Progressive rock isn’t just music – it’s a mental workout. Unlike something straightforward like an AC/DC track, prog takes me places. It’s sometimes complex, sometimes unpredictable, and often a little vague in the best way – open to personal interpretation. For me, that’s exactly what makes it powerful: it invites thought, reflection, imagination. I genuinely believe classic progressive rock can change our minds and even our worlds. So here are a few links to the cream of the crop – progressive rock that expands boundaries and excites the brain.
My suggestion is eventually going for the late 60’s early 70s, with its psychedelic/jazzy influences. Below a list of a different kind of prog, maybe more Rock oriented (see below).
I’ll start with hardcore Prog. The order in which it is listed probably has a meaning…:
- Gong – You (1974): You is a timeless masterpiece both musically and sound production as well, and is my personal choice from Gong: it’s spacey, psychedelic jazz-rock fusion, maybe the most psychedelic but still Prog that you can put your hands on and hum, David Allen with turbo engaged throughout the album, with existential philosophical lyrics like the typical Allen:
“If you’re a believer
What do you believe?
Why do you believe it?
Don’t you ever wonder
If it’s really true?
Do you?
Question number two – …” . - The Soft Machine – Their self titled debut album released in 1968, is the group’s only album to feature Kevin Ayers as a member, with the great drumming and singing of Robert Wyatt and the iconic organ sound of Mike Ratledge, blending psychedelic rock and jazz with innovative, avant-garde elements. Although Soft machine are music geniuses, their music is straightforward and they didn’t seem to be self conscious at all, what led to witty tracks like “Why am I so short”:
“I’ve got a drum kit and some sticks,
So when I’m drunk or in a fit –
I find it easy to express myself
I hit the drums so hard I break all my heads,
And then I end the day in one of my beds” - Egg – The polite force (1970): A classic Canterbury scene album featuring complex time signatures and intricate instrumental work. A Visit to the Newport Hospital is my favourite track, that not only implements classic prog rhythm and sound but also a beautiful song that tells the story of the band’s early development, describing life on the road, when they toured as part of their previous group, Uriel: living in vans, the gigs, and while enjoying freedom, having to cope with various life difficulties, but still, in retrospective a good time for them:
There were four of us then,
the group was Uriel
We played five nights a week
at Ryde Castle Hotel
We spent our time avoiding skinheads and the law
It was a freedom that we’d never felt before
….And now we’re doing this instead - National Health – Of Queues and Cures: Known for their rich compositions and virtuosic playing, this album is a cornerstone of the Canterbury progressive scene.
- Agitation Free – Laila Pt. 2 from their “2Nd” album, is a standout track showcasing the band’s psychedelic krautrock style with hypnotic rhythms and atmospheric textures.
- Arzachel – Queen St. Gang: A rare and energetic psychedelic rock album featuring some of the founding members of the Canterbury scene. Arzachel use of heavy organs, make them stand out, their music doesn’t sound like anything else.
If you are a beginner and want some suggestions of prog bands, here are some classic bands, that are a corner stone in prog rock but that are easier to “digest” and connect to from first listening:
- Yes – The Yes Album (1971): Features the catchy and iconic “Starship Trooper”, the album a powerful blend of melody, complexity, and energy that helped define the band’s sound.
On a personal note 🙂 when I married I created an animation that was played during my wedding that tells the story of how me and my wife met and where did I propose, and the background music of that clip was “The Clap“, a guitar solo composed by Yes’s genius guitarist Steve Howe. - Jethro Tull – Stand Up (1969): Their early breakthrough, combining blues, folk, and classical influences with bold arrangements, great texts and Anderson’s signature flute. The album also features one of the most beautiful love songs ever written – “Reasons for waiting”:
“What a reason for waiting,
And dreaming of dreams.
So here’s hoping you’ve faith,
in impossible schemes,
That are born in the sigh
of the wind blowing by,
While the dimming light
brings the end to a night of loving.” - Camel – Mirage (1974): A masterpiece of melodic and instrumental prog. Intricate yet accessible, with standout tracks like “Lady Fantasy”. Another Camel gem is “Rhayader”, the first major instrumental track from Camel’s The Snow Goose (1975).
- Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink (1971): A whimsical and jazzy cornerstone of the Canterbury scene, full of charm, odd time signatures, and dreamy textures. “The golf girl” is a great love song in a Prog kind of way:
“Her name was Pat
And we sat - under a tree
She kissed me
We go for walks - in fine weather
All together
On the golf course
We talk in morse - (bip bip bip)”
- Pink Floyd – A Saucerful of Secrets (1968): Their transition from Syd Barrett to a more experimental group sound. Psychedelic, mysterious, and essential for early Floyd atmosphere.
- Nektar – A Tab in the Ocean (1972): Spacey and energetic, this album delivers powerful riffs and deep atmospheres. A psych-prog gem with lasting appeal. “Desolation Valley / Waves” is a great long track worth every second of listening.
I may be updating this post with links in the future, so please visit again.
https://www.calyx-canterbury.fr
Calyx – The Canterbury Website
was created in February 1996 (yes, that’s over ten years ago !), with the aim of eventually providing Internet users with the definitive source of information on the Canterbury Scene. It is not, historically, the first site devoted to Canterbury scene (Malcolm Humes’ endeavours and the Musart South London/Canterbury website deserve this credit). And hopefully, it won’t be the last. As a matter of fact, new sites keep appearing, and there are links to all of them on the
contacts & links page.
https://www.progarchives.com/
The Prog Archives Web site Project came out from a common dream of a small group of fanatic progressive rock music collectors who decided to develop a WEB SITE for the online progressive rock music community, with the goal of providing extensive Progressive Rock Music information, as well as interaction features for the prog surfers.
