"Classics" in the UK

Since I have yet to introduce myself, I am Michaela Plank and I am a newbie to the University of Denver. I transferred here after starting my college career at the University of Colorado-Go BUFFS! I am a native to Denver and live out its beauty to the fullest. I was in a severe skiing accident in 2008 that left my paralyzed for some time and in extensive rehabilitation for months thereafter.  But that is in the past and I am here now, ready to Rock! Which brings me to my next point… “Classic” Prog Rock in the UK. Bands like King Crimson, Yes, ELP and Genesis to name a few were pioneers of their time, drudging through the musical scene and coming out with a whole new vibe and set of die-hard fans. King Crimson was born out of the trio Giles, Giles and Fripp. I believe the selection of fairly non-standard instrumentation (for the time) and studio production tricks are partly responsible for the record, In the Court of the Crimson King, stature to date. This became a hugely influential release in helping along the budding post-counterculture progressive rock movement. 21st Century Schizoid Man' kicks things off of course. Of course meaning, one listen to the song and you'll know why. An effect on the vocals produces a slightly metallic sound which only adds to the fury of the whole thing. The way the saxophones are played along with a superlative rhythm section performance ensures that this is a track that rocks. The vocals continue to shout and holler, adding passion to the performance. The breathless flow and the saxophones integrated into the overall performance really work well. What a way to open any album, let alone a debut. After this excitement we have the quiet but quite striking 'I Talk To The Wind'. The flute work is noticeable and gives new depths to the music. The contrast between the feel of this song and the opener is immense, showcasing the diverse talents within the ranks of King Crimson at this stage in their career. Almost every song of theirs has a different musical hook. 'Epitaph' has washes of mellow keyboards, great noticeable drum work and a reasonably soulful vocal performance. The song reaches up in the middle section (around the 3:45 mark) and then drops out again to reveal folk style guitar work before the keyboards and drums kick back in.  Another band to hit the boom in the UK was Yes. Their inventive extended version of Buffalo Springfield's "Everydays" and the Beatles' "Every Little Thing" combined with their own admirable debut single "Sweetness", made them club favorites in 1969. The band journeyed into realms of classical influence, and their solos became longer, although I feel they often sounded, frankly self-indulgent. Yes was the type of band that was anathema to the new wave. In their album, Close to the Edge, much of the four suites are instrumental, and allow the musicianship to dominate Anderson's (vocalist) often pretentiously abstract lyrics. Another member of the band, Squire, whose bass playing, was dreadful on this album (my own opinion). For many, the instrumental peak the band reached on, Close to the Edge, defined everything that the band had set out to do; bringing melody and stunning musicianship together, combining rock with clever improvisations. These Prog Rock bands were highly influential and one’s that honestly I had heard before besides the infamous Pink Floyd, and after listening and taking in their sounds found them more and more interesting. The shared set of musical materials but the individual bands take on their signature sounds is a defining moment in the Rock ear starting in the late 60’s early 70’s.