Wanted: Progressive rock recommendations
March 20, 2010 11:35 AM Subscribe
Music recommendations - what are your favorite prog rock epics? Looking for more rich, multi-movement, overlong 15+ minute songs. Particularly newer stuff from the last 10 years.
Here's what I've got in my playlist:
Frost* - Milliontown
Unitopia - The Garden
The Flower Kings - Garden of Dreams, Monsters & Men, Stardust We Are, Humanizzimo
It Bites - This is England
Transatlantic - All of the Above
A.C.T - Consequences
Karmakanic - Send a Message from the Heart
IQ - The Seventh House
I love these longform songs. The interwoven sections, the instrumental interludes, the repeating themes, the soaring finishes. Especially the soaring finishes. Nothing like a big honking blowout at the end after a half hour of build up.
What am I missing?
Here's what I've got in my playlist:
Frost* - Milliontown
Unitopia - The Garden
The Flower Kings - Garden of Dreams, Monsters & Men, Stardust We Are, Humanizzimo
It Bites - This is England
Transatlantic - All of the Above
A.C.T - Consequences
Karmakanic - Send a Message from the Heart
IQ - The Seventh House
I love these longform songs. The interwoven sections, the instrumental interludes, the repeating themes, the soaring finishes. Especially the soaring finishes. Nothing like a big honking blowout at the end after a half hour of build up.
What am I missing?
Actually, this Moonsorrow CD has two songs; both 30+ minutes each. I think this fits your criteria!
posted by spinifex23 at 11:39 AM on March 20, 2010
posted by spinifex23 at 11:39 AM on March 20, 2010
Not from the past 10 years, but...
Television - Marquee Moon
Pink Floyd - Echoes
You've probably heard Echoes, but it's 23 minutes.
posted by malapropist at 11:40 AM on March 20, 2010
Television - Marquee Moon
Pink Floyd - Echoes
You've probably heard Echoes, but it's 23 minutes.
posted by malapropist at 11:40 AM on March 20, 2010
It's easy to overlook latter-day Genesis, but "Driving the Last Spike" is really extraordinary.
Here's a good starting point into the stuff available on Last.fm.
"Flow" and "Harm's Way" are two personal favorites from Spock's Beard. (Guessing you already know about them if you're down with Transatlantic.)
Also, dig Fates Warning's "A Pleasant Shade of Gray," which is basically one album-length song broken into movements.
posted by jbickers at 11:41 AM on March 20, 2010
Here's a good starting point into the stuff available on Last.fm.
"Flow" and "Harm's Way" are two personal favorites from Spock's Beard. (Guessing you already know about them if you're down with Transatlantic.)
Also, dig Fates Warning's "A Pleasant Shade of Gray," which is basically one album-length song broken into movements.
posted by jbickers at 11:41 AM on March 20, 2010
Harmonium, their albums L'Heptade and Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison are really quite good.
posted by past at 11:44 AM on March 20, 2010
posted by past at 11:44 AM on March 20, 2010
Response by poster: Oh ya I didn't mention any metal in my post but prog metal is totally cool too. Even growly vocals, if there are actually death metal epics.
posted by Khalad at 11:45 AM on March 20, 2010
posted by Khalad at 11:45 AM on March 20, 2010
Wish I could enthuse over so-called modern prog-rock. But most of what I hear (and admittedly it hasn't been much) has simply not truly progressed past what the likes of Yes, Genesis, King Crimson and the like were up to 35 years ago (ie: genuinely daring, inventive, FRESH explorations of organized sound).
In the spirit of this, let me recommend a few old "essential" albums, to be listened to in their entirety:
YES - Close To The Edge
YES - Tales From Topographic Oceans
YES - Relayer
King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King
King Crimson - Islands
King Crimson - Red
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Genesis - Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Pink Floyd - Animals
Pink Floyd - Wish you were Here
(I'm truly sick to death of The Wall + Dark Side)
posted by philip-random at 11:54 AM on March 20, 2010
In the spirit of this, let me recommend a few old "essential" albums, to be listened to in their entirety:
YES - Close To The Edge
YES - Tales From Topographic Oceans
YES - Relayer
King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King
King Crimson - Islands
King Crimson - Red
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Genesis - Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Pink Floyd - Animals
Pink Floyd - Wish you were Here
(I'm truly sick to death of The Wall + Dark Side)
posted by philip-random at 11:54 AM on March 20, 2010
Chick Corea and Return To Forever's Celebration Suite Pt 1 and Pt 2 from the album No Mystery (1975) comes in at 14 minutes. Here's a live version of Pt1 and Pt2 but listen to the album version first to really appreciate it.
posted by furtive at 12:26 PM on March 20, 2010
posted by furtive at 12:26 PM on March 20, 2010
Of course, The Mars Volta is probably the most obvious modern example. Their first three albums are absolutely packed with sprawling epics, I'd say you couldn't go wrong with any of them: Deloused in the Comatorium, Frances The Mute, and Amputechture.
Recommended tracks (in this vein) from each --
Deloused: Cicatriz ESP; Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt
Frances: Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus; L'Via L'Viaquez (not the abbreviated Guitar Hero version!); Cassandra Gemini (take a bathroom break beforehand, this one is over half an hour long)
Amputechture: Tetragrammaton, Meccamputechture, Day of the Baphomets (!!! if you listen to nothing else in this entire thread, seek out Baphomets)
posted by synaesthetichaze at 12:33 PM on March 20, 2010
Recommended tracks (in this vein) from each --
Deloused: Cicatriz ESP; Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt
Frances: Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus; L'Via L'Viaquez (not the abbreviated Guitar Hero version!); Cassandra Gemini (take a bathroom break beforehand, this one is over half an hour long)
Amputechture: Tetragrammaton, Meccamputechture, Day of the Baphomets (!!! if you listen to nothing else in this entire thread, seek out Baphomets)
posted by synaesthetichaze at 12:33 PM on March 20, 2010
I am not particularly a fan of Rush, but 2112 is a classic example of the genre.
posted by ovvl at 12:39 PM on March 20, 2010
posted by ovvl at 12:39 PM on March 20, 2010
Seconding all the Yes and Genesis recommendations especially Genesis Supper's Ready which is the greatest thing ever. You ask for more modern stuff and since no one has mentioned it yet I'll throw in Operation: Mindcrime by Queensrÿche. It's more like 20 years old but still newer than all that 70s stuff. Polyphonic Spree is prog-rock and has a big, sweeping sound. Same thing with the Decemberists and they've even done concept albums. Oh, you may also want to check out the newer Yes albums like Magnification. They aren't bad.
posted by irisclara at 12:46 PM on March 20, 2010
posted by irisclara at 12:46 PM on March 20, 2010
Liquid Tension Experiment 2 has a few epics. They are completely instrumental. Features Petrucci from Dream Theater, who's ongoing and prolific works I assume you've omitted for being completely way too obvious.
posted by pwnguin at 1:06 PM on March 20, 2010
posted by pwnguin at 1:06 PM on March 20, 2010
Definately check out Wolfgang's concert vault where you can stream and download Genesis, King Crimson, and Yes full concerts. The Archive is also a great source for music from the past 10 years. Most of these fall short of being epic and are probably a bit outside the scope of what you are looking for here you go:
Global Funk - New Century Suite (Pt 1, 2, 3)
Electron - Fearless
The Disco Biscuits - Run Like Hell
Brothers Past - Inside the Tinman, Getaway Somehow
Funkadelic - (Not Just) Knee Deep
Aphrodite's Child - All the Seats Were Occupied
Dire Straights - Telegraph Road
Opeth - Windowpane
posted by euphorb at 1:11 PM on March 20, 2010
Global Funk - New Century Suite (Pt 1, 2, 3)
Electron - Fearless
The Disco Biscuits - Run Like Hell
Brothers Past - Inside the Tinman, Getaway Somehow
Funkadelic - (Not Just) Knee Deep
Aphrodite's Child - All the Seats Were Occupied
Dire Straights - Telegraph Road
Opeth - Windowpane
posted by euphorb at 1:11 PM on March 20, 2010
On the metal front (though not prog metal), here are some fantastic, slightly under 15 min epics:
Blind Guardian - "And then there was Silence"
Therion - "Adulruna Rediviva"
Ensiferum - "The Longest Journey" (particularly nice when paired with the intro "Tumman virran taa")
posted by gueneverey at 1:28 PM on March 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Blind Guardian - "And then there was Silence"
Therion - "Adulruna Rediviva"
Ensiferum - "The Longest Journey" (particularly nice when paired with the intro "Tumman virran taa")
posted by gueneverey at 1:28 PM on March 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Here are several bands to check out:
Thee Silver Mt Zion (and all of their various iterations). Check out "Thirteen Blues for Thirteen Moons", and "He Has Left us Alone..."
Godspeed You Black Emperor. Particularly, "Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven"
Finally, Mogwai is pretty prog. "Happy Songs for Happy People" and "Mr Beast"
Also, some songs on The Beta Band's "Three EPs" are epic.
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 1:46 PM on March 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Thee Silver Mt Zion (and all of their various iterations). Check out "Thirteen Blues for Thirteen Moons", and "He Has Left us Alone..."
Godspeed You Black Emperor. Particularly, "Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven"
Finally, Mogwai is pretty prog. "Happy Songs for Happy People" and "Mr Beast"
Also, some songs on The Beta Band's "Three EPs" are epic.
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 1:46 PM on March 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Explosions in the Sky
Do Make Say Think
Fly Pan Am
Tortoise
posted by Threeway Handshake at 4:48 PM on March 20, 2010
Do Make Say Think
Fly Pan Am
Tortoise
posted by Threeway Handshake at 4:48 PM on March 20, 2010
Tip of the hat to ThaBombShelterSmith's recommendations as per notable current progressive sounds, to which I would immediately add Sigur Ros and Dungen, but none of this is really what my brain wants to call "prog rock" ...
Except maybe Dungen who, to me at least, manage to channel much of what I loved about the old prog without ever coming across as redundant or predictable. Case in point ... some of this mellower stuff. As for epics, you'll find a few on their earlier albums. I'd offer titles but it's all Swedish to me.
posted by philip-random at 4:50 PM on March 20, 2010
Except maybe Dungen who, to me at least, manage to channel much of what I loved about the old prog without ever coming across as redundant or predictable. Case in point ... some of this mellower stuff. As for epics, you'll find a few on their earlier albums. I'd offer titles but it's all Swedish to me.
posted by philip-random at 4:50 PM on March 20, 2010
Definitely check out Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Sigur Rós. On the latter front, Svefn-G-Englar is a good long one. Their album () can be listened to as one continuous piece, with the last two songs making for a good finale.
Not quite what you've described:
It's only 6 minutes long, but the Dillinger Escape Plan/Mike Patton track When Good Dogs Do Bad Things is very dynamic and worth checking out.
Not a prog-rock sound, but Joanna Newsom is very challenging and has a lot of lyrical and technical depth. Also, long songs. The title track from her most recent triple album is quite good, as is everything on Ys.
I can't find it on YouTube, but I'd also suggest some tracks from Jaco Pastorius's birthday concert, namely Invitation.
posted by jalexc at 5:28 PM on March 20, 2010
Not quite what you've described:
It's only 6 minutes long, but the Dillinger Escape Plan/Mike Patton track When Good Dogs Do Bad Things is very dynamic and worth checking out.
Not a prog-rock sound, but Joanna Newsom is very challenging and has a lot of lyrical and technical depth. Also, long songs. The title track from her most recent triple album is quite good, as is everything on Ys.
I can't find it on YouTube, but I'd also suggest some tracks from Jaco Pastorius's birthday concert, namely Invitation.
posted by jalexc at 5:28 PM on March 20, 2010
Sorry for the crappy links. Youtube fail.
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize (one) (two) (from their album Fear of a Blank Planet)
17:13 min, three movements, prog rock with elements of metal (there's a fantastic breakdown in the second part)
Porcupine Tree - The Incident Chapters 1-3, Chatpers 4,5 etc.
55 minutes. It's divided into 14 pieces and has the sort of epic feel you're looking for.
Mastodon - The Last Baron (from Crack the Skye)
13:01 (so a bit short of the 15+) but it exhibits everything else you're looking for.
Dream Theater - A Change of Season
23:09 Technical prog that moves and falls like a classical piece. Heavy and fantastic.
These are all more modern sounding than what you've listed: it seems you have a penchant for the classic prog sounds, so King Crimson, Genesis, and Rush should all appeal to you if you haven't already given them a listen. What I've listed (save for Dream Theater, which has connections to Transatlantic) draws from Floyd a bit more. It's more atmospheric in general but they're the best modern counterparts I could think of at this time.
I'll also second s PT's "Voyage 34" (and "Moonloop"), Liquid Tension Experiment (also has connections to Transatlantic--prog is very inbred), The Mars Volta (anything from their first album), and Mogwai. There are a lot of prog albums that are intended to be listened to in their entirety that have the same multi-movement, lush layered, interwoven thematic ideas as longer prog songs. But really, I after listening to what's currently on your playlist, Opeth is right up your alley. They do amazing things in the space of an album, even if their songs tend to be around 10 minutes; Blackwater Park is considered essential prog metal listening.
Digging through recent prog and/or post rock/metal albums should unearth a lot of solid recent music that smacks of prog influence. Perhaps try Pelican, Tortoise, Karnivool, Isis, Rishloo, Orbs, Cog, and Intronaut.
posted by far from gormless at 5:49 PM on March 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize (one) (two) (from their album Fear of a Blank Planet)
17:13 min, three movements, prog rock with elements of metal (there's a fantastic breakdown in the second part)
Porcupine Tree - The Incident Chapters 1-3, Chatpers 4,5 etc.
55 minutes. It's divided into 14 pieces and has the sort of epic feel you're looking for.
Mastodon - The Last Baron (from Crack the Skye)
13:01 (so a bit short of the 15+) but it exhibits everything else you're looking for.
Dream Theater - A Change of Season
23:09 Technical prog that moves and falls like a classical piece. Heavy and fantastic.
These are all more modern sounding than what you've listed: it seems you have a penchant for the classic prog sounds, so King Crimson, Genesis, and Rush should all appeal to you if you haven't already given them a listen. What I've listed (save for Dream Theater, which has connections to Transatlantic) draws from Floyd a bit more. It's more atmospheric in general but they're the best modern counterparts I could think of at this time.
I'll also second s PT's "Voyage 34" (and "Moonloop"), Liquid Tension Experiment (also has connections to Transatlantic--prog is very inbred), The Mars Volta (anything from their first album), and Mogwai. There are a lot of prog albums that are intended to be listened to in their entirety that have the same multi-movement, lush layered, interwoven thematic ideas as longer prog songs. But really, I after listening to what's currently on your playlist, Opeth is right up your alley. They do amazing things in the space of an album, even if their songs tend to be around 10 minutes; Blackwater Park is considered essential prog metal listening.
Digging through recent prog and/or post rock/metal albums should unearth a lot of solid recent music that smacks of prog influence. Perhaps try Pelican, Tortoise, Karnivool, Isis, Rishloo, Orbs, Cog, and Intronaut.
posted by far from gormless at 5:49 PM on March 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Could I typo more? Sorry about that.
posted by far from gormless at 5:52 PM on March 20, 2010
posted by far from gormless at 5:52 PM on March 20, 2010
not from the past 10 years but I'd say try some Grateful Dead. Look for some highly recommended concerts on etree and enjoy.
Phil Lesh and Friends had a particularly good 40 minute jam of
02. Viola Lee Blues->
03. Deal->
04. Viola Lee Blues->
05. Bertha->
06. Viola Lee Blues
at the 2008 10KLF
posted by zombieApoc at 6:31 PM on March 20, 2010
Phil Lesh and Friends had a particularly good 40 minute jam of
02. Viola Lee Blues->
03. Deal->
04. Viola Lee Blues->
05. Bertha->
06. Viola Lee Blues
at the 2008 10KLF
posted by zombieApoc at 6:31 PM on March 20, 2010
Check out Mono's "Everlasting Light". It's definitely got the epic feel you are looking for although it would probably be called "post rock" as opposed to "prog rock".
posted by extrabox at 6:44 PM on March 20, 2010
posted by extrabox at 6:44 PM on March 20, 2010
It's not hard prog, rather closer to Zep and Sabbath than Yes, but Black Mountain's In The Future is one of my favorite albums from the last five years, and it's certainly got a 12-minute epic.
On a noisier, weirder tip, Racoo-oo-oon does crazy psych prog like they've been lost in the woods eating whatever grows on the south side of tree bark.
posted by klangklangston at 7:40 PM on March 20, 2010
On a noisier, weirder tip, Racoo-oo-oon does crazy psych prog like they've been lost in the woods eating whatever grows on the south side of tree bark.
posted by klangklangston at 7:40 PM on March 20, 2010
Beyond Twilight - For the Love of Art and the Making
posted by Oneirokritikos at 7:47 PM on March 20, 2010
posted by Oneirokritikos at 7:47 PM on March 20, 2010
Tool's Third Eye on their live disc Salival is just over 14 minutes; hope that's close enough.
Tool also did a 13-min. collaboration with the Melvins called 'Divorced.'
posted by Hardcore Poser at 9:14 PM on March 20, 2010
Tool also did a 13-min. collaboration with the Melvins called 'Divorced.'
posted by Hardcore Poser at 9:14 PM on March 20, 2010
"The Great Nothing" by Spock's Beard is 27:02 of great melodic prog with a soaring climax.
posted by futility closet at 5:49 AM on March 21, 2010
posted by futility closet at 5:49 AM on March 21, 2010
The final three songs from Muse's Resistance album might be up your alley
posted by tylerfulltilt at 7:03 AM on March 21, 2010
posted by tylerfulltilt at 7:03 AM on March 21, 2010
Edge of Sanity - Crimson
Green Carnation - Light of Day, Day of Darkness
posted by The Straightener at 8:09 AM on March 21, 2010
Green Carnation - Light of Day, Day of Darkness
posted by The Straightener at 8:09 AM on March 21, 2010
Tool's Salival is impressive overall, and my favorite on that is Pushit (live).
posted by Harry at 3:03 PM on March 21, 2010
posted by Harry at 3:03 PM on March 21, 2010
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posted by spinifex23 at 11:37 AM on March 20, 2010