Classic Rock And Prog Almanac

Yes - Drama: The last great prog album?

This week, Tim and Shaun had a chat about the tenth studio album by Yes, Drama. Topics covered included: the relative success of this rock-new wave mash-up; what the nature of the Yes-Horn/Downes collaboration was; whether the cover of the album was based on the songs; and whether this line-up should have made another album. Also, would the album have been better if Chris Squire had sung it? What were Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman drinking when they decided to leave the group? What is it like to go on your honeymoon with Steve Howe? Is Trevor Horn actually a camera? Should Man In A White Car actually have been called Newman In A White Car? And what did Eddy Offord do to that pigeon?

Planxty - Planxty: The greatest Irish band of all time?

This week Tim did a monologue on the first album by Planxty. Topics covered include: whether Planxty are really the greatest Irish band of all time, whether prog fans would like this album, the mythological nature of the group’s songs, the carefully programmed nature of the album, and the connection between Planxty and the band Kneecap. Also, how did the band Elbow get their name? How do you make an English person feel Irish? Was the Jolly Beggar really a beggar or not? And did Christy Moore invent rap music on The Raggle-Taggle Gypsy?

TOP(OGRAPHIC) TRUMPS: Tommy vs. Quadrophenia

This week, Tim and Peter did an album-off, between Tommy and Quadrophenia by The Who. Topics covered include: whether both albums deserve to be doubles, in what sense Quadrophenia is a response to Tommy, how important Kit Lambert’s influence was, how each album deals with the question of sexual identity, and whether Underture is too long or not. Also, what would Freud have thought of the band? Which is the most offensive line on the two albums? Was Tommy actually finished or not? Are mods male or female? And which is better, Keith Moon’s drumming or his screaming?

CRAPA RANKS: The greatest progressive rock albums of all time

This week, Shaun and Tim ranked their top ten favourite progressive rock albums. Which of your favourite bands will be in there? And how will they be represented? Find out in this bumper episode!

The Incredible String Band - The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion: An alternative Sgt. Pepper?

This week Peter did a monologue about the second album by The Incredible String Band, The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion. Topics covered include: the String Band’s unusual harmonic sense, the Eastern influence on their music, their importance to the 60s music scene in the U.K., why the band weren’t better known and the uniqueness of the Edinburgh folk scene. Also, who was the best sitar player in the 60s? Why don’t the band do any middle eights? What are the politics of turning an album over? And is you is or is you ain’t on board?

The Nice - Five Bridges: The first real progressive rock album?

This week Tim did a monologue on Five Bridges by The Nice. Topics covered include: whether Five Bridges is the first stage in the development of the progressive rock "paradigm"; where the album stands in the band’s catalogue; how The Nice compares to ELP; and whether the dialectic between band and orchestra is successful. Also, why don’t bands get Arts Council grants any more? What does the band have to do with the philosophy of science? Was the introduction influenced by tantric sex? Was Lee Jackson a Maoist? How do you say “ars” without causing offence? And most importantly of all, what does Stumpy say?

CRAPA RANKS: Live progressive rock albums

This week Shaun, Peter and Tim rank their top five favourite live prog rock albums. Who will be number one?

SPECIAL EPISODE: Shaun's Shed (Caravan: Girls That Grow Plump In The Night)

In this episode - potentially one of an occasional series - Shaun reviews sections of Caravan's fifth studio album: Girls That Grow Plump In The Night, whilst sculpting a bust of Richard Sinclair and arguing with the postman and a charity worker.

Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak: The hard rock Ulysses?

This week Tim discussed the classic sixth album by Thin Lizzy, Jailbreak. Topics covered are: whether Lizzy is the greatest Irish group of all time, whether they are Iron Maiden avant la lettre, what the essential ingredients of their sound are, and the role that the Irish literary and poetic tradition play in the mix. Also, how many references to brothers are there on the album, and who exactly are they? What do the French say about gambling? Is Don Juan secretly gay? And there may be about to be a Jailbreak somewhere in the town, but presumably it will at least start in the jail?

Peter Gabriel - 3 (Melt): A concept album about apartheid?

This week Shaun and Tim discussed the third album by Peter Gabriel: 3 (Melt). Themes covered include: whether this is a psychological or a political album (or both), whether it’s a concept album about apartheid, the status of the album within Gabriel’s discography, the psychological resonances of the cover and the influence of world music on the album. Also, are some of the lyrics based on Freud’s analysis of the Schreber case? Was the track Intruder about the Milk Tray man? Are there too many songs on side one? Did Lee Harvey Oswald kill JFK? And what happened to William the Conqueror when they tried to put him in his coffin?