Recommend me some 80s prog

I love both 70s and 80s, and I'm searching for some good 80s music with lot of synth riffs and catchy melodies, but with a clear prog vein (otherwise I would listen to AOR...). So far, two perfect examples would be Genesis' Duke, Rush's 80s era and Yes' 90125. Do you know some more that could fit the description? Thanks.

Ok this is a long shot, but it is one of my favourite albums full stop. Dead Can Dance - Within the Realm of a Dying Sun. Loads of melody, haunting atmospheres and it is from 1987. Ticks most of the boxes in your query, - just don't expect 'prog rock'.

Based on you're examples I don't expect you'll have much interest in all the R.I.O/Avant/Zeuhl-albums I'd like to reccomend, so how about this electropop delight?

Edited by smartpatrol - August 27 2012 at 21:22

Guldbamsen wrote: You should definitely check out Camel's Nude. It's a wonderful album.

lazland wrote: Guldbamsen wrote: You should definitely check out Camel's Nude. It's a wonderful album. David, that is a wonderful recommendation, which I endorse fully. An exceptional album. The OP might also wish to try Gabriel's solo stuff, i.e. III, IV, So, and (top of the list) Passion. The neo "scene" burst out in that decade, so go for Marillion, IQ, Pendragon, and Twelfth Night to start with. There is a lot of good stuff in the '80's to explore, and our charts will help you a lot.

Marillion - Misplaced Childhood comes highly recommended by The Bearded Bard

Edited by The Bearded Bard - August 27 2012 at 16:05

If I remember anything else with bigger names I'll post here later, I'm dabbling to much in obscure stuff at the moment. Maybe Eardance would be up your alley if you're into King Crimson 80's sound.

i'm shocked.  No one has yet suggested Pink Floyd's A Momentary Lapse of Reason? it ticks all the right boxes; huge digital production, synths, anthemic songs........get that!!!

Hey Ytse, check out the two Canadian bands, Saga and FM. Two bands, one native of Toronto, the other native to Sarnia. I kind of grew up with them on Toronto, Canadian classic rock radio, with many of their commercially successful singles playing quite frequently. I'd post you some links, but they unfortunately haven't been working for lately. You've most likely heard of Saga, pretty big band within Canada and really big in Germany. Saga seem to fit your description the most though - Crossover with soaring, melodic guitar, tasteful synth leads, epic vocals, but all compacted into an 80's sounds. Check out the album World's Apart. FM's more atmsopheric and experiemntal; certainly not radio friendly like Saga. Check out the album Black Noise - a hidden gem in the world of Prog.