Need Help From the Proggers - PENDRAGON

[AngraRULES]

So I just checked out the Prog band PENDRAGON for the first time - and I tried their new album, Passion. These guys' first album came out in 88 if I'm not wrong (and the band started in 78 in the UK), but the new record sounds A LOT like a modern prog-rock band like Porcupine Tree. I think Passion is an awesome disc and want recommendations on the rest of their discography. Can somebody give me a hand? Does anything else in their discography sound like this?

Me likes it a lot! =)

 

[johan68]

The earlier stuff is more like classic neo-prog. Seems like the influence of the new drummer on the latest effort contributed to the "PT" sound. I absolutely love the earlier stuff though, and has been a fan since -88. Actually saw them live a few times early on.
The Jewel is my fav. Pendragon album. Not at all as complex as the newer stuff. It has more of a Marillion feel to it. Brilliant music though.

 

[Orion Crystal Ice]

I will be looking at the recs too, despite being a fairly big fan of neo-prog, I still haven't really heard much of this band..

 

[Sir Exar Kun]

I definitely hear more of the Fish-era Marillion sound to their writing than the PT sound. Note that the newest album is a bit of a departure from their usual fare, but the back catalogue is definitely worth checking out. Anything with Clive Nolan (Shadowland, Pendragon, Arena) is a must.

My favorites are probably "The World" and "Masquerade Overture", but overall all their discs are fairly consistent. Might recommend checking out one of the live CD/DVD sets as a sampler. "Concerto Maximo" offers a very good career-spanning retrospective.

 

[Locust0311]

I think of Pendragon as having 3 distinct eras. The earliest stuff (The Jewel, Kowtow) has a definite 80s feel and is probably what I listen to the least. The middle period (The World, Window of Life, Masquerade Overture, Not of this World) is very neoproggy with an emphasis on Clive Nolan's keyboards. This is when I got into them and I quite like these albums. The current period (Believe, Pure, Passion (which I have only heard clips of)) moves in a heavier more guitar driven direction and are excellent. Still neoprog for sure though. This is the material that would probably appeal to the folks on this board the most. They also have a lot of EPs, Demos and Compiltions, mostly from the first two periods.

 

[esa]

Good analysis above. The 2009 DVD is a great introduction and greatest hits: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Concerto-Maximo-Pendragon/dp/B001NY42UQ[/ame]

 

[AngraRULES]

Thank you guys so much. Looks like I will check out the most recent stuff and work my way backwards.

 

[spag]

Just to put it in perspective, "heavy" Pendragon is probably like a light song from Porcupine Tree. I mean, we're talking more like the guitarist found the distortion switch on his amp. Not like the drums get heavy or anything.

I think if you like neo-prog, stick with the earlier stuff. The later music didn't really stick with me, as there are a lot of other bands doing that heavy/dark prog thing way better than they are. JMHO.

 

[KingsGene]

PENDRAGON STREAMING “FACES OF LIGHT” VIDEO FROM UPCOMING MASQUERADE 20 LIVE RELEASE

"...Progressive rock band, Pendragon, return with their brand new live release, entitled Masquerade 20. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of the most successful albums in their career - an album that won them near-overwhelming acclaim and made them one of the highest-selling bands unsigned to a major label at that time - the band returned to the Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, Poland in May 2016 to record a special show, consisting of all the classics from The Masquerade Overture as well as a number of fan-favourites from their other releases. A video for the track “Faces Of Light” is available for streaming below..."

 

[Stevie WOnder]

I really enjoy the latter period, it sounds like heavy neoprog with excellent compositions and melodies. The last one is some kind of oddity as it moves into a more spacey and dark feeling reminding me a bit of Radiohead Ok Computer era. Passion and Pure are where they're at for me.

I've seen them live a couple years back here in Québec City, it was a magical show.

 

[ManipulatorGeneral404]

The Window of Life, The Masquerade Overture, and Not of This World are a trilogy of flawless records with Not of This World among my favorites of all time. Nothing they've done since then has been quite the same, but I have enjoyed Believe and still quite like Men Who Climb Mountains, easily their best since those three with plenty of outstanding material.

I will still trust this band to make great music for a while to come. Nick Barrett, at the very least, is possibly the best guitarist in neo-prog right now.

 

[LarryD]

Your next disc should definitely be "Pure" .... the one before "Passion". To me, it's much better than "Passion" and signifies their turn into "modern Neo-Prog". The band is over 35 years old and it's going to take you some time to sift thru their career. Add in the fact ( as the others have said ) that they have 3 periods of styles, multiple concert DVDs, and it's going to be some journey. Have fun in your journey - this is going to be quite some ride......