What is the best record as an intro to prog?

Choosing just one record means omitting all the others.  I'd say choose the best compilation out there, whatever that may be.
It'd work as an introduction (which is what the OP asked for), and then afterwards the listener could hear other albums based on which compilation tracks they preferred.

I think I would probably pick a Spock's Album too, as suggested by somebody on the first page (involving the risk of making me unpopular with my second post in this forum ;) ). They're very accessible, have great melodies and are fun. Also, Porcupine Tree seems to offer a few albums that seem to serve rather well (e.g. Lightbulb Sun, In Absentia or Deadwing, depending of what the person in question listens to). Also I think a Live album or DVD is often more appropriate than a single album, since they mostly offer the best or most popular songs by a band from more than one output, which makes it easier to pick out favourites and than choose an album accordingly.

I have seen Yes and ELP suggested here, that's certainly not something I would do. It took me quite some time to  appreciate these bands as they sound quite eccentric and not really up to date. I love John Anderson's voice now, or the freaky beginning of close to the edge, but it seems to alienate most people that I know when I show it to them. I even was in a car once with about six people who listen to modern prog exclusively on our way to the Steven Wilson concert, and when a friend put on And You And I there were many wry looks and nobody was really able to make use of it. And this song is not one of Yes' more obscure songs.

Dayvenkirq wrote: But what if we pick teens who are Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber fans?  . No, seriously, if you were interacting with a young girl who is into teen-pop, what would you offer to convince her that prog isn't lame and pointless?

You do not try to initiate a teen listening to Taylor Swift to prog.  See if she likes something a little more sophisticated within pop first...maybe Fiona Apple.   You might then see if she can break into Radiohead.  If that works too, then maybe Pink Floyd. 

Dayvenkirq wrote: dennismoore wrote: ole-the-first wrote: In the Court of the Crimson King is the definitive prog album (and very accessible at the same time), so it should be a good intro. Waaay too old Grandpa.  If the person is 70 then fine, if not they will think you are some Flower Power Hippie Freak, which is not cool to today's generation.  Not sure if that ever was cool... +1. KC's debut has some lengthy songs with lots of instrumental stuff, so it's hard for me to classify it as an accessible record if I were, say, a country girl. But if you do take in account the "definitive" aspect, he is right.

Nobody tells me about all the secret code used around here.  WTF is  "+1"???

@Dayvenkirq,

I was just having fun with ole-the-first, but he appears to have vanished...

Obviously there is not definitive choice here.  I am a silly English Bandit who steals flowers, but I am not completely
stupid.

The T wrote: Kayo Dot's Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue.

Kayo Dot's Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue.
Can's Tago Mago

dennismoore wrote: richardh wrote: Tarkus tells you everything about prog. Classic symph prog with a very easy to understand title track. Dude, how can you be so right on this one and so wrong on Chester Thompson fumbling his way through live Dance On A Volcano??? I think you found the perfect prog introduction record. ELP - Tarkus.

Edited by Dayvenkirq - March 30 2012 at 00:00

ole-the-first wrote: In the Court of the Crimson King is the definitive prog album (and very accessible at the same time), so it should be a good intro.

Waaay too old Grandpa.  If the person is 70 then fine, if not they will think you are some Flower Power Hippie Freak,
which is not cool to today's generation.  Not sure if that ever was cool...

dennismoore wrote: Dayvenkirq wrote: What is the best record as an introduction to prog-rock? I have a clue how to answer this question: something accessible, non-embarrassing, and quintessential of the genre. It all depends on the user: either "Dark Side of the Moon" or "Red." Gee, if I had to choose, ... let it be "Dark Side of the Moon." What do you think?   Hi Dayvenkirq,    This is difficult to answer I think, because prog, unlike most simpler forms of music can take several listens to get into so if you pick something too proggy(Gentle Giant or YES - Tales) you run the risk of turning off the listener prematurely.   So I think you are spot on with PF - Dark Side.  (Though some proggers could say PF isn't really prog)   Also there are several sides to prog, prog metal, non-melodic(King Crimson) and classic prog.  You may pick one of those and the person hates it and then they hate all prog forever!  So you need to find out if they are into a more metal or dissonant or more melodic prog.  That's why I say its complicated.   I'm not a metal or dissonance guy so I would say:   Pink Floyd - The Wall or DSOTM Spock's Beard - V Glass Hammer - IF YES - Fragile RUSH - Moving Pictures Transatlantic - sMPTE

I don't think The Wall or Dark Side of the Moon quintessentially Prog (I never really thought of those albums as Prog when I did consider albums such as Close to the Edge, Hamburger Concerto, and Trilogy Prog.  I find earlier Pink Floyd more prog in a sense.  I'd like to say Atom heart Mother for Pink Floyd, or Umagumma.

Fragile and Hemispheres are what originally got me into Prog, but I know many are put off by Geddy Lee's vocals, and Fragile might seem a bit twee to some.

I've tried to turn a number of people onto Prog, but I have tried to cater it to the person's tastes.  I've had the most success with people with King Crimson, and obviously it is a very important band.  I'd like to say Lizard, but In the Court would probably be the better introduction.  I know that I adored 21st Century Schizoid Man when I first heard it.

Not taking into account individual tastes, I do think a  classic album the better intro to Prog than later stuff, and one that is considered historically important to Progressive Rock.

had I started with Spock's Beard or Transatlantic, that probably would have been the end of my journey.  It would have been better for me to start out with Magma, Van der Graaf Generator, Amon Duul II, Tangerine Dream, or Area, but tastes vary so much.  Maybe I wouldn't have enjoyed those when I was young --  symph oriented music is where I got started.


Edited by Logan - March 29 2012 at 01:13

Rush - 2112