21: FROST* - Milliontown (2006)

Introduction by Eric Perry

In the first decade of the 21st century, as the newest wave of prog was slowly but surely gathering momentum, one album appeared from the most unlikely of sources, capable of carrying the moniker, 'Game Changer'.

Coming from a creative genius (and that feels like the correct use of the word) and former pop hits writer, Jem Godfrey, Milliontown was the outstanding debut from Frost*, Godfrey's progressive creative outlet. Aggressive and intense, this is one of the most exciting progressive albums of modern times and one that has not yet been matched in its brilliance by its creator.

At the centre of this vibrant work is the epic, 25-minute title track, the peak of which is the jaw dropping last eight minutes, which assaults the senses like a steroid-pumped version of Dukes Travels from Genesis's Duke. Revisiting this album is something of a common experience, and in almost ten years, it sounds as fresh as the day it was released.

From the 2006 archives, read Mark Hughes' original review of Milliontown for DPRP
Read it here  

Listen to the title track in its full glory.
Listen here

Watch the band perform the second part of the title track at the Manchester Academy in 2019.
Watch the YouTube video here

20: PENDRAGON - Fallen Dreams and Angels (1994)

Introduction by Andrew Halley

I often strip my phone of music, and start loading it up for the next month or so, hoping to try and listen to something new. However, I always put this mini four-track album back, I just can't live without it!

I first heard Fallen Dreams ... whilst walking my then dog on a Welsh beach with a raging hangover. The line from The Third World in the UK;  "I've had too much to drink, I've had too much to smoke" spoke volumes, and by then I'd heard power chords, a great Moog solo, great drumming, and my head had totally cleared. There was also Dune, the fantastic Sister Bluebird with that great key-change coda towards the end, and then the title track. I listened to it all again.

R.I.P. Polo, my Bedlington Terrier. You had some very long walks thanks to prog!


From the 1999 archives, read Dirk van de Hout's original review as part of a Pendragon Review Special.

Read it here  

Listen to a version of the title track from Pendragon's Acoustically Challenged album.
Listen to it here

19: MARTIN ORFORD - The Old Road (2008)

Introduction by Martin Burns

I recently went to see IQ in concert and witnessed a fine set. On the journey home, my thoughts turned to this album by ex-IQ founder Martin Orford. Playing The Old Road for the first time in a while, I was struck by how fabulous it is.

You can point to this album and say: “Listen to this…this is why I love prog rock!” Music so abundantly melodic that it easily pulls off the balancing act of feeling up-to-date, whilst taking inspiration from the classics of prog. It is full of playful instrumentation and lyrical detail. You wish it had just one more track every time the album comes to a close. It is an album that for once lives up to its super-group line up (see the review), because of the focus that Martin Orford gives to every detail. I can only add to Mark Hughes’ closing comment: Martin, you are still missed.

From  the DPRP review archives, read Mark Hughes' original review of The Old Road in 2008.
Read it here 

Listen to the the title track on Youtube
Watch the video here

Read the DPRP's interview with Martin from 1999 plus the review of his first solo album,
Classical Moments and Popular Songs
Read the feature here