The United States of America

USOA is a really enjoyable listen if you are interested in the early roots of prog. I wouldn't say that it was ahead of its time though, it was right where it should have been.

There is however another album from the same year, 1968, that is just as good if not better in some ways that no one on this site ever talks about. Its the self titled album from Aorta. I'm pretty certain that if Aorta had used a Mellotron or a Chamberlin instead of real strings and choir alot more people would be touting its greatness. Their 2nd album however bears no resembalence to the 1st album and should be avoided at all costs.

If you do decide to acquire it (USOA) look for the version with all the bonus tracks on it from the Sundazed lable.

      If you like the USOA album, check out the "followup", "American Metaphysical Circus" by Joe Byrd & The Field Hippies.  Neither album is prog, more psych, like Aorta, Touch, and incidentally, Fever Tree.

They kind of sound like the velvet underground mixed with the silver apples or something like that

something else worth checking out thats ahead of its time in a similar vein is a band called white noise with there debut album an electric storm its pretty interesting