Latest Reviews on Prog
“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
“Ginger Baker stamps, thumps and whacks his personality into these numbers… he sounds a bit confused and well-lubricated, much to the evident, if a little strained, amusement of his bandmates”: Baker Gurvitz Army’s Neon Lights: The Broadcasts 1975
They own the stage in collection of five live performances which will please old campaigners and new recruits alike
“There’s bravery in their willingness to express deep, often dark emotions. The subject matter may be confounding for some… but they sound completely assured of their direction”: Caligula’s Horse return with Charcoal Grace
It’s a sombre, reflective counterpoint to 2021’s Rise Radiant, which hopefully offers the band some catharsis
“It’s no wonder the lyrics are maudlin, but despite the difficulty of its creation, it’s still worthy of celebration”: Damnation is the Opeth album that works best on vinyl
Steven Wilson remix illustrates a side of Michael Åkerfeldt’s band that’s familiar now – but was a revelation in 2003
“Hats off to the duo for bravely naming one of their most affecting ballads after a commuter town in Surrey…delivered with a conviction that’s hard to deny”: Wilson & Wakeman’s Can We Leave The Light On Longer?
Threshold and Ozzy Osbourne alumni deliver their third album of piano-led songs, exploring the nature of human connections
“A triumph of melodic prog which wears its influences on its sleeve, yet still sounds bold and entirely contemporary”: Cyan’s reinvention of Pictures From The Other Side
Not yet ratedClassic and neo-prog meets classy pop-rock in lavish upgrade of 1994 original
“Is it a strange fusion that manifests and reveals itself with repeated listens? The result is the kind of weirdness that ran through the works of HP Lovecraft”: The Witching Tale’s What Magic Is This?
Katharine Blake of Mediæval Bæbes and Michael J York Coil return with a cerebrally challenging and creepy collection that rewards the effort put into listening
“It shows how the founding five’s skills that first bewitched in the early 1970s didn’t fade in the slightest”: Pentangle’s Reunions clamshell box
Four-disc collection spans live appearances from 1982 to 2011
“This is tightrope-walking without a net… it feels a bit like having him play a solo up close and personal, and who – other than certain former members of Yes, perhaps – wouldn’t want that?” Steve Howe’s Motif Volume 2
15 years after the first instalment, the guitarist bares the bones of his writing and proves those bones are strong
“Having suffered something of an identity crisis, minor blemishes don’t stop it being their best album in decades”: Pallas’ The Messenger
The return of singer Alan Reed – who rebuffed a previous invitation – is an indicator of its quality
