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Official Charts Company launches new prog countdown

By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 3 September 2015

Coinciding with tonight’s Progressive Music Awards in London, the Official Charts Company has announced the launch of a new monthly Official Progressive Albums Chart. And because it’s not entirely clear what that even means these days, Prog Magazine will partner on the endeavour to point out what should be included.

Prog Mag editor Jerry Ewing explains: “Prog artists have always pushed the boundaries of musical convention, and by doing so, many have gone on to be some of the best-selling and most influential artists of all time, but prog didn’t stop in the 1970s, there are many people out there who are into prog artists and just don’t seem to know it!”

Didn’t stop in the 1970s, you say? Prove it.

“You look at some of the best-selling and acclaimed artists of the modern era like Muse, Radiohead, Mogwai, Tame Impala”, Ewing says, slightly shirtily. “What they do is incredible, they are challenging themselves, their audience and inspiring a new generation, and the Official Progressive Albums Chart is the platform in which this will be recognised. We’re delighted to be working with the Official Charts Company and that the voice of the UK’s best-selling music have given prog the platform it so deserves”.

Speaking of Tame Impala, it is they who have topped the very first OPAC. Here’s the full top ten:

1. Tame Impala – Currents
2. Muse – Drones
3. Roger Waters – Amused To Death
4. Joe Satriani – Shockwave Supernova
5. Public Service Broadcasting – The Race For Space
6. Faith No More – Sol Invictus
7. Symphony X – Underworld
8. Pink Floyd – The Endless River
9. Tim Bowness – Stupid Things That Mean The World
10. Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful