The Ten Best | Progressive Rock Albums

What is the Greatest progressive rock album of all time. This is my personal Top Ten prog albums, discussed from Pink Floyd to King Crimson. How many would make you list?
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[@tonyantonuccio4748]

Genesis belongs on no best list. ELP is tedious and pretentious. You completely skipped Procol Harum, Renaissance, and the most under appreciated prog band of all time, Caravan.

[@normangeleri1522]

You are wack

[@doctorgarbonzo2525]

Renaissance haven't heard them since Dinosaurs ruled the earth

[@arfshesaid4325]

first couple sentences made me throw up in my mouth a little bit, thanks well done

[@Vince-lq3ve]

So when he says "This is my personal Top Ten prog albums" you somehow find a way to create an argument over his opinion? How about counter with your own top ten list. Course if all you are doing is looking for attention then I guess you win that childish endeavor.

[@briancox8518]

Barclay James harvest often overlooked and underated

[@alessandroercole6060]

In my opinion it´s impossible not to include Close to the edge by Yes

[@bradtarr3283]

My #1.

[@claudebuysse7482]

I love that Group but in the beginning , they were a cover group whith beatles song. We search the very first...I saw them playing Yes Album in the seventies...

[@erickbravo6070]

@Claude but that's what music is all about the progression and evolution of Yes has turned them into one of the greatest bands of all time, in my opinion of course. I just got into Yes very recently and it's changed my life!

[@claudebuysse7482]

@@erickbravo6070 OK !

[@stevemossholder]

agreed. In his Yes ranking video Close to the Edge is his number 1 fave.

[@FanFanBessie2]

This is one of the few channels where I feel a little smarter after watching...SO glad I found it today👍

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@ClaireHoldich]

As a classical musician who is somewhat miffed that I was never inducted into the world of prog, this has really helped to keep my journey of discovery going. Great stuff 😃🤘🙏

[@hamadah4]

Can I i can recommend to you as you are a classical musician also the band Kansas, especially songs like Song for America en the Pinnacle. Very tight band, very orchestral in a way.

[@martinrixx1672]

I'm so happy that an album by Amon Duul II made this list! Thank you for recognizing how wonderful Yeti and Amon Duul II are.

[@schnertblatt]

I have never met another person here in the US (when I've asked anyone) that has heard of Amon Düül II.

[@MrKelleyzinho]

I live in the US and love Amon Duul II. Julian Cope, the English musician, did a lot to reignite interest in Krautrock. He also championed Van Der Graaf Generator (as did John Lydon). These two bands are darker and more aggressive and are not reliant on refried Bach. Hence, they are solidly in the “alternative” canon.

[@billbez7465]

Excellent musical analysis! Very much enjoy the way you describe the music.

[@classicalbum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelwertzy9808]

@@classicalbum, I named my pet frog "Prog" before they came up with "Progressive" rock. A frogressively shocking thing at the time!

[@seanhutchinson6722]

1.Tales From Topographic Oceans (I attended the 2nd-ever live performance) 2.In The Court Of The Crimson King (Greg Lake's parents invited me to tea at their house in 1976 and we sat at the kitchen table where Greg and Robert Fripp rehearsed the songs) 3.Aqualung 4.Selling England By The Pound (I saw the tour) 5.Wish You Were Here 6.Close To The Edge (Yes played the whole album on the 1973 tour) 7.The Dark Side Of The Moon 8.The Yes Album 9.Tubular Bells 10.Crime Of The Century (I saw the tour)

[@davidvasquez8658]

What a touching story.You & Gregs parents.Good choices.

[@barrypeirson3710]

Tales #1! I'm so jealous of anyone who saw that tour!

[@Southbound63]

It was fantastic.

[@moonuni]

Sure you did 😅

[@michaelalanpowell]

I agree with you, David Gilmour's playing on Animals is astonishingly brilliant.

[@norbertenderle8092]

Iagree with you ,its the Most wonderful Album from PF ,iheard this thousend Times and ist Most powerful,and its getting netter forbthe Bands career

[@classicalbum]

@@norbertenderle8092 I must do a review of the 'Animals' album

[@norbertenderle8092]

@@classicalbum Think that from pigs, by the actuelly food crime of the Europe flesh mafia

[@tomdumenjich7021]

The outro Gilmour played on Sheep is one of my favorites. It bookends the song nicely with Richard Wright's keyboard intro.

[@michaelalanpowell]

@@tomdumenjich7021 You're right, that is a beautiful outro. All the band's playing is amazing on this album.

[@robmills537]

A fantastic top 10 and so beautifully presented your knowledge is amazing, I take my hat off to you sir. My hippy trippy favourites are Gong & Steve Hillage.

[@alanmilne9359]

Wonderful selection. My number One has and will always be The Snow Goose by Camel. I believe Andy Latimer is on of the most underrated guitarists of his era. Cheers from Cape Town

[@carlosvsiguejugando3102]

Same. I haven’t heard all of prog rock albums in existence, therefore my opinion may change, but until now it is my number 1 prog rock album. I like the sound of the instruments and the way the album tells a story, plus it gives different emotions

[@ukesrule58]

Then didn't Frampton take over Camel?

[@alanmilne9359]

@@ukesrule58 Nope. That was a completely different band called Framton's Camel . Cheers

[@Darrylizer1]

I've always found the Selling England By The Pound by Genesis to be the greatest of the English prog rock albums and the finest album in all prog rock. It just epitomizes what prog was about to me.

[@wmhhealth2018]

I love Selling England By The Pound but it wouldn't even be my favorite Genesis album to say nothing of being the finest prog album in general.

[@jomama5406]

Agreed

[@kingcrimson2168]

Even though “Epping Forest” is bombed with Peter Gabriel’s lyrics, as well as “Get ‘Em Out By Friday”, I still think those are some of the best Genesis songs. IMO the former is very underrated because it’s along with one of the best albums of all-time, but I think it fits with the other tracks.

[@michaelsalisbury1477]

Darlylizee but the lamb lies down is a more cohesive cihesive production.

[@michaelsalisbury1477]

@@kingcrimson2168 I totally agree.

[@cobar5342]

Wow! A reviewer who has a very good grasp of the English language. Kudos

[@hdrake1000]

Very cool compilation! He's touched base on some of my rare favorites, King Crimson, Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull,

[@benvasilinda9729]

I was born in 1973 and Prog Rock is my favorite music. Seems I was born in a good year for Prog Rock.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

You are literally a child of prog rock.

[@matnichol]

I was born in 71. The start of the prog era.

[@mikereiss4216]

@@matnichol 1970 for me. 1969 was the real official beginning of the prog era though since that's when King Crimson's first album came out.

[@UCS0608]

I was born in 1958. I think one of the best years to be born and become a fan of the "symphonic rock" (yes, that's how we called it that time, kids. Not progrock!!! ;) ) because I was 13 when most of the the great albums began being released and I bought them when they were still warm! I saw lots of these bands live throughout the 70s. I realize more and more that the period from my 13th till my 18th/19th birthday has really shaped my musical taste. I have to admit that after 1980 I lost interest in sympho/progrock, and moved on to new wave etc. But I listen to the great stuff from the 70s often and I still have all the vinyl and cherish it, even though I have most of this material on cd for a long time already. Been a Beatle-fan all my life btw! :) My top-10 list is different from this one, but that's only normal, because personal. I think my #1 and #2 are steady (The lamb lies down on Broadway and Tales from topographic Oceans), but after those there are more than eight albums that can have the rest of the positions in my top-10. It's like Sophie's Choice and it varies! In random order: Dark side of the moon, In a glass house, Selling England by the pound, Foxtrot, Yes Album, Wish you were here, In the court of the Crimson King, The snowgoose, Atom heart mother, Crime of the century, Storia di uno minuto, PFM live in USA, to name some. What a time to grow up.... :)

[@NalinX]

Love your perspectives and articulation. I picked up some good recommendations here. My personal favorites are "In the Court..." and "Fragile" and am currently digging the sound of Gentle Giant's "Acquiring the Taste". Nice list

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Love the great Octopus but their Acquiring the Taste is just a sliver the better album, for me anyway.

[@ozmonaut1]

I nominate Audience's album, House on the Hill as a contender, it's in the top five in my books. Also a shoutout for Nektar's, Remember the Future.

[@talloaks9644]

Remembering "Remember the Future" will always be there.

[@robertcooper1952]

Wow, what an eloquent man! My personal favorite is Tarkus by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer.

[@robertcooper1952]

@Bookhouse Boy Tarkus just blows me away with that bass pattern using the interval of a fourth. I can hear the influence of Bela Bartok on Keith in this album. If you give me your mailing address, I will send you a signed copy of my book: "The Conscience of An Agnostic," which is listed on Amazon.

[@ronniewaters9782]

Glad to see Larks and Octopus getting some love. I was fortunate to see Gentle Giant at the back end of their career. I was blown away.

[@markhenrynoll5601]

I got to see GG as a backup band awesome performance.

[@Deedee-ee1sg]

Great comments, it's fab to see Amon Duul get a mention, they're a hugely underrated band. I love YES! And of course any early Pink Floyd. So much great music from 70s. Probably the greatest era for pop and rock ever!

[@roywarriner8441]

Close to the Edge would be my choice but any Yes album would fit the list.

[@hdrake1000]

If I had to pick one Yes album of course it would have to be Close To The Edge. I think he chose Topographic is because of the subject matter of the whole album.

[@frankmachin5438]

Yes I agree - I think Close To The Edge is a faultless masterpiece...Bill Bruford left Yes after ‘Close’ because he felt they could never top it...

[@hdrake1000]

@@frankmachin5438 I love Bruford and it's great he went on to King Crimson and even UK. I miss him his early days of Yes. That album Yesterdays has the best of the 1st 2 albums and then they all did the Simon and Garfunkel's America. You just cant beat Bruford back in those days.

[@frankmachin5438]

@@hdrake1000 ....and don’t forget Genesis - Bruford is the only prog musician to play for all of the ‘Big Three’ - Yes, Genesis and King Crimson

[@hdrake1000]

@@frankmachin5438 Your right. I love him in UK also. Bill used Alan Holdsworth on his solo albums also.

[@elliotwalton6159]

Thank you, again, for pointing out the gaps in my musical journey. there's always room for discovery! You offer great sign posts along the way. Heady tangents for anyone's pilgrimage!

[@michaelkeudel8770]

Here's one thats been around 20 years and you've probably never heard of them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZyYaaRvjbaYhM0

[@elgranjuanileiva]

"...makes King Crimson sounds like the Ramones". I spit my coffee. Great line.

[@Patrick-sh9tt]

So good to see Topographic Oceans here. I love that album. Very interesting top 10. Absolutely love some of them and had dismissed some others…must rectify. No doubts about Dark Side or Selling England.

[@christophermosca4547]

Excellent list - it’s so hard to come up with “top - list” , when each album in progressive rock can provide unique textures that draw you in , during a particular listening . You hit upon my favorite Jethro Tull, Van Der Graff Generator , Genesis , Gentle Giant albums - and I too have a soft spot for Yes / Tales From Topographic Oceans ! An intriguing snd thought provoking list !! Most excellent!!

[@hogweed1975]

When you started with Yeti, I knew this list was going to be good.

[@dudutano15]

My Top 10 Prog Albums: 01 - Thick as a Brick - Jethro Tull 02 - 2112 - Rush 03 - Fragile - YES 04 - Pictures at an Exhibition - ELP 05 - Images & Words - Dream Theater 06 - The Wall - Pink Floyd 07 - Close to the Edge - YES 08 - Tarkus - ELP 09 - Caress of Steel - Rush 10 - Aqualung - Jethro Tull

[@RegWho]

In no particular order,, my humble 2 cents worth: Godbluff - Van der Graaf Generator Ege Bamyasi - Can Camembert Electrique - Gong Foxtrot - Genesis Red - King Crimson Fish Rising - Steve Hillage Ummagumma - Pink Floyd Three Friends - Gentle Giant Hatfield and the North - Rotters Club Soft Machine - Softs

[@davidvasquez8658]

I agree 100% with your choices. Not 1 choice not worthy of a great list. Great taste! ha ha

[@adrianokury]

Caress of Steel is so hated by many -- but the prog part is fantastic -- a pity that there are inane fillers.

[@tonydoran5147]

Even though your top 10 is different to mine, I could sure be stranded on a desert island with yours!! Thanks so much!!

[@goatuscrow4135]

Your verbose but very interesting takes of these records makes me smile. I like it.

[@tkhubb]

You should teach a prog rock class at Oxford or Cambridge. Holy Christ, I thought I knew a lot about music.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for the high praise. Do check out my other videos

[@sockington1]

he ought to learn a bit of Latin first though - ec cetera ? magnus opus ?

[@gerthoffmann5436]

Vielen Dank für deine fachkundigen Ausführungen, thank you very much !

[@gerthoffmann5436]

@@classicalbum ❤

[@markrae1317]

Do you honestly need anyone else to tell you whether something is good or not, whether you're allowed to like it or not?

[@claud1961]

A great list! I am surprised at how many I agree with. Brain Salad Surgery is special to me because it was my introduction to prog back in the late '70s. I agree that this them at their best but I always felt the work afterwards was tension between the band and not some sort of hubris or the debris of success that seems to plague a lot of bands. King Crimson is a favourite as well, another early discovery that helped me weather periods of horrible music. And you can't talk about prog without Yes and Pink Floyd. I would have had something from The Moody Blues but otherwise, I have to agree.

[@moparmenace59]

dark side is a modern masterpiece, i listened to this the first time i got stoned in '73 and i've owned it in every format since then. thanks for the video.

[@eximusic]

Good picks. Pawn Hearts is the litmus test for prog knowledge. Tales is also my favorite Yes and a brave choice given all the criticism. 4 sides of a prog album really need to be listened to the same way you'd sit to enjoy Wagner. Not for ADD types. And kudos on including ELP. As mentioned they've become the whipping boy for the excesses of prog, but Brain Salad Surgery and my favorite, Trilogy, are amazing albums. A Passion Play is also my favorite Tull. Selling England is up there, but for me the original live album is their best. It makes up for the bad recording quality of the previous two albums and Genesis sounded better live anyways. Octopus is a must pick, but I have a hard time choosing between that and The Power and the Glory,

[@rk41gator]

An interesting and sometimes surprising list of amazing albums. The groups all deserving mention. I take no exception at having a Pink Floyd album at the head of the class and would not argue with your 'Dark Side' choice. 'Animals' might be mine, but I won't quibble. I do take exception to having Jethro Tull so high. My second choice (or actually first, truth be told) for the best progressive rock album has to be 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway'. I can understand why an Englishman would sentimentally chose Genesis' 'Selling England by the Pound' but the band's concept double album should be number one. It has some of the best compositions, jazz/fusion drumming and unity of its progression to a climax. It is masterful. Even Gabriel's abstract lyric adds to the album's allure. Enigmatic as it is, the overall concept is cosmic; using the analogy of a punk gang member discovering his humanity, to express man's search for the meaning of life, is itself simply brilliant. The album is epic and to my mind fully achieved.

[@mpactdesignmedia]

Saw the title - thought to myself "I'd better see Brain Salad Surgery...or there will be HELL to pay!!!" Saw Brain Salad Surgery...put pitchfork back in the corner. ;-)

[@coachhannah2403]

BSS is too inconsistent to be "best." Pretty much any earlier album was better, IMNSHO. Kids today... Just sayin'

[@guillaumechabason9606]

Brilliant analysis as usual My personal favourite albums are U.K by U.K Danger money by U.K Studio Tan by Frank Zappa Brain Salad Surgery by E.L.P Tarkus by E.L.P Thick as a brick by Jethro Tull Animals by Pink Floyd Three friends by Gentle Giant Selling England by a pound by Genesis Going for the one by Yes Moving pictures by Rush Red by King Crimson

[@yuridio514]

Change -Rush -Permanent waves......................

[@lpc1231000]

Have you been going through my record collection? LOL

[@jeremyhayden2878]

I’m so used to reading critics slagging off Yes’s TFTO that it was with great appreciation that I listened to your thoughtful and articulate treatise on this very complex album. I’ve always held it in esteem and felt as though it deserved a better response from both critics and the public. Thank you for your insights. Well done, sir.

[@123agidee_2]

Pawn hearts is one of the best prog albums of all time and van der graaf are often overlooked retrospectively

[@mickeyphillips6603]

To me, David Gilmour is a genius. My favorite guitarist of all time.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

Great bands like Pink Floyd are always the result of multiple people's talents, but without Gilmour's playing I wouldn't find post-Barrett Pink Floyd nearly as interesting as I do. His feel is pretty untouchable.

[@majsiewiczm57]

Waters od geniusz Gilmour no

[@howie9751]

But it was Waters that wrote the songs, not that I disagree about Gilmore.

[@claymor8241]

He doesn’t play anywhere near enough notes per minute, it’s about quantity not quality.

[@majsiewiczm57]

@@howie9751 dark side komposed Waters Animals Waters The Wall Waters finał cit Waters.wat qestion?

[@petergrossett6763]

Van Der Graafs great music, was a balance between Peter Hammil's beautiful music and lyric and David Jackson's genius on sax. Utterly the best and then some.

[@fabio5995]

Totally agree! Pawn Hearts is still the best prog album

[@hugoribeiro8664]

My favorites...Still Life and God Bluff also not bad at all 🙃

[@AlterMann57]

Wasn't Lemmy a member of Van Der Graaf on that album?

[@stevemalek2970]

I'm starting to delve into the works of VDGG and I am enjoying it greatly!

[@lemming9984]

@@AlterMann57 No. You're thinking of Hawkwind!

[@GunnarCreutz]

Great list! Here is my list of the British albums I have listened to the most the last 20 years (only the most listened album per group/artist). 1. Van der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts (1971) 2. Genesis - Nursery Cryme (1971) (with Selling England close to the top) 3. Jethro Tull - Heavy Horses (1978) (wíth A Passion Play close to the top) 4. Gentle Giant - Three Friends (1972) (with Octopus close to the top) 5. King Crimson - The Power to Believe (2003) (with Larks' Tongues In Aspic and Red close to the top) 6. Deep Purple - The Book of Taliesyn (1968) 7. Camel - Mirage (1974) 8. Chris Squire - Fish out of Water (1975) 9. Yes - Close to The Edge (1972) 10. Peter Hammill - In Camera (1974) I also listen a lot to Italian Progressive Rock, so here is the same list for Italian bands. 1. Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso - Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso (1972) (the best album ever) 2. Alphataurus - Alphataurus (1973) 3. Museo Rosenbach - Zarathustra (1973) 4. L’Uovo di Colombo - L’Uovo di Colombo (1973) 5. Celeste - Principe Di Un Giorno (1976) 6. Le Orme - Felona E Sorona (1973) 7. I Giganti - Terra in Bocca (1971) 8. Biglietto Per l'Inferno - Biglietto Per l'Inferno (1974) 9. Metamorfosi - Inferno (1973) 10. Il Balletto di Bronzo - YS (1972) 11. PFM - Storia di un minuto (1972)

[@lpc1231000]

I love Italian prog! How about Acqua Fragile (self-titled and Mass Media Stars)?

[@antoniogalianojerez9942]

Top five (no order): red, selling, lamb, animals & the wall. 6 to 13 places (no order): close to the edge, fragile, foxtrot, wind and wuthering, wish you were here, dark side of the moon, lark's tongues in aspic, in the court

[@stewartconacher6552]

Enjoyed this video and I found myself agreeing with most of your choices Well argued and informative.Certainly agree about how excellent an album A Passion Play is.

[@lionelraoul]

You have made a real difference in my musical education. Thank you.

[@classicalbum]

What a kind thing to say... Thank you so much for watching.

[@Edmant]

I've just realised that I've been listening to half of these albums for years without knowing anything about them. Thanks for a very eloquent review.

[@JuanAMatos-zx4ub]

Your descriptions are fit for these albums. Amazing work!

[@classicalbum]

Thank you very much! Have a great Christmas and keep an eye out for some new videos in 2021

[@andreabaldoni1786]

Prog: the Lamb lies down on broadway

[@jonesfactor9]

Andrea Baldoni not prog

[@nectarinedreams7208]

@@jonesfactor9 You're not prog.

[@Wayner71]

Yes, 'The Lamb' is the greatest Prog album in my opinion.

[@ljgittingeriii3199]

@@jonesfactor9 What????? Genesis-the Lamb Lies down on Broadway is not prog??? Please take your massively overdue dose of Thorazine!

[@altayles5468]

I do love Passion Play. Could the best concert ever.

[@strannostrannovasrr]

What can I say. Almost all the albums you reviewed here are on my shelf. Outstanding review.

[@michaelkeudel8770]

probably not this band, talk about hiding in plain site: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZyYaaRvjbaYhM0

[@strannostrannovasrr]

@@michaelkeudel8770 no, you're right about that.

[@jacksterattacks8326]

Could name every song off every album, love the review and keep it up my friend!

[@victorhawkins3461]

Dude! First-time viewer, but I will stop at the outset to give you props for the ROXY & ELSEWHERE T...now, my expectations of you are p-r-e-t-t-y high! (after watching...) Yup, you lived up to your T-shirt! Gentle Giant's OCTOPUS? Right the freak on! Side four of TALES is legendary among former radio jocks I worked with (when the record was released). SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND? Check. I did sub, and I will be back! (Did you really use "obfuscation" or some variant of it in your intro?! You dawg, you!)

[@sombrejungle982]

Ha! That's exactly what caught my eye too! Not a fan of Tales (altho the artwork's stellar) but this isn't my list, it's his and I cant fault his other nine picks.

[@jeremyadams1521]

So glad to see A Passion Play get it’s due!! Great list!!

[@jamiepastman5594]

me too

[@glenmurschel5939]

Well done, the reviews are as hypnotic as the music. Remember this is the reviewers favorites. My top 3 would be Relayer, selling england, danger money by UK

[@cygnusx-7440]

Enjoyed your narrative very much! Everyone has a prog favorite, whether on this list or not. My "two-cents" worth? "KANSAS" in the mid to late 70's. Creative, spiritual, complex and unique, primarily because of one individual: Kerry Livgren.

[@jasonsobol32]

The music is great, I must say...but they are not much of a band to see in concert. Saw them open for Yes in 2001, did not enjoy the lack of stage presence.

[@davej9228]

Totally agree. Masque was the first album I ever bought after seeing them on Don Kershners rock concert. Air guitared the shit out of Icarus.

[@ericsmith2283]

Kansas in an outstanding progressive rock band, and the current lineup are continuing the tradition.

[@fourseasons4105]

My top 10: 1. Genesis- Foxtrot 2. YES- Relayer 3. Pink Floyd- Wish you were here 4. ELP- Brain salad surgery 5. Dream theater- Images and words 6. Frank Zappa- One size fits all 7. King Crimson- Larks' tongues in aspic 8. UK- UK 9. Kansas- Kansas 10. Rush- Hemispheres

[@danhemming6624]

Surely Frank Zappa's Zoot Allures was a better album.

[@RootinrPootine]

@@danhemming6624 lol come on now…

[@knutschwab7951]

Interaktiv

[@michaelsalisbury1477]

Wish you werr hereis PFs worst album with Roger W.

[@MagusPerde42]

Cool list. I mostly agree. I'm really pleased that you chose TFTO and A Passion Play as I think they are both their respective groups' best albums. I guess I can agree about Brain Salad Surgery if, for nothing else, it's consistency. That said, I think that the single best Prog track of all time is Tarkus and I'd have put that album at the top of my list if side two weren't total rubbish. In place of The Snow Goose I'd pick Procol Harum Shine On Brightly, instead of the Van Der Graff Generator I'd pick Tubular Bells and maybe Soft Machine Third instead of Amon Duul. I note that there's no contemporary Prog. If more recent stuff were allowed, I'd try to find a place for The Raven That Refused To Sing and Transatlantic's SMPTe.

[@redlioness6627]

The Raven is absolutely superb!

[@michaelsalisbury1477]

Dream Theatrid contemporary prog.

[@pawelkoscielski1]

Woow! As you said this is in fact YOUR choice of favourites, but really I appreciate your insight in choosing such albums that I think almost every prog fan can relate to. Really insigtfull and as unbiased as possibile I think

[@bellce0]

Another great post! I certainly won't be taking the time to read all of the comments, but I still include the album "Solar Fire" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band on my list of best progressive rock albums.

[@RonaldJamieson]

What strikes me is how many of these albums were released in 1973. Probably the watershed year for Prog.

[@simond1574]

1972 was not bad either. "Close to the Edge", "Foxtrot", "Thick as a brick". What strikes me most is how fast some bands bands in the 1970s are throwing out instant classics. King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, Tull, Floyd all published at least one great album per year in the first half of the 1970s.

[@BrainiacFingers]

1973 began with 'Tubular Bells' followed by: 'Dark Side Of The Moon' 'A Passion Play'. 'Tales From Topographic Oceans' 'Larks Tongues In Aspic' 'Chamelion In The Shadow Of The Night' 'Selling England By The Pound' 'Birds Of Fire' 'Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy' 'Queen 1' 'In A Glass House' among others. A very good year. ADDENDUM: How could I forget ELP' s Brain Salad Surgery.

[@whitlalindsay6255]

A watershed year for LSD both in quality and availabity :-)

[@joaofreita579]

@@simond1574 For me 1972 the better year and 1977 in 2º place.

[@noreligion2]

Not just for Prog but the best year in music period! You had: Elton's Yellow Brick Road, The Doobie Bros Captain and Me, Montrose's first, Skynard's first, Alice Cooper's Billion Dollar Babies just to name a few!!!

[@antoniocuesta4953]

Great list! Happy to see some of the more obscure bands like VdGG, Amon Duul II and Camel make it, and talked about with such affection. There are so many good bands from this era, from germany, france and italy too.. this got me thinking, if i made a list i would have to use at least 20 albums under your rules 😀

[@bmh942]

A Passion Play - what a magnificent album! (However, I always miss out the Hare....)

[@jogabrielcosta4788]

You became my favourite review channel.. Very down to earth and unpretensious while being incredibly informative and passionate, thank you

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Wonderful list... I would have placed the top two spots for Genesis: Selling England, and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway... so, so different for two consecutive albums (almost as different as OK Computer and Kid A)... Would have made room for King Crimson's debut, as well... but it all comes down to personal choice, so no wrong answers...

[@joaquimgianini1234]

I feel like Red is KC's best. I love the debut album but songs like Fallen Angel and Starless take Red another level

[@Reggie-The-Dog]

@@joaquimgianini1234 I agree. Red is their pinnacle for me.

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

I only checked in to see if one of the best bands ever got a mention. At last a nod to CAMEL. Easily the most under rated band ever. The beauty in Andy's playing has never been equalled. I agree with other comments that Snow Goose isn't their best work but getting a mention is a start. I saw them at Bath ( just before the Albert Hall gig ) and they were utterly amazing. The latest line up is fabulous. Long live Camel.

[@ricmadden5445]

I have all of the Camel albums. Outstanding band. My favourite to this day still remains Mirage.

[@sciencereactions8221]

Camel is amazing!

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

@@sciencereactions8221 The other band in the amazing category to my mind is Marillion. Are you familiar with their work ?

[@sciencereactions8221]

@@AlanJan_UK_49 I’ve certainly heard of them, but I don’t know any of their songs. I should give them a listen:)

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

@@sciencereactions8221 I was given CD "Season's end" ( Marillion ) and love that. Then You Tube came up with a concert at Royal Albert Hall and one in Cardiff. Here they are joined by orchestra and it's magical. This is a link to The Space : kzbin.info/www/bejne/joqxfoWOrcqkrM0 but also try Easter or Season's end. I bought both DVD's and am glad I did.

[@braininavatnow9197]

I was a long haired pot smoking acid dropping teenager in 1970. Passion Play dragged me away from classical music into the then new progressive rock world. I bought most of these albums as they were released. Can't quibble over anything in this video. My list would be different of course. This is all old stuff...unlike Jesus prog rock did return from the dead in the 80's....and has stayed strong for most of my life. I still listen to everything on your list...just not that often. It's a big genre and life is short. As an American we all knew that England was the leader in intelligent music at the time. So we created DEVO as an act of revenge.

[@wavelengthacoustics5455]

Pawn Hearts for me. Not just the best prog album but the best album of any kind ever! Utter, utter genius. Still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up after 50 years of listening.

[@braininavatnow9197]

Also 50 years.... it's still great...it grows with us over the course of a lifetime.

[@mr.orange8205]

Great video and good list. For my taste I would have picked "Three friends" " Red" Closer to the edge" "Foxtrot" "Thick as a brick" and I would have fit Gongs "You" in somewhere. I love the teapots. Good stuff though.

[@jamesduke5128]

NAILED IT!!!!! Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel era Genesis, and Jethro Tull are my TOP 3 bands of all time!!!!!

[@javierllerena5756]

I would add Yes and Camel , Jethro Tull my favorite .

[@widmer64]

awesome content, gotta catch up on my listening..."Wish you were here" is my #1....I'm with you with ELP, Genesis, Tull and Crimson

[@garyinmarz8938]

Thanks for clarifying best and favorite....so many in the 70's,,, incredible decade with just enough technology for lights and sounds, with the right size stages.

[@dondevice3342]

Twice now I've asked a young woman wearing a Dark Side of the Moon T-shirt what she thought of the group, and twice now I've got an uncomprehending look. And basically a "who's pink.?" response to my question. I don't believe I have the heart to ask a third time.

[@kholmes39]

Excellent list and commentary. Album lists are always enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to revisiting these and listening to those I’ve never heard. I’m from the States, but I have to agree with you about the heart of prog being in Europe.

[@classicalbum]

Awesome, thank you! So glad you dropped by

[@mariob6145]

Great list and musical analysis. Some of my all-time favorites are: King Crimson, Lizard; Can, Ege Bamyasi; Soft Machine, Third; Guru Guru, Dance of the Flames, Procol Harum, Ball, and Gong, You.

[@rushbravado1972]

ANother great review. 1. 2112 by Rush 2. Music From The Elder by Kiss (No they are not prog but this album definitely feels proggy) 3. Selling England By The Pound by Genesis (Totally agree this is the pinnacle of Gabriel Genesis) 4. Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche 5. Eldorado by The Electric Light Orchestra 6. Talk by Yes 7. Clockwork Angels by Rush 8. Foxtrot by Genesis 9. Minstrel In The Gallery by Jethro Tull 10. Queen II by Queen

[@HeraclitorisScroll]

Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres>>>2112>>>Clockwork Angels

[@randysmith4331]

Talk is one of the *LEAST* progressive of Yes’s albums.

[@chrisrosati8264]

Many years ago a prog friend of mine hated Kiss but I lent him Music from the Elder and he loved it. Go figure. Its not a regular Kiss album I must say. Produced by Bob Ezrin

[@williamosborne6866]

Great list, although I would have hoped for just a single US production - Images and Words from Dream Theater. Thanks for helping me get through the trying times that are upon us. Be well and safe.

[@bradschwamberger1217]

Some of my favs and some unknowns, always nice to hear your stories around the albums.

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

I agree with your list , But you also could have a whole other list , as there were so many Bands that fit the Bill in the early to mid 70's , I'm in St. Louis and we Played all of these on K SHE 95 in these Years ... Rock 0n :) QC

[@jorgemari2969]

Thank you for this review. Subjective, sure (how could it be otherwise?) but you make very strong points for each selection and it would be hard to argue against either of your choices. A life-long fan of prog rock, still I learned new things and got my eyes opened to some angles of several of the albums. I appreciate your very thorough, very well articulated commentary.

[@Driver2616]

From my collection of over 900 albums going back to the early 1970s, at the moment my top 10 progressive rock albums would be : 1 - Close to the Edge, Yes ; 2 - Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd ; 3 - Foxtrot, Genesis ; 4 - Thick as a Brick, Jethro Tull ; 5 - Dark Matter, IQ ; 6 - The Difference Machine, Big Big Train ; 7 - The Whirlwind, Transatlantic ; 8 - If, Glass Hammer ; 9- Into The Electric Castle, Ayreon, 10 - In The Court of The Crimson King, King Crimson. This is just from my personal collection, albums that I seem to keep returning to more than others (next month of course, this list could change a little or be rearranged). I have many more albums by the above and others. Honourable mentions must go to ELP, The Flower Kings, Riverside, Magenta, Spocks Beard, Pendragon, Caravan, Steve Hackett, Rick Wakeman, Mike Oldfield, Horslips, Porcupine Tree and Supertramp……. (the magnificent Fish Out of Water by Chris Squire).

[@lupus7194]

I'd have included Argus by Wishbone Ash.

[@lmp9726]

One of my favorite albums and certainly Wishbone Ash's finest achievement. However, not sure if it's prog.

[@marinaau8551]

Yes, Wishbone Ash

[@PixieSpright]

Just discovered your channel. Great lists, and I love your delivery and all the odd details you provide on the albums. Sub!

[@magiscichoam]

Brilliant listing. Although I don’t agree with all of selection, your analysis and narrative are, at times, breathtaking. Bravo!

[@barrylenton3805]

I think Harbour of Tears and Dust and Dreams by Camel have the edge on Snowgoose. Andy thinks Harbour of Tears is his best as well. Good selection from you nevertheless. I would add Fear of a Blank Planet by Porcupine Tree, The Raven that Refused to Sing (Steven Wilson) and Frequency (IQ) which I never get sick of hearing.

[@ymmit7459]

I For me,, it's only been in the last two years that APP came to surpass TAAB. I think it's because I really began to focus on the story being told. Neither all good nor all bad. "I'd give up my halo for a horn, and the horn for the hat I once had." Musically, Night cap and the Chateau tapes definitely helped push APP past TAAB (just my experience). Thanks for a great list.

[@t0mn8r35]

I love all of your reviews. Never stop.

[@guychouinard6746]

Great review. I must say that I much agree with your Top 10. Seriously: Not very often do I meet someone agreeing on Pawn Hearts, Tales of Topographic Oceans, and A Passion Play. And you didn't forget Gentle Giant Octopus. I even very recently got into Amon Düül II Yeti album. Perfect fit. Cheers!

[@RushAss]

I'm not sure if I'd put A Passion Play quite that high, but it was excellent to include it. That masterpiece of an album is so sadly overlooked. A masterwork. Now if that blasted Hare would just locate his spectacles already...

[@lpc1231000]

I found it to be Tull's most proggy album, but found it a bit disjointed. Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, and Minstrel in the Gallery stand out for me.

[@caramanico1]

Brain Salad Surgery is fantastic, but it's the one everyone chooses kinda automatically. Though the live versions of the songs of this album are fabulous beyond description, I would take Trilogy over Brain Salad Surgery.

[@sabrowenie]

I mostly ignore many of the KZbin reviewers to the point where I rely on you and one other KZbin channel to build my playlists. Thanks for getting me out of my classic rock rut.

[@grassrootsflshp]

I'm a prog rock/metal junkie and tho I find at least half of ur prog albums to be too self-indulgent for my liking, your review is just rich, eloquent, colorfully-phrased, scholarly and technical, and even euphonic in places. Bravo! P.S. DSOTM too is my #1--the album that started my journey into Prog music.

[@mariomendozaramirez9674]

FELICIDADES. Tu selección, es digna de admirar y escuchar!!!

[@sbornot2b]

Thanks for turning me on to Chroma Key. Yesterday - unaware. Today - fascinated!

[@richsherman3673]

Very deep and insightful.... I already had reached a great deal of your ELP and Robert Fripp conclusions, but the Genesis was absolutely brilliant. THANK YOU for sharing your deep reviews, you should consider writing for a magazine and getting some quid!!!

[@classicalbum]

I'll bear it in mind

[@calebhightower6676]

I bought tales from topographic oceans oceans because of your recommendation. Although I thought it was missing a lot of the enjoyable instrumental and vocal motifs that are exhibited in other progressive rock bands like Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, and other yes albums, I thought it was a pretty good album over all, and quite fun to listen to. I see where much of the criticism comes from, However, if one’s complaint is that a progressive rock album is too long, they might be listening to the wrong genre lol. I’ve just recently discovered your channel and it’s already become one of my favorites. Keep up the great work!

[@jamestorres9464]

That is a pure masterpiece no got the org double vinyl with deans artwork of course

[@ardwulfslair]

Major props for including Yeti. Great album.

[@bearguitars3102]

Wow, how fascinating. I’m not sure id have chosen any of these, but it does give me a mission to go off and explore, brilliant. I certainly had some of the bands, but without exception, different albums, and some of the bands wouldnt have been here at all. I grew up through the prog era and consider myself blessed to have been there and ‘got it’. So many are just dismissive being influenced by later attitudes and not being prepared to be open minded enough to explore this magnificent music genre, and its many off shoots. I think people completely miss the reality that it is a form of music where anything goes, that’s the point, many times making a whole new sonic experience unfettered by the need to be anything, so free to experiment and absorb a massive range of ideas and influences. 69 to 78, probably the most groundbreaking period, and to hear it all emerge, literally offering music that had never been created before, hearing it in its true birth, was magnificent, and I remain a huge fan of this are, and all others, always looking for new music, of which there is some really rich albums and artists. Thankyou for being so thought provoking, I have hours of fun ahead of me to explore most of this, some , but not much, I know off by heart.

[@classicalbum]

wow.. than you for your deep and considered response.

[@Irontalon1]

I Love this list! Stumbled on your channel while I was Listening to Ironclaw their song Winter

[@notiolus]

What a great video with so many fascinating tidbits of information and thought-provoking insights. It makes me happy to be a prog-fan, so much colour, so much depth

[@doyoumind9356]

It's perfectly possible to love Prog AND Punk

[@jooree7696]

I'm doing it. It is possible

[@andrewwrench1959]

Loads of people, more than is credited. Genres blend: Thrash is a combination of the two forms on a Metal base, Ambient is Prog while House is Disco but they meet in the middle. Soft Machine Prog or Jazz? Caravan Prog or Folk? Back on topic some continue to argue the Stranglers were too Prog to be Punk. But frankly who cares about the label when we can just enjoy well executed music in its many forms?

[@whitlalindsay6255]

Schizophrenia ? Is that the method ?

[@gergojanko9022]

My two favourite genres. The third is black metal.

[@richardclay4158]

Anyone who claims it's possible to love one out of Siouxie and the Banshees and Curved Air while hating the other... probably understands neither.

[@Isacjacobmaleh]

I am a great Progressive Rock fan... the choice of the 10 best is very personal... But there is no doubt that you selected 10 gems...

[@YanniBG]

Fantastic video once again. Cheers!