Buckeye Randy
Senior Member
There are no prog albums on my desert island list but “Nadir’s Big Chance” comes closest.
Favorite progressive rock bands?
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Buckeye Randy
Senior Member
So...it's almost 3AM and time for reflections and thoughts. Common believe is that punk was a reaction to prog and I'm not going to debate that point. I do find it interesting when artists can seemingly straddle both. I think Peter Hammill did it for an album and the fact that Johnny Rotten list Institute of Mental Health as one of his favorite songs is proof.
Here is a more recent artist that I think bridges prog, art and punk; Art'd'Ecco.
This song was released August 10th, 2026. I think all seven minutes are pretty awesome both musically and visually.
Here is a more recent artist that I think bridges prog, art and punk; Art'd'Ecco.
This song was released August 10th, 2026. I think all seven minutes are pretty awesome both musically and visually.
ScreamingDizbuste
Senior Member
Thats from the very first lp.....interesting pick.
It does run the gamut......
Another band is called Art Deco on PA........the one above is not on Prog Archives.
They do run through several styles on that track. I dont really think they are prog though there are a few bits in the song that might qualify. They get named as indie rock/post punk but they do have some prog elements on that track.
of styles.....
His early lps are very VDGG in tone and the others usually played on them. All his early lps are solid imho.
I'm surprised you dont have at least one prog band on the list.
Buckeye Randy
Senior Member
It all depends on how many discs I'm allowed to take and who's definition of prog. Todd Rundgren's A Wizard A True Star is a top fiver for me so if you consider Todd prog then I've got prog on my island. It's such a fine line between prog and mind f*ck music. "Dude, that music f*cks with my mind".
Well....the members of Prog Rock Archives (myself included) have debated that question of 'what is prog' many many times. There have been at least 3 or 4 threads on that basic issue over the years.
He is there under 'crossover prog' however you want to define that. 'Wizard' has the highest rating, but I personally like 'Something /Anything' and 'Todd' better overall. I have the first 8 lps...have not delved into the later ones.
To me Utopia (listed under eclectic prog) is more prog than his solo things,,, but I like his early solo lps better than Utopia....for the most part. I think Todd Rundgrens Utopia ( the first)is more prog (some fusion in there also) than anything he has done though someone else might think different. 'Initiation' is also prog rock on several longer tracks and the long track Treatise On Cosmic Fire is as proggy as anything on Utopia.
As far as 'what is prog' that's a whole different discussion that we can get into if anyone wants to go down that rabbit hole. I dont agree with all the choices on PA but I think Prog Rock Archives has a good handle on that and the members are very knowledgable as to styles. There are also definitions of prog categories (symphonic prog, prog metal, eclectic ,etc...) on the web site if anyone wants to read their interpretations.
Buckeye Randy
Senior Member
I think the first three ('Runt', 'Ballad Of Todd Rundgren' and 'Something/Anything' are all singer/songwriter type albums though all have enough rock out moments to satisfy most classic rock fans. I like them all.
'Todd', 'AWATS' and 'Initiation' are all more heavily into electronics and some might slide them into prog. 'Todd' was definitely my fave for many years but 'AWATS' has probably passed it by based mostly on the strength of seeing three performances of that album. Side one of 'Todd' is perfection and side three is close behind. Side one of AWATS' defines mindf*ck and side two is mostly singer songwriter perfection and includes the soul medley and one of Todd's all time great rockers, "Is It My Name" followed by his concert closing anthem "Just One Victory". 'Initiation' sounds like Utopia because many of the musicians are from the first Utopia album and there are some other all star guests; Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer and David Sanborn. I think the 30 minute side two is very unfocused and simply noise in places. Side one is basically an iteration of Utopia and dovetails nicely with Utopia's first album. Five of the eight album sides in this era are essential in my opinion, two are pretty good and one is best saved for 3AM background music. This is my favorte era of Todd.
Side note, 'War Babies' (1974) by Hall and Oates sounds similar to 'Initiation' due to Todd and members of Utopia being on it. This album is a stand alone in the Hall & Oates catalogue and is a hidden gem for Todd and Utopia fans.
'Faithful ('76) is a mixed bag with side one being all cover songs. Tons of artists were doing this at the time including David Bowie, John Lennon and Bryan Ferry. I think Todd took a big swing and a miss here, I don't care for side one. Side two is pure gold as the song writing is reminiscent of Todd's first two albums.
'Hermit Of Mink Hollow' is a poor man's 'Something Anything'. I think Todd was just showing that he still had this side of himself while the band Utopia started showcasing the talents of the other members.
That's the first eight that you have if my math is right.
'Healing' is good but not great and certainly more electronic than his previous effort and certainly not a pop record.
'Todd', 'AWATS' and 'Initiation' are all more heavily into electronics and some might slide them into prog. 'Todd' was definitely my fave for many years but 'AWATS' has probably passed it by based mostly on the strength of seeing three performances of that album. Side one of 'Todd' is perfection and side three is close behind. Side one of AWATS' defines mindf*ck and side two is mostly singer songwriter perfection and includes the soul medley and one of Todd's all time great rockers, "Is It My Name" followed by his concert closing anthem "Just One Victory". 'Initiation' sounds like Utopia because many of the musicians are from the first Utopia album and there are some other all star guests; Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer and David Sanborn. I think the 30 minute side two is very unfocused and simply noise in places. Side one is basically an iteration of Utopia and dovetails nicely with Utopia's first album. Five of the eight album sides in this era are essential in my opinion, two are pretty good and one is best saved for 3AM background music. This is my favorte era of Todd.
Side note, 'War Babies' (1974) by Hall and Oates sounds similar to 'Initiation' due to Todd and members of Utopia being on it. This album is a stand alone in the Hall & Oates catalogue and is a hidden gem for Todd and Utopia fans.
'Faithful ('76) is a mixed bag with side one being all cover songs. Tons of artists were doing this at the time including David Bowie, John Lennon and Bryan Ferry. I think Todd took a big swing and a miss here, I don't care for side one. Side two is pure gold as the song writing is reminiscent of Todd's first two albums.
'Hermit Of Mink Hollow' is a poor man's 'Something Anything'. I think Todd was just showing that he still had this side of himself while the band Utopia started showcasing the talents of the other members.
That's the first eight that you have if my math is right.
'Healing' is good but not great and certainly more electronic than his previous effort and certainly not a pop record.
^ I need to relisten to Wizard.....been q uite a while. I always thought most of side one and part of side 2 overreached and was a hodge podge of tracks that had no common theme but with a few cool bits while side two had two good songs in Is It my Name amd Just One Victory. Ill take my time and reevaluate .
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