My first real initiation into progressive rock music came when I was 16, with Dream Theater's "Train Of Thought". My cousin - probably pissed off by my emo leanings at the time - lent me his copy of the album with strict instructions that I listen to it once a day in its entirety. So fascinated was I by its unorthodox time signatures and liberal use of keyboards that I religiously stuck to my promise for the next couple of months, often exceeding the recommended listening time. Below are some of my all time prog rock favourites (listed chronologically).
A Saucerful Of Secrets/Pink floyd (A Saucerful Of Secrets, 1968) Just when the chaos seems palpable, Wright's organ kicks in and order is restored. I couldn't find the original, but this "Live in Pompeii" version is equally compelling.
Long Distance Runaround/Yes (Fragile, 1971) Stellar performances by keyboardist Rick Wakeman and bassist Chris Squire.
Come Sail Away/Styx (
The Grand Illusion, 1977) Psychedelic keyboard solo in the second half of the song.
Tom Sawyer/Rush (Moving Pictures, 1981) I was a fan of this song long before I truly discovered the band.
The Waking Edge/Jethro Tull (Crest Of A Knave, 1987) Anderson's flute in the opening sequence. The song has quite a ballad-like feel to it, unlike their previous stuff.
New Millennium/Dream Theater (
Falling Into Infinity, 1997) One of my favourite DT tracks, despite keyboardist Jordan Rudess' absence. Myung's bass tapping is incredible.
The Grudge/Tool (
Lateralus, 2001) The entire album is a lesson in (often darkly) heterodox time signatures.
The Sound Of Muzak/Porcupine Tree (In Absentia, 2002) Drummer Gavin Harrison plays a tricky rhythm in the verse.
Endless Sacrifice/Dream Theater (Train Of Thought, 2003) A typical DT composition. Sweet, almost ballad-like opening melody, followed by an explosive guitar-keyboard-drum onslaught.
