My favorite progressive rock albums, in roughly chronological order.
Zappa’s (self-)schooling in avant-garde classical meant he was light years ahead in the inclusion of progressive elements in his music, and he was skeptical and anti-authoritarian ahead of the curve as well.
It’s not the Crims album I listen to most (that would be Red), but its chronological primacy (in other words, historical importance) earns it the nod.
The combination of classical influences with pop song formats and rock instrumentation was never better.
The jazz edge of prog, part 1. Even better now that a bonus live disc has been added.
The jazz edge of prog, part 2. This album created a new template; they never bettered it.
Possibly the greatest Krautrock album ever. Even if you’re straightedge, listening to this will make you feel stoned.
Epic and poetic without being pretentious (although I’ll grant that they come close!), complex without being convoluted, in many ways this is the epitome of prog.
Majestic and witty at the same time. Every track a classic, including the 23-minute “Supper’s Ready” (someday I’d like somebody to tell me what it’s “about,” but I can enjoy it even without knowing).
About as mystical as music can get.
I like their earlier space-rock style more, but a) aside from perhaps Piper at the Gates of Dawn, the early albums all have one or more dud tracks; b) they’re more psychedelic than progressive (though whether that’s an important distinction is a topic for much debate). Really what I’d like to list is the live disc of Ummagumma with the omitted “Interstellar Overdrive,” which should have been included when the album was reissued on CD and time considerations ceased to matter.
