The Seventh House (IQ, 2000)

I must admit I wasn't especially fond of this song when I first listened to it, back in the year 2000. But it's been constantly growing inside my soul, so that now it is one of my favourite songs by IQ. And that's saying something! It could be because of Peter Nicholl's disarmingly sincere performance, or maybe because of the neat and convincing guitars, or even because of the keyboards short but effective solo... I really don't know, but of that I'm sure: this is a song passing on me a serene, almost supernatural sense of easiness.

"The Seventh House" was the eighth studio album by IQ (including

"Seven Stories into 98") ...and the first one of the 21st Century!

It's strange, isn't it? There's nothing in the lyrics nor in the music itself actually suggesting such a comfortable feeling, nonetheless a great number of fans and occasional listeners tell me they shared my experience. This song seems to be projected toward a higher and clearer sky. All the tempo and theme changes are so natural and so fluid that I sometimes wonder where on Earth IQ members were when they wrote this song...

It All Becomes Clearer (Harvest, 2014)

Another band from the 2000s that I actually like very much. This time they're from Spain and this song comes from their album called "Northern Wind". This title says it all, so please don't expect Flamenco rock or sunny, Mediterranean moods: these musicians are on the windy, wintery, all-British side of prog. A classic keyboard-oriented prog meets a celtic female voice and a rather indie rock background. All in all, this music is pleasant and emotionally strong, with clever tempo changes and a good deal of instrumental parts.

This "Northern Wind" was the third studio work by Harvest.

Rough riffs and delicate melodies, essential piano touches and effective chords, these are the main ingredients of a savoury dish, with some good and never too long electric guitar solos to top the pie. These clear and neat sounds seem to me like a cool breeze coming from the sea, a refreshing whiffle announcing the stormy season. Oh, please stop me: I'm getting maudlin!

Color humano (Almendra, 1969)

The self-titled debut album by Argentinian band Almendra can be considered as an essential brick in the building of South American rock 'n' roll wall. This track, in particular, is the proggest side of such an interesting brick. Not only it was a 9 minutes one, but it was a brave mix of many different moods. A melodic ballad meets a very acid and bluesy electric guitar solo, then a bass guitar and electric guitar interplay before the ballad comes back.

Almendra were going to explore many sides of rock...

Some abrupt changes in the final section add more and more original elements to the song, definitely an unusual combination of colours and sounds. Another good example of the culture medium on which progressive rock was silently growing up in Argentina and in the entire Latin America. Not only Britain, then... we knew that, but another living proof is welcome.

Bedrohung (Flaming Bess, 1979)

One of the last fully symphonic albums released during the '70s, "Tanz der Götter" ("Dance of The Gods", that's to say) has the eclectic and full-bodied approach of the British prog heroes, but also the theatrical and mainly instrumental architecture we find in so many German bands of the same period. The opening track, called "Bedrohung" (something like "Threat" in English) is one of the most representative ones of the band's style.  

 

The original cover art for "Tanz der Götter".

You'll also find a deluxe edition released in 2005.

 

Flaming Bess had a rather long story behind them when they finally released their debut album in 1979, and they enriched their progressive palette with new colours coming from the late '70s music: pop-rock, funky, folk, even disco... and still the big picture is definitely prog! Acoustic and electric guitars, pulsing basses, bright piano and up to date synths... all in one box! Flaming Bess also added some spoken passages to this song and to all the other ones in the LP. Fascinating, that's the word.

Welcome to The Machine (Pink Floyd, 1975)

One of the most claustrophobic and impressive portraits of the entertainment business ever. The great deal of synths employed here probably is the signature feature of "Welcome to The Machine", and the way those electronic devices interact with the acoustic guitars and a plethora of tape effects is even more peculiar. This song quickly became a popular standard of floydian sound, mixing slow bluesy measures, space rock and basic ballads into a fascinating melting pot. 

 

Cartoonist Gerald Scarfe created a disquieting video for this song.

Even more, the lyrics of this track, staging a dialogue between a record industry manager and a wannabe pop star, was the iconic rendition of a then widespread cliché about the pretended constrast between the rock and roll rebellion and the greedy record companies. For sure, the noise of the packing machine closing the song never abandoned an entire generation of listeners.

Le matin du premier jour (Triangle, 1972)

Triangle were rather successful during the transitional era between beat and prog, when they adopted an eclectic approach to music. Their vocal harmonies and their catchy tunes went on very well with a series of less usual musical solutions. This song (in English: "The First Day Morning"), taken from their second album called "II", is a good example of their flower power and melodic way... and also featured a special guest: Jean-Michel Jarre!

This album is often called "Viens avec nous", from its hit single.

Yes, our keyboard hero added some electronic effects to this acoustic ballad, creating a lysergic mix that's more '70s than the '70s themselves! As usual with Triangle, there is a Canterbury sound taste floating about, but Jarre's contribution puts in a sci-fi mood that strangely matches with the other ingredients of such a weird recipe. A musical time machine...

Labyrinth of Doors (Mechanical Butterfly, 2014)

How many excellent prog bands play and write music out there? Surely more than I can imagine and each time I come across one of them I feel happy... then, of course, I put their music here, in my blog. So let me introduce you to Mechanical Butterfly, an Italian band that actually deserves more and more attention. This track, the instrumental "Labyrinth of Doors", comes from the album "The Irresistible Gravity" and is a spectacular, lushing, still well balanced display of prog. A steampunk background meets a stunning instrumental performance and a perfectly conceived song architecture.

Giuliana Pulvirenti signed this cover art. Another winning point.

A main "fast and furious", heavy mood is enriched here and there by more delicate and somehow Victorian interludes. This is just boiling lava going up and down my spine... so that when I discovered that these musicians live near the Mount Etna I definitely wasn't surprised. Not at all, I daresay. But I bet you'll be all surprised by this dynamic, energetic, blazing piece of music!