Is The Red Planet a good place to start with Rick Wakeman?

Yes, The Red Planet is recommended as a starting point for new Rick Wakeman listeners. A cosmic journey unfolds through immersive synthesizers and elaborate piano melodies, evoking the vastness of space. Released in 2020, The Red Planet marks Rick Wakeman's return to his progressive rock roots after a series of diverse projects. Following his long career that began in the late 1960s, this album showcases his continued evolution as a composer and musician, blending classical influences with modern soundscapes.

Who is The Red Planet for?

The Red Planet works well if you're into steady exploration of vast soundscapes, immersive journey through layered textures and gradual build to cosmic resolution.

How many songs are on The Red Planet?

The Red Planet has 8 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

The Red Planet

Rick Wakeman · 2020

55 min · 8 tracks · classical music

A cosmic journey unfolds through immersive synthesizers and elaborate piano melodies, evoking the vastness of space.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Ascraeus Mons Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its expansive soundscapes and intricate layers, offering a sweeping introduction to the celestial theme.
→
Olympus Mons — Named after the largest volcano in the solar system, this track features dramatic shifts in tempo and mood that mirror the grandeur of its namesake.
→
Valles Marineris — As the longest track on the album, it explores profound musical landscapes, reflecting the complexities of Mars' geographical marvels through rich instrumentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album effectively combines thematic depth with strong instrumental composition, making it engaging for repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album features long instrumental passages with layered synthesizers that build gradually, often culminating in intricate piano solos.
There are no vocal elements, allowing the music to convey its narrative through instrumentation alone.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

steady exploration of vast soundscapes
immersive journey through layered textures
gradual build to cosmic resolution
reflective moments for deep thinking

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Marks a return to progressive roots, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
Themes: Martian landscapes· cosmic exploration· synth-driven majesty
Career context: Released in 2020, The Red Planet marks Rick Wakeman's return to his progressive rock roots after a series of diverse projects. Following his long career that began in the late 1960s, this album showcases his continued evolution as a composer and musician, blending classical influences with modern soundscapes.
Stylistic neighbors: Keith Emerson· Genesis· Yes