10 Progressive Rock Albums a Newbie Needs to Own!

[@seanbelcher4486]

I'm starting my prog rock journey today. Thanks Pete

[@wolf1977]

Watch out for falling rocks - the footing's not always good...😎

[@vagabond197979]

Just curious, how many of his top 10 have you heard before? I don't consider myself a prog fan past Rush but I've listened to 4 of them. I'll be checking out the rest soon though.

[@seanbelcher4486]

5 or 6. I've heard Jethro tull,yes,marillion,pink floyd, king crimson

[@vagabond197979]

@@seanbelcher4486I've only heard Tull, Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Kansas. I'm listening to In the Court of the Crimson King right now. Not sure how I feel about it thus far.

[@seanbelcher4486]

@@vagabond197979I have heard kansas leftoverture. I think I own it

[@thekivster]

I think Camel is a good accessible choice for someone who's new to prog.

[@lupus7194]

Camel never makes it to any prog list. I think The Snow Goose is just too radically prog but, being their best, you can't pick any other album. Another album that is always popular in the comments (but never makes the list) is Argus by Wishbone Ash. My favourite radically prog album is Pampered Menial by Pavlov's Dog.

[@alexjohnston8889]

I'd definitely start with the best of a great double album and definitely got me into Camel

[@Sirdamienfrost]

"Mirage" by Camel is a strong starting point

[@Fritha71]

Of course you can: Mirage was my introduction to Camel and it worked beautifully. Many regard THAT album as their best and so do I.@@lupus7194

[@wolf1977]

@@Fritha71 BIG Camel fan - for me Breathless, I Can See Your House From Here, Raindances & The Snow Goose are all about on par with Mirage (all excellent records). My absolute #1 Camel record though is Coming Of Age

[@donnybrookdetritus]

In the Court of - King Crimson Close to the Edge - Yes Thick as a Brick - Jethro Tull Brain Salad - ELP Octopus - Gentle Giant Hemispheres - Rush Selling England - Genesis Dark Side - Pink Floyd Leftoverture - Kansas Days of Future Passed - Moody Blues

[@michaelwalters3004]

That is a great list.

[@jayclarke5466]

Excellent list except switch Selling England with The Lamb Lies Down in Broadway

[@jimmycampbell78]

I'm now a full on prog fan and have been for 25 years. But these two: In the Court of - King Crimson Brain Salad - ELP As a newbie I bought them early on in my prog journey and I found them incredibly hard going. I now enjoy both bands but I think they are two particularly difficult prog rock bands for a newbie. And those two albums have never been my favourites by KC or ELP at any time. Your other selections were immediate enjoyment.

[@giulianomombelli1229]

❤ greetings from the italy

[@stpnwlf9]

I think it's a great list - I might swap Trilogy for Brain Salad Surgery and possibly Song for America for Leftoverture, but I can't be critical - great list.

[@pal-of-pals]

The Yes Album was my introduction to Yes and prog rock in general. Been a huge fan of the genre ever since

[@MikeSheldrake]

My 10 picks for the prog newbie - In The Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson The Yes Album - Yes Aqualung - Jethro Tull Argus - Wishbone Ash Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield A Trick of the Tail - Genesis Permanent Waves - Rush Brain Salad Surgery - ELP Force Majeure - Tangerine Dream😎

[@jaybee7890]

Love the TD add

[@daanthing6002]

Thru Metamorphic Rocks is such a cool song.

[@markoliver630]

Love your Argus pick ! In my top 10.

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Honestly, how useful a list like that would be nowadays? The person would end up listening to Money and Roundabout on Spotify and that will be the end of it. Unless the person is already accustomed with the album format, in which case he's already familiar with prog.

[@RushfanUK]

Mike Oldfield I would go for Ommadawn and TD would be Stratosfear.

[@Crumpet_Central_]

My personal 10 picks: 1. King Crimson - In the courrt of the Crimson King 2. Yes - The Yes Album 3. Jethro Tull - Auqualung 4. Genesis - Nursery Cryme 5. ELP - Brain Salad Surgery 6. Camel - Mirage 7. Supertramp - Crime of the Century 8. Pink Floyd - Wish you were Here 9. Kansas - Leftoverture 10. Rush - Moving Pictures

[@asdfzxcv3617]

Great list.

[@MarcusVinicius-we2pg]

Great list... anyway I have my own personal top 10 : 1. Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick 2. Genesis Selling England by The Pound 3. King Crimson Red 4. Yes Close to the Edge 5. ELP Brain Salad Surgery 6. Van der Graaf Generator Godbluff 7. King Crimson In the court of Crimson King 8. Camel Mirage 9. Yes Fragile 10. Genesis Foxtrot

[@jimhardiman3836]

Yeah good set of albums

[@christopherthomas3403]

In The Court Of The Crimson King - King Crimson Close To The Edge -Yes Trick Of The Tail - Genesis Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd Tarkus - ELP Brave - Marillion Ashes Are Burning - Renaissance The Raven That Refused To Sing - Steven Wilson Pawn Hearts - Van der Graaf Generator Moonmadness - Camel I think those would provide a nice mix for a newbie. Early Kansas, Rush, Tull, Moody Blues et al also in with a shout.

[@michaelvandiver2475]

Totally agree with you about The Yes Album! Best place to start.

[@kn0xpUnk]

Styx - Grand Illusion is another I might recommend. Great show Pete!

[@awesoanimations1974]

I’m not the biggest prog guy out there, but I am a fan of a decent number of bands that happen to be prog. Here’s my list of albums that got me into the style: 1. The Yes Album - Yes Not their proggiest album, but probably the best entry point into their catalog. It’s very melodic and accessible while still being musically complex and interesting. 2. Permanent Waves - Rush This is, in my opinion, the best starting album for Rush because you can easily go from this one to nearly any other Rush album based on what you like. Are you a fan of the more radio-friendly sounds of “The Spirit of Radio?” You’ll love Moving Pictures. Enjoying “Freewill?” Try Fly By Night or A Farewell to Kings. Is “Natural Science” a favorite? Go over to Hemispheres. And if you’re more into “Entre Nous,” you might like Signals or Grace Under Pressure. 3. Selling England by the Pound - Genesis My personal favorite Genesis album, and the first one I really took to. I think this one has their best songs in general, with heavy hitters like “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” and “Firth of Fifth,” along with easier tracks like “I Know What I Like in Your Wardrobe” and “More Fool Me.” Overall, just a wonderful listen for a first timer, in my experience. 4. Heavy Horses - Jethro Tull I’m a recent Tull fan, only having gotten into them over the past couple of years. I remember starting with Aqualung and Thick as a Brick, but I didn’t enjoy them because I felt like I was immediately jumping in at the deep end. Then I moved to their “folk” period and quickly fell in love with it. I picked Heavy Horses for this because I think it has the most accessible material on it to start with (mainly “Wild Acres,” “The Rover,” “Journeyman,” and “Heavy Horses”). I must say that all of the folk period is great, though, and all are equally good for starters. 5. Song for America - Kansas American Prog Alert! Many will argue that this isn’t the first Kansas album you should listen to to get into prog. Some will say this isn’t even a prog album! But I think it’s a great introduction to the style. Many of the songs are very bluesy, which makes it very accessible to fans of blues rock. And most of the songs are lengthy epics with changing sections and wonderful instrumentation that can warm newcomers up for other prog epics. 6. In the Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson I mean, it was the first true prog album. I think it’s a must-listen just for that fact. I’m still not a big King Crimson fan, but this is a strong album and an essential listen for people getting into prog. 7. Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson, Lake & Palmer One of my personal favorite prog albums, especially since it’s more of a jazz album. Greg Lake, formerly of King Crimson, is on bass and vocals here and displays his abilities wonderfully. Keith Emerson’s piano playing is great on this album, especially on “Take a Pebble,” and Carl Palmer’s drumming is masterful across the whole album. Anyone who enjoys great, high quality musicianship will love this album, especially if they have an appreciation for jazz. 8. Three Friends - Gentle Giant I know, I know, Octopus should be here instead. But I find Octopus to be such a strange album and not at all beginner friendly. In fact, I find it to be the least accessible of the Gentle Giant albums from 1972 to 1977. Three Friends, on the other hand, is very easy to listen to, without sacrificing the prog sensibility. The instrumentation on display is insanely good and the vocals are anywhere from strikingly powerful to simply angelic. The songs on here are more straightforward than most of those on their other albums, so I think it makes for a great introduction to Gentle Giant. Also, it’s a concept album, so it’s a pretty good introduction to those, too. 9. Animals - Pink Floyd I don’t really consider Pink Floyd a “prog” band. I think of them as more of a psych rock group, though they do have their prog moments. And Animals is filled with those moments. First of all, it’s another concept album, this time with epic-length songs. The epics on here are incredible and take the listener on a journey with each one. The musicianship on display is great and pretty heavy, so this could be a good introduction to some heavier prog. 10. Days of Future Passed - The Moody Blues So technically, this could be considered the very first prog album, even before King Crimson came along. But I don’t think of it as prog in the same way as King Crimson or Yes or any of the major prog groups. This album is very orchestral, and it feels like the soundtrack to a classic Disney movie. I think it’s a good album to get into more symphonic prog. And for the more casual listeners, it has the classic “Nights in White Satin,” and the end of “Evening” is sounds really cool.

[@delby66]

You have some great choices there. I especially like the one you chose for ELP. They were and still are my favourite band. The album Emerson Lake and Palmer is a perfect choice for someone wanting to get into prog rock for the first time. Albums such as Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery are a bit too bombastic, a bit too heavy for a beginner, I believe. The 10 I chose, I put Trilogy in there, but your choice is even better.

[@fcamiola]

Seems like you are a pretty big proghead, no? Don't fight it! 😊

[@sbziel]

When I first came online many were saying how great Heavy Horses was. And it is great but took me a while to warm up too. The mouse police never sleep...

[@guytracy7224]

I guess my list has some prog influenced or prog hard rock albums on it but it’s the list that pulled me into a deep appreciation for the genre as a teen in the 1970’s. Styx - The Grand Illusion Rush - 2112 Genesis - Duke Jethro Tull - Aqualung Kansas - Left Overture Supertramp - Crime of the Century Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Yes - Fragile ELP - Tarkus Wishbone Ash - Argus

[@keithf_]

Great picks. 8 out of tge 10 bands you listed would be on my list

[@delby66]

I love Wishbone Ash and I love that album, but I wouldn't classify them as prog rock. My main reason is that there are no keyboards in their music and my thinking is keyboards have to be in there in order for it to be classified as prog rock. Just my opinion of course, but it's a brilliant album.

[@guytracy7224]

@@keithf_ I’m curious to hear the two you would add. 👍🏻

[@keithf_]

​@guytracy7224 Actually Guy, my list included 7 of your bands, not 8. My list of bands - which I've posted elsewhere on this thread - swapped out Styx, ELP and (regrettably) Jethro Tull, for Camel, Caravan and Marillion

[@keithf_]

​​@@delby66 Just to point out, there are keyboards on the magnificent album closer 'Throw Down The Sword', courtesy of guest John Tout (of Renaissance), I believe.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

My list Genesis - Foxtrot Yes - Close to the Edge Camel - Mirage Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (because I'm going to assume the person has already heard DOSTM) Rush - A Farewell to Kings Nektar - Remember the Future Kansas - Leftoverture Emerson, Lake & Palmer - debut

[@jamesuden5219]

I started exploring prog around three years ago, pretty much entirely thanks to this channel. But I only had 5 of these 10! It's exciting to know that there's so much more to explore.

[@cwilliamson47]

Great list, Pete! For me, my 3 gateway bands were Yes, Rush, and Kansas. I would include a Rush album like Fly by Night or A Farewell to Kings since they both had radio hits that might be familiar to newbies.

[@jonmccormick602]

Terrific picks, Pete. I guessed them all apart from Porcupine Tree (including what you said about Gentle Giant!). As a Brit, I’m definitely in the “Kansas IS prog rock” camp. I had The Light by Spock’s Beard as my number 10. Such a brilliant album from one of the greatest “2nd generation” prog rock bands, and from the US too!👍

[@delby66]

I love your choices, especially the one you chose for ELP. They were and still are my favourite band and your choice is perfect for someone just getting into the prog rock genre. The album is not too bombastic like Brain Salad Surgery, or even Tarkus. I chose Trilogy, but your choice is even better. Well done.

[@delby66]

Sorry mate. I responded to the wrong comment. Silly me.

[@jonmccormick602]

@@delby66 🤣

[@domielakrabi3276]

I Robot is by far my favorite Alan Parsons album. Nice you've included it here Pete!

[@Dromeusik]

Great picks! For whatever reason this is my very personal prog album selection (in alphabetcal order): A Salty Dog - Procol Harum Brain Salad Surgery - Emerson, Lake & Palmer Close to the Edge - Yes Images and Words - Dream Theater Lizard - King Crimson Playing the Fool - Gentle Giant Selling England by the Pound - Genesis Stand Up - Jethro Tull The Tall Ships - It Bites Valentyne Suite - Colloseum

[@dianafarnese8431]

A Salty Dog great album!

[@resistor27]

I like the Colloseum inclusion!

[@МаксРогозин-е1ю]

Love Lizard but from first four Sinfield era albums it's a most complex. Not for newbies I think.

[@markpeterson6279]

Thanks so much for including The Moody Blues and Alan Parsons Project in the honorable mentions. Have seen both in concert within the past seven years and they were both incredible.

[@sallocurto1571]

Many Nice albums created and defined prog. Thick As A Brick was my introduction to Tull in 1972, seems to have had a positive impact on me.

[@andretmadrid]

My favorite on this list is "brain salad surgery", by ELP. Keith Emerson was, without a doubt, one of the great exponents of the prog rock scene. Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@ronjones6190]

Great list! I would include Mike Oldfield-Tubular Bells.

[@mickster1780]

good stuff. i never considered myself a prog rock fan but i really like a few of these you've mentioned. Dark Side is right up there as my favorite album. so based on your suggestions i listened to King Crimson for the very first time and wow, it's really great! can't believe i've never listened to them before. and since i had heard Bloody Well Right and Dreamer, i decided to check out the entire album Crime of the Century. Holy cow, that album is brilliant! it's been out 50 years and i had never heard the rest of the album. what can i say it's a masterpiece. really touches you on a deeper emotional level. so nowi guess i have to check out some more of these 🙂

[@CloseToTheEdge-Prog]

Very interesting, Pete. I know a lot don't think Zappa is prog, but I do, and Apostrophe is the one I would say to a newbie to go and listen to.

[@TABL3SIX]

My picks: Yes - The Yes Album (Thought Pete was going to go Fragile. This was the first Yes I've heard and I have never been the same.) Rush - Moving Pictures (I just can't leave them off the list. And a newbie has probably heard some of this.) Genesis - Selling England by the Pound (This is the first one from the early prog era that I heard) King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (I heard Discipline first, but that may be over the head for a newbie) ELP - Brain Salad Surgery (Come to the SHOW!!!) Kansas - Leftoverture (I was thinking "Point of Know Return" might be better, but in this case lets throw the newbies into the fire.) Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (I'm matching Pete too much. This was the first Floyd I heard.) Jethro Tull - Aqualung (First Tull I heard) Alan Parsons Project - I Robot (One of my favorite albums of all time.) Gentle Giant - Freehand (This is what got me hooked.)

[@kevintremblay1211]

Ur Genesis choise is my FAV Genesis disc hands down. Great others but Selling England is my goto!! Great list Pete!

[@GJHendriks1963]

You did not mention them. I am 60 and till half year ago I never heard of Saga. Now I have 6 albums and even put my alarm clock on their music. What a marvelous band.

[@Leo-ci9kc]

Great episode, most of these bands are my favorite! Thanks for especially mentioning Marillion, Moody Blues, and APP!

[@petetobey3933]

This is such a great idea! Albums I grew up with as a teen that we never really called “prog rock”, it was all lumped into classic rock, but we loved it all.

[@Treviscoe]

ELP - Tarkus (just shades it from Trilogy) Yes - Close to The Edge Moody Blues - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Rush - Permanent Waves Pink Floyd - Pulse Jethro Tull - Aqualung Genesis - Selling England By The Pound Strawbs - Hero and Heroine Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy King Crimson - Red

[@keep_it_tidy56]

Thanks Pete, that was great. Love your comments about Gentle Giant & Zappa, “not for the newbies.” As a meat & two veg rocker in my teens, I only got into Prog later in life. I’m familiar with most of your picks but will be investigating Kansas & Porcupine Tree further.

[@phildokes7478]

Love the channel! show idea, the way you and Chuck & others discuss stories and interconnetions of musicians/bands , you should do a "best books/docs on Prog groups" or something, you & others knowledge is WELL beyond liner notes and it shows. Keep up the great work!

[@mazephobiarecords8482]

yes - close to the edge king crimson - in the court of crimson king elp - tarkus genesis - selling england by the pound pink floyd - dark side of the moon Jethro tull - aqualung camel - moonmadness rush - 2112 caravan - in the land of grey and pink gentle giant - octopus

[@DonHornsby]

As a huge Prog Rock fan, I would concur with your choices. Great job, Pete!

[@carlwmpylu]

No need to apologise for Kansas. One of the greatest prog bands ever, in this UK resident's opinion, at least. 👍

[@Rhialto-the-Marvellous]

Kansas from their eponymous album release up to Monolith were possibly the most consistent American progressive band - with a detectable nod to British Prog, although they always maintained they were showing the Brits they also had, inventive musical chops - just North American!

[@Sabotage8675]

Spot on!

[@thomasjames6680]

Thanks for this. Just started getting into prog rock in my 40's, and this is a good start. Thank you. will definitely check some of these out.

[@MLE750]

Excellent choice Mr Pardo. Well thought out. I've never considered Supertramp to be a Prog rock band. Possible additions: Pawn Hearts, To Our Children's Children's..., Octopus, The Snow Goose... Farewell To Kings...

[@R2Zmedia]

Wot no Camel? First album is a must! Other than that some great picks, I have 7/10 of your picks in my collection.

[@terry412]

Here's my list (in no particular order): 1) Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed 2) Yes - Fragile 3) Jethro Tull - Aqualung 4) King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King 5) Alan Parsons Project - I, Robot 6) Gryphon - Red Queen to Gryphon Three 7) Rick Wakeman - Six Wives of Henry 8th 8) Pink Floyd - Animals 9) Kansas - Song For America 10) ELP - s/t

[@patvanderreest7416]

So lovely to see Gryphon included! Not so much an underrated as a mostly unknown band. And good gods, they are amazing. Worthy to stand among the rest of the list.

[@davescryptodays1441]

Not all really newbie intro albums, you know? I wouldn't have Animals or Court Of The Crimson King as an intro to get someone into prog.

[@simonjones8111]

Brave and necessary for those about to explore the most diverse, challenging explosion of music in modern history. I was lucky in that I was 14 in 1968 so experienced it first hand as it happened. 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@terry412]

@@davescryptodays1441 Fair point, you could also exclude Wakeman for not being good for a newbie.

[@anthonycaruana7552]

This series is great.. even for those of us who own all these great albums.. It just reminds you of how good they are and gives you the itch to go and take them out again and give them a spin..

[@khrenek]

Very good choice, not only for a newby, but you have considered only english speaking bands. Considering the in the 70’s there was another big prog country (Italy), I suggest you to search italian prog rock and I suggest you 3 titles to begin with: 1. “DARWIN!” by Banco del mutuo soccorso 2. “STOTIA DI UN MINUTO” by P.F.M. 3. “FELPNA E SORONA” by Le orme (but there are a lot of other great albums by great bands).

[@treff9226]

Shows like this make Pete the YT legend that he is! So important to hip peeps to music they might be hesitant to experience - this is the way it's done!

[@bartepping3378]

Pete you should have some of the newbies come on the show to discuss the recordings you suggested. Great topic.

[@Barbaste]

Aqualung and Dark Side were my first prog records, and they changed my life... my 1st genesis album was nursery crime, so it's my fav with lamb.

[@Paul_Progressive]

This is a wonderful series and I have had so much fun watching the first three videos although I am not a newbie in these three genres as I started listening to music in 1972. But I am more or less a newbie in thrash metal, doom metal etc. and know right now that my CD collection will grow after having watched those forthcoming videos... I am a sucker for lists and it always a pleasure and a challenge to think about potential recommendations like these or to think about one's favorite records. I still haven't finished my personal list with the 20 albums which changed my life after having watched your wonderful and touching video a few weeks ago. This is much harder than I thought! But I digress... Your prog list is awesome and any newbie will do nothing wrong (to say the least) if he starts with these ten records. Thank you so much for this great idea!

[@HelgeKS]

In no particular order: Jethro Tull - Minstrel in the Gallery Focus - Hamburger Concerto Yes - Fragile Genesis - Wind and Wuthering Gentle Giant - In a glass house Golden Earring - To the Hilt Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales and Bombers King Crimson - Red ELP - Brain Salad Surgery Kansas - Leftoverture

[@Paul-eb9qj]

No Pink Floyd. Shameful

[@Mhoramdude]

I've only recently discovered this channel, and I have been loving these "newbie lists" even when I am a huge fan of the genre. Great stuff. My first Gentle Giant album was Octopus.

[@twatson4887]

Been watching your channel for a few years Pete from the UK. Excellent choice and Kansas yes, sadly never seen them live.

[@bobgorham5255]

Nice list Pete. Thank you for including Porcupine Tree! Rush's "2112" deserves to be in their somewhere.

[@garyjoyce2160]

Another milestone. Congratulations Pete 9️⃣4️⃣k. And , I understand the starter kits list. - I get it. I like this. Great topic Thank you for these 👍💯

[@georgelamie7001]

Apparently, you're one of a small group that does understand the concept, absed on the amount of inane pushback. The amount of willful ostinance is stunning.

[@garyjoyce2160]

@@georgelamie7001/ to be honest - when Pete started this series, after being a loyal viewer/ I knew it. And I 💯agree with your synopsis my friend 👍💯

[@jimmypage2843]

Of course George would disagree you need TCOTCK. Ever. 😂

[@paulhappe2360]

The Yes Album was my first real album and a great introduction to the genre.

[@markmasercola3958]

Great video Pete and solid choices. i’ve been listening to Prog since ‘74 and at times gone deep almost exclusive and i think your selections are right on.

[@glenfinston704]

Great picks Pete, yes, the mantra is ease in the newbie lol! Thank you! I picked the same as you!

[@bradleystone2623]

Very well done, Pete! I appreciate the idea for the 'newbies'. Might I suggest Camel, "The Snow Goose" as an alternative to Supertramp, who are only marginally prog rock? Not my fave Camel album, but highly accessible and melodic, and critically acclaimed amongst prog fans.

[@Swullmark]

Thank you for this! Always hear you talk about Prog, Pete, but never knew where to start with the genre... added to my listen list and will get started asap! Can't wait for "Classic Rock" and "Thrash" eventually... think there would be some killer albums in those ones

[@garyrobinson8665]

I'm a bit of a newbie and I like the Yes album and some Alan Parson Project.

[@PeterBrown-mz4nv]

I'll bet I'm the only person who is going to make his own list!! Well maybe not. I agree with most of Pete's picks and I have a number of the same, but I have differences, too. And I'm remembering this is for newbies. 1-The Yes Album-Yes. 2-Selling England By The Pound-Genesis. 3-Red-King Crimson. 4-Song For All Seasons-Renaissance. 5-Left Overture-Kansas. 6-Crime Of The Century-Supertramp. 7-Brain Salad Surgery-ELP. 8-Uk-Uk. 9-Aqualung-Jethro Tull. 10-2112-Rush. Honorable mentions-Animals-Pink Floyd. Dog And Butterfly-Heart.

[@matthewlunsford4351]

Thanks for reminding me of the UK album!

[@PeterBrown-mz4nv]

I almost forgot about it, too.

[@marcstopczynski7774]

Great vid, I’m not a newbie but enjoyed your selection especially the 3 albums at the end. I bought all three straight away! Can’t believe I missed Porcupine Tree before. Good shout on Kansas, who would have thought? Can’t stop playing it. Cheers mate, from England 👍

[@MrFrostien]

I started listening to Prog Rock last year thanks to a friend of mine who owns a record store, I knew prog but I never cared too much about it until I re listen to Genesis's Robbery assault and Battery from Trick of the Tail and then I met that guy who owns the record store which sells mostly Prog and I saw a King Crimson Discipline tshirt there and I remember hearing about it countless times so I went home and I listen to In the court of the Crimson King and it was like I entered to a new dimension, after that I listen to Trick of the Tail and it became my favorite Genesis album from the Prog era.

[@toddjohnson271]

Better hit the earlier Gabriel Genesis......it's even better.

[@podecrer81]

Excellent list. Love all these albums. I would just include Renaissance’s Ashes are burning as well.

[@nickfabiano7795]

Nice picks Pete. All great selections. As you said a few substitutions could be made here and there, but these would certainly encourage exploration deeper into the genre. Thanks

[@EricTJorgensen]

Great list. My Parsons Project started with the first, "Tales of Mystery and Imagination". "You don't throw Frank Zappa into the lap of someone who's never listened to prog rock before. Just don't do it." Sure, I had maybe half of these filling my ears already, but back in the pre-Internet era, the same friend that handed me a couple Yes albums did just that with The Grand Wazzoo and Apostrophe. So I can only respond with, "Great Googly Moogly!"

[@dav147]

Agree with 8 picks Pete but ELO Eldorado is all day every day a top 10 pick.

[@sidecardog5244]

As a prog newbie in 1976, two albums introduced me to prog (or at least prog lite). The first was Eldorado by ELO. As a Beatle freak, it checked all the boxes. The second was Genesis' Trick of the Tail. A gift from my sister that gently pushed me away from the heavy metal I was addicted to at the time.

[@alexandercaviedes2559]

Yes, I think ELO deserve a place here, and Eldorado is still legitimately proggy before they got more commercial (which is not a bad thing).

[@howardtennenhouse7849]

To me,trick of the tail was good but was the first Genesis album post Gabriel and started their change to pop.

[@joes295]

Great list, although regarding Genesis, I would could replace SEBTP with Wind and Wuthering, which was my introduction to prog. W&W grabbed my attention with Eleventh Earl, One for the Vine, Blood on the Rooftops, and Afterglow. I shortly thereafter dug into SEBTP and the rest of the Genesis catalogue.

[@hauskahirvi]

Good selection Pete. I don't think I could have come up with a better list. A couple of honorable mentions that come to mind are Procol Harum's live album and Camel's Mirage.

[@rogertemple7193]

This is a really awesome pick for your Progressive Rock bands and their top albums especially for newbies to the progressive rock genre this really is a great pick thanks Pet.🎸🎸🎤🇬🇧🥁🎵🎶🎼🎼🎶🎵

[@МаксимКайгородов-ш5к]

I started listening to Frank Zappa seriously somewhere around the age of 40. This is a performer who is too complex at a younger age. The Apostrophe was included on MP3 in 2000, but the album did not make any impression. In recent years, I have been feverishly buying his CDs. Fortunately, there is delivery from eBay to Kazakhstan. Well, I forgot to add the Van Der Graaf Generator to my review. Quite a significant progressive rock band. Thanks for the review.

[@markperry9427]

This is the one I've been wanting to watch as I have been listening to prog for 50 years. When I think of a newbie to prog I think of a very good friend of mine who is the same age (63) and is the most grounded person I know, and his tastes in music are very song oriented, he admitted he only fully "got" Dark Side of the Moon last year. So while I agree with a few of your choices, I would go for more song oriented albums with less orchestration and bombast. Here's my choices: 1: Genesis - Selling England... 2: Jethro Tull - Songs From the Wood 4: Greenslade - Time and Tide 5: Camel - Moon Madness 6: ELP - Black Moon 7:,Pink Floyd - Animals 8: Yes - Drama 9: Renaissance - A Song For All Seasons 10: Alan Parsons Project - I Robot Honourable mentions would be Supertramp - Crises? What Crises? Barclay James Harvest - Time Honoured Ghosts Kansas - Point of No Return Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Steve Hillage - Open Caravan - Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night

[@moinlabs]

I am with you for "beginner's choice" to pick Yes Album over Close to the Edge/Tales, Aqualung over Brick and Selling England over Foxtrot/Lamb. However, applying the same principle for ELP would land you with Trilogy or potentially Tarkus.

[@terrymtbnurse4760]

Thanks for answering my Gentle Giant question. Bought Octopus 2 years ago and just can't wrap my head around it. I've really been into bands like: Arabs in Aspic, The Chronicles of Father Robin, Regna, Big Big Train, Wobbler, just to name a few. I'm going to give Gentle Giant another try.

[@ChadSmith-t6m]

Great job! All of your time and effort creating great content is much appreciated. Thank you!!

[@iainhead9898]

Hi everyone, not listened yet but, as usual, wanted to put up my list before hearing Pete's choices or reading others' comments, so hopefully I'm within whatever parameters Pete's picked! I've tried for a mix of older and (slightly!) newer, UK and elsewhere and I've even included a couple of albums I'm not overly keen on but I think they need to be included. Again, they aren't in any order, just as they came to me! Here goes... GENESIS Selling England By The Pound PINK FLOYD Dark Side of the Moon KING CRIMSON In The Court If The Crimson King YES Close To The Edge CAMEL Mirage MARILLION Misplaced Childhood RUSH Hemispheres JETHRO TULL Aqualung KANSAS Leftoverture PORCUPINE TREE Fear of a Blank Planet

[@stevepyle5080]

Great video, Pete. I love the prog albums you picked (obviously some are better than others). However, as far as the best classic rock album, you could certainly make a case for Aqualung. An amazing album which could be in your classic rock starter pack as well.

[@StevenCole1971]

I don't listen to a lot of prog rock but I've always enjoyed early Genesis and I actually like Camel quite a bit 😊

[@CoryMason-fe8rp]

I can only think of 5: Yes - Fragile Rush - moving pictures Jethro Tull- aqualung King crimson - in the court of the crimson king Genesis - selling England by the pound

[@hship9206]

Pete, great choice(s). You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your input. Your the best.

[@nicholasscott7860]

Interesting choice with starter albums. My wife’s uncle pick 5 bands and curated 10 songs from each bands discography as a starter. I would love to see what that would look like.

[@johnhenfrey5936]

It been a new fan when it comes to, Prog Rock, I was curious as to what, you would pick. You really did a very good job indeed Pete.

[@simonjones8111]

Pete, congratulations on about the best selection possible, especially with the extras, well done 👏

[@timjohnson8902]

This is very good starting point . Prog allows you to immerse yourself and escape. For any Newby there's a wonderful journey ahead of you. The albums mentioned are just a taste of what's to come for you and will give you great pleasure although expensive😂. I started my journey with a trick of the tail by genesis in 1976. I then went backwards to nursery cryme and from then on I was hooked. Prog is a world of discovery. Good luck and best wishes tim

[@carlosdanger6129]

Genesis - Duke Jethro Tull - Aqualung Pink Floyd - The Wall Yes - Fragile Marillion - Misplaced Childhood King Crimson - Red ELP - Tarkus Rush - A Farewell to Kings Kansas - Leftoverture Supertramp - Breakfast in America

[@johnw706]

Your choices were excellent , and , with Aqualung , Dark Side , Selling England , and Crime of the Century , you happened to name 4 of my top 10 favourite albums of all time . Had you selected Fragile , it would have been 5 . I would probably have thrown in Moody Blues ‘ On the Threshold of a Dream , and the Strawbs’ Hero & Heroine ( or Ghosts ) into the honourable mentions discussion as well . Well done !

[@latheofheaven1017]

I'm trying to remember the order I discovered prog in when I was a kid in the 1970s. I know the first album I discovered was Focus' Moving Waves. Soon after that came Close To The Edge and Selling England by the Pound. Then I explored more of those bands while not really thinking of Meddle and Dark Side of the Moon as prog, but at least adjacent to it. One album that I think deserves more attention though is Todd Rundgren's Utopia album, with the title track - a live performance opening, followed by the quirky Freak Parade and the anthemic Freedom Fighters. That said, side two on the vinyl 'The Icon' is almost unlistenable to me. But side A makes up for it.

[@gregorymcdaniel4901]

Really enjoy your channel, one could say, I watch it "all the damn time" (or at least quite often) and these intros into different genres is great!

[@jimave]

Great recommendations. When I started watching your channel in 2020, I didn’t know about Gentile Giant. At that time you recommended Octopus and I thought it was ok. But then listened to their other albums and I was hooked.

[@anthonycoad7386]

Great list Pete, and very well explained.

[@toddhill7483]

Great list and interesting topic. I might add Caravan In the Land of Grey and Pink because of it's catchy accessibility, most notably side 1. Of course, Nine Feet Underground has more progressive elements and may take longer to get used to. But overall a good starter album in my opinion. Gratitude.

[@johnnyscarecrow71]

Absolutely, "Land of Grey and Pink" for a newbie. Can't leave that one off.

[@Darrylizer1]

Nice list Pete! I think I would have chosen Red over KOTKC, but that's a quibble.

[@drumvc8060]

Great list, and not solely 70's focussed. Excellent stuff, enjoyed this. Thanks Pete.

[@fredturd]

Pete, aside from Porcupine Tree and Gentle Giant, your prog rock starter pack list was basically my Columbia Record Club selection from 1989! Coincidentally, when I feel like I might need some new music in my life, I usually browse through some of the old CRC ads and then listen to what I missed or had forgotten about.

[@jwaller132]

Great list Pete! I too wish Spiral Architect would have done more because it's such a killer release! Symphony X The divine is my one of favorite of theirs. I wish they would do the title track live instead of The Odyssey title track! Ghost Reveries is my favorite from Opeth. Absolute perfecrion!

[@alexsuperpower1]

I am into classic rock, hard rock, metal (all styles) but prog was never really my thing so today I'm going to listen to these and hopefully become a fan! THanks Pete!

[@JoeMay-wc6nv]

Pete your picks were spot on for a newbie. Long time fan first poster.

[@ronjones6190]

Accessibility for the newcomer is important, and your list is excellent in this respect. I could recommend all those albums to a friend without hesitation.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

1) Yes - Fragile 2) Yes - Close To The Edge 3) Yes - Relayer 4) King Crimson - Red 5) King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black 6) Kansas - Two For The Show 7) Jethro Tull - Aqualung 8) Jethro Tull - Burstin' Out 9) Symphony X - Odyssey 10) Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry

[@MaciejRe]

great choice. I will share my personal intro list that carried me through from the late 90s: - Court of the Crimson King - Genesis Foxtrot - Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick - Oldfield Tabular Bells - Floyd Dark Side - Camel Snow Goose - Rush Moving Pictures - Marillion Misplaced Childhood - Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream - Dream Thester Metropolis pt2

[@bumfan]

First video of yours I've watched. Great list! But what really impressed me was noticing the Trouble "Manic Frustration" CD front and center. Kudos! Not very many people I know have ever heard of Trouble.

[@drums122]

I got acquainted with several songs from this album. This is never prog. and even psychedelia is not enough. 

[@bumfan]

@drums122 Agreed. But it was a drastic shift from their Sabbath-inspired doom of the first three albums.

[@drums122]

@@bumfan if you want prog/doom/ and stoner metal, I recommend the two latest Mastodon albums, very good, especially the last one!

[@vorhangauf...]

Great Pete. I think you pick the right albums (most of them) for a newbie. The Yes Album is the perfect one to start with. My first experience with Yes was the Tormato album. Luckily I have moved on. With Kansas you could have also a good start with Song for America.

[@chaddunn9621]

Great episode I have almost all the these. For a newbie its good to start at the most popular album first. Hopefully they will listen to others in their catalog. Like Pete says all the time time. There is no wrong answer here.

[@supasoulproductions]

Great job on this, Pete! Maybe not exactly what I would have come up with, but I wouldn't argue with any of these picks.