Prog Fans Unite!

oldrooster · Mar 25, 2010

I think the problem is the vast amount of work that these musicians produce, if you do a Pink Floyd and do 1 every 3 years or so you can always put out the best, i'm speculating here, beacause you have a dearth of songs to choose from. One other speculation here, they never make a great deal of money from any of these albums, I think that they might release a great deal of work just to make ends meet.

Peripatetic · Mar 25, 2010

oldrooster said:
I think the problem is the vast amount of work that these musicians produce, if you do a Pink Floyd and do 1 every 3 years or so you can always put out the best

Hmmm... it seems to me that bands are much slower to put out new albums these days. Two or three years is pretty much standard now. Meanwhile, the prog legends were cranking out masterpieces once a year or more. Let's look at four of the most popular 70s prog bands in their prime for five years (1970-1974):

Genesis (5): Trespass, Nursery Crime, Foxtrot, Selling England, The Lamb
Yes (6): Time and a Word, Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Tales, Relayer
ELP (5): ELP, Pictures, Tarkus, Trilogy, Brain Salad Surgery
King Crimson (6): Wake of Poseidon, Lizard, Islands, Larks Tongues, Starless, Red

Contrast that with 2000-2004 (popular, active bands in their prime):
Dream Theater (2): Six Degrees, Train of Thought
Spock's Beard (3): V, Snow, Euphoria
Porcupine Tree (2): Lightbulb Sun, In Absentia
Ayreon (3*): Universal Migrator 1 & 2, Human Equation

*could be 2 since Universal Migrator was one project released as two albums instead of their usual double album.

KingCrimson250 · Apr 3, 2010

It's true, most prog bands are really slow in their output, mostly because, as has been said, they don't make a whole lot of money so it's something they have to do on top of a day job.

The big complaint with prog music today is that it doesn't seem to push boundaries as much anymore, and I'd say that to an extent, that's true. There's still some bands that sound genuinely fresh, through (and besides, prog still pushes boundaries more than any other genre of music).

Actually last year the prog band maudlin of the Well released a new album that's actually very well done and is quite distinct. You can download it at their website for free (they didn't have money to record it, but fans heard about it and donated enough cash to make it happen, so they figured that since it was funded entirely by fans, it made sense to release it as a free download): maudlin of the Well - Part The Second

Citanul · Apr 7, 2010

KingCrimson250 said:
The big complaint with prog music today is that it doesn't seem to push boundaries as much anymore, and I'd say that to an extent, that's true.

To some extent yes, but I think it's more that specific genres of prog don't push boundaries as much anymore. When you consider that prog-metal's been around for 20 years, neo-prog for 30 years and symphonic prog for 40 years*, then naturally there isn't going to be that much innovation amongst bands playing that style of prog.

I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but I would say that the innovation seems to be coming from prog bands who tend to have their roots in alternative rock rather than more traditional prog. If you want prog that pushes boundaries then that's where you need to be looking.

*very rough figures just to illustrate a point

Peripatetic · Apr 7, 2010

Actually, sometimes I really enjoy a good retro prog album. Come to think of it, I even liked some of the 70s clone bands like Starcastle (Yes clone) and Trimvirat (ELP clone). One recent discovery for me was "The Lost Art of Time Travel" (2008) by Presto Ballet. It's the second album with a new lineup... I really like the epic symphonic sound, vintage instruments, and generally positive vibe to the music.

cygnusx1 · Apr 11, 2010

subscribing ...

Tzaousios · Apr 11, 2010

cygnusx1 said:
subscribing ...

Hey Cygnusx1, did you see that Rush is embarking on a new tour, the setlist of which consists of Moving Pictures in its entirety? I definitely want to go. I am not sure if they are taking it across the pond, though.

cygnusx1 · Apr 16, 2010

Tzaousios said:
Hey Cygnusx1, did you see that Rush is embarking on a new tour, the setlist of which consists of Moving Pictures in its entirety? I definitely want to go. I am not sure if they are taking it across the pond, though.

hi bro , yes I did hear , great news , Camera eye live hehe

how long have you been into Prog and Rush bro ?

curently listening to Dream Theater ; Black Clouds and Silver Linings

MacFall · Apr 22, 2010

I'm a big fan of progressive rock and metal, so prog metal bands tend to rate very highly for me. Dream Theater sometimes rises to the top of my "favorite band evar" list depending on my mood.

MacFall · Apr 22, 2010

Tzaousios said:
Hey Cygnusx1, did you see that Rush is embarking on a new tour, the setlist of which consists of Moving Pictures in its entirety? I definitely want to go. I am not sure if they are taking it across the pond, though.

http://www.christianforums.com/t7460700/#post54544676

Peripatetic · Jun 9, 2012

Just wanted to let you all know that I started a new prog music discovery site called ProgSeeker. It has full playable tracks and videos from YouTube, Spotify, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, etc. embedded in the site. I'm hoping that you'll check it out and let me know your feedback and suggestions.

I won't post a link so that it doesn't come across as spammy. The name is ProgSeeker, so you can probably figure out the URL or feel free to PM me.

MacFall · Jun 10, 2012

Love the site! I have bookmarked it.

vortigen84 · Jun 12, 2012

KingCrimson250 said:
You know, all throughout this forum I've seen different people talk about their love of prog or different prog artists, but they seem pretty scattered, so I figure we should have our own thread where we can talk about all things prog.

I personally have only just recently discovered that there is life after the mainstream, so to speak, discovering a bunch of lesser known prog bands who are of top quality but who never really made it into the better-known circles (which would be Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, etc for the 70s, and Dream Theater, Symphony X, Mars Volta, Opeth, etc for the 90s). One of my favourites is this band Taal. Really awesome stuff.

Anyway, share your love! Talk about anything prog! Who are your favourite artists? What do you love most about the genre?

I have a taste for the 70s Italian prog scene. PFM, Banco, Alphataurus, etc.

I also enjoy a bit of RIO, in particular Univers Zero.

Check these out, see what you think:

Premiata Forneria Marconi -- Appena Un Po' - YouTube

Univers Zero "Presage" 1984 - YouTube

cygnusx1 · Jun 12, 2012

Listening to: Rush - The Anarchist

vortigen84 · Jun 12, 2012

cygnusx1 said:
Listening to: Rush - The Anarchist

Is that from their new album?

cygnusx1 · Jun 12, 2012

wiremu.white said:
Is that from their new album?

yeh , got it today ......... mmmmmmmmmmmmm oh yeh !!!!!!! ----------------

MacFall · Jun 12, 2012

A new Rush album?

And not only have I not heard it, but I haven't even heard OF it 'till now! Shame on me. I shall remedy this deficiency with haste.

Rothen · Jun 12, 2012

KingCrimson250 said:
You know, all throughout this forum I've seen different people talk about their love of prog or different prog artists, but they seem pretty scattered, so I figure we should have our own thread where we can talk about all things prog.

I personally have only just recently discovered that there is life after the mainstream, so to speak, discovering a bunch of lesser known prog bands who are of top quality but who never really made it into the better-known circles (which would be Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, etc for the 70s, and Dream Theater, Symphony X, Mars Volta, Opeth, etc for the 90s). One of my favourites is this band Taal. Really awesome stuff.

Anyway, share your love! Talk about anything prog! Who are your favourite artists? What do you love most about the genre?

I love Prog both old and new. This mag is essential reading!

generalbreadbasket · Jul 20, 2012

Squackett? Did they team up and do something?

Peripatetic · Jul 20, 2012

Steve Hackett is everywhere these days. Squackett is OK, but I prefer his solo stuff. Keep your eyes open for something called Rome Pro(g)ject. Yet another corny name, but promising:

Steve and John Hackett, David Cross, David Jackson, Richard Sinclair, Nick Magnus, plus some great Italian artists.

The Rome Pro(G)ject

Prog Fans Unite!

Thank You Jerry

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