Via a mix of prog-influenced writing and singer/songwriter charm, Shaming tells the story of Johnny Virgil, a would-be rock legend based heavily on Gilbert’s own life experiences. Gilbert died in 1996, due to an apparent suicide by autoerotic asphyxiation.īefore his passing, Gilbert had begun work on what would become his magnum opus: The Shaming of the True. Though he boasted prolific discography (as a writer, performer and producer) and touched potential breakthrough via his involvement on one-time-girlfriend Sheryl Crow’s award-winning debut, Gilbert repeatedly missed his chance at fame, each failure driving his already-potent depression a little bit deeper. But despite his immense talents Gilbert experienced the darker side of the music industry first-hand. The late Kevin Gilbert always had a knack for crafting prog-influenced music with a pop accessibility, as he showcased via a number of LA-based bands, including Giraffe and Toy Matinee. Examples, you say? You’ve got it! Here are 10 Essential Modern Prog Albums, all released in the 21st Century. No longer chained so strongly to rock, prog has extended its epic reach to metal, electronica, pop, punk, and even hip-hop.

From where we sit, prog never left the building if anything, the genre has just expanded its territory over time. In fact, we at Treble were pretty surprised when a recent article in Huffington Post predicted that a Top 40 prog revival would soon replace the neo-neo-neo-folk of Mumford & Sons.

Still, no one can deny the influence that prog rock has had on modern music, with its serious tone, narrative leanings and emphasis on technical proficiency and sonic diversity. Response to the demanding-yet-rewarding style have been split from the start, with most critics standing pretty firmly on either side.

Few genres have ridden a historical wave quite like progressive rock’s.

Best progressive metal albums