I listen to a lot of music. Always have. These days, with a stay home, stay safe proclamation in place here in the great State of Washington, I'm listening to even more music than normal...and I will admit that my normal is not even close to normal for most people. This has been a true joy for me, but a huge frustration for my family who are all sequestered at home along with me...especially my wife and better half who has come to refer to herself as a headphone widow. Sorry Annie.
If you find that you too have lots of time on your hands...and I mean lots of time, I invite you to sit and listen....closely....to a few albums that I have been spending quite a bit of time with lately. These albums are long and complex. They are like onions that get pealed back, layer by layer, over multiple listens. It's a commitment for sure, but in doing so, you will get rewarded by these remarkable albums.
"Since their debut in the early '90s, Porcupine Tree have never ceased to impress fans and critics alike. In Absentia is the band at their pinnacle. Its good to know that there are still bands out there that have their own distinctive sound. In some ways, Porcupine Tree are rocks best kept little secret. It's hard to imagine that a band this talented and creative, are still virtually unknown by other than those in their fanbase. In Absentia is a fusion of heavy metal, brit rock, and progressive. It is quite possibly their most accessible album. A great place to start for new fans." Ultimate Guitar
A landmark recording and the band’s best album, “Crime of the Century was the album where it all came together for Supertramp, as they composed scores of tracks in order to find the best eight to make this record. Along the way, the group forged a non-traditional and unique sound which falls somewhere along the twisted road between progressive rock and pop music. Produced by Ken Scott, the album is also a sonic masterpiece with incredible dynamics.” Classic Rock Review
Ranked at close to the top of every 'best of' prog rock albums list is Selling England By The Pound. On it's best of list (#2, sandwiched between King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King and Yes' Close to the Edge, with Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at #4), Pop Matters wrote; "Selling England by the Pound is the most satisfying and fully realized Genesis recording, a period piece that recalls the past while being utterly of its time……It's elaborate but controlled, far-ranging but focused, and it achieves a unity -- in words, sound and especially feeling -- that necessarily ranks it as a high water mark of prog rock."
"Airbag hails from Norway. If you haven’t heard Airbag before, it will become readily obvious that their main inspirations are Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree. On their previous record, those influences were quite in my face. However, the band has developed and progressed since then, taking on what I believe to be their best sound, and best album, yet. Floyd and Porcupine Tree aren’t nearly as prevalent here, and I can feel some pop and indie tones joining the mix……The album is a live wire of emotional guitars, deceptively simple rhythms, gorgeous keys, electronic programming that hits just at the right moments, and vocal hooks that will knock you flat....Make sure you hear this mature and very brilliant album." The Prog Mind
Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional is another magnum opus....it’s...a monumental achievement because the formula it maintains (which was established on Act IV) is still beyond belief. Crescenzo has always been an outstanding singer/songwriter/storyteller/composer, and the fact that he’s only gotten better over the years is downright extraordinary. Act V contains some truly magnificent melodies, lyricism, arrangements, and range, proving once again why the Dear Hunter is in a class all its own. With any luck, Act V will finally get the band the widespread acclaim and attention it’s always deserved." Pop Matters
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