One never knew what to expect from middle-era Pink Floyd. With the unstable Syd Barrett replaced by David Gilmour, the band entered a somewhat tentative period punctuated by artistic soul-searching. On Atom Heart Mother the twists and turns are as purely psychedelic as the band would ever get. A fascinating glimpse into the future.
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In Search of Space Hawkwind 1971 [United Artists]
This was the album where space rock outfit Hawkwind went from being a band to a production. A revolving door of lineup changes didn't seem to hurt, with production support including graphic artist Barney Bubbles, underground press writer Robert Calvert, science fiction author Michael Moorcock and dancer Stacia. Ozoning stuff.
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Foxtrot Genesis 1972 [Charisma]
Genesis went from being whimsical storytellers to genuine prog-rockers on this terrific album - that is holding up better than most in the band's early catalogue. Peter Gabriel's fairy tale lyrics are still at the forefront, but the side-long 'Supper's Ready' shows a band that knows how to taunt the highs and lows of conceptual rock. Worth seeking out.
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The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd 1973 [Harvest]
The all-time classic prog-rock head-tripper. After frontman Syd Barrett flipped-out the Floyd went on a learning curve before finally putting it all together here. Sampled sounds and voices intertwine with some beautifully restrained mid-tempo rock music. This was the sound of the space age in all its fascinatingly computer-like glory.
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Tubular Bells Mike Oldfield 1973 [Virgin]
The album that put Virgin records over the top starts with the familiar strains of the eerie music chosen as the theme to The Exorcist. Oldfield continues the excursion with a one-man multi-instrumental display that virtually defined the genre of music that came to be known as 'new age'. The original and still the best by a long shot.
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Eldorado Electric Light Orchestra 1974 [Warner/United Artists]
After finally achieving enough prominence to be able to afford a supporting 30-piece orchestra, ELO creative force Jeff Lynne uncorked a masterpiece. While being the blueprint for pop extravaganzas to follow, with its dream sequence vocal segues and majestic psych flourishes Eldorado stands as the band's artistic testament.
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Another Green World Brian Eno 1975 [Island]
Known as the "Father of Ambient Music", Brian Eno's artistic highpoint immediately after leaving Roxy Music is an understated gem of ethereal electronic beauty. It is also the axis point between pop and ambience, with 1974's Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) possibly out-psyching this absolutely absorbing masterpiece.
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The Wall Pink Floyd 1979 [Harvest/Columbia]
On achieving megastar status with 1973's Dark Side of the Moon this band could do no wrong. The Wall is an extended Roger Waters rock opera about a character at times strangely reminiscent of zoned-out band founder Syd Barrett. Whilst some see this as the ultimate in 70s prog excess, the accompanying film shows true psychedelic depth.
