continue reading #967 Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
#705 King Crimson – In The Court of the Crimson King
This is one of the most striking and extraordinary debut albums ever. Arguably never bettered by the band, and standing the test of time as an exciting and progressive piece of music. It also sports one of the best album cover designs, looking utterly splendid (and quite terrifying) in gatefold sleeve. I first came across … Continue reading #705 King Crimson – In The Court of the Crimson King