Anteater

I've owned this album a long time, and in all honesty I don't think it's influence on prog bands of the 70's can be understated. Vocalist Roger Chapman in particular is considered to be a huge influence on Peter Gabriel, Van Der Graaf Generator and also the band Gentle Giant. He may sound like an electrified billy goat, but he stands out so strongly that you can't help but hear strains of him in everything that would come afterwards. Hell, this album beats out In The Court Of The Crimson King by nearly twelve months, yet you can hear so many little touches that characterize the genre in these fifteen songs, especially on strange, Mellotron drenched cuts like 'Mellowing Grey' or the bizarre instrumental experimentation of 'Voyage'. Riveting stuff!

While this isn't an album I revisit all too often due to only being able to handle so much Roger Chapman at one time (lol!), this is definitely essential listening for any aspiring proghead, if for nothing else the fact you'll get some perspective on where the genre began to coalesce into something recognizably its own.

10/10

__________________
Anteater's 21 Fav Albums Of 2020

Anteater's Daily Tune Roulette

Unknown Soldier

The first thing that always strikes me about early Procul Harum, is just how laid back their early prog style recordings were. Their debut album had to be one of the most laid back albums that came under the prog label. The album is a mesh of psychedelic rock with classical influences, underpinned by the bands bluesy roots. There are various versions of this album (different track selections) but I've gone with the original UK release which starts with the excellent "Conquistador" and other great tracks on the album in the Procul Harum style include the engaging "Something Following Me" the dominant piano on "Christmas Camel" the flowing "Kaleidoscope" and Michael Fisher's organ on "Repent Walpurgis". Also some versions of the album have the band's most famous track as well "A Whiter Shade of Pale".

Like a lot of early prog recordings, a light and somewhat jokey track was usually included and here it's the short "Mabel" and to a degree as well "Good Captain Clack" similar in nature to Pink Floyds "Corporal Clegg". The vocals of Gary Brooker is one of the album's strongpoints as is the tasteful guitar of Robin Trower. Gary Brooker sounds very similar to Steve Winwood, but whereas I don't really like Steve Winwood's vocals, I really like those of Gary Brooker.

4.0/5

__________________
Metal Wars

Power Metal

Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History