I could never do a top 10 songs. More so than any other band I think it would just kill me. But I can rank the albums.
The Mountain
Visions
Affinity
Vector/Virus
Aquarius
And to be honest, it’s hard to put anything at the bottom. Last year I would’ve put Vector at the bottom. But now that I’ve heard the complete piece of work, I can’t help but see them as a single two CD album. And they’re both better for it.
I am officially declaring this the best opening six albums of any prog rock band I can think of. There is not a single note from any of these six albums that I don’t absolutely adore.
Bold statement (literally and figuratively), but I can think of a couple others I would put into that category:
-Yes, for one, but that depends on how you feel about their first two and TFTO, since TYA-Fragile-CTTE are fairly universally loved
-Spock's Beard, but I 'm a huge Neal Morse fan and those first six SB albums are pretty perfect in my eyes (yes, even Day For Night)
-I'd also say Riverside has had a great outing since their debut, and their first six are pretty amazing albums
-Kansas would come close, but I've not been huge on Monolith, though the last time I heard it, I liked it more than I remembered
-The same for The Flower Kings, who have an amazing first-five run, but their sixth is a bit divisive
Of any of those, though, I'd definitely put Haken's first six near the top (maybe tied with SB and Yes), if because there's a high quality and consistency for their output that I've thoroughly enjoyed over the last decade or so.
-Marc.