The Ultimate PA Album List - Results!!!

#60 Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink
(8 votes - 1571 points) Highest rating: #10 by Zappa88
With Caravan's 1971 release "In The Land Of Grey And Pink", the Canterbury genre of music peaked and then was born again. Of course, since it is the true gem of the genre, it contains all of the necessary elements for an amazing Canterbury album, such as the psychedelic surrealism and the funny and goofy approach to writing lyrics. Start with this album if you are just looking for an album that is very musically intelligent yet fun at the same time, all while staying clean and interesting. (Zappa88)

#59 Supertramp - Crime of the Century
(8 votes - 1576 points) Highest rating: #1 by Bj-1
This is a dynamic and progressive journey to me, a really unique album which changes moods by each track, nothing here is bad in my book, this is pure perfection both in compositional skills as well and technical competence from the band. After all these listens I’ve given this album, I still can’t find something I dislike about it and it never get’s dull or tiresome to my ears. (Bj-1)

#58 Harmonium - Si On Avait Besoin D'une Cinquième Saison
(8 votes - 1611 points) Highest rating: #7 by El Böthy
Possibly the most beautiful album ever, at least in my collection. It´s the simplicity of the arregements what makes this album so wonderful and colorful. Every little detail, every note, every instrument makes this album be the masterpiece it is. This is definitly a jewel in any kind of genre, be it prog, rock, folk or whatever...(El Böthy)

#57 Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Of Natural History
(9 votes - 1640 points) Highest rating: #2 by cookieacquired
Musically, this album is amazingly original to the point where the band has made its own instruments that they play. The underlying tone of the songs usually lies somewhere between sinister and evil, though tongue-in-cheek is also present. Overall I deem this album not to be missed, and urge those who haven't already gotten it to buy it and listen to it. (cookieacquired)

#56 Jethro Tull - A Passion Play
(8 votes - 1641 points) Highest rating: #3 by Draconean
This must be one of the most complex albums ever... The album, because of his (again) complexety and theatrical approach ( A Passion PLAY!), makes the band no longer a folk prog band, but a symphonic one...very very nice!!! (El Böthy #12)

#55 King Crimson - Lizard
(9 votes - 1650 points) Highest rating: #2 by BigHairyMonster
If progressive rock is supposed to be a mix of rock, jazz and concert hall music, then this album should be the poster child for the genre. What Fripp does on this section is take musical themes that build and contrast with each other, weaving them in and out till it all hits a bursting point. On top of this tightly wound compostion the horn players spit out their chaotic solos, and it is all done with a rock sound and energy. It is the perfect blend of all three elements. (Easy Money #5)

#54 Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream
(8 votes - 1679 points) Highest rating: #13 by King Crimson776
Porcupine Tree is one of my favorite bands, and I'd have to say this is my favorite album by them. The melodies on this album are just so catchy. (King Crimson 776)

#53 Van der Graaf Generator - Still Life
(9 votes - 1700 points) Highest rating: #2 by Evans, Geck0
If i were to compare Still Life and Godbluff, i would say that Godbluff is the better musically, but that Still Life is the winner by far lyrically. Since this is a prog site and us who really listen to lyrics are in minority, i can see why Godbluff is more popular. If you like Vdgg, you can't really go wrong here. (Evans)

#52 Metallica - ...And Justice For All
(8 votes - 1722 points) Highest rating: #7 by enteredwinter

#51 Genesis - A Trick of the Tail
(9 votes - 1730 points) Highest rating: #32 by kenmartree
The album is very beautiful, and will definitely appeal more to the fan that never got into Peter Gabriel Genesis. The music of the album easily surpasses the vocals and lyrics. The mood is very mellow, 50% twelve string guitar, while the other 50% is keyboards and drums.Overall this album kinda disappointed me at first, but after many close listens, I have come to appreciate the mellow atmosphere and pretty acoustics. (schizoid_man77 #38)

#50 The Beatles - Abbey Road
(9 votes - 1742 points) Highest rating: #4 by kenmartree
Abbey Road made me appreciate music, it opened my eyes, and no music did ever sound the same afterwards. Abbey Road is the album where the Beatles took every good element from their past and distil them into their absolute masterpiece. There is no way i can give this seminal album anything less than masterpiece rating. (Evans #12)

#49 Radiohead - Kid A
(9 votes - 1770 points) Highest rating: #3 by Heyitsthatguy
With Kid A, Radiohead reached the epitome of what it means to be progressive in the 21st century. Deeply moving and artistic, Kid A pushes the boundaries that have held back not just the band, but music in general. I guess that the dark tone that shrouds this album is what makes it so memorable and relateable. Emotional presence is essential for a masterpiece to contain, and there is no lack of it here. (Moreitsythanyou #4)

#48 Magma - Mekanik Destrukiw Kommandoh
(9 votes - 1795 points) Highest rating: #1 by Shakespeare
I ne'er knew true beauty 'till this...The melodies and arrangements are all mind-blowing, and still interesting after the hundredth listen. The atmosphere is consistently celestial and grandiose. On some moments, you can feel as if the words carry powers of exorcism, as Vander himself has expressed to feel.Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh is unarguably flawless. Enjoying it is only a matter of taste. (Shakespeare)

#47 Opeth - Ghost Reveries
(9 votes - 1801 points) Highest rating: #2 by asimplemistake
Absolutely amazing. Now why is it that Opeth was the first band with screaming/growling I could stand? Well, maybe it's the beautiful soft breaks in many of their heavy songs. Maybe it's the huge dynamic range the band shows. Maybe it's the awesome heavy riffs. Maybe it's that Opeth has a sound that no other band really has. Or it could be I love the sound quality of this album. Actually, I think its all of those (in fact, it is!). (asimplemistkae)

#46 Marillion - Script for a Jester's Tear
(9 votes - 1808 points) Highest rating: #10 by Sleeper
Overall this is quite an amazing album, most definitely one of the strongest debut’s in the prog world, and historically the album that kicked the Neo-prog movement into high gear, even if it wasn't the first one there. Despite its flaws in the rhythm section, this album is stunning because of its immaculately formed songs {sleeper}

#45 Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
(9 votes - 1811 points) Highest rating: #8 by Man With Hat
This is one of those albums that shakes music to the core, and I am afraid that I can not do this album justice. I still don't think I can capture the pure power of this music in words. This is one of those albums that should be listened to by any person that loves music.Dark, powerful, eerie, beautiful, melancholy...these are only a few adjective to describe the journey this album (and this band in general) take you on. (Man With Hat)

#44 Rush - Moving Pictures
(10 votes - 1816 points) Highest rating: #14 by Markosherrera
Rush combines the advent of synths in the 80's with their classic sound to create their most well known album. Rush combines the use of synthesizers that they first implemented in previous albums to a more dramatic effect with their classic sound to create a balance of technicality, progressiveness, and catchiness. All three members are in top form and have great performances here. (Heyitsthatguy #66)

#43 Van der Graaf Generator - Godbluff
(10 votes - 1891 points) Highest rating: #1 by Draconean
In all of its dark, brooding melody, Godbluff is at heart, a very well written collection of songs. It is highly thematic and expressive. In my opinion, the band is at its musical peak, resulting in four timeless songs that work very well together. A must for any progressive collection, especially for those who enjoy heartfelt despondency and shimmering beauty. (Moreitsythanyou #50)

#42 Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
(10 votes - 1892 points) Highest rating: #13 by darkmatter
Porcupine Tree have created one of the greatest albums of the decade with this one. I agree completely that this is the top prog album of 2005. PT are heavier than ever on this album.Anyway, I highly recomend this album to anyone who goes on this site, so if you don't have it and are looking to get into modern prog, get it. (King Crimson776 #23)

#41 Dream Theater - Scenes from a Memory
(9 votes - 1940 points) Highest rating: #1 by Heyitsthatguy
Its not often that I find an album that I cant find anything wrong with it, even on 5 star albums I will find a small niggling problem, but nothing worth getting hung up over. Here I can find no fault, in my opinion this is the best album that Dream Theater have ever produced and I don’t think they will ever beat it(sleeper #3)