Rock & Pop > Progressive Rock Rock & Pop > by Original Release Year

Advantages: Good for new Rush fans who don't want to buy all albums
Disadvantages: Mostly good tracks but a few poor ones.

Rush are classed as a ‘progressive’ rock band. Over the last 20 or so years they have produced dozens of albums; their music has progressed from simple heavy rock to a more mixed rock that mixes ballad, heavy rock and rock anthem. Rush are a three man band from Canada, although the sound they produce sounds as good if not better than many four or five bands. Alex Lifeson is the lead guitarist, his mix of classical, six string lead and ...
...recognizable to most. Geddy Lee the vocalist and bassist is the inspiration of Rush, his skills at writing unique and powerful introspective songs stamp out a style that is recognizable even in his own solo album. Neil Peart is an exceptional drummer who is up there with the best. Unfortunately due to personal tragedies in his life, Rush haven’t produced music for several years, but rumors surface that there is a new album being produced. ... Read review

Advantages: A classic in every sense
Disadvantages: A pre-cd album so only clocks in at about 38 minutes long.

...would disagree that "A Farewell to Kings" is one of the cornerstone albums. The sound and production here are more refined and crisp than it's predecessor,the equally important "2112" album helped by amongst other things the technique of producer Terry Brown,a whole array of weird and wonderful late '70's instrumentation and the willingness to experiment with sound and indeed the spaces in between to create music that is as much the storyline as ...
...begins the opener,title track A Farewell to Kings, which breaks into a delicious riff and features some wonderful interplay between drums and guitar over an almost jazzy bass line.Other standout moments are the joyful "Closer to the Heart" and the upbeat "Cinderella Man " both short and punchy numbers that balance acoustic and electric perfectly and just urge you to sing along - not something you would initially think of when talking about Rush. ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic arrangement of tracks from a band that is pushing the boundaries.
Disadvantages: Sound may not be to the taste of all listeners.

Frances The Mute is the second studio album from the Mars Volta. The band is the brainchild of the former At The Drive-In members Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler Zavala. The album, which is only 5 tracks long but runs for over 70 minutes, is based on the diaries of Jeremy Ward, who was the band's audio artist until his untimely death. The sound is similar to that of their debut Deloused In The Comatorium. Tracks are built up on a number ... Read review

Advantages: second generation prog rock at its best
Disadvantages: concept albums are not to all tastes

Many people know of Marillions work, especially their early work by the singles Kayleigh and Lavander, and although they are both contained on this album, are not totally representative of this album, or the bands work in general. As is often the case the works that become popular by lesser known bands are the ones which break that bands particular mould. Although not typical of their work these two singles raised the profile of the band and enabled ...
...The album cover shows the usual range of images that you had come to expect from Marillion at the time. Artistically they had a flavour all to themselves and the ideas they presented on the album covers all had a hidden and sometimes personal meaning.The front shows a boy in a victorian soldiers uniform, representing the childhood of the album maybe, surrounded by a poppy, a rainbow and holding a magpie, all recuring motiffs in both design and lyrics. ... Read review

Advantages: Techically advanced, great melodies and harmonies - powerful music
Disadvantages: Complex melodies not appreciated enough

An earlier release from progressive metal band Dream Theater. I technically complex, yet melodic album - typical of the band. The guitar solo's are fantastic, the ryhthms advanced, and the vocals powerful. Jordan Rudess shows his stuff on Keyboard - John Petrucci following with interleaving melodies and harmonies. This is a vintage Dream Theater album - that must be owned by any serious fan. For those who are not so sure about Progressive rock/metal, ... Read review