Latest articles by Paul Lester
"The Nice and ELP are, for me, where things went too far. Very good musicians don’t interest me. Proficiency blocks you off from real adventure": John Foxx on prog, punk and the problems of being a pioneer
For 50 years, John Foxx has been making genuinely progressive music that defies categorisation. "My plan was always to make every record different from the last,” he says.
Every album by The Cult ranked from worst to best
From shamanic goths to indie disco favourites to arena-rocking heavyweights and beyond, these are the best albums by The Cult
Life on prog's outer limits with Trevor Horn and Buggles
They conquered the world with Video Killed The Radio Star, but they also pushed at the boundaries of the genre, and both members of the band even went on to join Yes! So how prog were Buggles?
Black Sabbath - The Ultimate Collection album review
Two-CD, 31-track companion to Sabbath’s The End tour.
Pink Floyd - The Early Years 1965-1972: The Individual Volumes album review
The 2016 Early Years box, now in six affordable chunks
The Flaming Lips on prog rock, drugs and writing six hour songs
The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne opens up on his love of Yes, ELP, Rick Wakeman and more
Rupert Hine: A regular musical Zelig
Producer and musician Rupert Hine looks back on a five-decade career that's seen him work with Rush, Camel, have a novelty hit and even record with Doctor Who!
Roger Waters - Is This The Life We Really Want? album review
First solo album in 25 years from Pink Floyd co-founder
Glyn Johns: My top 6 productions
Legendary producer Glyn Johns remembers six of his most memorable productions, from the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to The Who
The Amorphous Androgynous and their road to prog
Occupying the blurred line between electronica and prog, Garry Cobain of The Amorphous Androgynous talks yoga, enemas and his “disrespect” for musical history.
10 songs to celebrate the genius of Glenn Frey
The Eagles' Glenn Frey is no longer with us, but we still have his music
The Outer Limits: David Bowie
From the Starman to Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, now as we mourn the passing of a true music icon, we ask: How prog was David Bowie?
How prog was David Bowie?
From the Starman to Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, Bowie’s ever-changing persona saw him moving from folk to glam, pop to industrial, Krautrock to art rock with consummate skill and style
Every Song On The Eagles’ Hotel California Ranked From Worst To Best
There's very little you can say about The Eagles' era-defining Hotel California that hasn't already been said. But you can rearrange it so it gets better the longer it plays
Pet Sounds: The story of how the Beach Boys helped inspire progressive rock
Taking inspiration from Arthur Koestler’s Act Of Creation with themes of love, hope, regret and sorrow, The Beach Boys’ masterpiece confounded those expecting more songs about cars and girls
The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds album review
Brian Wilson set out to create “the greatest rock album ever made” – the result was a gorgeous avant garde pop album that paved the way for progressive rock…
Beatrix Players at Green Note, London - live review
Not yet ratedAn elegant set from the chamber poppers at Camden's performance cafe
How prog is former Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley?
She played with chart-toppers Ash in the 90s/noughties, loves sci-fi soundtracks and is “obsessed with Robert Fripp”, so how prog is Charlotte Hatherley?
Von Hertzen Brothers at the Garage, London - live review
Not yet ratedFinnish brothers bring peace to London
We gave Walter Trout £50: here's how he spent it
With £50 of Classic Rock’s money in his pocket, Walter Trout went record shopping. Here’s how he spent it...
