BEST PROG ROCK ALBUM IN THE WORLD... EVER

It is hard to know why anyone frequenting Prog Archives would want to buy this 3CD set. As a general Prog sampler it does a decent enough job, featuring a cross-section of mainstream bands from the classic 70s period, though with some seriously important omissions such as King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Renaissance, Moody Blues, Kansas ..... Instead, we are treated to some rarer names like Man, Matching Mole and Rare Bird rubbing shoulders with the big names of ELP, Yes and Genesis, though only a limited selection of sub-genres is explored.

Track choice is disappointingly conservative, often relying on well known and over-played examples where an alternative might have been more satisfying. Thus we have such old war-horses as Hawkwind's Silver Machine, Tomorrow Night from Atomic Rooster, Hocus Pocus and A Salty Dog, presumably chosen to entice casual browsers in Woolworth's. Most of these recognisable standards congregate on disc 1 while Disc 2 mostly comprises less popular artists (such as BJH's Mocking Bird) or tracks. Disc 3 is the most interesting yet more inaccessible to an unwary buyer as it contains more difficult material, culminating in the challenging Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers.

Is it The Best ..... Ever? Well probably not but still a good choice if you need a general introduction to the genre. Needless to say all the music on here is wonderful without exception.