Best Albums Of 2012 - So Far

[Duncan Glenday]

Any thoughts?

I haven't bought much this year, and would like to blow the budget (by a little bit) on a few last-minute purchases before the year is out.

[Sean]

Being a list thread I think this should be in OT, though as year end approaches this sort of thing is kinda front page news, so.....

[NogbadTheBad]

Thinking Plague
Magma
Anglagard
Aranis
Unit Wail

[Gruno]

I have no prog music that falls into the "best of" category for 2012. Van Halen wins by a huge margin over any other music for me this year.

[wideopenears]

I'm a fusion head, as you likely know...but here are my faves of the year thus far:

Anglagard's new one that I can't remember how to spell
Thinking Plague's new one that I can't remember the name of
Tribal Tech-X
Panzerballett-Tank Goodness
Farmer's Market-Slav to the Rhythm
Fazjaz-Season IV
Tohpati Bertiga-Riot
The Avengers-On a Mission
Hiromi-Move
Henderson/Berlin/Chambers-HBC
Alex Machecek-FAT
Doug Lunn Project-s/t
Gary Husband-Dirty and Beautiful Vol. II

Off the top of my head. I also liked Echolyn's new one...

[LASERCD]

Trioscapes is sitting at the top of my list.

[Jerjo]

Astra - The Black Chord
The Future Kings of England - Who is This Who is Coming
Big Big Train - English Electric
The Pineapple Thief - All the Wars
Marillion - Sounds that Cannot be Made
I suppose that new Echolyn album
Steve Wilson's new live album

and Clockwork MotherFucking Angels!

[NogbadTheBad]

The Future Kings of England - Who is This Who is Coming


Was amongst my top 5 of 2011

[100423]

Thinking Plague - Decline And Fall
Storm Corrosion - s/t
Anglagard - Viljans Öga
Astra - The Black Chord
Steven Wilson - Catalog / Preserve / Amass
3RDegree - The Long Division
Rhys Marsh and the Autumn Ghosts - The Blue Hour
Enslaved - RIITIIR
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
Cirrus Bay - Whimsical Weather

Rush - Clockwork Angels... hasn't clicked with me the way I thought it would.
I'm sure there are more I'm missing, it's been a great year for music.

[arabicadabra]

3rdegree - The Long Division
Flying Colors
Neal Morse - Momentum
District 97 - The Trouble With Machines
Echolyn
IZZ - The Crush Of Night
John Galgano - Real Life Is Meeting


and somewhere around 23 to 30, I happen to like Pinnacle's A Blueprint For Chaos quite a bit :)
(but I'm biased)

[everythingtoexcess]

It's just been a silly year for new music. Silly.
Everything on arabicadabra's list plus...
It Bites - Map of the Past
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Marillion - Sounds that Can't Be Made (my current pick for favorite of the year, but who knows?)
Steve Vai - Story of Light (not all of it...maybe half of it. some of it is...eh.)
I'm sure there are others. I have to go through the pile and write everything down at some point.

[Desdinova]

Thank You Scientist - "Maps of Nonexistent Places"
Big Big Train - "English Electric Vol. 1"
Echolyn - "Echolyn"
I and Thou - "Speak"
Coheed and Cambria - "The Afterman: Ascension"

[Lieto]

This has been a great year of music so far, with lots of great releases, and the one I've kept up with the best so far!
Here;s my favorites so far:
Anglagard _ Viljans Oga
Magma - Felicite Thosz
Pat Metheny - Unity Band
Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic
echolyn - Echolyn
Marshall Gilkes - Sound Stories
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall

Honorable mentions:
Beardfish The Void
Panzerballett - Tank Goodness
Espernanza Spalding: Radio Music Society

[Kanukisbrave]

what a great year so far...!:D

not quite in order of best-ness but close....


Big Big Train - "English Electric Vol. 1"
Echolyn - "Echolyn"
It Bites - "Map of the Past"
Marillion - "Sounds that Can't Be Made"
Storm Corrosion - "s/t"
Jadis - "See Right Through You"
Flower Kings - "Banks Of Eden"
Red Sand - "Behind the Mask"
Citizen Cain - "Skies Darken"
Cirrus Bay - "Whimsical Weather"
Flying Colors - "s/t"

waiting on Glass Hammer's new one and The Enid's new one sounds interesting as well.....

[trurl]

Someone better put "Perilous"-- I'm watching you people :D :D

[polmico]

So, so many. Beardfish's new one might be my favorite.

No one's mentioned Motorpyscho's The Death Defying Unicorn so I better do it. (Ew! Look how easy it is to italicize something!)

[strawberrybrick]

Well, D97 of course!
Also digging new tunes from Hawklords, Mahogany Frog...

[Plasmatopia]

Probably forgetting something, but two clear standouts for me are:

District 97 - Trouble With Machines
Anglagard - Viljans Oga

[Harbottle]

John McLaughlin's latest
Big big train's latest
Ian Anderson's Thick as a brick 2

[Sunhillow]

Anglagard
Jadis
Kotebel
Echolyn
Motorpsycho
Big Big Train
Mostly Autumn
Citizen Cain
IZZ.

[bondegezou]

As per the thread on the old PE, I'll stick with Jacaranda by Trevor Rabin. (As for some of the other suggestions above... I haven't gotten into Clockwork Angels. Decline and Fall is OK, but nothing special. Flying Colors, OK too. Liked what I've heard of the new District 97, but I haven't bought it yet.)

Henry

[PlaneGroovy]

Anglagard
Jadis
Kotebel
Echolyn
Motorpsycho
Big Big Train
Mostly Autumn
Citizen Cain
IZZ

OK, so I've done my very best here; currently I can only claim - from this list - that we have IZZ and echolyn on vinyl with Plane Groovy. However, I hope you'll be thrilled to hear that as well as echolyn and IZZ , we're also about to announce another BIG BIG release from your list, VERY VERY soon. And that's without any mention of the epic "Perilous" by Glass Hammer!

Cheers, Chris

For those of you who are cynical about the virtues of vinyl - and who live in the UK - it is open house here at Plane Groovy HQ. Come on down to hear these great albums on vinyl and you'll be converted! You might even get a beer or two out of the deal!

[Nicky Cupcakes]

No one's mentioned Motorpyscho's The Death Defying Unicorn so I better do it.

It's on my list! Not quite sure exactly where it will ultimately land for 2012, but so far I'm putting it at #3.

In countdown order, and subject to change on an almost daily basis:

Neal Morse - Momentum
Marillion - STCBM
Brice Plays Drums - Man the Animal Cannon
3rd Degree- The Long Division
Anathema - Weather Systems
Flying Colors - s/t
I and Thou - Speak
Motorpsycho & Ståle Storløkken - The Death Defying Unicorn
Echolyn - s/t #2
Big Big Train - English Electric (Part 1)

Still to listen to the new Glass Hammer or Beardfish, and Wing Beat Fantastic may creep up there as well.

[bill g]

what a great year so far...!:D

not quite in order of best-ness but close....


Big Big Train - "English Electric Vol. 1"
Echolyn - "Echolyn"
It Bites - "Map of the Past"
Marillion - "Sounds that Can't Be Made"
Storm Corrosion - "s/t"
Jadis - "See Right Through You"
Flower Kings - "Banks Of Eden"
Red Sand - "Behind the Mask"
Citizen Cain - "Skies Darken"
Cirrus Bay - "Whimsical Weather"
Flying Colors - "s/t"

waiting on Glass Hammer's new one and The Enid's new one sounds interesting as well.....

And thank you Kanukisbrave for including us in your list!!

[aplodon]

I don't have very many albums from 2012 yet. At the moment I would say these are the ones I like best (random order):

Magma - Félicité Thösz
Panzerpappa - Astromalist
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall

[LighthouseKeeper]

Anglagard - Viljans Oga
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
Forgas Band Phenomena - Acute V
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pandoras Piniata
Soen - Cognitive
Astra - The Black Chord
Ihsahn - Eremita
Peter Hammill - Consequences
John Zorn - Mount Analogue or Nosferatu
Behold ... the Arctopus - Horrorascension
TRAM - Lingua Franc

On the wish list:
Panzerpappa
Unit Wail
Aranis
Scherzoo

[Jon]

3rDegree
Angalgard
Barrett Elmore
Consider The Source
Darth Vegas
Dore-Mere
Echolyn
Frames
Gosta Berlings Saga
I and Thou
Lalle Larsson's Weaveworld
Morglbl
Panzerballett
Stabat Akish
Taylor's Universe

and my great big guilty pleasure, Fredde Gredde

[LuminousEgg]

Anglagards new one for sure
Alaalaman Vasarat's new one (Spelling?)
Echolyn
Rush "Clockwork Angels"
Flower Kings "Banks of Eden"
Ian Anderson's TAAB2

[NogbadTheBad]

I'm going to broaden my original list as I've been enjoying 2012 releases a lot

Aranis - Made In Belgium
Unit Wail - Pangaea Proxima
Corima - Quetzalcoatl
Cosa Brava - The Letter
Alec K Redfearn & The Eyesores - Sister Death
Moetar - From These Small Seeds
Anglagard - Viljans Oga
Echolyn - Echolyn
Magma - Felicite Thosz
Alamaailman Vasarat - Valta
Janel & Anthony - Where is Home
Kotebel - Concerto for Piano & Electric Ensemble
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pandoras Pinata
Forgas Band Phenomena - Acte V
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall

Yes. I'm enjoying 2012

[adewolf]

Unit Wail, I sure like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbjOKDGzXsg

[spacefreak]

LEISURE BIRDS "Globe Master" (2012) Moon Glyph
ALUK TODOLO "Occult Rock" (2012) Ajna Offensive
BIG BIG TRAIN "English Electric Part One" (2012) English Electric
MOONWAGON "Foyers Of The Future" (2012) Presence
GOAT "World Music" (2012) Rocket Recordings
CAMERA "Radiate!" (2012) Bureau B
OM "Advaitic Songs" (2012) Drag City
ANGLAGARD "Viljans Öga" (2012) private
SULA BASSANA "Dark Days" (2012) Sulatron
BIOTA "Cape Flyaway" (2012) Recommended
CHEF MENTEUR "East Of The Sun & West Of The Moon" (2012) Backporch Revolution
SILVESTER ANFANG II "Perzische tapijten" (2012) Great pop supplement
UFOMAMMUT "Oro -Opus Primum" (2012) Neurot
DEMDIKE STARE "Elemental" (2012) Modern love
VESPERO "Subkraut: U-Boats willkommen hier" (2012) Krauted Mind
COSMIC DEAD "The Cosmic Dead" (2012) Paradigms
SUFIS "The Sufis" (2012) Ample Play
SATURNIA "α Ω α (Αlpha Omega Alpha)" (2012) Elektrohasch
LOCRIAN & MAMIFFER "Bless Them That Curse You" (2012) Profound Lore
WITCHSORROW "God Curse Us" (2012) Rise Above
INFINITY PEOPLE "In Love With The Light" (2012) UFO Factory
LUGNORO "Annorstädes" (2012) Ozium
BONG "Mana-Yood-Sushai" (2012) Ritual Productions
SOLAR FIELDS "Random Friday" (2012) Ultimae Records
VIBRAVOID "Gravity Zero" (2012) Sulatron
PYRAMIDAL "Dawn in space" (2012) Krauted Mind
KADAVAR "Kadavar" (2012) Tee Pee
GNOD "Chaudelande (vol. 2)" (2012) Tamed
ASTRA "The Black Chord" (2012) Rise Above
EYE "Center of the Sun" (2012) Kemado
CRANIUM PIE "The Geometry of Thistles" (2012) Lunartica
MATER SUSPIRIA VISION "Inverted Triangle III" (2012) Phantasma Disques
WINDHAND "Windhand" (2012) Forcefield
IMBOGODOM " And They Turned Not When They Went" (2012) Thrill Jockey
STARVING WEIRDOS " Land Lines" (2012) Amish
AHMED, Ilyas "With Endless Fire" (2012) Immune
KOSMONAUT "Voyage of Time" (2012) Ethereal Mother
PHARAOH OVERLORD "Lunar Jetman" (2012) Ektro
3 LEAFS "Canal Smarts" (2012) private
ISENGRIND "Night of Raining Fire" (2012) Blackest Rainbow
EXPO '70 "Journey Through Astral Projection" (2012) Immune
ALCEST "Les voyages de l' âme" (2012) Prophecy Productions

[aplodon]

Yikes, Spacefreak! Those are your favorites, then how many albums from 2012 do you own ?

And I haven't even heard of most of those bands. Only three of them in fact (Änglagård, Biota, Big Big Train).

[spacefreak]

then how many albums from 2012 do you own ?


Around 200...

[thedunno]

My top 3 at the moment

1 Inner Ear Brigade - rainbro
2 Aranis- Made in Belgium
3 Anglagard - Viljans Oga

other releases I enjoy are by Peter Hammill, Alamaailman Vasarat, BBT, Echolyn, Thinking plague, autumn chorus, Altrock chamber orchestra and Kotebel.

I still have to heara the new Magma and Diablo Swing orchestra

[zathrus13]

1 - Anglagard - Viljans Öga
2 - Threshold - March of Progress
3 - District 97 - The Trouble With Machines
4 - Marillion - Sounds that Can't Be Made

[maribor]

Magma
both Galahad's
Asia - XXX
Double Naught Spy Car
3rdegree
Soleil Moon
Jimi Jamison
Autumn Chorus (orig. released in 2011)
Dec Burke
It Bites
Brockmann, Andrade - Airs
17 Pygmies

[Animal]

In no particular order...
Punch Brothers-Who's feeling young now
Diablo Swing Orchestra-Pandora's pinata
Kotobel-Concerto...
Anglagard
Steven Wilson-Get all you deserve

What a great year!

[Animal]

....forgot to add Echolyn. Don't wanna miss that masterpiece.

[ProgUK]

Echolyn
Anglagard- Viljars oga
Snarky Puppy-GroundUP
Funky Knuckles-As of Lately
Dean Brown-Unfinished Business
Donald Fagen-Sunken Condos
John McLauglin - Now Here This
The Producers - Made In Basing Street

[100423]

...

Looks like a bunch I need to check out.

:up

[spacefreak]

Looks like a bunch I need to check out.

:up

In case of any specific information, don't hesitate to ask or PM.

[100423]

In case of any specific information, don't hesitate to ask or PM.
I appreciate that!

[Udi Koomran]

If I have to chose one its easy : Nik Bartsch's Ronin - Live
Runner's up :
Thinking Plague - Decline And Fall
Steve MacLean, Chris Cutler - The Year Of The Dragon
Redfearn, Alec K. & The Eyesores -Sister Death
Magma - Félicité Thösz
Cucamonga - Alter Huevo
Cosa Brava - The Letter
Inner Ear Brigade - Rainbro
Stabat Akish - Nebulos
Alamaailman Vasarat Valta
Biota - Cape Flyaway
Scherzoo 02
Volcano the Bear - Golden Rhythm / Ink Music
Behold... The Arctopus - Horrorscension
Unit Wail Pangaea Proxima
Bob Drake - Bob's Drive In
Zoambo Zoet Workestrao - Soap for Sweatshops

[cupwonder]

Wing Beat Fantastic--Mike Keneally
Phideaux--Mogon teaser (if that counts)
Storm Corrosion--s/t
Izz--Crush of Night
Marprog--A Work of Art (A live selection of songs from the two Marprogs)
Protean Collective--Exposed
Ian Anderson--TAAB2
HFMC--Powerplay
Rush--Clockwork Angels

[Dodie]

Big Big Train: English Electric vol. 1
Marillion: Sounds That Can't Be Made
Panic Room: Skin
It Bites: Map Of The Past
Flying Colors
Moon Safari: Lovers' End part 3 (ok, it's an EP, but it counts for me!)
Neal Morse: Momentum (always things on his albums I like, but this one is a bit more consistent for the shorter tracks)
Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited II
Rush: Clockwork Angels

[ItalProgRules]

Yay, I'm in I'm in...thanks Duncan!

Glass Hammer - Perlilous
Rush - C(MF)A
Astra - The Black Chord
Anglagard - Yeah that one. The one I can't spell.
Big Big Train - English Electric Vol. 1

[progmatist]

Not yet mentioned, but well worth mentioning:
Alphataurus...AttosecondO
Barock Project...Coffee In Neukölln

[ChrisXymphonia]

So far there are two albums that really have done it so far from, one which is decicedly non prog:

Big Big Train - English Electric Part 1
Gretchen Peters - Hello Cruel World

and as per my avatar I expect that this one will be a major highlight as well:

The Enid - Invicta

[bobert]

In no particular order.

Echolyn-Echolyn
District 97-Trouble With Machines
Big Big Train-English Electric Vol. 1
Marillion-Sounds That Can't Be Made
Anglagard- Viljars oga
Kaipa-Vittjar
Neil Morse-Momentum
Jadis-See Right Through You
Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic

[karel hupjé]

Swans - The Seer

[CaffieneMan]

Rush - Clockwork Angels
Thick as a Brick 2 - Ian Anderson
Perilous - Glass Hammer
Banks of Eden - The Flower Kings
20/20 - Saga

[Paul]

At the moment:

Marillion - Sounds That Can't Be Made
Anglagard - Viljans Öga
Echolyn - Echolyn
Big Big Train - English Electric, Part One
Magnum - On the Thirteenth Day
Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Big Moon Ritual
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Hawkwind - Onwards
Ginger Wildheart - 100%
Enslaved - Riitiir

Likely to be in there by the end of the year:

The Sword - Apocryphon
Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead

[Progbear]

Änglagård and TEE are for sure tops of my list. :up

-------------
MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")

"That's my purse! I don't know you!" --Bobby Hill

N.P.:“Sunny Queen”-Streetmark/Dry

[polmico]

I got a feeling the new Travis/Fripp album will make my list, but DGM Live will have to ship it before the end of the year . . .

[Progmatic]

[/QUOTE]


Yikes, Spacefreak! Those are your favorites, then how many albums from 2012 do you own ?

And I haven't even heard of most of those bands. Only three of them in fact (Änglagård, Biota, Big Big Train).


Around 200...
...no wonder Greece is bankrupted....

[Progmatic]

Btw i have seen two big omission thus far- la desooorden and swans

[Rumblefishtwist]

The Flower Kings ~ Banks Of Eden
Anglagard ~ Viljans Öga
Echolyn ~ Echolyn
Big Big Train ~ English Electric, Part One
Rush ~ Clockwork Angels
3rdegree ~ The Long Division
Neil Morse ~ Momentum
Pinnacle ~ A Blueprint For Chaos
Beardfish ~ The Void
Astra ~ The Black Chord
Sebastian Hardie ~ Blueprint
Cross ~ Wake Up Call
Flying Colors ~ Flying Colors
Citizen Cain ~ Skies Darken

[harbinger58]

First and foremost...at this time of year, I like to look back at the previous year, 2011, and determine what was the best CD from that year as measured by the one CD that stays in my car player the longest and is played the most. And the winner is.....drumroll please.....Balloon Astronomy's Self-Titled CD from 2011.

Now for 2012...In no order although alphabetically.... except my #1 CD from 2012 which I will name last....

Big Big Train - English Electric Part 1
Calexico - Algiers
Echolyn - Echloyn
Galahad - Beyond The Realms of Experience
Hiromi Trio - Move
I and Thou - Speak
RPWL - Beyond Man and Time
Toyz - The Infinite Road

and my #1 for 2012 so far...

The Imagined Village - Bend To The Dark
I just can't say enough about this CD. I have played it to absolute death and I'm not weary of it at all.

[eporter66]

Echolyn
Kotobel - Concerto
Flying Colors
Marillion
Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic
Neal Morse - Momentum

Just got Hackett's Genesis Revisited II, have not had a chance to listen

Like you Duncan, I have not bought a lot of new music, but have enjoyed all these.

[bill g]

On the Prog archives members lists, which are pretty extensive, Big Big Train is currently number 1 followed by Anglagard and Echolyn. Those are 3 great releases, but there are also so many others such as Thinking Plague, Tony Banks, Kotebel, IZZ, Third Degree, Glass Hammer, I and Thou etc... This has been THE year, for sure.

[spacefreak]

Btw i have seen two big omission thus far- la desooorden and swans

Listened today to SWANS "The Seer" ... Very impressive, direct climb to the annual top 5 upon first listen.

[Kavus Torabi]

Thumpermonkey: Sleep Furiously
Inner Ear Brigade: Rainbro
Field Music: Plumb
Van Halen: A Different Kind Of Truth
The Gasman: Hiding Place
Janel And Anthony: Is This Home
Magma: Felicite Thosz

There's a few I still need to hear which I'm sure I'll at least like a lot, particularly Swans and Tame Impala

[Fractal5]

How about
Byrne / St. Vincent - Love this Giant
Mickey Hart Band - Mysterium
The Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania
Return to Forever - The Mothership Returns

[mkeneally]

I haven't heard enough new music this year I admit, but I really love both of Neil Young's new albums, the new Donald Fagen, Balloon Astronomy, Thinking Plague, Big Big Train, Echolyn and uh...I liked my album a lot (am I allowed to say that?). (I'm mainly posting because it's my first post on the new board and I want to see if it works.)

edit: it worked!

edit: editing posts works too!

[Sunhillow]

Anglagard
Jadis
Kotebel
Echolyn
Motorpsycho
Big Big Train
Mostly Autumn
Citizen Cain
IZZ.

Yee, forgot Mystery.

[jarmsuh]

Anglagard, Kotebel, Citizen Cain, Threshold

[polmico]

Yee, forgot Mystery.

But he remembered Motorpyscho!

[jviola95]

I've listened to a lot of new albums this year but here's my top 15 (in no particular order):

Anglagard
Anathema
Devin Townsend Project
District 97
IZZ
Marillion
Big Big Train
Mike Keneally
Rush
Storm Corrosion
Echolyn
Black Country Communion
The Flower Kings
Gazpacho
Flying Colors

[rapidfirerob]

Bombastic Meatbats- Live Meat and Taters
Herring- Subject To Change W/O Notice
Spectrum Road
Landau- Organic Instrumentals
Avengers- On A Mission
HBC
RTF- Mothership Returns
Mac- Now Here This
Gary Husband- Doi-T and Boo Ti Full- The One After The Foist One
TT-X
Hiromi-Move
Chad Hitithard- Dreams, Nightmares and Improv Thangs
Fazjaz- Season IV

[Trane]

OK, this is a first selection... I'm pretty sure I'm missing a few ('12 has been a fairly good millesime)

Aranis - Made In Belgium
Anglagard - Viljans Oga
Magma - Felicite Thosz (not likely to survive the final cut)
Kotebel - Concerto for Piano & Electric Ensemble (that Adagio piece is tremendous)
Forgas Band Phenomena - Acte V
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
Return to Forever - The Mothership Returns
Magma - Félicité Thösz
Aka Moon - Unison
Fabrizzio Cassol - Strange Fruit >> contender for top spot
VdGG - Alt (yes I do like it)
Comus - Out Of The Coma
Elephant9 with R Fiske >> just received that yesterday >>> what fucking power >> love it

Still have to investigate:
Inner Ear Brigade: Rainbro
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pandoras Pinata
Gosta Berling Saga




will definitely miss the cut
TAAB2 (not by much),
Rush (boooring >> what a disappointment after S&A),
Echolyn,
Marillion,
TFK,
Kaipa...and many more

[ombasan]

These come to my mind:

Steven Wilson - Get all you deserve
Marillion - STCBM
Trevor Rabin - Jacaranda
Sigur Ros - (forgot the name)
Producers - Made in Basing Street

[Fractal5]

Sigur Ros - (forgot the name)

"Valtari"
I like it.......

[Serendipity]

Here's my list and I'm stickin' to it:

Big Big Train - English Electric
Marillion - Sounds That Can't Be Made
Echolyn - Echolyn
Neal Morse - Momentum
Flower Kings - Banks Of Eden
Squackett - Life Within A Day
PFM - Live In Roma Featuring Ian Anderson (worth it for live version of Harlequin)
Glass Hammer- Perilous
Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited II
Producers - Made In Basing Street
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Trevor Rabin - Jacaranda
Billy Sherwood - Prog Collective and Fusion Syndicate
Neal Morse - Cover To Cover II
Neal Morse - A Proggy Christmas
Paul Gilbert - Vibrato

[ajcmixer]

The Long Division - 3RDegree
A Blueprint For Chaos - Pinnacle
Trouble With Machines - District 97

Peace,
Alex

[Duncan Glenday]

Swans - The Seer

Haven't heard that yet - sounds like a must-buy.

[Steve]

Nobodies mentioned Headspace ' I am Anonymous.'
I can't be the only person on the planet listing to it.
Marillion have knocked out a good one and H has even done one with Richard from the Porkies.
Mostly Autumn have done a good one this year.
Suppose we have to mention Rush but the Flower Kings have been worth waiting for this year.
Next year Mr Wilson will kick us off with some magic just watch.

[cupwonder]

[/QUOTE]

Suppose we have to mention Rush [/QUOTE]

Suppose we do. Clockwork Angels was OK, but Rush is kind of coasting on their reputation at this point.

[Steve]

Couldn't agree more and their concerts are top dollar too. Can't beat smaller venues. The Prog weekends in South Yorkshire next year will be good.

[Sunlight Caller]

Funny I'm not finding this to be a vintage year, I have bought less music this year than ever before, and very little that would be under the prog banner. It's probably more where I am at just now, rather than the music. I usually use these threads to help fill a few gaps and oversights though.

Albums I have enjoyed the most though are:

Big Big Train - English Electric Vol 1
Pineapple Thief - All The Wars
GYBE - Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
Hidden Orchestra - Archipelago
The XX - Coexist
Richard Hawley - Standing At The Sky's Edge

[arabicadabra]

The Long Division - 3RDegree
A Blueprint For Chaos - Pinnacle
Trouble With Machines - District 97

Peace,
Alex

ALEX! (Sob, sniffle, sob) - THANK YOU!!! I'm not kidding, man, I LOVE that you like our album that much! Let me know as SOON as you're well enough for coffee and we HAVE to meet up!

[Reginod]

I've picked up over thirty of this year's releases so far, and there are a lot of excellent ones, but I can't say I've liked any of them better than this:

http://music.prog-sphere.com/album/ampersand

Why Villebråd's third album isn't available physically, I'm not sure. It does seem to be mastered a bit "hot", but I do not care because I love the whole thing immensely. I'm sure this is tantamount to heresy, but as of now Villebråd is my favorite Swedish band, by a comfortable margin. :O Call me a melody-wuss if you will. :meh

Free download. Doesn't cost ya anything.


(BTW I know the DL page says 2011 but AFAICT that's incorrect and it actually came out in February of this year)

[emperorken]

Here are some excellent releases which may or may not have been mentioned:

Hostsonaten- Rime of the Ancient Mariner
InVertigo- Veritas
RPWL- Beyond Man and Time
Frequency Drift- Laid to Rest
Silhouette- Beyond the Rubicon
Nexus- Aire
Piezo- Scene 1 Harlequin
Quaterna Requiem- O Architeto
Sunchild- Isolation
Forward Shapes- Legacy
Red Sand- Behind the Mask

[The Wall]

Neil Young - Psychedelic Pill

...and

Spectrum Road - S/T
The Aristocrats - S/T
3rdegree - The Long Division
John McLaughlin - Now Hear This

[trondis23]

1) Farmers Market: Slav to the rhythm
2) Cosa Brava: The letter

Other good ones:
John McLaughlin: Now Here This
Peter Blegvad/Andy Partridge: Gonwards

[Progmatic]

Funny I'm not finding this to be a vintage year, I have bought less music this year than ever before, and very little that would be under the prog banner.

Maybe you should buy more music ;)
...Obviously everyone to its own, but I found that this year there have been more "quality" releases than I remember...Other recent years, you could pick four, five good albums, the rest of them were like ok but they hardly ever got back into my CD player...This year, IMHO, it is release after release...Hardly any duds, most of the albums are very close to the best (if not the best) by the particular band...and Panzerppapa is still coming....:D

[JSS]

I have liked:
Michael Bernier - leviathan
Julie Slick - Terroir
Alex Machacek, Raphael Preuschl, Herbert Pirker - Fat
Gary Husband - Dirty & Beautiful Volume 2
Chad Wackerman - Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations

Storm Corrosion - disappointed at first but then grew on me, still won't play it much.
Rush - Clockwork Angels - liked the stuff that I first heard, a little dissapointed over time w/ entire album. I re-numbered the tracks I like least on my PC, sometimes I play all, usually I stop before end.

New to me in 2012: Mats/Morgan. Got 'Thanks...' & 'Live', really liking. Similar to my first getting into Opeth at end of 2010. The soundtrack of my driving...

[julioscissors]

Echolyn - "Echolyn"
Rush - "Clockwork MF Angels"
Glass Hammer - "Perilous"
Mystery - "The World is a Game" (MAN, does Benoit David sound fantastic on this one - much better fit for him than Yes was)

[Progtopia]

Beyond the Bridge - "The Old Man and the Sea"
Circus Maximus - "Nine"
Sylvan - "Sceneries"

[arabicadabra]

How did I forget I And Thou? Officially added to my list!

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

Henderson/Berlin/Chambers-HBC
Hadnt heard about this, but not too crazy about power trios... are there a good deal of textures in this? I generally find Prog without Keyboards hard to digest

[No Pride]

No particular order:

Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic
Trevor Rabin - Jacaranda
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
Tribal Tech - X
Henderson/Berlin/Chambers - HBC
Gary Husband - Dirty and Beautiful Vol. 2
District 97 - The Trouble With Machines (I was lukewarm with the debut, but this one is great!)

[Neeebs]

Sounds like the new Big Big Train is a top pick. Definitely going to order this one stat!

[Jefferson James]

'Tis been a great year for new music; in no particular order, my favorites:

Pinnacle – A Blueprint for Chaos
3rd Degree – The Long Division
Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic
Trevor Rabin - Jacaranda
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
District 97 - Trouble With Machines
Big Big Train - English Electric Vol 1
The Aristocrats - S/T
Echolyn – S/T
Alex Machecek - FAT
Astra - The Black Chord
Cirrus Bay - Whimsical Weather
Flying Colors – S/T
IZZ - The Crush Of Night
It Bites - Map of the Past
Beardfish - The Void
Moetar - From These Small Seeds
Billy Sherwood - The Art of Survival

[No Pride]

Sorry to nitpick, but wasn't The Aristocrats from last year? I would've included that album if it wasn't.

[Shadow]

For those of you looking to fill out your list, these are the ones I have obtained in 2012.

UK Reunion - Live In Tokyo
Nektar - A Spoonful Of Time
Donald Fagen - Sunken Condos
Keith Emerson Band - Three Fates Project
The Fusion Syndicate
The Prog Collective
Mind - Structure
Dissonati - Reductio Ad Absurdum
Koos Wiltenburg Group - Hands On
John Mclaughlin - Now Hear This
Special Providence - Soul Alert
Trix - Power
Fazjaz.jp - Season IV
Tomotaka Sekiya - Live at Last Waltz
Tekazu Session (really 2011 but found it this year and it fucking kicks ass)
Cailyn - Four Pieces (new PE member and very nice cd)
Lalle Larsson's Weaveworld - Nightscapes
HBC - Henderson Berlin Chambers
Pat Metheny - Unity Band
Eclat - L'esprit du cerde
Dean Brown - Unfinished Business
Panzerballett - Tank Goodness
The Avengers - On A Mission
4 front - Malice In Wonderland
Cosmos - Mind Games
Ligro - Dictionary 2
Hiromi - Move
FAT
Consider The Source - It! We'll Do It Live
Mahogany Frog - Senna
Karcius - The First Day
Cosmic Dancer - Universe At Large
Szobel
Laborator (undated, those bastards)
Carpe Nota

That might be half, I'll get the rest in awhile

[FredOCal]

OM "Advaitic Songs" (2012) Drag City


OM has a new album out? I'll have to check that out! I have "Conference of the Birds" and "Pilgrimage" and love them both. I'm interested in checking out more of your list too, but it's a bit overwhelming.

[10T Records]

Big Big Train - English Electric (Part One)
3rd Degree – The Long Division
Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic

My top 3 (not on my label!)... ;)

Steve
www.10trecords.com

[Shadow]

Second set.

Santana - Shape Shifter (couldn't find a date)
Return To Forever - The Mothership Returns
EQ - To Speak
David Fiuczynski - Planet Microjam
Forgas Band Phenomena - Acte V
Trevor Rabin - Jacaranda
Tompox Band - Hungarian Electric
Steve Smith and Vital Information - Live! One Great Night
Gekko Project - Electric Forest
Mike Stern - All Over The Place
Morglbl - Brutal Romance
Spectrum Road
Renegade Creation - Bullet
Eter-K - Watching The Universe (once again no date)
Phishbacher - Journey To Turtleland
Michael Landau Group - Organic Instrumantals
Gary Husband - Dirty & Beautiful Vol 2
Tribal Tech - X
Ohmphrey - Posthaste
Points North - Road Less Traveled
Damian Erskine - So To Speak (no date)
Chad Wackerman - Dreams Nightmares and Improvisations

That's all I have for now. I do know there are a couple gooders coming out.

[NogbadTheBad]

Sorry to nitpick, but wasn't The Aristocrats from last year? I would've included that album if it wasn't.
You appear to be correct rateyourmusic concurs

[The Wall]

Sorry to nitpick, but wasn't The Aristocrats from last year? I would've included that album if it wasn't.

You are quite right - my bad... Still a great album ;)

[julioscissors]

Forgot to add Trevor Rabin "Jacaranda" to my list. That disc is blowing my mind! Amazing stuff.

[mogrooves]

Well, if one is inclined toward "jazz" and sundries:

Steve Lehman Trio - Dialect Flourescent
Matthew Shipp Trio - Elastic Aspects
Tyshawn Sorey - Oblique - 1
Joe Locke/Geoff Keezer - Signing
Wadada Leo Smith - Dark Lady of the Sonnets
John Adams - Son of Chamber Symphony
Ronnie Cuber - Infra-Rae
John Luther Adams - Four Thousand Holes
Darius Jones Quartet - Book of Mae'bul
Trio M - The Guest House
Eugene Chadbourne/Warren Smith - Odd Time
Tim Berne - Snakeoil
Fly ~ Year of The Snake
Joe Chambers ~ Moving Pictures Orchestra
Kenny Wheeler ~ The Long Waiting
Wayne Escoffery ~ The Only Son Of One
Joe McPhee & Ingebrigt Haker Flaten ~ Brooklyn DNA
John Luther Adams ~ Songbirdsongs
Philip Glass ~ Symphony #9
Billy Hart ~ All Our Reasons
The Complete Music of Carl Ruggles
Henry Threadgill ~ Tomorrow Sunny/The Revelry
Evan Ziporyn ~ Big Grenadilla/Mumbai
Orrin Evans ~ Flip The Script
So Percussion ~ Where (We) Live
Donnacha Dennehy ~ Stainless Staining
Joe Morris ~ Altitude
Steve Davis ~ Gettin' It Done
David S. Ware ~ Planetary Unknown
Insub Meta Orchestra ~ Archive #1
EAOrchestra ~ Likeidos
Ravi Coltrane ~ Spirit Fiction
Aimee Mann ~ Charmer
Mike Formenak ~ Small Places
Donny McCaslin ~ Casting For Gravity

[walt]

John Cage-The Works For Percussion 2-Third Coast Percussion
Don Preston-Filters,Oscillators & Envelopes 1975-82
Laurie Spiegel-The Expanding Universe
Trad Dads,Dirty Boppers and Free Fusioneers- British Jazz 1961-1975
F.C. Judd-Electronics Without Tears
Lovelock-Burning Feeling
Captain Beefheart-Bat Chain Puller
Steve Moore-Light Echoes
T.R.Mahalingam-Portrait Of A Prodigy-His Early Years 1940s-1950s
Carl Ruggles-The Complete Music of Carl Ruggles
Jazz Band De Free-Ego
Gary Burton Quartet-Live In Concert-Carnegie Recital Hall 1968
Sam Rivers-Dave Holland-Barry Altschul-Reunion-Live In New York

[Progbear]

The lack of TEE on peoples’ lists is distressing. They really need more love.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5pCoaTlJgQ

-------------
MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")

"'Thin Thighs For Your Man.' But I don't *like* men with thin thighs" --Daria

N.P.:“Disco Mystic”-Lou Reed/The Bells

[wideopenears]

Nik Bartsch's Ronin Live
Needs to be on the list.....

[Jerjo]

H has even done one with Richard from the Porkies.
.

+1

Not the Weapon, But the Hand was one of my most pleasant surprises of the year

[Zalmoxe]

Trioscapes is sitting at the top of my list.

Ordered it and awaiting it with great anticipation!

[Zalmoxe]

The lack of TEE on peoples’ lists is distressing. They really need more love.

Agree on all accounts!

[LighthouseKeeper]

Also a good year for reissues/remasters with Zobel, Dun Eros, the Zappas and wilson's various releases. Now if we can get the Esoteric FMs before the end of the year ...

[NogbadTheBad]

I particularly like the two Mike Oldfield rereleases of Platinum and QE2 with lots of live material. I'd have bought them just for the live stuff.

[The Hollowdude]

The new Big Big Train and Marillion are really neck and neck right now.

Rush's Clockwork Angels is up there, too.

[Drake]

OSI

[Progmatic]

I have just ordered Panzerppapa and Diagonal...I wonder how they alter my rankings thus far for the year...

Desooorden, La El Andarín
Storm Corrosion Storm Corrosion
Diablo Swing Orchestra Pandora’s Pinata
Magma Félicité Thösz
Swans The Seer
Änglagård Viljans Öga
Forgas Band Phenomena Acte V
Alamaailman Vasarat Valta
Anderson, Ian Thick as a Brick 2: Whatever Happened to Gerald Bostock?
Echolyn Echolyn
Morglbl Brütal Römance

[bill g]

'Tis been a great year for new music; in no particular order, my favorites:

Pinnacle – A Blueprint for Chaos
3rd Degree – The Long Division
Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic
Trevor Rabin - Jacaranda
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
District 97 - Trouble With Machines
Big Big Train - English Electric Vol 1
The Aristocrats - S/T
Echolyn – S/T
Alex Machecek - FAT
Astra - The Black Chord
Cirrus Bay - Whimsical Weather
Flying Colors – S/T
IZZ - The Crush Of Night
It Bites - Map of the Past
Beardfish - The Void
Moetar - From These Small Seeds
Billy Sherwood - The Art of Survival

Kerry, we are beyond honored to be included on such an esteemed list. Thank you!

[bill g]

By the way, I notice the new Beardfish on people's lists, and that people are saying it is heavier. Is there anything like 'And The Stone Said...' from Mammoth. I thought Mammoth was pretty awesome, but have been holding off on the new one. (due mainly to the cost of my daughter's wedding)

[Toothyspook]

The latest releases by.............

Gazpacho
Anathema
Steven Wilson (Live)
Storm Corossion

have all left their mark

But the ones that have impressed he most are

Syd Arthur - On and On
The Pineapple Thief - All the Wars

Maybe more progressive rock in the traditional sense rather than prog though

[RobT]

I know that the implication is that we pick new albums, but I am going to say "Larks' Tongue in Aspic" because I think the remix/remastered versions are stunning and make it sound new.

[arabicadabra]

A Merry Christmas to you Sir, Merry Christmas!

Seriously, may all your wishes be sated like a cannibal at the U.N. building for your kind and gracious support for our humble combo, good sir...


'Tis been a great year for new music; in no particular order, my favorites:

Pinnacle – A Blueprint for Chaos
3rd Degree – The Long Division
Mike Keneally - Wing Beat Fantastic
Trevor Rabin - Jacaranda
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
District 97 - Trouble With Machines
Big Big Train - English Electric Vol 1
The Aristocrats - S/T
Echolyn – S/T
Alex Machecek - FAT
Astra - The Black Chord
Cirrus Bay - Whimsical Weather
Flying Colors – S/T
IZZ - The Crush Of Night
It Bites - Map of the Past
Beardfish - The Void
Moetar - From These Small Seeds
Billy Sherwood - The Art of Survival

[itserik]

Great year of releases. My favorites so far:

Big Big Train - English Electric - they've really broken out of the pack w/ this release. just fantastic.
Marillion - STCBM - Their best album since Marbles. not a weak track.
Anglagard - fantastic vintage proggy progishness
Echolyn - a very enjoyable moody album through and through
Flowerkings - a welcome new one from these guys. Some great FK moments and Roinesolos but a bit samey too.
Mystery - The World is a Game - my first one from these guys. Rush meets GTR. I have a new appreciation for Benoit's singing. Nick D's great drumming alone makes it worth many listens.
Glass Hammer - Perilous - still getting my head around this one. Not sure I like it as much as "If", lyrics are a little cliche sometimes, hate the cheesy spooky dude cover, but some really really strong stuff in there for sure. time will tell.

[Bill Ferny]

Favourites:

Echolyn, Big Big Train - EE1

Bubbling Under / Growing on me:

IZZ - CON, Beardfish - TV

Honourable Mentions:

Rush, Storm Corrosion, Flying Colors, It Bites, Marillion, The Flower Kings, Jadis, Anathema

Need to hear:

3rd Degree, Anglagard, District 97, Kompendium

Eagerly anticipated:

Steven Wilson's new studio album

[bill g]

Need to hear:

3rd Degree, Anglagard, District 97, Kompendium

you shant be disappointed.

[Shadow]

Two more that I picked up today to make it even tougher:

Traffic Information - Round 2
Karizma - Perfect Harmony (triple disc)

[Toothyspook]

I would add...............

Nine Stones Close - One Eye on the Sunrise

Excellent recent release

[Jymbot]

Glass Hammer - Perilous -, hate the cheesy spooky dude cover


Yes, that is one tacky , child-art cover.
But aren't all cd prog coverarts these days.

That's the style of coverart you'd expect on a Magenta, Ars Nova or Forever Autumn (??) cd. (But its not as "errie"-tat as that Abiogenesi vampire cover which looks like a member or the band or his kid slapped it together.)


70s had tat also - Jacula, yeah.

[Matt Stevens]

I would add...............

Nine Stones Close - One Eye on the Sunrise

Excellent recent release

Great record that. Adrian is a lovely bloke. The good guys :) (although they'll let anyone play on it :) )

[Matt Stevens]

My favorites are:

Knifeworld - Clairvoyant Fortnight
Trojan Horse - Fire!

[folkjokeopus]

No mention yet of Adventures In Neverland by The Reasoning. Quality album. Highly recommended.

[mcdonap]

I'm a fusion head, as you likely know...but here are my faves of the year thus far:

Thinking Plague's new one that I can't remember the name of - have it, but I haven't gotten into it yet
Tribal Tech-X
Henderson/Berlin/Chambers-HBC
Alex Machecek-FAT
Doug Lunn Project-s/t
Gary Husband-Dirty and Beautiful Vol. II

Off the top of my head. I also liked Echolyn's new one...

Wideopenear's list works well for me! (Though there are a few that I haven't heard...I took those out since I don't know them.)

I'd also add:
Paul Buchanan - Mid Air
Karizma - Perfect Harmony
Michael Landau - Organic Instrumentals
Chad Wackerman - Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations
Richard Page - Songs From The Sketchbook

I also want to mention because it's new to me this year - "Bad Dog U" by PE's own NoPride! Absolutely slamming!

[3LockBox]

Faves so far:
Astra - Black Chord
Big Big Train - English Electric Pt.1
Frequency Drift - Laid To Rest
Headspace - I Am Anonymous
Marillion - Sounds That Can't Be Made
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Squackett - A Life Within A Day
Taylor's Universe - Kind Of Red

Just ok:
Anglagard - Vilgars Oga
OSI - Fire Make Thunder
The Pineapple Thief - All The Wars

What ifs, maybes and might-have-beens award:
Ian Anderson : TAAB 2 (Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock)

[mnprogger]

really great to see all the love for Pepe Deluxe.

[benjdm]

The lack of TEE on peoples’ lists is distressing. They really need more love.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5pCoaTlJgQ

-------------
MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")

"'Thin Thighs For Your Man.' But I don't *like* men with thin thighs" --Daria

N.P.:“Disco Mystic”-Lou Reed/The Bells
Googling 'TEE' isn't getting me anywhere. How can I buy some of this music?

ETA: Wow, that was a long trip, through the Silver Elephant website, but I found them (http://blog.goo.ne.jp/bandtee).

[jot]

Don't buy nearly as many as I used to but here's a short list. Btw, I don't ever include all instrumental albums on my
top 10 so no Anglagard or Trevor Rabin.

1. Echolyn s/t
2. Astra - The Black Chord
3. Neil Young With Crazy Horse- Psychedelic Pill
4. Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
5. Steven Wilson - Catalog / Preserve / Amass

[ChrisXymphonia]

Btw, I don't ever include all instrumental albums on my top 10

What is the logic behind that?

[jot]

It's a personal thing but I like to listen to albums from start to finish. Instrumental albums very rarely hold my interest
through the session. I'm a big fan of vocals, good or bad, since it adds so much to MY listening experience and enjoyment.

What is the logic behind that?

[3LockBox]

I keep reading things like,

"I can't believe there isn't more interest in (insert obscure band here)."

Where's the love? Hell, where's the threads man?

Talk it up out there!

[Shadow]

I keep reading things like,

"I can't believe there isn't more interest in (insert obscure band here)."

Where's the love? Hell, where's the threads man?

Talk it up out there!

Cause unless it's some vanilla vagina band with vocals, most people here don't give a flying rats ass anyway.

[Arkangel3]

We still have a month and change left before the end of the year, so there are probably going to be some re-arrangements and additions/subtractions to this list, but based on what I have so far, here's my Notable CD's/DVDs/Blu Rays for the year. Once this list gets finalized, I'll post WHY they made my list. There are some fairly pedestrian releases in here; my list may not seem so adventurous to some, but it's what I listen to and what my ears kept going back to. I kind of based things on not only what I know is good from a performance but what I was listening to constantly in the car, the Mac, iPhone, and "A" System. While some albums may have better musicianship on them, my favorites this year are decidedly different in the fact that I'm going to list what I listened to the most because there was so much incredible releases this year. Musically, I'd have to say that I haven't seen a year like this since 1977:

Top 10 New Albums 2012:

• Marillion/Sounds That Can’t Be Made
• Glass Hammer/Perilous
• Mars Hollow/Live At Rosfest
• Led Zeppelin/Celebration Day
• Rush/Clockwork Angels
• Asia/XXX
• Steve Hackett/Genesis Revisited II
• Flying Colors
• Magenta/Live: On Our Way To Who Knows Where
• Focus X

Honorable Mentions:

• The Flower Kings/Banks Of Eden
• Todd Rundgren/Healing (Live)
• Spock’s Beard X Tour
• Return To Forever/The Mothership Returns


Best Re-Releases/Remasters/5.1 Mixes of 2012:

• King Crimson/Lark’s Tongues In Aspic (The “Mothership” Box Set)
• Jethro Tull/Thick As A Brick 5.1
• ELP/Tarkus 5.1 remix/remaster
• ELP/Emerson, Lake & Palmer 5.1 remix/remaster
• Neil Diamond/Hot August Night
• Kansas Classic Albums Collection 1974-1980
• Tommy Bolin/The Ultimate Teaser


Best Blu Ray/DVD Releases (Movies)

• Lawrence of Arabia (Special Edition Box Set)
• Bond 50
• The Avengers
• Prometheus (Special Edition 3D/Blu Ray/DVD
• Indiana Jones/Complete Adventures


Best Blu Ray/DVD Releases (Music)

• Steven Wilson/Get What You Deserve (Special Edition CD/Blue Ray)
• Led Zeppelin/Celebration Day (Special Edition)
• Todd Rundgren/Healing Live

ADDENDUM: I forgot to add Erik Norlander's two fantastic DVD/CD sets of The Galactic Collective (Deluxe Edition w/extra tracks) and The Galactic Collective Live. Both of these sets are absolutely essential if you love keyboards, are a keyboardist, or just love great music. Erik's performance and compositions are absolutely stunning!

Yes, there is a Neil Diamond album in there...but if you've never heard that album, by all means give it a listen. Great 70s rock when Neil rocked out a hell of a lot more than being the duets factory like he became. The guy is an incredible songwriter, especially his earlier material. And about that Led Zeppelin album: it's just gotten here today and my ranking is based on just a few songs and a quick look at the Blu Ray. Wow. This one may even shoot to number one...but then again, it's Led Zep isn't it? :)

[Sputnik]

My 2012 rankisng, pending anything that comes out in December or that I pick up in 2013. Some I just got and will need more listens.

Top favorites:

Kotebel - Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble
Scherzoo - 02
Watson, Dean - Imposing Elements

Like these a lot, but not quite as much as the top albums:

Diagonal - The Second Mechanism
District 97 - Trouble With Machines
Muffins, The - Mother Tongue
Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
Spectrum Road - Spectrum Road

Pretty good:

Anglagard - Viljans Öga
Inner Ear Brigade - Rainbro
Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson - Thick as a Brick 2

Didn't really do it for me, but haven't ditched them yet:

Desooorden, La - El Andarian
Echolyn - Echolyn
Musica Ficta - A Child and a Well

Bill

[Scrotum Scissor]

Decline and Fall by Thinking Plague. My fave of the year.

Cirrus Bay, Unit Wail, Tusmørke, Behold the Arctopus, Swans, Autumn Chorus, Änglagård, Janel & Anthony, Panzerpappa, Cutler/MacLean, Inner Ear Brigade, Extra Life, Corima, Pixel - these were all great "progressive" releases.

[NogbadTheBad]

Decline and Fall by Thinking Plague. My fave of the year.

That's mine also.

[bill g]

Decline and Fall by Thinking Plague. My fave of the year.

Cirrus Bay, Unit Wail, Tusmørke, Behold the Arctopus, Swans, Autumn Chorus, Änglagård, Janel & Anthony, Panzerpappa, Cutler/MacLean, Inner Ear Brigade, Extra Life, Corima, Pixel - these were all great "progressive" releases.

Much thanks and love to you from Cirrus Bay for including us on your esteemed list!

Some of my faves now: Tony Banks, Anglagard, Thinking Plague, Big Big Train, Kotebel, and Echolyn.

Also liking: Astra, Glass Hammer, Steve Hackett, I and Thou, 3rd Degree, Izz

Need to still hear: Dean Watson, Mystery, and quite a few others...

[Shadow]

My 2012 rankisng, pending anything that comes out in December or that I pick up in 2013. Some I just got and will need more listens.

Top favorites:

Kotebel - Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble


Bill

Picked this up Sunday and liked it after first listen. Too bad it says 2011. Have you watched the DVD yet?

Ed

[NogbadTheBad]

Picked this up Sunday and liked it after first listen. Too bad it says 2011. Have you watched the DVD yet?

EdThe DVD is excellent, I wasn't holding out too much hope as it's described as a making of and those usually don't interest me at all. But this is more of an in-studio performance captured on film. Really excellent.

[Sputnik]

Picked this up Sunday and liked it after first listen. Too bad it says 2011. Have you watched the DVD yet?

Ed
I actually have not watched the DVD. I keep forgetting it is in there. I'll dig it out and put in in my Netflix pile as a reminder.

As far as the date on the album, Gnosis and Prog Archives both list it as 2012, so regardless of the date on the sleeve I believe this was a 2012 release. The new Thinking Plague also says 2011 on the sleeve, but everyone seems to agree that was a 2012 release as well.

Bill

[NogbadTheBad]

The new Thinking Plague also says 2011 on the sleeve, but everyone seems to agree that was a 2012 release as well.

BillThinking Plague is listed on Cuneiform's site as a Jan '12 release so that is good enough for me. I ordered it on Jan 7th and probably ordered it as soon as it was available.

[Shadow]

I actually have not watched the DVD. I keep forgetting it is in there. I'll dig it out and put in in my Netflix pile as a reminder.

As far as the date on the album, Gnosis and Prog Archives both list it as 2012, so regardless of the date on the sleeve I believe this was a 2012 release. The new Thinking Plague also says 2011 on the sleeve, but everyone seems to agree that was a 2012 release as well.

Bill

It all depends when it was released. The Special Providence was released in late December just like some Japanese things will be. I don't know why they like to release things on December 26th. Many people don't know they are out there until the next year. I guess we need a cut off date like November 30th. I can't tell you how many cd/dvd combos I have that I keep forgetting to watch the DVD.

[aplodon]

As far as the date on the album, Gnosis and Prog Archives both list it as 2012, so regardless of the date on the sleeve I believe this was a 2012 release. The new Thinking Plague also says 2011 on the sleeve, but everyone seems to agree that was a 2012 release as well.

I guess the date on the sleeve is the copyright date or something similar, not the release date. So, for an album released at the very beginning of a year, it's not so strange if the year printed on the sleeve is the preceding year.

[Mind Drive]

I don't buy quite as many as some people but here are some that blew me away this year:

Anathema-Weather Systems
Storm Corrosion-Storm Corrosion
Rush-Clockwork Angels

These are 3 of my top ten of the 21st Century. I consider them all time Prog Classics.

[bill g]

Yep. These albums though finished in 2011 weren't available until 2012. I remember the day the TP was released in January. And then there's us, where our 2nd album was released in June 2009, but the graphics company, using the template for our 1st attempt, printed 2008 on the back cover, and no one caught it until it was too late.

Edit: I'd quoted aplodon's comment #147 regarding Kotebel and Thinking Plague, (or so I thought) but the quote didn't come through.

[Duncan Glenday]

Swans - The Seer


Listened today to SWANS "The Seer" ... Very impressive, direct climb to the annual top 5 upon first listen.



...
Swans The Seer
...


Have been listening to this for 2 days now - and am still in 2 minds.

I'm not big on the droning thing, and this comes close. Yet - it's 'different', which is always good, and certainly 'progressive' IMO. I find the shorter songs are better than the long ones - which is completely at odds with my usual preference for epics.

Your thoughts?

[Progmatic]

Your thoughts?

I am similar to Spyros...it hit me instantly, crisp sound, great production, solid melodies and lot of nice ideas, I would suggest that it is not your "garden variety" traditional prog but more like a mix of art rock and krautrock and yet not too avantgardish either...I am thinking it is kind of different for what we are used to from the "modern prog" bands recently...

I just liked it...both long and short songs, long ones like Lunacy, The Seers, Avatar are outstanding...so are actually short songs like Song for a Warrior or The Daughter Brings the Water

[Scrotum Scissor]

Your thoughts?
I have always admired this band, but I was rather underwhelmed by Gira's initial effort to revitalize the Swans vision with their previous release. The Seer however, succeeds in accumulating most of what was originally both enticing and menacing about their majestic-like approach to "rock as grand sound"; in a way it brings about all of the disparate threads that Soundtracks for the Blind was supposed to - but never truly mastered at - integrate during their last tenure in 1996-7.

I'm seeing them in concert here in Oslo this upcoming Saturday, and I can hardly wait (for once I'll even go easy on the Scotch before attending). No matter what period of his artistic development, I've never witnessed a bad M. Gira live appearance.

[Zalmoxe]

Googling 'TEE' isn't getting me anywhere. How can I buy some of this music?

ETA: Wow, that was a long trip, through the Silver Elephant website, but I found them (http://blog.goo.ne.jp/bandtee).

You don't need to go as far away as Japan to find them. Here is their CD on CD Baby's website (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tee12)! There are audio samples.

Greg Walker (http://www.synphonic.8m.com/country/japan.htm) has them for $16 each.

[Duncan Glenday]

Thanks for the thoughts on Swans.

I suspect it's going to grow on me - and it's already up there among the best of 2102.

[mnprogger]

The Swans album was a chore to get through. I think I'd rather listen to Zebulon Pike (who I don't care for).

[Shadow]

Thanks for the thoughts on Swans.

I suspect it's going to grow on me - and it's already up there among the best of 2102.

Why don't you just let us get through 2012 first. ;)

[Duncan Glenday]

:lol@Ed

2102 => 2012

[Jerjo]

Listening to O.S.I.'s Fire Make Thunder for the first time and the combination of Moore's vocals and keys contrasted against Matheos' wall of guitars is just addictive. This might even be better than Blood.

[mpoll]

Delusion Squared II:

I looked through all previous posts and unless I missed it, nobody's given props to this latest Delusion Squared release from February.

I had never heard of Delusion Squared before they were featured on ProgStreaming.com, but this trio is accomplished and definitely deserves mention. I love how the group manages the dichotomy of Loraine Young's innocent voice with the heavy riffs and dark sci-fi subject matter (the martyrdom of a girl who defies human genome copy-writing by becoming pregnant). This is a sequel to their self-titled 2010 release.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thVJVeps5iU&feature=relmfu

You can check out all their stuff on Bandcamp or delusionsquared.com (and no, I have no relationship with the group other than being a new fan).

[BobM]

Listening to O.S.I.'s Fire Make Thunder for the first time and the combination of Moore's vocals and keys contrasted against Matheos' wall of guitars is just addictive. This might even be better than Blood.

Yeah, just put this album back into my car changer, and every time it finishes I wind up starting it again from the beginning. The other CD's in the changer just aren't getting played. Quite enjoyable.

[jlneudorf]

[QUOTE=mpoll;10961]Delusion Squared II

Really liked the debut. Thought it was very well done and a professional production to boot. Want to hear this one.

Regards,
Jon

[3LockBox]

I just picked up Flying Colors. I remember reading about this some months ago, but didn't give it much of a chance considering the line-up, but that was shortsightedness on my part - this year's KINO. Smart, adult pop-rock with solid musicianship as a foundation, but the structure is writing and songcraft. Songs, not showmanship, are showcased here and they're worthy. Not really prog at all, just like Kino or Frost or It Bites weren't prog acts. Glad I took a chance on this thanks to the many mentions in this thread.

[Lysander]

Nobodies mentioned Headspace ' I am Anonymous.'

I'm not generally a fan of Mr Wilson but this album is excellent on first listen. Totally avoids the "tweeness" of a lot of his material. Very impressed on first listen.

As for the rest of this year I'd have to go with:

Ne Obliviscaris - Portal of I
Mulm - The End of Greatness
The XX - Coexist
Drapsnatt - Skelepht
Treha Sektori - Endessia

[Vic2012]

Van Halen - A Different Kind Of Truth
Soundgarden - King Animal

[NogbadTheBad]

I'll add

Aperacidos - Palitobombonhelado
Yugen - Mirrors
Bärtsch, Nik/Ronin - Live 2 x CDs
Elephant9 with Reine Fiske - Atlantis
Diagonal - The Second Mechanism
Zoltan - First Stage Zoltan
Panzerpappa - Astromalist

[Kestrel]

I haven't had a chance to explore the prog side of music for 2012 yet, but there has been some fantastic ambient and ambient-related music this year. Most relevant to this forum would be Icebreaker and BJ Cole's remake of Brian Eno's Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks that was performed live. It is quite good - probably my favorite album of the year.

http://www.amazon.com/Apollo/dp/B0084166UA

[Ribo]

Still working on a Top 10 for 2012, but one of the recent contenders is Neodyme - Le Guetteur. Nice instrumental work.

[The Silent Man]

Anybody heard Return Of The Artisan by Final Conflict by any chance? Fucking awesome!

Saw them at the weekend, great live band as well.

[cupwonder]

Recent acquisition--MMXII-Killing Joke. I scooped this up when I saw it a Newbury Comics, because I didn't even know it was available in the country yet! Nice album. I'll have to re-evaluate my list.

[Zeuhlmate]

Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
Farmers Market - Slav to the rythm
Tribal Tech - X
Magma - Felicite Thosz
Yugen - Mirrors


- And Though I havent heard them yet, I expect Nik Bartsch's Ronin Live 2012 and Panzerpappa: Stromalist, and Scott Walker: The Drift, Bish Bosch to be up there too.

Documentary: Romantic Warriors II

[Shadow]

KoreKyojinn - Jackson

- And Though I havent heard them yet, I expect Nik Bartsch's Ronin Live 2012 and Panzerpappa: Stromalist, and Scott Walker: The Drift, Bish Bosch to be up there too.

Documentary: Romantic Warriors II

I've had Jackson for a couple of years.

[Zeuhlmate]

I've had Jackson for a couple of years.

Funny... you are right its from 2006. :roll
I just bought it from Korekyojinn at a gig, and it says 2012 on the back of the cover.
Well, A closer inspection reveals that my copy (MGC-29B) is remixed in january 2012 by Yoshida.
I will delete it from the list :good

[walt]

Julia Holter-Exstasis

[Progmatic]

A question for Duncan/Sean/Cozy...considering relative strength of PE in "progressive music community" I think the "PE opinion" would carry some weight...would you consider to run a formal annual Poll for the best album of the year (as PE has done untill 2001 in PE 2.0) ?...

Maybe a two step approach...one: nominations (everyone could nominate let say 10 albums) and then: vote for the top (let say) 5 albums from top 20 nominations...

[Rand Kelly]

The latest entry for the year is:

The Enid-Invicta. Just a phenomenal recording.

[arabicadabra]

> I just picked up Flying Colors. I remember reading about this some months ago, but didn't give it much of a chance considering the line-up, but that was shortsightedness on my part - this year's KINO. Smart, adult pop-rock with solid musicianship as a foundation, but the structure is writing and songcraft. Songs, not showmanship, are showcased here and they're worthy. Not really prog at all, just like Kino or Frost or It Bites weren't prog acts. Glad I took a chance on this thanks to the many mentions in this thread. <

Aha! Agreed on all counts. In fact, Neal Morse just released a keyboard-heavy remix of the album in his Inner Circle fan club that is allowing me the joy of hearing all the songs from a different angle. The gift that keeps on giving...

[mogrooves]

Art Ensemble of Chicago ~ Early Combinations

Chic Gamine ~ Threads

[Jymbot]

BJ Cole's remake of Brian Eno's Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks that was performed live. It is quite good - probably my favorite album of the year.



Let me get this straight: your possible fav cd of the year is ambient and a remake of Eno????

[JIF]

We still have a month and change left before the end of the year, so there are probably going to be some re-arrangements and additions/subtractions to this list, but based on what I have so far, here's my Notable CD's/DVDs/Blu Rays for the year. Once this list gets finalized, I'll post WHY they made my list. There are some fairly pedestrian releases in here; my list may not seem so adventurous to some, but it's what I listen to and what my ears kept going back to. I kind of based things on not only what I know is good from a performance but what I was listening to constantly in the car, the Mac, iPhone, and "A" System. While some albums may have better musicianship on them, my favorites this year are decidedly different in the fact that I'm going to list what I listened to the most because there was so much incredible releases this year. Musically, I'd have to say that I haven't seen a year like this since 1977:

Top 10 New Albums 2012:

• Marillion/Sounds That Can’t Be Made
• Glass Hammer/Perilous
• Mars Hollow/Live At Rosfest
• Led Zeppelin/Celebration Day
• Rush/Clockwork Angels
• Asia/XXX
• Steve Hackett/Genesis Revisited II
• Flying Colors
• Magenta/Live: On Our Way To Who Knows Where
• Focus X

Honorable Mentions:

• The Flower Kings/Banks Of Eden
• Todd Rundgren/Healing (Live)
• Spock’s Beard X Tour
• Return To Forever/The Mothership Returns


Best Re-Releases/Remasters/5.1 Mixes of 2012:

• King Crimson/Lark’s Tongues In Aspic (The “Mothership” Box Set)
• Jethro Tull/Thick As A Brick 5.1
• ELP/Tarkus 5.1 remix/remaster
• ELP/Emerson, Lake & Palmer 5.1 remix/remaster
• Neil Diamond/Hot August Night
• Kansas Classic Albums Collection 1974-1980
• Tommy Bolin/The Ultimate Teaser


Best Blu Ray/DVD Releases (Movies)

• Lawrence of Arabia (Special Edition Box Set)
• Bond 50
• The Avengers
• Prometheus (Special Edition 3D/Blu Ray/DVD
• Indiana Jones/Complete Adventures


Best Blu Ray/DVD Releases (Music)

• Steven Wilson/Get What You Deserve (Special Edition CD/Blue Ray)
• Led Zeppelin/Celebration Day (Special Edition)
• Todd Rundgren/Healing Live

ADDENDUM: I forgot to add Erik Norlander's two fantastic DVD/CD sets of The Galactic Collective (Deluxe Edition w/extra tracks) and The Galactic Collective Live. Both of these sets are absolutely essential if you love keyboards, are a keyboardist, or just love great music. Erik's performance and compositions are absolutely stunning!

Yes, there is a Neil Diamond album in there...but if you've never heard that album, by all means give it a listen. Great 70s rock when Neil rocked out a hell of a lot more than being the duets factory like he became. The guy is an incredible songwriter, especially his earlier material. And about that Led Zeppelin album: it's just gotten here today and my ranking is based on just a few songs and a quick look at the Blu Ray. Wow. This one may even shoot to number one...but then again, it's Led Zep isn't it? :)The TAAB remix made the list? These guys must've not got the defective dvd that people have been bitching about?

[JIF]

Suppose we have to mention Rush [/QUOTE]

Suppose we do. Clockwork Angels was OK, but Rush is kind of coasting on their reputation at this point.[/QUOTE]I couldn't disagree more. I have all of Rush's studio albums, except Hold Your Fire and Vapor Trails(still waiting for that rumored remix). I enjoy Clockwork Angels more that any Rush album made in the past thirty years. I think that CA finds Rush closer to the spirit of their '70s and early '80s(Caress Of Steel-Moving Pictures) spirit than anything since Signals. I like all the Rush that I own, but CA grabs me like no other Rush released since their classic period(read pre-Signals).

[progeezer]

District 97 - Trouble With Machines
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Echolyn

[Luis Nasser]

I haven't been buying as much music as i once did. For me, the best are, without a doubt:
1) Mike Keneally - Wingbeat Fantastic
2) Thinking Plague - Decline and Fall
3) Echolyn - Echolyn
4) Beardfish - The Void
5) Yugen - Mirrors
6) Anglagard - Viljans Oga
7) Between the Buried and me - The Parallax II
8) Rush - Clockwork Angels
9) Flying Colors
10) Baroness - Yellow & Green
11) Ocean Architecture - Animus
12) Big Big Train - English electric pt 1
13) Aranis - Made in Belgium
14) Special Providence - Soul Alert
I'm sure to be forgetting some others, and there are many i wish i could have heard.

[Reid]

Kimara Sajn-Ghosts At The Feast
Sam Rivers/Dave Holland/Barry Altschul-Live In New York

[PiscesPraematurus]

I was mostly bored with this year’s releases. But I also have started to dislike guitar-based rock music and that has a lot to do with my disappointment, I’m sure.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Comus album. I was surprised at how indifferent I was about Storm Corrosion. I’ve realized that I’m not a fan of Steven Wilson. I thought Taab2 was the worst thing I heard all year --- so bland and cheesy. The Soen album is strong. I wanted to like the Anathema album but it’s glorified 80s arena rock to me (although the arpeggios on the album are great). I haven't given Marillion enough listens. First time for BBT this year --- too derivative for me. The Rush album did nothing for me...I didn't expect that... Advaitic Songs is actually very good. So is Mount Analogue. I like Asia (the band) but I thought XXX was lackluster (and I felt the reformation was running out of steam). The Squackett album was OK.

The Shins’ release might be my favorite.

I skipped Donald Fagen, Ben Folds Five and Muse.

I meant to hear the IZZ release but never got to it.

[Kestrel]

Let me get this straight: your possible fav cd of the year is ambient and a remake of Eno????

Yes. The other contender is Marconi Union's Different Colors which, while not strictly ambient, is in a similar vein.

[NogbadTheBad]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Comus album. ... is actually very good. So is Mount Analogue. I liked both of these, Mount Analogue may be top 10 for me.

[Calabasas_Trafalgar]

DeWolff-IV
Macroscream-Sisyphus
L'Ombra della Sera-s/t

[Ludovico]

very good:
Forgas Band Phenomena - Acte V
Aranis - Made In Belgium

Not so good:
Magma - Felicite thosz

[Yehuda Kotton]

I find it hard to believe that no one seems to know Darth Vegas' latest album "Brainwashing for Dirty Minds".
My favorite album of 2012 (along with Thinking Plague). Its just a FUN album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cjQvall1Lw

[Poisoned Youth]

A question for Duncan/Sean/Cozy...considering relative strength of PE in "progressive music community" I think the "PE opinion" would carry some weight...would you consider to run a formal annual Poll for the best album of the year (as PE has done untill 2001 in PE 2.0) ?...

Maybe a two step approach...one: nominations (everyone could nominate let say 10 albums) and then: vote for the top (let say) 5 albums from top 20 nominations...

Once we have the right polling software in place, I certainly see us doing something like that. Let's put it on the Christmas list! :lol

[The Hollowdude]

Big Big Train's new one will probably top my list. The new Nine Stones Close is knocking on the door, though.

[Jymbot]

[COLOR="#2F4F4F"]I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Comus album. COLOR]


"Out of the Coma"?

The new tracks are good but that long track which never made it to the first lp is rather boring. And the vocals not clear at all.

[Poisoned Youth]

There were/are so many interesting releases from 2012, that I've not gotten around to rating them all yet.


Here's I think where I stand now that it's the beginning of December...


Top 10 Prog, etc.

1. Muse - The 2nd Law
2. Astra - The Black Chord
3. Soen - Cognitive
4. The Pineapple Thief - All The Wars
5. Anathema - Weather Systems
6. Kotebel - Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble
7. The Flower Kings - Banks of Eden
8. Neal Morse - Momentum
9. Guillaume Perret & The Electric Epic - s/t
10. Storm Corrosion - s/t

Top 10 Jazz, etc.
1. Fabrizio Cassol - Strange Fruit
2. Andy Emler Mega Octet - E Total
3. Elephant9 / Reine Fiske - Atlantis
4. Aka Moon - Unison
5. Adam Baldych & The Baltic Gang - Imaginary Room
6. Gonzalo Rubalcaba - XXI Century
7. Tim Berne - Snakeoil
8. Elephant9 - Live at the BBC
9. Kami Quintet - Human Spirals
10. Louis Sclavis / Atlas Trio - Sources


As of yet unranked (that will certainly change things):

John Abercrombie - Within a Song
Änglagård - Viljans Öga
Aranis - Made in Belgium
Nik Bärtsch / Ronin - Live
Corima - Quetzalcoatl
Diagonal - The Second Mechanism
Harris Eisenstadt - Canada Day Octet
Michael Formanek - Small Places
Gato Libre - Forever
Gazpacho - March of Ghosts Nor 2012
Nicolas Genest - Hati - Sur les bords du Gange
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
Alex Machacek / Raphael Preuschl / Herbert Pirker - FAT
Magic Malik - Alternate Steps
Of Montreal - Daughter of Cloud
Panzerpappa - Astromalist
Pinback - Information Retrieved
Scherzoo - 02
Stabat Akish - Nebulos
Unit Wail - Pangaea Proxima
Porcupine Tree - Octane Twisted
Steven Wilson - Get All You Deserve
Octurn - Kailish
(ugh, I need some 'me time' so I can get on this list!)

[Stumpybunker]

Nil Bartsch Ronin Live
Diagonal-The Second Mechanism
Bill Nelson- The Dreamshire Chronicles
Swans-The Seer
Scott Walker- Bish Bosch
Big Big Train- English Electric pt1

[Shadow]

"Quote Originally Posted by Progmatic View Post
A question for Duncan/Sean/Cozy...considering relative strength of PE in "progressive music community" I think the "PE opinion" would carry some weight...would you consider to run a formal annual Poll for the best album of the year (as PE has done untill 2001 in PE 2.0) ?...

Maybe a two step approach...one: nominations (everyone could nominate let say 10 albums) and then: vote for the top (let say) 5 albums from top 20 nominations..."


The end results would be like the polls where Paul McCartney wins best bass player and Kenny G top jazz artist.

[walt]

Sensations' Fix-Music Is Painting In The Air (1974-1977)

These cds have grown on me by leaps and bounds since i got it a couple of months ago.Top shelf stuff.

[bill g]

Of Montreal - Daughter of Cloud

Pinback - Information Retrieved


Didn't even know about these. I really liked Of Montreal for a while, especially, but they started losing me a few years ago. Loved them around 'Aldhils Arboretum' period. Will have to check these out. Pinback is always good.

[Arkangel3]

The TAAB remix made the list? These guys must've not got the defective dvd that people have been bitching about?

To my ears, there are no defects on my copy. None. Occasionally a few discs make land-fall without certain massive defects that may have plagued a particular pressing; I was lucky.

[Progmatic]

[QUOTE=Shadow;17359The end results would be like the polls where Paul McCartney wins best bass player and Kenny G top jazz artist.[/QUOTE]

I would not be worried about that. Checking some of the past "the best album of the year" poll results, PErs can proudly hold their prog flags up.

[Scrotum Scissor]

I would not be worried about that. Checking some of the past "the best album of the year" poll results, PErs can proudly hold their prog flags up.
I think what he meant was that "prog" has its very own equivalents to McCartney/G, and that these are the ones most likely to be voted "best". The casual "prog" listener isn't necessarily more adept to his/her idiomatic environment than any other average, self-declared music fan. The Gnosis project at least complies with scrutiny in that its contributors have testified to eclectic tastes and knowledge, wider insights and certain idiomatic perspectives.

[Progmatic]

I think what he meant was that "prog" has its very own equivalents to McCartney/G, and that these are the ones most likely to be voted "best". The casual "prog" listener isn't necessarily more adept to his/her idiomatic environment than any other average, self-declared music fan. The Gnosis project at least complies with scrutiny in that its contributors have testified to eclectic tastes and knowledge, wider insights and certain idiomatic perspectives.

I know what he meant but yet again check the past polls (progressiveears.com)...

e.g.
2001
1 Koenji Hyakkei - Nivraym
2 Magma - Trilogie Theusz Hamtaahk
3 Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Grand Opening

2000
1 King Crimson - The ConstruKction of Light
2 Transatlantic - SMPTe
3 Spock's Beard - V

...hardly McCartney or Kenny G of the prog....

[aplodon]

2 Transatlantic - SMPTe
3 Spock's Beard - V

...hardly McCartney or Kenny G of the prog....

Hrrm

[NogbadTheBad]

2 Transatlantic - SMPTe
3 Spock's Beard - V

...hardly McCartney or Kenny G of the prog....


Hrrm

I thought exactly the same thing ;)

[Progmatic]

I thought exactly the same thing ;)

well, you have to be reasonable... year 2000 was not particularly a stellar year for the prog music....I would not vote for those 2 albums ...but I would not expect many people to know my top albums either...

e.g. in my case 2000 top albums were:
Gatto Marte Gioco del Mago
Little Tragedies Porcelain Pavilion
Rale Twilight
Ur Kaos Av Sprucket ut ar Valt ett Inuti

btw... does it mean that if people do not vote for YOUR selection that the poll is somehow flawed?

[NogbadTheBad]

btw... does it mean that if people do not vote for YOUR selection that the poll is somehow flawed?Not at all, I'm probably more flawed than them :)

Transatlantic & the Flower Kings are hardly out of left field in prog terms, more like the mainstream. Just seemed a strange choice to prove your argument. I'm fine whatever people pick.

[Scrotum Scissor]

I thought exactly the same thing ;)
As did I. But - there's a certain difference, in that no (or at least extremely few) self-defined "jazz buffs" or "sax fans" (?) would ever vote for Kenny, whilst there are indeed a load of fairly well-versed "prog" enthusiasts who'd go for the latest InsideOut-"proglyprog"-release as the biggest thing of the year. Now, of course for someone like myself who can't stand that sort of thing (no matter how much I love the 70s "dinos" and appreciate genuine authenticity from our current wannabes - or perhaps just because of that), reaction appears instinctively - but we're not really "representative" either.

There have been some heavy releases this year, in terms of "being prog" in just about every possible way - think Thinking Plague and Änglagård, both quite challenging outfits whose music appears to move beyond the "normal" expectations of the wider genre fanbase, something which ironically remains part of the overall ethic of that very "genre". Still we're in the minority, and I'd expect any poll to honour artists who in fact do not play out their core idiomatic ambition.

[Scrotum Scissor]

Ur Kaos Av Sprucket ut ar Valt ett Inuti
Now THAT'S what I call a daring and visionary album! Kudos; great to see this mentioned here.

[Poisoned Youth]

Let's wait for an actual poll before we start arguing about it. ;)


Yes, there will always be albums that will obviously float to the top depending on the context. And yes, it can get a bit predictable. That's just the way it is. A PE poll for 2012 would likely have some very popular and familiar prog names float to the top. The annual polls we've done become more interesting after the top 5 or 10. We do have a bit more diverse a base here than CRPP or such.

But the context is the important factor. Gnosis, for example, tends to be avant/experimental/jazz leaning once you step outside the Big 5/Euro symph choices. As such, the top 10 currently at Gnosis for 2000 (minimum 10 rates) is:

1. Kenso - Ken-Son-Gu-Su
2. Remember Shaki - The Believer
3. Aka Moon - Invisible Sun
4. Bruford/Levin - BLUE Nights
5. 5uu's/Kerman - Regarding Purgatories
6. Species Being - Orgone Therapy
7. Yeti - Things to Come
8. Volapuk - Polyglot
9. Scott Henderson and Tribal Tech - Rocket Science
10. Medeski, Martin, & Wood - Tonic


PE's poll:

1 King Crimson - The ConstruKction of Light
2 Transatlantic - SMPTe
3 Spock's Beard - V
4 King Crimson - Heavy ConstruKction
5 Kansas - Somewhere to Elsewhere
6 Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun
7 Radiohead - Kid A
8 KBB - Lost and Found
9 Azigza - Azigza
10 Bozzio Levin Stevens - Situation Dangerous

Worlds apart. But which poll is better? The one with more clear and obvious representation or the one where half the people scratch their head and say "I don't own any of the albums on that list"?


It should also be noted that the 2000 poll was done back before there were the number of people there are here today.

[NogbadTheBad]

I actually like to look at Gnosis rankings (as they tend to lean towards my tastes) and Progarchives (which tends to be in areas where I have a lot less interest) to get a combined view.

[Scrotum Scissor]

I actually like to look at Gnosis rankings (as they tend to lean towards my tastes) and Progarchives (which tends to be in areas where I have a lot less interest) to get a combined view.
Agree with that. But I don't tend to put more trust in Gnosis on account of my own agreement, rather due to the ideal I have that judgment somehow becomes more valid if their basics seemingly appear broader and wider.

[Jymbot]

I have only heard maybe 10 2012 cds, but had I heard 200 I am pretty certain KEITH EMERSON BAND "3 FATES PROJECT" would sweep the floor with the lot of 'em.
Stunning, totally stunning cd that does not let-up anywhere.
Keith has reason to be so feckin' proud of this.
The five tracks of new material are all top.
"Malambo" perhaps Ginestera-inspiration, but one thing for sure you cannot listen to this without thinking of the BUSY-NESS of big city life. I'm brought to mind of the Hong Kong track off of "Ports of Call"(???) by Les Baxter or Hyman's "Tone Poem of NY Traffic Jam".

"Tarkus" is absolutely scintillating. Mikkelsen has done pure magic. I was dissapointed that there doesn't seem to be any organ on this cd at all and the synth is used rather infrequently , but the DEPTH of the orchestra makes up for this. When the synth finally comes in on "Aquatarkus" ,well tears welled-up.

Astounding. Dizzying. Stupefying. There are no words for this.

Use of orchestra here makes something like Edmonton Symph and Procol Harum sound like mere stuffing.



...
Speaking of, howabout a thread on orchestral adaptations of prog? What the real good ones? Only half-decent one I can think of is the Jethro Tull orchestral lp.

[Progmatic]

btw I asked this question to jazz crowd but I repeat it here...anyone heard new album by Kostarev Group called "Kosmobob: Vegetarian"?

Kostarev thus far has produced some stunning Jazz Rock albums and I will definetely pick this one as MP3 if it is not available on CD

[Poisoned Youth]

I actually like to look at Gnosis rankings (as they tend to lean towards my tastes) and Progarchives (which tends to be in areas where I have a lot less interest) to get a combined view.

I use these best of lists less for validation of my tastes and more to see what others value highly THAT I DON'T OWN. Gnosis has always been a good tool for that because, while there are certain trends, I'm always buying new things because the rankings bring it to my attention.

[Poisoned Youth]

btw I asked this question to jazz crowd but I repeat it here...anyone heard new album by Kostarev Group called "Kosmobob: Vegetarian"?

Kostarev thus far has produced some stunning Jazz Rock albums and I will definetely pick this one as MP3 if it is not available on CD

I have not heard, but I'll look into it. Thanks.

[NogbadTheBad]

I use these best of lists less for validation of my tastes and more to see what others value highly THAT I DON'T OWN. Gnosis has always been a good tool for that because, while there are certain trends, I'm always buying new things because the rankings bring it to my attention.That is actually what I meant, I use both when hunting new music and shortening down my "to buy" list to what I can actually afford to order.

[Poisoned Youth]

Didn't even know about these. I really liked Of Montreal for a while, especially, but they started losing me a few years ago. Loved them around 'Aldhils Arboretum' period. Will have to check these out. Pinback is always good.

If you didn't like their transition from dream pop to that sort of Bowie-laden clubesque disco pop that is prominent on their last several recordings (like Hissing Fauna), you probably won't dig this as Daughter of Cloud is essentially a mop-up release that empties the closet of music recorded during that period.

I didn't know about a new Pinback album until about a week or so before its release. I'm sure it will be good. Have you heard the different side project bands like Three Mile Pilot, Systems Officer, or Rob Crow's solo stuff?

[Poisoned Youth]

That is actually what I meant, I use both when hunting new music and shortening down my "to buy" list to what I can actually afford to order.

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply you use them for validation.

The goal for me is to discover new music and then try to get someone else to give a shit! :lol

[Progmatic]

I have not heard, but I'll look into it. Thanks.

Actually I found that though it has been released in 2012 it was recorded 2000 and mixed in 2006. Nevertheless it still should be a good album....some samples are on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Kosmobob-Vegetarian/dp/B00ABX0D44/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1355230273&sr=1-1&keywords=Kostarev+group

[Scrotum Scissor]

I didn't know about a new Pinback album until about a week or so before its release. I'm sure it will be good. Have you heard the different side project bands like Three Mile Pilot, Systems Officer, or Rob Crow's solo stuff?
There's also the absolutely awesome Sleeping People, whose latest album (Growing, 2007) is arguably the most overtly "proggy" math-rock release ever and who should be heard by a lot more folks in here; it also sports Crow in a rare vocal track (for SP, as they're basically dealing in highly elaborate instrumental stuff), "People Staying Awake" (check YT for that one).

The band also dons the most gorgeous lead guitarist you'll ever be so lucky to witness (and yeah relax, it's a she).

[Trane]

I actually like to look at Gnosis rankings (as they tend to lean towards my tastes) and Progarchives (which tends to be in areas where I have a lot less interest) to get a combined view.
I use these best of lists less for validation of my tastes and more to see what others value highly THAT I DON'T OWN. Gnosis has always been a good tool for that because, while there are certain trends, I'm always buying new things because the rankings bring it to my attention.

Spot on Cozy... And Gnosis is my first source for that... I'll look at PA and RYM only if I don't find what I'm looking for on Gnosis

Noticed I managed (cheated, but WTF) the multi-quote function above??? ;)

==================

This said, Santana's Shape Shifter album is rather good... so good (so far in my initial discovery) that it might edge a spot in my top 10

[Steve F.]

There's also the absolutely awesome Sleeping People, whose latest album....

and LAST album. They're history.

Great band, great album. Happy to say I saw them on the tour for Growing!

[Arkangel3]

I'm adding 3 CDs/Blu Rays to my list (I'll rank them when I sort out the finalities in a week or so...): Blu Rays: "Holidays In Zellande" by Marillion (incredible photography and absolutely glorious 5.1 DTS-MA the uses the rear channels as part of the musical mix, not just ambiance); "The Quatsi Trilogy" directed by Godfrey Reggio/music by Philip Glass (Criterion Collection. Need I say more? STUNNING picture and sound); CDs: Downes Braide Association (lushly produced, meticulously arranged, composed, and played with more hooks than a fisherman's convention). I'll work on getting my list down to a manageable level (CDs: Top Ten plus 5 Honorable mentions; DVDs/Blu Rays: At least Top 5 with 3 honorable mentions for each format). I LOVE these late year surprises!

[Scrotum Scissor]

and LAST album. They're history.

Aarrrgh.

Well, we've still got dem Upsilons and Marnie Stern.

[Poisoned Youth]

Thanks for the Sleeping People rec. I'll definitely check them out.

[Sean]

A question for Duncan/Sean/Cozy...considering relative strength of PE in "progressive music community" I think the "PE opinion" would carry some weight...would you consider to run a formal annual Poll for the best album of the year (as PE has done untill 2001 in PE 2.0) ?...

Maybe a two step approach...one: nominations (everyone could nominate let say 10 albums) and then: vote for the top (let say) 5 albums from top 20 nominations...

We have been considering this, yes!

[bill g]

If you didn't like their transition from dream pop to that sort of Bowie-laden clubesque disco pop that is prominent on their last several recordings (like Hissing Fauna), you probably won't dig this as Daughter of Cloud is essentially a mop-up release that empties the closet of music recorded during that period.

I didn't know about a new Pinback album until about a week or so before its release. I'm sure it will be good. Have you heard the different side project bands like Three Mile Pilot, Systems Officer, or Rob Crow's solo stuff?

Yeah, Hissing Fauna wasn't as much my thing, so I may listen to a couple soundclips of the new one, and leave it at that. The last one I really enjoyed was 'Satanic Panic...', and I liked some of 'Sunlandic Twins', but they were transitioning at that point.

I've enjoyed everything I've heard from Rob Crow, which consists of solo stuff, and something else I don't remember, but I will have to check out Three Mile Pilot and Systems Officer. Thank you for the heads up on those.

Bill

[mnprogger]

http://allmediareviews.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-album-index-under-s.html
Andre Matos | The Turn of the Lights
Early Ghost |Cadaques
The Bewitched | Without a Net
Exotic Animal Petting Zoo | Tree of Tongues
Chrome Canyon | Elemental Themes
Jessie Ware | Devotion
The Beach Boys | That's Why God Made the Radio
Coheed and Cambria | The Afterman: Ascension
Alcest | Les voyages de l'âme
Muse | The 2nd Law
The Royal Veil | The Royal Veil [EP]
Oedipus | Vicious Little Smile
Flying Colors | Flying Colors
British Theatre | British Theatre [EP]
Bend Sinister | On My Mind [EP]
Minus the Bear | Infinity Overhead
Agalloch | Faustian Echoes [EP]
Spawn of Possession | Incurso
Jazzkamikaze | The Return of JazzKamikaze
Moonloop |Deeply From the Earth
Crippled Black Phoenix | No Sadness or Farewell [EP]
Oddland | The Treachery of Senses
Josh Benash | The Dismal; The Beautiful
Rush | Clockwork Angels
Crippled Black Phoenix (Mankind) The Crafty Ape
Between the Buried and Me | The Parallax II: Future Sequence
Memoryhouse | The Slideshow Effect
The Mars Volta | Noctourniquet
Lehto & Wright | Dominion of the Sword
Archive | With Us Until You’re Dead
Emanuel and The Fear | The Janus Mirror
Negroni's Trio | On the Way
Diablo Swing Orchestra | Pandora's Piñata
Mercies | The Ballet [EP]
Bloc Party | Four
Menomena | Moms
Umbrella Tree | To the Memory of a Once Great Man

23-1 http://allmediareviews.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-album-index-s-or-better.html

23 Debashish Bhattacharya | 'Madeira'
22 Bruce Peninsula | Of Songs
21 Water & Bodies | American Dream [EP]
20 British Theatre | Dyed in the Wool Ghost [EP]
19 Hotel of the Laughing Tree | Mammoth Skin, Pt. 1 [EP]
18 Godspeed You! Black Emperor | 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
17 The Gathering | Disclosure
16 Northern Abbey | Northern Abbey [EP]
15 Sucré | A Minor Bird
14 Media Addicts | Autonomy
13 Amanda Palmer &amp; The Grand Theft Orchestra | Theatre Is Evil
12 Mike Linden | Bubble & Squeak
11 Anathema | Weather Systems
10 Marillion | Sounds That Can't Be Made
9 Ramona Falls | Prophet
8 Forest Park | Forest Park [EP]
7 House of Fools | Versus the Beast
6 Ne Obliviscaris | Portal of I
5 Bend Sinister | Small Fame
4 Gatherer | So Be It
3 Vuvuzela | The Hollow Choir
2 Brice Plays Drums | Man the Animal Cannon
1 Pepe Deluxé | Queen of the Wave

[Bill0604]

Can anyone offer advice on how to deal with a great thread with ten pages of responses that would probably take hours to read through carefully.

Look at the post just prior to me by mnprogger. That is an unmanageable list.

[Haruspex Carnage]

Can anyone offer advice on how to deal with a great thread with ten pages of responses that would probably take hours to read through carefully.

Look at the post just prior to me by mnprogger. That is an unmanageable list.

Only if you don't have the time to look into it...which i mean...who does?/agreed. Who also has the time to provide descriptions?/what are we looking for, it to be more concise?/familiar?..where's the fun of discovery in that? i again would agree though from a where's the time? perspective.

[mnprogger]

well, given there are links included in my post, descriptions are provided there. There's not enough room to post the blurbs, so I didn't bother. It makes more sense to click on the link if you're curious. Or, just google/youtube a name.

[aplodon]

That is an unmanageable list.

Agreed. I've never understood why people posts these long lists (in this case something like 60 albums!) when asked for best of XXXX.
At least I never bother to read them.

[BobM]

Can anyone offer advice on how to deal with a great thread with ten pages of responses that would probably take hours to read through carefully.

Look at the post just prior to me by mnprogger. That is an unmanageable list.

It would be great if someone actually managed to page through all this and compile a list of those albums that have more than a single mention. I think I know the ones that would make it to the top just by reading through this though. Not sure more than 2 or 3 are on the massive list before your post either.

[Jymbot]

Can anyone offer advice on how to deal with a great thread with ten pages of responses that would probably take hours to read through carefully.

Look at the post just prior to me by mnprogger. That is an unmanageable list.


Just ignore it then. Its a rubbish list anyways.

[mnprogger]

Jymbot, the obvious voice of reason!

ycsmcf

[NogbadTheBad]

Jymbot, the obvious voice of reason!

ycsmcfThere are soooo maaaany voices of reason here!!

ycsmcf? - You Can S##k My C##k F####r?

[Shadow]

You Can S##k My C##k F####r?

Finally, someone listed a great album.

[Guess Who]

Hello folks. For the first time ever I've decided to drop some lines on new PE forum.

In my view, 2012 wasn't a great year for progressive music. :( At the same time, there're enough of excellent albums to be included to a personal top-list: :)

In alphabetical order:

AnVision - 'AstralPhase'
Balloon Astronomy - s/t debut
Glass Hammer - 'Perilous'
Inner Odyssey - 'Have A Seat'
Mystery - 'The World Is A Game'
Opus Symbiosis - 'Nature's Choir'
Pymlico - 'Directions'
Alan Siimon - 'Excalibur III'
Six Elements - 'Primary Elements'
Shadowlight - 'Twilght Canvas'...

Hope to come taste a couple of stunning CD's before December, 31-st.

[3RDegree_Robert]

If anyone wants to hear our new CD THE LONG DIVISION before making up their mind on a year end Top 10 please listen here (http://www.3RDegreeonline.com/3RDegree/LISTEN.html) to all 10 cuts if you'd like.

I mention this because we were #54 on Gagliarchives Top 100 and are on ProgArchives Top 100 as well (position changes often).

[Kavus Torabi]

My two-weeks-left-so-it-probably-won't-change-now-and-in-no-particular-order top ten

Thumpermonkey: Sleep Furiously
Swans: The Seer
Inner Ear Brigade: Rainbro
Janel & Anthony: Where Is Home
The Gasman: Hiding Place
Van Halen: A Different Kind Of Truth
Cosa Brava: The Letter
Magma: Félicité Thösz
Field Music: Plumb
Tame Impala: Lonerism


I'll tell you what, though, how good a year it has been for new records can be measured by the ten or so terrific albums that didn't make it onto this list. I almost feel bad not including them, so it must have been good.

[silverdy357]

great albums being mentioned here. Glad to see storm corrosion made it in a few of your posts- lots of people were hating on it when it came out ! I love it!

[Scrotum Scissor]

Glad to see storm corrosion made it in a few of your posts- lots of people were hating on it when it came out ! I love it!
I kept reading those reviews in "metallic" medias (journals, mags, radio), most of whom pointed to the "prog noodling" blah-blah or "you have to keep a really open mind to 'get' this" blah-blah, and I kept thinking that gawd it's great to actually note how the metallions still don't "really" understand what the whole "progressive" thing was/is all about. One may have taken 30 years to accept a guitarless band, but it'll take another 20 to swallow the inclusion of a clarinet or vibraphone, or to "get" the "value" of improvisation.

Yup, Storm Corrosion offered a rare but for me almost sentimental backdrop to the creative Steven W. of yore (and far better than his excursions with Bass Communion and I.E.M., I think), and an opportunity for Mikael Å. to express his affiliations with truly daring and "free" music in compliance with some of his more obscure preferences (be them Comus or Scott Walker or freak-Kraut). I like it!

[bill g]

If anyone wants to hear our new CD THE LONG DIVISION before making up their mind on a year end Top 10 please listen here (http://www.3RDegreeonline.com/3RDegree/LISTEN.html) to all 10 cuts if you'd like.

I mention this because we were #54 on Gagliarchives Top 100 and are on ProgArchives Top 100 as well (position changes often).

I like 'The Long Division'. Well done.

Know what you mean about position changing on ProgArchives, as people continue to 'star' the different albums I guess. Just checked and I see Cirrus Bay is #43. I thought only, like, 12 people had heard of us! Big Big Train is solid #1 on that list, followed by Anglagard. (as of 12-13-12) No big surprise there I guess, but glad to see those 2 getting their deserved recognition.

[Progmatic]

In my view, 2012 wasn't a great year for progressive music

Your position is understanable considering your choice for the best albums of the year. On other hand this year was absolutely great for avantgarde inclined proggers

[bill g]

Your position is understanable considering your choice for the best albums of the year. On other hand this year was absolutely great for avantgarde inclined proggers

For me it was the best year since... I don't know 1973 perhaps? :lol

[Progmatic]

For me it was the best year since... I don't know 1973 perhaps? :lol

I am with you on that one...not sure whether it would be "since 1973" but I am positive that the last decade has not produced so much quality albums in a single calendar year...

[Arkangel3]

OK, here it is...my final list...

Top 10 New Albums 2012:

• Marillion/Sounds That Can’t Be Made: It really just doesn’t get any better than this. Amazing song writing that is beautiful and heartfelt, and the performances that convey the same. “Gaza” is a long epic that shifts so many gears along the way, yet remains true to its message throughout. The title track, and “The Sky Above The Rain” is sublime. H’s vocals and Mark Kelly’s keyboards dominate throughout as well as some stunning guitar from Steve Rothery. Best album since Marbles and absolutely tops my list
• Glass Hammer/Perilous: What happens when you take an established band that used many players like a Prog Rock version of Steely Dan, and get them to settle on the same line-up for three straight glorious albums? You get three of the best discs you can possibly hear, and you get the grand finale in a concept album that has stunning playing by everyone, and vocals from the “new” Jon in Yes that are moving. The time changes and sudden shift in melody and mood flow naturally from piece to piece. I honestly might have placed this at Number One, but Marillion’s disc is just a notch better.
• Led Zeppelin/Celebration Day: They are back, and back with a vengeance. The song selection and the playing sound like they never left 1977. Jason Bonham does more than justice to his father’s legacy; he imprints his own brilliant playing on the entire set. No drum solo, but who cares? Page is just spot on, and sloppy enough so you know its Zep, but not sloppy so it affects his playing. John Paul Jones is the star here though with ferocious bass playing and amazing keyboard support as well. Just a fantastic CD set.
• Rush/Clockwork Angels: Back with their first concept album since 2112 (and long form concept song(s) since Hemispheres). Keyboards and orchestra augment the amazing songs written and played by the core power trio who FINALLY get themselves in R&R HOF after being neglected for far too long. Best album since “Hemispheres” in my opinion. Stellar playing that reflects a new found energy these guys have gotten from the ether.
• Mars Hollow/Live At Rosfest: The bad news is this band is in flux right now in terms of personnel. The good news is the band that recorded two outstanding albums two years in a row put out an absolutely killer live recording from ROSFest 2011 which sees their compositions take on new life and meaning. It’s sad this line-up is no longer together as they were poised for greatness. If you want to hear what might have been, then this is the album you must listen to. Nothing short of outstanding.
• Downes Braide Association/Pictures of You: A very late entry to the 2012 sweepstakes; Geoff Downes and Chris Braide put out an album that is lush, gorgeous, and filled with brilliant electropop that hits all the right notes. The songs stay in your head for days. Incredible debut from these two fine musicians
• Asia/XXX: In my opinion, the best overall album the band has done since their debut. The songs average 5-7 minutes in length, and every moment of music is not wasted. Great songs with hooks that stay with you for days. Needless to say, the playing is amazing, but it’s Geoff Downes show as his keyboards dominate the songs with beautiful arrangements, melodies, and short bursts of keyboard fills that are incredibly perfect pop.
• Steve Hackett/Genesis Revisited II: Steve revisits some of his older compositions from Genesis putting the emphasis on the guitar parts that he wanted to put in the original compositions in the first place. Every musician on this album is absolutely perfect for their roles; my favorite is Steven Wilson’s contributions to one of my favorite Genesis songs of all time, “Can Utility and the Coastliners” and Simon Collins’ vocals on “Supper’s Ready” sounding uncannily like his dad!
• Flying Colors: put all of the musicians on this record in a room and watch what happens…which is pretty much how this was composed and recorded. Great rock music on the fringe of prog and yet in a mainstream rock vein. Outstanding material and playing.
• Focus X: The Dutch maestros return again for their 4th sort-of-reunion album with some excellent drumming from original Pierre Van Der Linden. Thijs Van Leer’s keyboards and flute are as strong as always (and some fun vocals along the way). Great Roger Dean Cover too!

Honorable Mentions:

• The Flower Kings/Banks Of Eden
• Todd Rundgren/Healing (Live)
• Spock’s Beard X Tour
• Return To Forever/The Mothership Returns
• Magenta/Live: On Our Way To Who Knows Where
• The Producers/Made In Basing Street


Best Re-Releases/Remasters/5.1 Mixes of 2012:

• King Crimson/Lark’s Tongues In Aspic (The “Mothership” Box Set)- Hands down the re-release of the year. Absolutely every note recorded by the LTiA band with Jamie Muir present on every song…and the multichannel mix is well worth the wait. Absolutely amazing studio and live material that is worth ever cent you spend on it.
• Jethro Tull/Thick As A Brick 5.1: Love Steven wilson’s new mix and remaster of this classic. Much better than the so-called sequel.
• ELP/Tarkus 5.1 remix/remaster and ELP/Emerson, Lake & Palmer 5.1 remix/remaster: Steven Wilson cleans things up, brightens the old classics with an incredible new multichannel mix on both albums. I like Tarkus a bit better though; there are some amazing things going on in the title track. Fantastic stuff!
• Neil Diamond/Hot August Night: Yes, Neil Diamond…but when he rocked. Supported by a stellar band of great LA Session Musicians from that time. Don’t forget the “tree people” (of which, my aunt was one at this very show)
• Kansas Classic Albums Collection 1974-1980: Every Kansas album from the debut through Drastic Measures, beautifully remastered in sterling stereo sound. If you’re a Kansas fan, this is a must.
• Tommy Bolin/The Ultimate Teaser: The late, great Tommy Bolin’s debut solo album (only one of two produced in his lifetime) recorded during his days before and during his tenure as Richie Blackmore’s replacement in Deep Purple. So great new uncovered unreleased songs and a new remaster on the album proper. 3 discs of incredible music for a very low price (1 disc is the album; 2 discs of unreleased material).


Best Blu Ray/DVD Releases (Movies)

• Lawrence of Arabia (Special Edition Box Set): My favorite movie of all time in a nice box set that has an informative book and a Blu Ray of the movie that is jaw dropping. The opening credits had me stunned just looking at the opening montage, and that was a motorcycle in a driveway! Just wait till you get to the desert scenes…they are remarkable. A masterpiece in every sense of the word
• Bond 50: Every Bond movie ever made in remastered glory. ‘Nuff said…and I finally get to see “You Only Live Twice” and “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” in Blu Ray (along with my favorite Bond movie, “Casino Royale”). There’s even a blank spot in the book/packaging that has a spot for the “Skyfall” Blu Ray when that comes out in a few months time. (And I never thought Sean Connery could ever be topped, but Daniel Craig’s Bond is exactly like the books…even more ruthless, if you can believe that…and Craig IS James Bond!)
• The Avengers: All of Marvel’s great super-heroes in one HUGE movie that is non-stop action from the minute you hit “play” on your remote. Absolutely beautifully done.
• Prometheus (Special Edition 3D/Blu Ray/DVD): You love this movie or you hate it. I love it, and it’s even better in Blu Ray and I’m able to finally pick up things that I never did first time round. Great, underrated movie of hard-core sci-fi.
• Indiana Jones/Complete Adventures: Raiders Of The Lost Ark is a moviw I saw 20 times the summer it opened. While the sequels were just good, Harrison Ford’s performance as Indiana Jones just makes this a must see.


Best Blu Ray/DVD Releases (Music)

• Steven Wilson/Get What You Deserve (Special Edition CD/Blue Ray): What a band! What a Concert! What a Blu-Ray and CD set!
• Led Zeppelin/Celebration Day (Special Edition): Our aforementioned heroes in one of the best concerts you will EVER see. AMAZING set.
• The Galactic Collective Special Edition DVD/CD Set and The Galactic Collective Live In Gettysburg DVD/CD set: Erik Norlander expands the original album giving us bonus tracks left off the album proper, and they absolutely do not disappoint. Erik’s one of my keyboard heroes, so the band he put together for the studio and live pieces is incredible, especially his drummer, Nick Le Par who absolutely is a killer player throughout. Absolutely well worth the price of admission for both of these classic DVDs
• Todd Rundgren/Healing Live: My favorite Todd album performed with an amazing band. Be on the lookout for the voice of an angel in the form of a young African American teenage girl who sings her heart out like nothing I’ve seen in a long time. Great DVD!

[ItalProgRules]

OK, here it is...my final list...

Wow, excellent job there, Ark. Even where I don't agree, that is one well-written and formatted post. A refreshing change from the blocks o' solid text posts, or the posts listing 8500 EPs that the poster themselves didn't even listen to, etc. etc.

Wish more posts were as readable and well-written. :)

[Arkangel3]

Thank you, Ital! I try... ;)

[aplodon]

Wow, excellent job there, Ark. Even where I don't agree, that is one well-written and formatted post.
Agreed, though I don't have any of those albums and never will. (Well, I have the original versions of Lark's Tongues..., Thick as a Brick and Tarkus, as relics from the 70s.)

Just shows how diverse the taste is among PEers, and the variation within what is called progressive rock.

[gregory]

• Focus X: The Dutch maestros return again for their 4th sort-of-reunion album with some excellent drumming from original Pierre Van Der Linden. Thijs Van Leer’s keyboards and flute are as strong as always (and some fun vocals along the way). Great Roger Dean Cover too!


Sorry...I don't want to cool down your enthusiasm about this release, but there's no thread named "The worst albums of 2012".. I was totally disappointed with Focus X - including the Dean's cover, which looks like a parody to AWBH cover...both awful IMHO.
I've been a Focus fan since 70s, - but that state of mind never expanded to Van Leer's solo works. Two prior Focus albums, 8 and 9, I partly liked. I wasn't quite satisfied with them, but on the whole these were not bad albums. On the contrary, X I found banal, dull and faint. Lack of good tunes. Albums like this add nothing to band's catalogue IMO.