Main motivator Jason Pierce left no stone unturned in his desire to produce a symphonic space rock masterpiece. The Balanescu Quartet, the London Community Gospel Choir and Dr John all help bring it to fruition. In true art rock style the title is taken from Jostein Gaarder's philosophical novel Sophie's World. Get out the headphones.
Buy Amazon
V Spock's Beard 2000 [Metal Blade]
Neo-prog outfit from LA strongly reminiscent of 70s art rockers Genesis, Gentle Giant and King Crimson. With this sort of heritage it is no surprise the single 'All on a Sunday' sounds a little out of place among all the artyfacts. Nevertheless, with most neo-proglodytes following the Floyd lineage this album fills its own niche quite nicely.
Indie band from Kansas that mixes a host of influences into a pleasing palette of post-rock 'emo' soundscapes. Guitarist Christopher Crisci and Aaron Pillar combine to create a level of dynamic ambience, with the Marc Young/Aaron Coker rhythm section providing some creative support. Crisci also chips in with some impassioned vocals.
Buy Amazon
In Absentia Porcupine Tree 2002 [Lava]
Porcupine Tree largely abandoned psych elements on this neo-prog effort. The memorable 'Blackest Eyes' kicks off a varied set that ranges from sonically delicate passages to some all-out heavy metal. Leader Steven Wilson makes it all fit, with Grammy-winner Elliot Scheiner creating superlative 5.1 surround sound at the production helm.
Buy Amazon
World Through My Eyes RPWL 2005 [InsideOut]
German neo-prog outfit that started life as a Pink Floyd covers band. When they began making their own music it was heavily laced with psych elements, particularly the imagery. The resulting sound is pop-friendly, albeit a bit over-the-top on the D&M side. The set closes with an extended workout that is sure to please the Floyd-heads.
Buy Amazon
The Dark Third Pure Reason Revolution 2006 [Red Ink]
One of a wave of neo-prog bands that occasionally display psych overtones. The obvious influence here is Pink Floyd, but elements of grunge and indie pop also creep in every now and then. Producer Paul Northfield has also worked with Porcupine Tree and it shows. A solid debut long-player from a band that shows real promise.
Buy Amazon
Oracular Spectacular MGMT 2008 [Red Ink]
With Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev producer Dave Fridmann on board this band had a handy head start, with Oracular Spectacular debuting to a wave of critical fanfare. The music is a modern blend of psychedelia and electronica accentuated by some clever lyrical content courtesy of the Ben Goldwasser/Andrew Van Wyngarden songwriting team.
Buy Amazon
In the Future Black Mountain 2008 [Jagjaguwar]
Black Mountain is the lead group in a collective 'army' of musicians and artists based in Vancouver. Musically the group counterbalances leader Stephen McBean's more experimental Pink Mountaintops outfit, at times churning out a 70s-style prog-rock bombast that cheekily highlights the irony of the album's title. Worth a listen.
