25 Essential Progressive Rock Albums

2011-05-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

Yes - Close to the Edge
Genesis - Selling England by the Pound
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Genesis - Foxtrot
Caravan - For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night
King Crimson - Red
Yes - Fragile
King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic
Genesis - Nursery Cryme
Emerson Lake and Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts
Pink Floyd - Meddle
Yes - The Yes Album
Rush - Hemispheres
Goblin - Roller
Rush - A Farewell to Kings
Genesis - Wind and Wuthering
Kansas - Leftoverture
Rush - 2112
Gentle Giant - Octopus
Magma - Mekanik Destructiw Kommandoh

1. Yes - Close to the Edge (1972)

The quintessential progressive rock album. Period.

2. Genesis - Selling England By the Pound (1973)

While Yes can lay claim to having created the genre's defining statement, Genesis has the distinction of being its greatest band and Selling England by the Pound is their crowning achievement.

3. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)

No other album is as important as King Crimson's debut in terms of shaping the sound of the genre or the direction it would head in. Every progressive rock album that would follow In the Court of the Crimson King is in some way influenced by it. Majestic. Vital. Classic.

4. Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick (1972)

Thick as a Brick is comprised of a single 43 and a half minute song broken up into two parts that not only manages to stay interesting and engaging for its entire duration, but is an absolute delight through and through. A staple in any true collection.

5. Genesis - Foxtrot (1972)

An indisputable prog masterpiece. Foxtrot's opening track "Watcher of the Skies" is one of the genre's most celebrated songs, with good reason. Essential listening.

6. Caravan - For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night (1973)

Truly a hidden gem in the progressive rock canon. Caravan didn't achieve the prosperity that many of their colleagues did, but they did manage to record one of the cornerstones of the genre with the magnificent For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night. How this album didn't go on to obtain greater success and wider acclaim is beyond me.

7. King Crimson - Red (1974)

Following the departure of violinist David Cross; Robert Fripp, John Wetton and Bill Bruford turned in the group's best and most cohesive album since their debut. Red was one of Kurt Cobain's favorite albums, an example of how far reaching their influence on rock music would become.

8. Yes - Fragile (1971)

The first album featuring what many (including myself) consider to be the band's greatest lineup, John Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Bill Bruford, Yes perfected their approach on Fragile. The release of this album would catapult the group to international stardom and provided the formula for their subsequent masterpiece Close to the Edge.

9. King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (1973)

On Larks Tongues in Aspic, Robert Fripp and company crafted their most experimental and progressive album to date, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Another groundbreaking effort, King Crimson continued to lead the pack with their unique approach and singular style.

10. Genesis - Nursery Cryme (1971)

With the addition of Steve Hackett on guitar and Phil Collins on drums, Genesis would make their first true classic with Nursery Cryme. With their classic lineup now intact, the band would continue a trend of brilliance well into the 1970's.

11. Emerson Lake and Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery (1973)

12. Jethro Tull - Aqualung (1971)

13. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)

14. Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink (1971)

15. Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts (1971)

16. Pink Floyd - Meddle (1971)

17. Yes - The Yes Album (1971)

18. Rush - Hemispheres (1978)

19. Goblin - Roller (1976)

20. Rush - A Farewell to Kings (1977)

21. Genesis - Wind and Wuthering (1976)

22. Kansas - Leftoverture (1976)

23. Rush - 2112 (1976)

24. Gentle Giant - Octopus (1972)

25. Magma - Mekanik Destructiw Kommandoh (1973)

Honorable Mentions:

King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black

Pink Floyd - Ummagumma

Camel - The Snow Goose

Focus - Moving Waves

Crucis - Crucis

Thought Control

25 Essential Progressive Rock Albums