HYBRIS

This album is regarded as something of a masterpiece in the progressive rock community, as shown by its high rating here on this site, and while it's by no means bad I must confess I've never understood its reputation in the upper echelon of modern progressive rock.

I suppose the best way to describe this album would be to say that it combines the aesthetics of Genesis with the technical proficiency and frequent mood swings of early King Crimson, with less of a focus on lyrics and vocals than either. This proves to be the album's appeal as well as the thing that keeps me from regarding it as anything but pretty good: On a technical basis it's as impressive as they come but it's impossible to feel like you aren't traversing well-trod ground. There's nothing unique enough to truly grab and pull in the listener and as such, without lyrics it functions as little more than pleasant background music.

By no means bad but lacking in innovation, "Hybris" doesn't reinvent the wheel but makes fair use of it. To extend the analogy, it's the prog equivalent of an affordable sedan: It'll get you to where you're going in comfort and safety, but you can forget about it turning any heads as you're cruising down the main drag. Great for fans of symphonic musicianship and precious few others.