Part One: 2023 Prog Albums

Hi,

My preference is to think of "prog albums" as NEW MUSIC, or what I tend to call NEW MOMENTS in time. Thus, in general, some of the old guard, or folks that have been there before rarely would be mentioned in my lists.

My list would include, and this is just a toy here, since I rarely do lists in music:

I have been spoiled for a long time with new music, starting in 1967/1968 ... all new ... and no excuses (specially Space Pirate Radio!) ... and you heard anything that was not known ... and I think that was the best part ... all these "unknowns" ended up being really far out ... and we still listen to them, today. And seeing some really way out stuff on the best list for the year, is something that gives me a tear ... of thanks. 

But, my ears, have had enough SW and PG ... and I do not specially find anything new in their work .... SW's best in the past several years was the piece with Ninet Tayeb (Pariah) ... and he never had the courage to even try some more things in the theatrical side of things ... that one was far out and special ... but ignored, because it was so "violent" in terms of emotion, and we don't like true emotion in "progressive music", although we seem to have heard Bent Knee ... barely!

Some of that "emotional" thing in music, reminds me of the early days of Peter Hammill, when he spoke, screamed and sang, all in the same piece ... and it was far out and so out of time with everything else everyone did who was just trying to sing "notes" and had less music to show for it!