Gryphon: Red Queen to Gryphon Tree (Folk, Instrumental, Progressive Rock) (1974)

Other than the song titles and the occasional tension, not much gives the impression of a "chess album" but the slight medieval tinges and pleasant motifs (especially on the 3rd song) do give a beautiful archaic tang much like much of fantastical scene of 70s UK prog, but this much with an apparent baroque and folk influence while still maintaining electronic instruments, organs, a rustic percussion section and all the gimmicks and intricacies of prog.

Medieval Folk/Progressive Folk/Progressive Rock

Camel: Mirage (1974) (Prog Rock,Rock)

Cigarette brands also make good albums! For the most part, the instrumental detours are eventful even if the melodies are not always intricate. The real strength this album has is its energetic performances and  synthesis of instruments. Instrumentally, the synths, keys, guitars, bass, drums, woodwind instruments, all the pieces in play are in their right place like that Radiohead song. The first song, Freefall, is the only one that feels out of place in the whole project, though not bad it just is inherently the least proggy of the songs with some uneventful passages and relatively simple song structure. The songs value lies in its bouncy guitars and apprehensive chorus. The second song, Supertwister, is void of guitars, with various keys and synths complimenting and a flute at the forefront. The employment of diverse synths to compliment the guitars is a recurring element in this album. Though likely about some sort of sand storm, Supertwister gives me the impression of wandering aimlessly through a desert to finally find a fictitious oasis to finally have the imagined beverage I would be craving at that time (V8 juice). The album maintains a misty miragesque attitude for most of the songs from this point on, however as can be seen in many songs some times things get crazier and not as mellow (end of Nimrodel, Lady Fantasy), but if you listened to the first song you would be a bit prepared. Though the album sounds excellent do not expect anything instrumentally groundbreaking or avant-garde, if you are familiar with prog-rock much of this will sound similar only executed in a crisper, more varied method. That being said the album is truly a pleasant listen to anyone pleasant who likes pleasant music and lives in a pleasant home with a pleasant wife and dreams of pleasant dreams where you travel the harsh deserts searching for a hidden treasure. 

Best Tracks: Supertwister*, Nimrodel, Earthrise, Lady Fantasy*

A+

Progressive Rock/ Symphonic Rock