PFAC Homework Poll, Week 34

[Guybrush]

Every week in the Prog & Fusion Album Club, we have a homework assignment which is listening to that week's prog or fusion album. So, which one is it gonna be next week?

http://www.musicbanter.com/prog-psyc...lbum-club.html

Originally Posted by tore

Harmonium - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison (1975)



French Canadian band Harmonium has a short discography of only 3 studio albums. Si on avait.. is their second album and commonly considered their magnum opus. Although not the most obvious pick to newcomers of the genre, the album is still widely appreciated by progheads. To give you an idea of just how much, it currently sits at #14 in progarchives list of the 100 best prog albums throughout the ages which is impressive, I think, considering most of the places above it are filled by the giants of the genre like King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Pink floyd and Genesis who have a lot more albums in their discography and, likely, a lot more fans.

In other words, their ranking in the list is more likely due to the strength of the album rather than people just voting up their favourite band and this record is indeed a good one. Reverby flutes, acoustic guitar, layered harmonious vocals and beautiful melodies is what this album is about. Well, there are some other things thrown into the mix as well of course. Anyways, for a prog album, it is not very challenging, but rather easy to get into and very comfortable on the ears. There are 5 songs in all, each one meant to represent one season with the 5th being the "new" season .. I guess a bit like the fifth element.

Anyways, I guess some here will know this one well and for you who don't, consider this a warm recommendation

Originally Posted by Anteater

Hmn, I've got an interesting suggestion for this week as well, though some might find it a challenge.

Mike Oldfield - Amarok (1990)



Far better than the ever-lauded Tubular Bells IMO, this 60 minute, 1 track effort from the master of ambient-prog is Oldfield's finest moment. Like previous works, Oldfield is responsible for most of the eclectic instrumentation. Worldbeat atmospherics, stabs at synthwork which wouldn't be too far out of place in a Legend of Zelda game, insanely good guitar and bass and loads of percussion are but a few of the things you'll hear in Amarok, but such is but a modest overview of how grand this suite is and I couldn't do it justice in 10 paragraphs, much less this one.

But basically, this is top class world-prog. fusion, and one of the 90's Holy Grails of prog. for those interested, so hope a few of you give it a whirl. xD

Vote for your favourite suggestion!

[Mojo]

Prog and jazz and two genres in which i am certainly no expert but I have started to branch out with prog a little lately. So, as i have watched this club pass me by until now I think i'll keep an eye on it this week and i'll definitely check out whichever album is selected.

I have read up a little on both albums and I think my vote would go to Harmonium.

[Guybrush]

Brilliant Mojo

I'm thinking for future polls, I might just automatically include suggestions from previous weeks that did not get selected. It looks like Harmonium might win this (in the lead with 4 against 1 atm) and if so, then I'll just put Amarok in next week's poll.