Hey! It's the PROG ROCK club WEEK TWO! For those about to overcomplicate, we salute you...

1. Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts (1971)

http://churlinux.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/pawn_hearts_cover.jpg

Some 'classic' prog for y'all. Possibly not my favourite VdGG but the one you should probably start with. The greatest of the original prog bands with their early masterpiece, a swirling, genuine clusterfuck of sound and fury, whose sense only comes through after a few loose-jawed listens. Staggering complexity of thought at play, and crucially a brilliant grasp of songwriting amid the chaos, executed by musicians learning how to breathe fire. And barely an electric guitar in sight.

http://open.spotify.com/album/7CVoSNQO9BoYVj7f4qsNeE

2. Mansun - Six (1998)

http://otho.douban.com/lpic/s2956249.jpg

Up-and-coming Britpop bandleader goes off deep end, suffers panic attack, records clinically insane album that ought to be a colossal failure even by Britpop standards. Mansun was in essence the solo project of Paul Draper, and no more so than on this absurd piece of work. I have little to say about it except that virtually every single bonkers decision taken in the making of this record pays off handsomely, which, to be honest, is nothing short of miraculous. It's huge, camp, boldly-realised, head-spinning and nothing like anything you've heard before. Approach with glee.

http://open.spotify.com/album/3LupLbRks98bg8OzxePrLx

3. Youthmovies - Good Nature (2008)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41aa8sSOwgL._SS500_.jpg

Youthmovies broke up a couple of weeks ago. I saw their last London gig. They were fabulous, as they've always been. This is their magnum opus, their only full-length album. It's absolutely gorgeous from start to finish, probably the best pure-prog album of the decade. By this I mean that it lacks for avant-garde touches, electronica diversions, genre-bending madness; what it has instead is some of the best prog songcraft you'll hear. These guys write tunes as if their lives depend on it, all while the chord-changes and time-signatures flock by like unattended cattle. And the production's beautiful. And they rock the fuck out when they want to. And they have A TRUMPETER FFS

http://open.spotify.com/album/5tBA1cLGGO9CvZm0NsxcQW

Enjoy!

youre supposed to keep it all on the one thread so latecomers can still talk about previous albums.

Previous thread is here: This is the PROG ROCK Listening Club - Week One - (Yes, Soft Machine and Camel!)

New thread is better for all sorts of reasons. Besides, the more prog threads on ILM the better, right?

http://cardboardmonocle.com/blog/fxsuits/3po.jpg

"This is highly unorthodox!"

off topic but louis have you heard that british band kyte and what do you think of them

I have not! Consider them listed.

well, i can see why you've grouped these 3 together. i'd never heard mansun or youthgroup before so it was good to get some idea on more modern paths within prog. unfortunately i really dislike the vocals on all 3 of these. no matter what level of skill or songwriting or arrangement is displayed i just can't get past that. the mansun is the most interesting to me - it's quite unhinged.

lala links:
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts (1971)
Mansun - Six (1998)
Youthmovies - Good Nature (2008)

Hey you should probably just post your selections on the week one thread because thats where all the discussion is and then on Saturday (or later tonight) the power of the Temple of Syrinx will be harnessed and the thread title will be updated.

I mean its the Prog Rock LC, I think the thread should be a reflection of the music: long and epic. Just my opinion.

you are, I suppose, correct.

Ok this has all moved over to This is the PROG ROCK Listening Club - Week Two (Van Der Graaf Generator, Mansun and Youthmovies!)– you like progressive rock so I'm dropping this thread from new answers.