Released 50 years ago
Olias of Sunhillow
Jon Anderson · 1976
44 min · 14 tracks · progressive rock
A cosmic tapestry of ethereal melodies and intricate arrangements, blending progressive rock with mystical storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ocean Song — This track opens the album with a serene yet grand soundscape, setting the mystical tone that permeates the entire project.
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Solid Space — The dynamic shifts and rich harmonies in this piece exemplify Anderson's ability to blend complex musical structures with emotive storytelling.
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Song of Search — This track encapsulates the album’s overarching themes of exploration and introspection, showcasing Anderson's poetic lyricism and melodic prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's seamless transitions and thematic depth create a unique listening journey in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- The album features a continuous flow of music, with tracks transitioning seamlessly into one another, creating a cohesive narrative experience.
- Several tracks utilize ambient soundscapes and nature-inspired sounds, enhancing the mystical atmosphere of the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- ethereal soundscapes for daydreaming
- wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
- immersive journey through cosmic themes
- short tracks for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward, upbeat tracks
- prefer longer, cohesive pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Olias of Sunhillow marked Jon Anderson's first solo project after his tenure with Yes, released in 1976. At this point, Anderson was seeking to explore more personal and thematic material outside the confines of his band’s sound, embracing concepts of mythology and spirituality. This album allowed him to express his artistic vision more freely.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Steve Hackett· Rick Wakeman· Camel
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Ocean Song 3:24
- 2 Meeting (Garden of Geda) 1:11
- 3 Sound Out the Galleon 2:11
- 4 Dance of Ranyart 2:12
- 5 Olias (To Build the Moorglade) 2:04
- 6 Qoquaq ën transic 2:29
- 7 Naon 3:29
- 8 Transic tö 1:08
- 9 Flight of the Moorglade 3:22
- 10 Solid Space 5:30
- 11 Moon Ra 5:50
- 12 Chords 3:07
- 13 Song of Search 3:40
- 14 To the Runner 4:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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