10 Best Progressive Rock Albums Of All Time
6. FM - Black Noise
Like a psychedelic trip through deep space, 'Black Noise' is unpredictable, scary and adventurous. Coming out towards the tail end of the prog rock boom in the '70s, FM's debut LP was the most exciting Canadian entry in the genre not composed by Rush.
Despite a lacklustre initial release in 1978, the LP eventually caught fire thanks to the popularity of lead single 'Phasors on Stun'. The album is oozing with the eccentric New Wave style that would come to dominate early '80s rock.
Jeff Plewman (or Nash the Slash as he went by at the time) brings a colourful blend of mandolin and violin prowess to the forefront, ensuring the album remains imaginative fare. For those who saw FM live, they got the thrill of watching him bandaged up, pretending to be horribly disfigured for a little extra strangeness in the group's presentation.
In another custom of the rock and pop scenes that blew up in the '80s, FM have a grand old time with synthesising as well. The chaotic blend provides a fascinatingly odd sound that briefly set FM apart from the pack. While they never managed to reach this quality again, it remains a towering debut from one of prog rock's most eccentric outfits.