SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

The Beatles (and especially Sgt. Pepper's), with their psychedelic and eastern experimenting, balanced perfectly with vocal-led pop, carved the way to prog. It is debatable whether the Beatles themselves are progressive, or if they simply biuld the foundation of or beloved genre, but either way, it is clear that Sgt. Pepper's Hearts Club Band is one of the most important releases of the genre. Vocals are a focus, and the strongest point, with it being the main tool used to depict the great melodies. Piano and guitar do so as well, at times, but singing remains in center stage. The Beatles in general are a really fun band: a band you can tap your foot to, sing along to. That's a rare thing when it comes to prog, and Sgt. Pepper's is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable diversions from complex, highly-strung, intense progressive rock.