THICK AS A BRICK

If there was ever a poster child for the entire prog genre, it would have to be Thick As a Brick. The album is structurally and instrumentally diverse, chock full of odd time signatures, and consists of, naturally, a single 43-minute conceptual epic. If that doesn't scream prog, then nothing does.

Musically, the band has stripped a lot of the blues influence of their previous album for a more prog rock sound with a strong hint of folk; an interesting combination indeed. All of the band members contribute wonderfully to the sound; the guitar gives a heavier edge, the drum and bass are rhythmically satisfying, and the flute is aggressive yet beautiful.

Though considered one song, the track is split into two parts on the album. I prefer part one, but both are amazing. As structurally and instrumentally complex as it is, the song still manages to hit you with an interesting melody one after another. The band does a great job of repeating the melodies throughout to give the piece a unified feeling.

For all intensive purposes, this is as flawless an album as you can get. Along with Close to the Edge and Selling England this is the bar to which all other prog albums should be compared. 10/10