Latest Reviews on Prog
“Half streamlined, half baroque, it wasn’t for everybody – but it hits the spot now”: Gentle Giant’s The Missing Piece gets the Steven Wilson varnish
Side one gravitates to the new era of 1977, but side two reverts to prog. It’s a reminder of how unique the band always were
“One doesn’t so much listen as feel it deep in the bones… their stark inventiveness and originality remain outstanding”: Van der Graaf Generator’s Still Life and Vital reissues
1976 studio album and 1978 live double album return from era of new momentum for Peter Hammill and co
“A fascinating listen that sometimes sounds like a missing 10cc album plus a little Be Box Deluxe”: Nektar’s Recycled 5CD set
Cult 70s proggers’ absorbing sixth album presented at its fullest.
“Dizzyingly diverse, full of invention and humanity… if only more bands were willing to take such risks”: Elbow’s Audio Vertigo
Guy Garvey and his band of brothers dream harder, ensuring their 10th LP is special
“What’s clear is the decision to pursue a direction that’s both harder and more experimental – electronics, looping and some fierce guitar”: Jethro Tull’s The Château D’Hérouville Sessions vinyl edition
‘Lost’ album from the studio they nicknamed ‘Château D’Isaster’ is a chance to hear A Passion Play material in embryonic form
“Someone’s spiked Derek Sherinian and Bumblefoot’s cornflakes – their virtuosity is hotwired for the next gen”: Whom Gods Destroy’s Insanium
Not yet ratedSons Of Apollo offshoot deliver a jawdropping and sometimes preposterous prog-metal storm with their debut release
“It might be downbeat, but emotions run strong in its slowly churning depths”: Fates Warning offshoot North Sea Echoes’ Really Good Terrible Things
It’s no busman’s holiday for Ray Alder and Jim Matheos, who pursue gloomier themes than fans are used to on their debut release
“Uncompromisingly melancholic – but there’s light amid the despair when Elizabeth Heaton sounds positively lovestruck”: Midas Fall’s Cold Wave Divide Us
Self-described “miserable prog” soundscapists return after six years with beefed-up but still brooding fifth album
“An album of genuine warmth and quiet wonder – and if it’s a little safe, well, that’s understandable”: Revamped Big Big Train return with The Likes Of Us
Unsurprisingly, there are differences after Alberto Bravin replaced the late David Longdon, and the band seeks to regroup and consolidate
“Tony Hill’s experiments in six-string overload go to places even Hendrix feared to tread… Simon House’s sonic attack is equal to anything he did with Hawkwind”: High Tide’s Sea Shanties reissue
Remastered vinyl edition retains the apocalyptic heavy psych and proto-prog first delivered in 1969
“Instantly recognisable, all detuned guitars and intricately detailed melodies… it feels like we’re waiting for Peter Gabriel’s vocals”: Anthony Phillips and Harry Williamson’s Gypsy Suite
Remastered and expanded set from the former Genesis guitarist has its roots in the mid-70s, but feels timeless and evocative
“A curious figure as a solo artist… he precedes Byrne & Eno and practically invents Underworld”: Synth pioneer Tim Blake shines in 3CD set Crystal Presence – The Albums 1977-1991
Former Gong and Hawkwind member proves space-keys don’t have to be glacial, although one of the three records here feels more dated than the others
“As boldly baroque as anything The Moody Blues or The Nice had at that point constructed… but perhaps it hasn’t aged gracefully”: Procul Harum’s vinyl reissue of Shine On Brightly is still fascinating
Robin Trower’s dazzling contributions feel like they’re coming from another room on their second album, as they try to work out who they are
“He didn’t think the concerts would work… the fluidity, precision and phrasing is simply dazzling”: Rick Wakeman’s Live At The London Palladium 2023
Performed over two nights, box set featuring The Six Wives Of Henry VIII, The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur, Yes Classics and Journey To The Centre Of The Earth is an essential package
“Does it deserve to be measured against the classics? Yes... and no. ‘Warts and all’ is admirable, but some warts could do with a little concealer”: Von Hertzen Brothers’ Live at Tavastia
The Finnish siblings have more than earned the right to indulge themselves – but debut live album delivers mixed results
“Musically and emotionally overwhelming … he gives us some of the most flamboyant and dazzling guitar-playing of his career”: Steve Hackett’s The Circus And The Nightwhale
It’s taken him nearly 50 years to return to the concept album format, but his semi-fictional musical memoir proves it was a wise move to wait – it’s his best solo record so far
“Grooves that are musically optimistic, but lyrically pessimistic… touches of nuance, beauty and snarl make their turmoil worth it”: The Pineapple Thief’s It Leads To This
Modern prog mainstays return with a sombre yet impressive album that cements the advances they’ve made since Gavin Harrison joined the band
“Their run of mid-70s hits were bona fide, pop-literate, soft-prog gold… but warming to their deeper cuts is a far tougher task”: 10cc’s 20 Years Box Set
Exhaustive 145-track collection highlights the infuriating, imperfect magic of the preposterously ambitious original four-piece
“A unique, sometimes unsettling experience… His baritone gives the songs a shade of unorthodoxy which goes beyond typical English hippie eccentricity”: Kevin Ayers’ Joy Of A Toy (Remastered Gatefold Vinyl Edition)
Syd Barrett’s contribution is absent in an edition that sticks religiously to 1969 template
