Mountains Come Out of the Sky: The Illustrated History of Prog Rock

by Will Romano

From its artful beginnings (Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, the Mothers of Invention, and those progressive forebearers, the Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles), through the towering guitar solos, monumental synthesizer banks, and mind-boggling special effects of the Golden Age of Prog (Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP, Genesis, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, UK), through the radio-friendly “pop era” (Asia, the Phil Collins-led Genesis, and a reformed Yes), and right up to the present state of the art (Marillion, Spock's Beard, and Mars Volta), this is a wickedly incisive tour of rock music at its most spectacular. This is indeed the book prog rock fans have been waiting for, the only one of its kind, as fantastic as the subjects it covers.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Tom Blurbgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great intros into loads of different prog bands one after another, but either just bombards you with info before moving on again, or offers maybe one fact about a band you knew about. Kind of impressive how much it gets through, but not sure who it's suited to exactly, and a few too many cringy typos to enjoy://

[Gregory Klages · Rating 3 out of 5]

For fans who know about most of the bands discussed in this book, there won't be much new. For those looking for a respectable introduction to classic, late '60s to mid-'70s prog rock, this is a good start.

My greatest criticism, having read the digital version, is the awful editing and layout conversion. Typos abound, images are too small to really matter, and discography photos appear pages after the section on the band is over.

As with books of this sort, it's easy to quibble over why some bands are included while others are not. I was surprised, for instance, that Rush's and King Crimson's post-1970s work was given so much coverage. That being said, the author makes a decent effort to consider post-'70s prog generally.

I question the chapters on Italian and German prog, not because the bands included don't merit attention, but because the author doesn't make a convincing case that Italy and Germany produced a unique enough prog sound to merit separate, distinct chapters while bands from other countries are overlooked.

[Adam McDorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to pick up if you have a passing interest in progressive rock. The book is divided up into chapter that focus on notable artists that played a major part in the genre, starting with the Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts club band) and moving mostly chronologically through Pink Floyd, Yes, King Crimson, etc.

I think the author's intent was to provide a visually appealing intro to the genre, and he accomplishes that quite nicely. That means the book doesn't really venture off the beaten path of the genre, so if you already have an encyclopedic knowledge of the main players of Prog Rock, there's not much new here for you. If you're looking for something more in depth, pick up Prog Rock FAQ by the same author.

It's a fairly large format book and beautifully printed, so you could certainly put it on your coffee table. Perhaps then, your non-prog-listening friends will pick it up and learn something.

[Virginia Fee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prog is alive and well in the digital age.

Very good read, it is gonna send me running for Spotify to hear what I've missed. Gets highest recommendation. Excellent place to start for the new listener who wants to know more about this always changing and hard to pin down musical genre.

[Kris Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of notable prog bands along with album covers and discographies - I purchased this immediately after discovering it at a local bookstore and constantly reference when streaming and/or shopping for new music. A+

[Jay Lark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very uneven book. Some great anecdotes, but in some cases too many name dropping details that didn't add much. While rich in artwork and photographs, it was strange that chapter opening photos weren't labeled. Overall a disappointment.

[Martin Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente guía del rock progresivo, ilustrada con abundantes fotografías y reseñas. Lectura indispensable para todos los aficionados a este bello género musical. Aunque el libro se centra en el progresivo británico, con sendos capítulos destinados a PINK FLOYD, KING CRIMSON, ELP, YES, GENESIS y JETHRO TULL, entre otros, también le dedica un capítulo al Progresivo Italiano, y otro más al Krautrock, el subgénero alemán. El libro abarca desde un par de años antes del surgimiento del Progresivo (1969) y sigue su análisis hasta, por lo menos, el año 2009.
Al final, el autor presenta una lista de casi 300 álbumes esenciales del género, una guía bastante completa de lo que todo prog-fan debería escuchar.

[James Farrant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this primarily because I am old enough to have lived through it all and this helped enormously with the references, but make no mistake, this is not a history of progressive rock, but rather a potted history of some chosen prog-rock bands. If this wets your appetite enough to purchase works that deal in depth with these bands, then it will have served a good purpose. It really needed a good proof reader and a banning of the word "sophomore"! I would have preferred a year by year account, although much harder to achieve, which would have given chance to mention many other protagonists. Still, I enjoyed it!

[Wolfgang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands-down the best history and overview of progressive rock music ever!!

There are chapters about every classic prog-rock band. We visit not just wih the mainstays but do excursions through Canterbury and cover Gong, Soft Machine, Gentle Giant, the Italians (PFM!) and finally enter the modern era with Porcupine Tree, IQ, Dream Theater and more. A most delightful journey and rehabilitation of great area of modern music.

Highly recommended.

[Ben]

I was startled by the number of errors in the printing that I read but it was a fascinating history nevertheless. Worth the price of admission just to read the many interviews contained throughout. DEFINITELY reignited my passion for prog even though I wish there had been more detail on major players like Van Der Graaf Generator, Peter Gabriel, Henry Cow, Captain Beefheart, Amazing Blondel, Gryphon and Brian Eno, all of whom are only referenced in passing

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well thought out and presented in an intelligent manner...The author clearly makes the progression (pun!) from psychedelic roots into what became progressive rock in all of it's amalgamations and continues on to show how the past informs the present in the newest resurgence of the genre. Great interviews and photos.

[Chesky Bevo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was great. Some of the groups profiled don't fit my criteria for Progressive Rock but it was interesting reading about them nonetheless.
I looked up some of the obscure groups I had never heard of and found them to be quite enjoyable. for the most part. I'll probably purchase some new CDs because of this book so it's a win-win!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great title, nice looking large-format book with lots of beautiful illustrations, pretty strong writing. But some poor editing in places, and while a book covering this much ground can't be comprehensive, there are weak spots and gaps that could have been avoided.

[Durai]

i would like this book

[Jim Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some editing issues--for example, the chapter on the Canadian band Rush is titled Rusk--but a very good and comprehensive history of progressive rock.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and informative look at a genre of music that mystifies many.

[Austin Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrated coffee table sized primer on a bunch of prog rock bands. Great way to get started into prog.