The latest issue of the UK's "Classic Rock" magazine (cover date September 2006) hit the shelves yesterday. It takes a long hard look at the world of progressive (or prog) rock, and Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett feature in a few places. It also includes a cover-mounted, 12-track CD of prog rock titled "Shine On".

First off, there are details of how you can vote in the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour 2006, the awards ceremony for which takes place in London in early November. Make sure you cast your vote for PULSE as "DVD of the year", and Roger Waters at Hyde Park for "Event of the year" - you can do this by visiting ClassicRockMagazine.com. You have until November 1st to make your views known.

There is a four page look at "The Real Syd Barrett", with Mick Wall attempting to look behind the myth and hyperbole surrounding the obituaries, and the talk of illness - both mental and physical.

It is an interesting article (which includes some nice pictures, including a good full-page shot of a very fresh faced Syd from early 1967), and it pulls together a lot of pertinent commentary from various sources (although strangely gets David's date of joining the Floyd wrong pitching it at April 1968).

Elsewhere in the magazine, there is a major feature looking at "The State Of Prog", with comments from various prog rockers and also the odd punk rocker - ranging from the likes of Captain Sensible and Hugh Cornwall, through to Steve Hackett, Greg Lake and Fish (who was recently seen at both David Gilmour's and Roger Waters' concerts). They discuss what prog is, and the various bands who are lumped into the genre - including the Floyd.

During the discussion, Porcupine Tree's Steve Wilson asserts that: "Pink Floyd are the most globally known progressive rock band, but they were extremely limited in a musical sense. Put them up against Gentle Giant or Yes, and technically speaking, these other bands would wipe the floor with them. But the Floyd created so much more of lasting value than musicians who could play ten times better..."

Finally there is a review of the PULSE DVD, which gets a rating of 9 out of 10, and the amusing onstage photo caption: "Pink Floyd feinted when they got the electricity bill".

The magazine is now available in the UK, and will be available soon in selected countries worldwide as an import. To buy the magazine by phone, call 0870-837-4722 (within the UK), or +44-1858-438794 (outside the UK).