Why have I written this article and what is progressive rock anyway?

I love music, more specifically, I love progressive rock, and I want to share my knowledge with people who may not know or may have dismissed the genre.

Progressive Rock is a movement begun in the mid to late 60's. Credit is due to bands such as The Beatles, The Doors, The Who, Procol Harum, Pink Floyd, etc for experimenting with the boundaries of conventional musical expression. These are the bands which laid the seeds for progressive rock to grow from. The commonly accepted year considered to be the birth of progressive rock is 1969, with the release of In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson, a symphonic prog album. However, the exact date is debatable.

This article will focus on the subgenre known as Symphonic Prog, which is the largest and most well known subgenre. For most people, it is synonymous with progressive rock. It is only one part of the greater whole, however it serves as a great introduction to this genre.

Symphonic prog? What is that?

First things first, the qualities which characterize Symphonic Progressive Rock, and by extention the majority of prog (taken from progarchives.com):

1. Mixture of elements from different genres - The most common way progressive rock differs from more straightforward music such as classic rock in the 70s, heavy metal of the 80s, and alternative rock of the 90s, is its incorporation of styles which are not commonly used, such as jazz, classical, etc. For symphonic prog, the main difference came from classical influence in the bands' songwriting. It was not uncommmon to have extended classical interludes during songs, arranged for either piano or guitar.


2. Complex time signatures - The most common time signatures in normal rock are 3/4 and 4/4, occasionally 6/8 or 5/4. A point of pride for many fans is listening to bands which play in unusual times like 7/4 (Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel, Money by Pink Floyd), 9/8 (Apocalypse in 9/8 by Genesis), 13/8 (Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper by Dream Theater), 15/8 (opening riff from Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield), and so on.


3. Lush keyboards - An instrument not commonly used in the 60s or 70s by rock bands, the piano, keyboard, syntheziser, and mellotron are common in prog, in some bands such as Yes and ELP they are the cornerstone of the band's sound. Keyboardists like Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson (Yes and ELP respectively) are famous throughout prog rock circles for their inventive playing and technical prowess.


4. Explorative and intelligent lyrics, in some cases close to fantasy literature, Sci Fi and even political issues - You'd be hard pressed to find progressive rock songs about love, sex, or drugs. You'd be hard pressed to find songs about anything unless it was masked by countless metaphors and poetic stylings (see Pete Sinfield of King Crimson fame, or Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta). Prog rock bands were prone to dedicate entire albums to a single concept, logically called Concept albums. Famous concept albums include:
   
   
   
   • The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis
   
   
   • Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull
   
   
   • The Snow Goose by Camel
   
   


5. Non commercial approach - It should be evident that from all the qualities already mentioned that most of these artists would not be played on the radio. Yet, some like Jethro Tull and Yes can be found on the airwaves occasionally. However, most of the time the music was made not for the listening pleasure of the audience, but for the satisfaction of the artists themselves.


6. Longer format of songs - A very large difference, as most classic rock songs were composed with a single and constant rythem and beat, lasting for perhaps three to four minutes. It was pretty much a requirement in those days to have songs with multiple sections and sudden time signature changes. Many of the most famous prog rock songs are over 15 minutes, including Close to the Edge by Yes (18 minutes), Hamburger Concerto by Focus (20 minutes), and Karn Evil 9 (30 minutes).

Yes

Perhaps one of the most famous and popular of all symphonic prog bands. The band was founded in 1968 by current band members Jon Anderson (singer) and Chris Squire (bassist). Notable members (past and present) include drummers Bill Bruford and Alan White, guitarist Steve Howe, and keyboardists Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz. Those listed make up the band's line up during their "golden years" which lasted from 1971 to 1974 with the following albums:

The Yes Ablum (1971)	Fragile (1971)	Close to the Edge (1972)	Tales From Topographic Oceans (1973)	Relayer (1974)

I would first reccomend trying The Yes Album and Fragile. They are their most straightforward albums yet still fairly progressive. If you enjoy those, try Close to the Edge (commonly considered their best effort), followed by Tales from Topographic Oceans and Relayer.

Yes has an extensive catalogue of albums ranging from progressive creme of the crop to decent pop to dreadful pop. Here is a link to their band page on progarchives. Scroll down a little bit to find streaming audio tracks. Scroll down more to find user reviews on each album. In fact, I recommend this entire site to anyone interested in progressive rock.

In addition, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, and Chris Squire have all put out solo albums, for better or worse.

What are they doing now?

Currently, Yes is still together, though with some lineup changes, recently putting out The Ladder, which is a pretty decent pop album with progressive trimmings. They have canceled their most recent tour because of Jon Anderson's deteriorating health.

Genesis

You more than likely have heard these guys, knowing them as a successful pop band from the 80s. But Genesis actually started out as a pop band in 1967, when Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Anthony Phillips were still in college. A producer by the name of Jonathan King took them under his wing, providing them with a drummer in John Silver, and making them record an album titled From Genesis to Revelation, a collection of songs based around Bible stories.

Thankfully, Genesis moved on to bigger and better things with the following albums:

Nursery Cryme (1971)	Foxtrot (1972)	Selling England by the Pound (1973)	The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)

Genesis' "golden years" can be separated into two halves: Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot; and Selling England and The Lamb. The first two are more basic though no less technically sound. The latter two show the band interacting more with their instruments resulting in more complex compositions, though the first two are by no means simple. I therefore recommend Selling England by the Pound, followed by The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Don't count out the earlier Genesis though, as fans consider Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme just as good if not better, so try those two out as well, even if you do not enjoy Selling England or The Lamb.

Although not listed here, two other albums Trick of the Tail and Trespass are of note. If you find that you enjoy The Lamb, try Trick of the Tail, which is the first post-Peter Gabriel album; if you are partial to Foxtrot-era Genesis, give Trespass a spin.

After Gabriel's departure, drummer Phil Collins took over vocal and songwriting duties. During the 80s and through the 90s, they put out mid to high quality pop albums including Duke, a self-titled, Abacab, and Invisible Touch. Check out their band page, for some streaming tracks.

What are they doing now?

They recently had a reunion and started playing concerts everywhere.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer

When you think of ELP, the words excessive, pretentious, and self-indulgent come to mind. However, there's no denying that this trio was one of the most popular and essential of the early symphonic prog acts. The band is made up of the powerful drumming of Carl Palmer, mixed with the virtuosity of keyboardist Keith Emerson, and kept in check by the melodic vocals and guitar and bass work of former-King Crimson band member Greg Lake. Their first five albums, including one live disc of an adaptation of Mussorgsky's classical piece Pictures at an Exhibition, are all essential prog rock.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer (1970)	Tarkus (1971)	Pictures at an Exhibition (1971)	Trilogy (1972)	Brain Salad Surgery (1973)

The only one of these I really recommend to anyone who isn't into prog would be their self-titled first album, because it is their most normal. In my opinion, its not even close to their best. The best would have to be Brain Salad Surgery. Whether you do or don't like their debut, try Brain Salad Surgery. Tarkus and Trilogy have good moments, but also have many weak tracks. Definately get Tarkus for the 20 minute title track. Also, Pictures at an Exhibition is pretty great live album, definately check it out after their debut and BSS.

Everything after these albums is very self-indulgent. Works volumes 1 and 2 are pretty weak in my opinion because they mostly are made up of solo works by each band member. Then there are a bunch of weak pop tracks. Some streaming tracks to get a sense of their crazy style. At one point when Palmer went to work with Asia they replaced him with a dude named Powell. That line up released one album I think, but its not worth mentioning.

What are they doing now?

Nothing really, probably for the best.

Camel

The last major symphonic band of the 70s worth going over is the ultra-melodic Camel. Led by Andrew Latimer, these guys released three really great albums, a few weaker ones, and then turned to art-pop, like most of the symphonic bands did during the 80s.

Mirage (1974)	The Snow Goose (1975)	Moonmadness (1976)

Their debut album, self-titled, was mainly a jazz fusion album. They moved on to release Mirage, which is their most straightforward rock album, which I recommend first. Commonly considered their masterpiece, The Snow Goose is an album based on the book of the same name. It is an instrumental interpretation of the story. Try it next, although it sounds completely different than any of their other albums and tends to be hit or miss with fans. Moonmadness is also very good, their most symphonic prog of the three, if you don't like The Snow Goose, then still try this one on for size.

Their next album, Rain Dances, follows along Moonmadness' footsteps, although highly inferior in my opinion, if you enjoy Moonmadness a lot, then try this one, otherwise avoid it. The rest of their catalogue is art pop, not necessarily bad, but not what you're looking for if you're looking for symphonic prog. As always, some samples to whet your whistle.

What are they doing now?

Still together, with Andrew Latimer leading the band as always. I hear their most recent two albums are a return to 70s form, although I haven't heard them.

If I've already heard of all these bands, then this article is pretty useless isn't it?

I suppose it is, what do you suggest?

Go over some other highly esteemed bands that I may not have heard of.

Good idea! I will now list some bands which are pretty great, though not famous or well known. They will be hit or miss with you, depending on your taste.

Focus

A commonly overlooked symphonic prog band that has put out many albums, not all of them good. They are a mix of folk and symphonic, I would compare them to a more instrumentally inclined Jethro Tull at some points. Their most, perhaps only, accessible track is Hocus Pocus from Moving Waves. I would recommend them only to adventurous listeners, as even I get frustrated by their extended instrumental sessions. I can recommend the three albums I have:

Moving Waves (1972)	Focus III (1973)	Hamburger Concerto (1974)

I would start out with Hamburger Concerto, followed by Moving Waves. Have a go with Focus III if you enjoy their style and can handle 67 minutes of Focus goodness. Each of these albums houses a 20+ minute song among the other tracks. I suppose they are one of the attractions of this band. Despite their inconsistant quality of output, they are skilled musicians who captured the essence and passion of progressive rock in their work.

Are they still around? Releasing mediocre albums during the latter half of the 70s and then making a return to form with their latest efforts in '02 and '06?

Yes.

Harmonium

This Quebec based band is considered to have put out two masterpieces during their short three album career. Their sound is a mixture of folk and symphonic, unlike Focus however the sound seems to blend more naturally, resulting in beautifully executed songs. Whereas Focus "focused" on technical instrumentals, Harmonium uses their talents to make atmospheric works of art. Compare each song to a painting. Their first album was more folky while their last is their most symphonic.

Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison (1975)	L'Heptade (1976)

These are their two masterpieces. Try Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison (translated If There Was a Need for a Fifth Season) first, as it is the shorter of the two. L'Heptade is a two disc concept album based on the seven levels of conscience. Try them out but be warned, don't expect anything hard or fast.

So what they up to?

Nothing, disbanded.

Bacamarte

This is a Brazilian band who only put out two albums, one in 1983 and one in 1999. The one worth mentioning is their first: Depois do Fim. Though not integral in any way to the development of symphonic prog, as it was released well after the movement's heyday, give this a try as it is a highly rated album.

Depois Do Fim (1983)

Anglagard

Sweden is a GREAT country, if only because its giving us so many amazing bands, including Anekdoten and Dungen. But for now, lets go over Anglagard, who released two albums in 1992 and 1994. In a way, they are retro prog, playing an ode to past bands and having many influences from Yes and Genesis. Their compositions are great however, and you will enjoy them if you are a fan of classical symphonic prog.

Hybris (1992)	Epilog (1994)

I'm not exactly a fan of their songwriting, as they tend to combine many separate ideas and cut and paste them in order to create 10+ songs. That's just my taste though, as I prefer songs which explore one idea and sound as though they have a purpose. Don't let me dissuade you from checking them out, as I probably already have done, as the instrumentals are all top notch symphonic prog. Try Hybris followed by Epilog; you may completely disagree with my opinion!

That's about it for this article. This should be more than enough to get you started. If you enjoy those main four bands, then be sure to try out the other lesser know prog groups, but do not limit yourself to only the ones I've recommended. The genre as a whole is very extensive, so if you find anything even remotely interesting abou