Echolyn are one of the most acclaimed and enduring American progressive rock bands of the modern era. Formed in Pennsylvania in 1989, they built a devoted following with intricate, harmony-drenched prog in the tradition of Gentle Giant — and, in 1995, briefly became one of the only prog bands of their generation signed to a major label. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Uncle”, “A Little Nonsense”, “How Long Have I Waited” and “Mei” — a celebrated centrepiece of their major-label album, a signature of their early sound, a soaring vocal highlight, and their staggering album-length epic. The full ranking is below.

America’s harmony-rich prog craftsmen

Since forming in eastern Pennsylvania in 1989, Echolyn have quietly become one of the most respected bands in American progressive rock. Built around the intertwining voices of Ray Weston and Brett Kull, the keyboards of Chris Buzby and the drumming of Paul Ramsey, they craft a dense, intricate, harmony-rich style that draws openly on Gentle Giant, Yes and Genesis while sounding wholly their own. In 1995 they became one of the very few prog bands of their generation to sign to a major label, releasing the landmark As the World on Sony’s Epic Records — and though the deal soured fast, the band has persevered across more than three decades of acclaimed, adventurous music. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing melody, complexity, those glorious harmonies and lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Uncle” (1995), a complex, celebrated centrepiece of their acclaimed major-label album. With it: “A Little Nonsense” (1992), a signature slice of their Gentle Giant-inspired early sound; “How Long Have I Waited” (1995), a soaring highlight with a masterful vocal; “Shades” (1991), an ambitious, eleven-minute epic from their debut; “Mei” (2002), their staggering, album-length single composition; and “67 Degrees” (2000), a warm, melodic fan favourite.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Too Late for Everything” (2000) is a moving First World War vignette with an unforgettable chorus; “Memoirs From Between” (1992) is an intricate early showcase; “The Cheese Stands Alone” (1995) is a jaunty, memorable highlight; “Island” (2015) is a sprawling, sixteen-minute epic from their later years; and “Lovesick Morning” (2005) is a dynamic, ten-minute standout.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “Clumps of Dirt” (1991) is a powerful, organ-and-guitar jam from their debut; “Gray Flannel Suits” (2000) is a punchy, brass-flecked cut; “The Arc of Descent” (2005) is a dark, dreamily beautiful highlight; and “Some Memorial” (2015) is a rich, twelve-minute deep cut.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with their 1995 masterpiece As the World, one of the finest American prog albums of the decade, and the acclaimed Cowboy Poems Free, then the Gentle Giant-inspired Suffocating the Bloom and the album-length epic Mei. Their debut Echolyn and the later I Heard You Listening reward deeper exploration.

The players

Echolyn have always been a true collective, built on the interwoven vocals of Ray Weston and Brett Kull — one of prog’s finest singing duos — the versatile keyboards of Chris Buzby and the inventive drumming of Paul Ramsey. Bassist Tom Hyatt has anchored most of their catalogue, with drummer Jordan Perlson joining for their reunion era. Classically trained and endlessly ambitious, the band remains active to this day, releasing two new albums as recently as 2025.

Why they still matter

Echolyn proved that American progressive rock could match the intricacy and ambition of the British greats. Alongside fellow American bands like Spock’s Beard, Kansas and Glass Hammer, they kept the flame of complex, harmony-rich prog burning through lean decades, and As the World remains a landmark of the form. Decades on, they are rightly regarded as one of America’s finest prog bands.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Echolyn albums, or place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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