32. Kansas
Considering Kansas is a home bred progressive rock icon I didn't really get into these guys until surprisingly recently. I mean I had always enjoyed the radio hits, and eventually I got the two big albums, but then around a year or so ago I dug deeper and really enjoyed a lot of what I was hearing. The bands golden era produced a lot of classic songs that are both catchy yet unquestionably progressive in many ways. And of course the trademark violin is used SO well in their music. Seeing them live earlier in the year was a great experience!
Favorite Albums: Leftoverture, Point of Know Return (Daring, I know)
Favorite Songs: Belexes, Icarus, Child of Innocence, Song for America, Miracles out of Nowhere, Paradox, The Spider, Sparks of the Tempest
31. The Flower Kings
If I had to elect one band to hold the title of too prolific, it would be these guys. They had about 14 discs of studio material produced in only 12 years, which is more impressive when we're not talking about the days of vinyl, where you could only have around 40-45 minutes on an LP. The band has produced a lot of memorable stuff, and they carved out a style that bands like Karmakanic, The Tangent, Beardfish, and others have all tried to tap into. My only complaint is there is that there is probably too much. The music wanders too often for my tastes and because of it some of their catalog fails to be memorable to me. The fate of the band is currently uncertain, but I have a feeling these guys love making music too much to call the band quits.
Favorite Albums: Paradox Hotel, Stardust We Are
Favorite Songs: In the Eyes of the World, Church of Your Heart, Different People, Stardust We Are, City of Angels, The Truth Will Set You Free, Love Supreme, Monsters and Men, Hit Me With a Hit, Minor Giant Steps, Life Will Kill You, Paradox Hotel
30. Coheed and Cambria
Being a very green Coheed fan it was somewhat difficult to rank them, but generally the longer I've listened to them the more I've liked them, so expect them to be even higher ranked in the future. I really love the bands guitar work, I just wish it was mixed better on the first four albums and much of the new album didn't sound crappy overall. The music is fun, energetic, engaging, and has a cool story through everything. Although I think they've come close before, with the right producers/engineers, I think they could take the forward musical steps they took with the newest album and make the next one their masterpiece.
Favorite Albums: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, No World for Tomorrow
Favorite Songs: Welcome Home, Ten Speed, The Writing Writer, The Suffering, The Telling Truth, No World for Tomorrow, The Hound, The Running Free, Justice in Murder, The End Complete, Here We Are Juggernaut, Pearl of the Stars