Mother (Pink Floyd, 1979)

This song belongs to the darkest side of Roger Water's soul, as most of "The Wall" does, in fact. It's a rather interesting song on the line-up side, 'cause Jeff Porcaro is the guest drummer and producer Bob Ezrin plays the piano and the organ. The song starts on a gloomy mood, then abruptly changes its sombreness into anger and turns out to be one of the most aggressive songs in Pink Floyd's career.

 

What a mother... what a mother!

Those changes and the deep sorrow inspiring the lyrics always touch me and I feel deeply concerned in Pink's fury and in his utter inadequacy. This is a song I recommend to all those thinking Pink Floyd are cold as ice. That said, the sung theme - Gilmour and Waters both sing it - is excellent, a sweet ballad getting angry and even cruel. The final guitar solo is... simply Gilmour-esque. And that's saying something!

Åtabal-Yémal (Témpano, 1979)

Témpano have a long and successful story in Venezuela and are pretty known and appreciated abroad. They lived many musical lives during their career, exploring different genres, but progressive rock was their first love, as the title song of their debut album proves very well. More than this, their kind of prog was a highly eclectic one, mixing electronic devices, symphonic arrangements and beautiful melodies. It's difficult to label an instrumental piece of music like "Åtabal-Yémal", a lushing series of moods and ideas.

...And my congratulations for your shirts!

 

It surely includes some pleasant synth-pop moments, but it would be unfair to file such a song on the 80s pop music shelf. Too many surprises, unpredictable changes and original sounds enrich this rather long track and single it out as a true progressive fruit. Sure, the period marks are strong, but I daresay "Åtabal-Yémal" keeps today all its charming and dynamic qualities, so that I can recommend it to you as one of the best relics of early Southern American prog.

Dissimmetrie (La Torre dell'Alchimista, 2007)

One of the most interesting Italian prog bands born in the late '90s, La Torre dell'Alchimista knows how to write and play good music, obviously inspired by the great classics of their Country, but with a special and modern twist of their own. This "Dissimmetrie", taken from the album "Neo" will prove how dynamic and unpredictable their tracks are, despite the vintage mood it spreads all around. Like this band's  many other songs, this opening track is a short suite and it's divided into two parts.

 

"Neo" was the second studio album by this band, based in the North of Italy.

Don't expect two clearly divided moments, though, and we'd rather describe this composition as an ever changing one, lining up a slightly dissonant recurring main theme and a series of well found melodies, intricate interplays and - last but not least - an atmospheric finale. Definitely, you can pay respect to prog tradition and be fully creative as well. Thanks for reminding me of  that, alchemist guys!

Apocalipsis (Caja de Pandora, 1991)

This is one of the most joyful and dynamic album opening tracks I've ever listened to. A rythm-based instrumental from Mexico, by a one-CD only band called "Caja de Pandora" that really sounds like opening up a Pandora's musical box! Basically, the track goes through five different phases, despite its scarcely 4 minutes of length: a classical intro, a lively dance, a hypnotic rythm,a guitar solo and finally the first theme reprise.

It took a long time to release this album. The sessions began in 1981,

the CD was issued only in 1991, then in 1997 with bonus tracks.

Nothing completely new, maybe, but surely a well assorted display of latin prog rock, not so far from Spanish and Italian models, even if this one is likely to be a more essential and less intricate piece of music. But you hear the potential in it, the inner energy coming out and running down your spine like a colourful tsunami. This is the sunny side of prog. So Welcome to Mexico, my friends!

Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (The Beatles, 1967)

Of course, this isn't a prog song, it simply couldn't be. That said, "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is one of the most quoted and listed pre-prog albums. This song, in particular, features a lot of elements that perfectly fit into the proto-progressive mood. First of all, it's one of the more complex and colourful songs by The Beatles, packed with organ sounds, overdubbings, tape loops and assorted weirdness. This need for intricacy and the crossover nature of the track are the breeding ground on which our favourite genre will rise.

 

A seminal album. And not only for prog pre-history...

The lyrics confirm such a reading, being inspired by a XIXth Century circus poster and including a good deal of double entendres and allusions, in a vein that many prog bands will exploit some years later. Last but not least, this is a beautiful song, concealing a well written melody into a tricky package. And that doesn't sound new in this blog. So, not prog, you're right, but not so far from that...

Le Corridor (Harmonium, 1976)

Harmonium are mostly known for their second album, "Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison" and you'll find many songs from that Canadian masterpiece in my blog. Nonetheless, there are some more excellent songs in the rest of their discography. The concept double album "L'Heptade", for example, includes this "Le Corridor", featuring the guest vocalist Monique Fauteux, also responsible for many back vocals and harmonies in this album. Her gentle voice perfectly fits with the delicate sound of Harmonium and gives even more sensibility to such a good composition.

"L'Heptade"was the third and final Harmonium's studio work.

The instrumental section is like evening passing clouds, so ethereal and so atmospheric that the listener simply flies away on a magic carpet. Of course, this is not for the solid rock fans, but I think this track - and the whole album at that - are as modern today as they were in 1976, and maybe more. The orchestral coda is light and unobtrusive, fading out with grace and leaving behind a nostalgy aftertaste. In short, if you could do with eight minutes of inner pleasure, this track's for you.

Relic of The Modern World (Presto Ballet, 2012)

I like this American band very much. Born as guitarist Kurt Vanderhoof's tribute to prog rock Golden Era, this act soon became popular and a prog people's beloved pet. If you'd like to know why, just listen to this suite, the title track of their 2012 album. You'll surely find a rather heavy rock overture (well, Kurt's mother band was called Metal Church, after all...), then here you are an astonishing journey through Progressive Wonderland, including soft and colourful drops of Genesis, full-bodied harmonies à la Yes and open wide melodies reminiscent of Kansas.

"Relic of The Modern World" was PB's fourth official studio album.

Even so, nothing is trivial here and you'll likely be surprised at each turning point. This epic also has its own coherence, assured by returning themes and well found variations. I can't tell my favourite jewels in such a shining crown, but I surely die for the piano & voice section starting around minute 13:00 and the original mix of Supertramp and Spock's Beard it brings into the suite. And what about the following ballad-like part? A treat. Useless to go on putting music in words: you'd better listen to this and let me know...