1001 Prog Albums you must hear before you die
 

Thought it might be an idea to narrow the scope a little. Sure, we're probably never going to come close to 1001 albums, but let's see how many we know of, can recommend or think should be in the list. Try not to post discographies: if you like a particular artiste try to think of their best one, two or three albums, and again, don't post them simultaeneously.

Also, please only post if you want to contribute. If you don't like prog head somewhere else. No posts of the nature "Prog sucks"; they're just a waste of time, yours and ours. If you're into metal, I'm doing one on that too.

Usual mini-rules apply: no order but please number each album as it goes in, post a picture if you can and a year, and if possible write a few short lines about why this album should be included.

I'll start off with one of my favourites.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Trespass70.jpg
1. Trespass (Genesis) 1970
Although their second album, I consider this Genesis's first proper prog album and feel this is the one where they began to really flex their prog muscles, Gabriel made himself a stronger voice in the band and of course it was the swansong for stage-shy Anthony Phillips. Great tracks like "Visions of angels", "White mountain" and "Stagnation" make this an album all true prog fans, or those wishing to get into prog, should hear.

Jeez a double whammy by you.

3. The Yes Album (Yes) - 1971

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._yes_album.jpg

Yes finally finds their true voice with the addition of Steve Howe.

4. Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso - Darwin! (1972)

http://www.metallized.it/public/recensioni/darwin.jpg

In my opinion probably the most melodically beautiful prog album ever.
Although a classic of the italoprog scene, a scene that spawned many exceptional bands and albums, it sadly seems not to be particularly widely known.
This has to change. It's worth it.

I've never heard of that album and that's why this type of thread is so good.

I actually just got this on CD for $5. Right up there with close and fragile.

Thanks dreamer, if you could just a) bold the title, artiste and year and b) pop up a picture of the album cover. I can't edit someone else's posts.

I should point out too, in case there was any confusion, prog metal albums are fine also.
Melody eh? That's my middle name. Must check this out. :thumb:

5. Alan Parsons Project - "I Robot"



Just. Listen.

Tales of Mystery and Imagination is great too.

6. Supertramp - Crime of the Century


Everyone here knows how much I love Supertramp. Enough's been said about this album by others more knowledgable than I--it's nearly perfect. As LiL said, just listen.

One of my least favourite APP albums. I much prefer "Eve" or "Gaudi". Has some good tracks but suffers from some poor ones I think.
Excellent pick.

7. V (Spock's Beard) - 2000

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/...20071216022418

Beyond brilliant album that has all of the hallmarks of great prog.

8. Ego (Millenium) 2013
http://images.plixid.com/imager/w_50...f6462e6ba4.jpg

Amazing album from a Polish prog band who have been going for a long time. Chock-full of melodies and well-written lyrics, just about every track is gold. One of the albums of 2013 for me.

Just an fantastic album from a Greek prog rock band (and you don't get too many of those). Standouts "The losing game", "Sudden winter", "10,000 roses".

Very unique prog from this Swedish group and their mastermind Roine Stolt. No-one else quite sounds like these guys.

The entire epic poem (or the first part of it anyway) set to music and lyrics by the stupidly-talented Franco Zuffanti with his band Hostsonaten. Has to be heard to be believed. Still waiting for chapter two, which was originally due last year...

Blatant Yes rip off band but the songs are definitely not without merit. Worth a spin or two for sure.

Nothing more need be said...

Prog before the category had even been invented.

One of the best neo-prog bands to come out of the prog revival in the 80s. Sadly had only three albums, of which this is the debut. Amazing songs like the ten-minute "We are sane", the lovely "The poet sniffs a flower" and the dystopian horror carnival that is "Creep show". Sadly missed.

While Trespass may have been a foreshadowing, Foxtrot is where Genesis blew the Prog roof off.

:thumb:

http://img.cdandlp.com/2013/10/imgL/116246705.jpg
17. Etron Fou Leloublan - Batelages (1976)

One of those rare cases where a prog album is actually progressive instead of just being a regurgitation of the same old shit. The influence of French jazz is prominent on this album, as are elements of avant-prog and punk. Any serious fan of prog or the RIO movement should give this album a listen.

Should be 17, Frown...

Oops, fixed. Now it's your turn: get to listening.

Top notch Canterbury scene prog. As with many Canterbury scene bands, the vocals are cringeworthy. However, the shredding is prodigious. A mix of jazz-infused pop tunes and epic sound explorations. More whole tone scales than you can shake a stick at. (They are so numerous that your stick would sooner be shaken into toothpicks!)

I'll go a bit further and say Queensryche's 'Operation:Mindcrime' to this day remains hard rock's reigning MAGNUM OPUS! Or at the VERY least, the most important album of Gen X without question ( :yeah:) ! An 80's touchstone if there ever was one ( :) ).

Having said that, I'm still not entirely sold on the idea that it's a "prog" album per se. Are there progressive elements on there? YES ( no pun intended..:D ), however, not in the way albums like 'Tales From Topographic Oceans' or 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' are. With 'Operation:Mindcrime', Queensryche NEVER left the "ROCK" behind, unlike MANY so-called "prog rock" albums that came before it. Be that as it may, I CAN understand why some refer to it that way ( :cool: ). Great pick 'dreamer' ( :clap:) !

Love, love, love this band. This and Brave take turns as my fave my them from the Hogarth era. And ya, I like that better than the Fish era.

20. True Stories - David Sancious and Tone (1978)

David Sancious, could be the most underrated musician in the business today. An original member of Springsteen's E Street Band. He now sides for many of the heavy hitters in the industry (Eric Clapton, Sting, Peter Gabriel, etc.)

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/D...MbcxDZzAOm.jpg

This is a type of progressive rock called Zeuhl.

And only 981 albums to go.

If you're going to add an album to the list please number it as per the system already in use. Thanks. That would make the above album 21.

http://www.magnacarta.net/cairo/images/conflict.jpg


Cairo - Conflict and Dreams (1998)

Very unique style and pretty hard to come by! This is a must listen for any progressive rock enthusiast.

A little generic, but if it didn't end up somewhere on this list, I would cry myself to sleep:

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd