The Tangent are among modern prog’s most committed revivalists of the classic 1970s tradition. Led by the prolific Andy Tillison — an organ virtuoso and witty, socially engaged writer — they fuse symphonic grandeur with the jazzy invention of the Canterbury scene, then point their lyrics squarely at the modern world. Born from an all-star collaboration, they have built a deep and consistent catalogue. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of a selection of their albums.

The short version

For the heart of The Tangent, start with A Place in the Queue, Le Sacre du Travail, The Music That Died Alone, Auto Reconnaissance and The World That We Drive Through. Between them they hold the band’s grandest epics and its beloved beginnings. The full ranking is below.

Seventies prog for the modern world

The Tangent wear their influences proudly. Tillison consciously revives the classic prog of the 1970s — the symphonic sweep of Yes and ELP, the jazzy adventure of Canterbury bands like Soft Machine — built on his swirling organ and long-form compositions. But where many revivalists only look backward, he writes pointedly about politics, society and everyday life. The band was born from a remarkable collaboration: its early albums featured members of The Flower Kings and the saxophonist David Jackson of Van der Graaf Generator. A note on the catalogue: it is large, and the ten albums here are a selection spanning 2003 to 2024.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing ambition, songwriting and sheer scope across a remarkably consistent body of work. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate — and with a catalogue this strong, the lower placements are no insult at all.

The essential five

At the top sits A Place in the Queue (2006), crowned by a magnificent side-long title epic and often held as their finest hour. Le Sacre du Travail (2013) is their most ambitious work, a symphonic concept on the rhythm of the working day; The Music That Died Alone (2003) is the beloved debut, its all-star line-up announcing the band fully formed. Auto Reconnaissance (2020) is a superb recent album anchored by a sprawling epic, and The World That We Drive Through (2004) is the confident, expansive second record.

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Reliably great

The next tier is excellent too. The Slow Rust of Forgotten Machinery (2017) is a sharp, politically charged set; Songs from the Hard Shoulder (2022) is a rich, reflective recent highlight. To Follow Polaris (2024), their latest, is a remarkable one-man-band effort from Tillison that proves his invention undimmed.

For completists

Two albums sit a little lower. A Spark in the Aether (2015) is a deliberate, back-to-basics return to their roots, and Proxy (2018) is a leaner, more concise record than their grand statements. Both are rewarding, but neither is quite where newcomers should begin.

A selection, in order

A selection of the catalogue, 2003–2024, in chronological order — with a few more albums beyond it. Click through to the full write-up on any record.

Where to start

Begin with The Music That Died Alone — melodic, immediate and full of classic-prog warmth, it is the ideal introduction to the band’s sound. From there, A Place in the Queue and Le Sacre du Travail show their epic and ambitious sides at full stretch.

The players

The Tangent is, above all, Andy Tillison — keyboardist, singer, chief songwriter and the band’s one true constant, his vintage organ and literate, often political lyrics defining their identity. The line-up has rotated extensively over the years, but the early albums boasted a stellar cast, including guitarist Roine Stolt and bassist Jonas Reingold of The Flower Kings and the great Van der Graaf Generator saxophonist David Jackson. Through every change, Tillison’s restless vision has steered the ship.

Why they still matter

The Tangent have kept the flame of classic progressive rock burning brighter than almost anyone — reviving its symphonic and jazzy traditions while giving them something new to say about the modern world. Alongside kindred spirits like The Flower Kings, they have proved the old forms still have life and purpose — and in Tillison they have one of the genre’s most singular and prolific voices.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: read about the best The Tangent songs, see every The Tangent album in order, find your way in with our where-to-start-with-The-Tangent guide, or dig up the most underrated The Tangent albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with our list of the best progressive rock albums of all time.

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