Tangential Musings on Tangerine Dream's "Phaedra": Prog Review #23
My wife says "it sounds like Blade Runner"
A Great Discovery in Rush's "2112": Prog Review #22
Though less impactful upon me than Foxtrot (1972), 2112 (1976) constitutes the prehistory of my love of prog.
Seeing Doubles in Camel's "Mirage": Prog Review #21
If I had discovered Camel in my teens or early 20s, they would probably be one of my favourite bands right now.
King Crimson's "Larks' Tongue in Aspic" is an Acquired Taste: Prog Review #20
The album intrigues me for the same reason I don't love it: with the exception of "Exiles," all the songs promise more than they deliver.
A Friendly Encounter With PFM's "Per Un Amico": Prog Review #19
Per Un Amico has moments that would sound right at home on albums by Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, ELP, Gentle Giant, and probably a bunch of others. At times, the sounds are even suspiciously similar to specific tunes from those bands.
Getting Comfortable With Frank Zappa's "One Size Fits All": Prog Review #18
Zappa's actual music was a total blank to me, however, and after listening to One Size Fits All, I'd say my nearly baseless assessment of Zappa was 75% correct.
An Exorcism for Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells": Prog Review #17
Many people are perhaps familiar with the opening 4 minutes or so, a section best known as the theme from The Exorcist (1973)
Flailing About With Gentle Giant's "Octopus": Prog Review #16
If you want to justify someone's fear or distaste for the overly complex, intellectual, and alienating qualities of progressive music, look no further than Gentle Giant's Octopus; but if they can get some joy out of it, the battle is forever won.
Stop for King Crimson's "Red": Prog Review #15
The story goes that Kurt Cobain said without Red there would be no Nirvana. But I don’t hold that against this album.
Dancing in Time to Genesis's "Foxtrot": Prog Review #14
I don’t just love Foxtrot; I feel a special attachment to it. And, yet, it is still only my third-favourite Genesis album.
Pink Floyd's "Animals" Tamed: Prog Review #13
In simplicity, Floyd finds their most power and charm.
Dressing for ELP's "Brain Salad Surgery": Prog Review #12
The band’s try-anything approach and rapidly shifting soundscapes can be alienating, making it music you have to work hard to appreciate. Yet forcing myself to listen to this album has been a real treat
Rush’s “Hemispheres” Subdivided: Prog Review #11
Tl;dr: I should be listening to A Farewell to Kings instead.
Savouring Genesis's "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway": Prog Review #9
This album is all about growth, identity, change. It makes sense as a quest narrative, because so many heroes go through these sorts of dilemmas. They are on a set course for life, but something monumental happens, and suddenly they have to question and change, and fight.
No Future in Can’s “Future Days”: Prog Review #8
A link between Progressive music and Video Game Music (VGM) is obvious to those of us who enjoy both genres
"Thick as a Brick" Through Glass: Prog Review #7
But my dread of writing this album review played a small part as well. I listened to Thick as a Brick many times over a period of weeks at the beginning of my hiatus, hoping I would be inspired to find some point of focus. But the meandering, sprawling, impenetrable world of this album offered me little to latch onto because its vastness leaves me lost.
Getting a Great Deal "Selling England by the Pound": Prog Review #6
If you’ve read my previous reviews or know my contrarian nature firsthand, you won’t be surprised to learn that Selling England by the Pound is not my favourite Genesis album. It doesn’t even make my top three.
Still, it’s easy to see why this is considered the band's best.
More Than "Close to the Edge" of Greatness: Prog Review #5
I’m pretty sure a degree in musicology is prerequisite for writing about Yes: a Master’s at least for an album like Close to the Edge. I’m going stream of conscious this week because writing intelligently on Yes would take way too long.
Wishing I Wasn't Here Listening to "Wish You Were Here": Prog Review #4
Two Pink Floyd albums in the top five? Maybe I should have started from the bottom of the list.