Biggest jump in quality?

What’s the biggest jump in a band’s quality you can think of from one album to the next?

Here are the top 5 I can think of in prog rock:

  1. Pink Floyd: Obscured by Clouds to Dark Side of the Moon
    Obscured is a good listen, but wow Dark Side is a big leap forward

  2. Yes: Time and a Word to The Yes Album
    Time and a Word is good, but they entered their prime in the next.

  3. Jethro Tull: This Was to Stand Up
    This Was is a fun bluesy album, but showed not a hint of the classic that followed it

  4. Jethro Tull: Under Wraps to Crest of a Knave
    Big rebound after a clunker

  5. Genesis: From Genesis to Revelation to Trespass
    You can get whiplash from the move from amateur hour to prog gods.

Posted May 6, 2026, 5:08 PM UTC

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