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
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.
Seeking Audience "In the Court of the Crimson King": Prog Review #2
From the pinnacle of early prog we move backward to its inception: In the Court of the Crimson King (1969) must have made a remarkably jarring entrance into the world of popular music on its release.
Prog Review #1: In which we Illuminate the "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd.
Unfortunately, #1 is the album I’ve been dreading most: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.