10 Essential 1970s Progressive Rock Albums

Arguably the crew who started it all, King Crimson enjoyed a rather topsy turvy '70s.

Their eclectic, often crazed fusion of jazz with acid rock among other curiosities blew away listeners more attuned to the '60s blues rock craze. By 1974, the group had become overshadowed by many of the bands they'd inadvertently helped to inspire. With 'Red', the group revealed a more aggressive edge than ever before, stepping into the early days of British heavy metal in the process.

A mere two weeks before release, the group split and the album, perhaps by consequence, proved to be their poorest commercial success. Despite the black cloud on top of it, 'Red' is a masterwork in everything King Crimson stood for musically.

In 'Starless', a classic track once intended for an earlier LP, the crew are at their volatile, wild best, cutting between erratic drums, surprisingly conservative guitars and a hectic saxophone solo. While it may sound like a mess, the technique behind the song's pacing and structure is first class, ensuring the audio adventure remains a coherent, compelling listen.

The rest of the album follows a similar line of thinking. The sounds are heavier than ever while the lyrics delve deep into cerebral, often poetic fare. For a band on death's door, this is an impressive piece of seemingly single-minded work.