VA - Beyond The Pale Horizon: The British Progressive Pop Sounds Of 1972 [3CD Box Set] (2021) [CD Rip]

Another captivating entry into their year-specific archival series, Grapefruit Records offers up Beyond the Pale Horizon: The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1972. Arguing that 1972 was the year that British music finally broke free of the '60s and began to innovate, this heaping three-disc anthology boasts a typically eclectic array of icons, cult faves, and everything in between. While "progressive" may be the imperative term here, this is by no means a prog rock compilation even if bands like Van der Graaf Generator, Uriah Heep, and Yes are all well-represented. Instead, Beyond the Pale Horizon seeks to identify the forward-gazing traits of artists who were setting the tone of the next era. Amid already-established groups altering their sound and artists who had yet to step into their fame are some beguiling deep cuts like "Lord of the Ringside," a fiery prog folk gem by Plymouth band Clown, and an alternate mix of the already obscure "Maypole" by psych outfit Dark. On the folkier side, Iain Matthews' short-lived Plainsong released their masterpiece In Search of Amelia Earhart ("Tigers Will Survive") and Ralph McTell made another fine entry in the burgeoning singer/songwriter movement that was bustling in 1972. Hawkwind blew minds with the swirling fog of "Silver Machine" and former Zombies Rod Argent and producer Chris White hit their stride with Argent's international hit "Hold Your Head Up." Well-established acts like the Moody Blues and Status Quo continued to innovate with strong new material (the lovely "Isn't Life Strange" and "Paper Plane," respectively) while Slade dominated as a singles band and Thin Lizzy either mangled or raised the trad classic "Whiskey in the Jar," depending on one's outlook. Of the more forward-thinking groups that would continue to make an impression throughout the rest of the '70s, the freshly launched Electric Light Orchestra (whose precursor, the Move, is also included) and especially Roxy Music made early entries in what would become decade-defining careers. Whether or not one believes that the '70s truly began in 1972, it was admittedly a stellar year for music, making this set a joy to spend time with.