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Epic songs, intricate harmonies and psychedelic album designs aplenty: 10 essential prog rock albums from the 1970s
Loudersound has republished its list of 10 essential progressive rock albums from the 1970s, a feature first compiled in 2016 following what the site describes as considerable debate among its writers. The piece explores how prog rock emerged from the psychedelic sounds of the late 1960s and flourished in the early 1970s, as musicians moved away from conventional song structures and standard time signatures to create longer, more ambitious compositions.
The article notes the genre's inconsistency, citing Yes as an example of a band capable of both huge success and notable missteps within a short space of time, moving from the acclaimed Close To The Edge to the poorly received Tales From Topographic Oceans within just 16 months. It frames the 1970s as the foundational decade for prog rock, a genre that the site says has continued to evolve over the five decades since. The full list of albums selected was not included in the available text.
In short
- Loudersound revisits its 2016 list of essential 1970s prog rock albums.
- Piece traces prog's roots in late-1960s psychedelia into the 1970s.
- Highlights Yes's rapid swing from acclaim to criticism as a genre example.
Explained simply
Progressive rock emerged in the late 1960s, building on experimental music of that era, as musicians began creating longer and more ambitious compositions. The genre flourished through the 1970s as bands moved away from conventional pop and rock formats, exploring complex arrangements and unconventional song structures.
The decade became the foundational era for this genre, with musicians exploring increasingly sophisticated musical ideas. However, progressive rock proved unpredictable during this time, with bands sometimes producing both critical successes and notable failures within short spaces of time.
The albums from this period remain significant because they established the genre's core characteristics and set the foundation for how it has continued to evolve over subsequent decades. Understanding these foundational works provides insight into one of rock music's most creative and technically ambitious movements.
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