Progressive rock was a misguided attempt to turn rock music into a universally acknowledged high-brow art. It tried to appease the fart-sniffing classical critics, as if a rock musician couldn't respect themselves unless were in playing on a mandolin in 12/8 time.
But the genre's naysayers ultimately defeat themselves when they dismiss prog experimentation out of hand, blindly imposing their own pretentious requirements on what can and can't motivate good music.
Listen to it the same way you listen to anything else, with an ear to what elevates your soul.
Sounds pretty accurate. I don't think people understand how little good intentions have to do with good music. The best motives in the world don't guarantee good music. And sometimes the most crass motives result in great music. So it really doesn't matter if the prog rock artists were making a misguided attempt at High Brow Art, cuz a lot of the music turned out to be good anyways. No matter how foolish their motives were. There's absolutely no relationship between Noble intentions and good music
FischmanRockMonster, JazzMeister, Bluesboy,ClassicalMasterProfile Land of Enchantment
Progressive rock was a misguided attempt to turn rock music into a universally acknowledged high-brow art. It tried to appease the fart-sniffing classical critics, as if a rock musician couldn't respect themselves unless were in playing on a mandolin in 12/8 time.
But the genre's naysayers ultimately defeat themselves when they dismiss prog experimentation out of hand, blindly imposing their own pretentious requirements on what can and can't motivate good music.
Listen to it the same way you listen to anything else, with an ear to what elevates your soul.
Sounds pretty prejudicial to me...
Some proggers were simply not completely at home in either the classical or rock worlds. They wanted to explore the more complex forms of expression of classical, but liked the sound of modern instrumentation.
People like Greg Lake and Robert Fripp were simply exploiting what was for them the best tools from both worlds as an avenue for their unique expression. These musicians were completely genuine in their self expression; they put the music first, not some disingenuous attempt at bringing culture to the unwashed.
RoundTheBendI miss the comfort in being sadProfile Ground Control
Often when people rail against prog being "overblown," they just can't keep up with the intricacy and complexity. When done right, the most intricate prog takes some real musical acumen to appreciate.
Absolutely. That's exactly why it is described as such.
And it is quite the mind blowing experience. As someone who kind of thinks he understands music/writes music, etc. it actually makes it even more difficult to absorb because I notice when time signatures and keys changes, or that they are playing in mixolydian... all of these things can be exhausting to listen to.
I guess all I'm saying is prog rock is some of the most complex stuff out there musically, and so to say people call a banana a banana, well it is because it is a banana. To say prog rock isn't purposely intricate, complex, and therefore overblown would be calling a banana an orange.
Now when prog rock is done right (imo) is when they do all that stuff without taxing the listener. They do it not to show off, but because it feels right. They do it to enhance the enjoyability, not because 13th chords actually sound nice (they are purposely dissonant).
Then again, sometimes it is enjoyable to listen to mixolydian scales in 64th note progressions.
RockyRaccoonIs it solipsistic in here or is it just me?ModeratorProfile Maryland
Prog is the bomb-diggity. I've got a prog chart that lists out my top-100, but here are some lesser-known prog albums that are absolutely worth listening to:
As for the question posed, I get why some people hate on prog rock, it can be thick and difficult to access. And yes, sometimes it can get really full of itself and overblown (i.e. Tales From Topographic Oceans), but as a musician, I absolutely love it. I love all the technical stuff, all the impressive composition, but I have a unique perspective on that that someone else might not.
I've always likened the progressive rock movement to the baroque movement - a focus on technically-impressive music rather than something that happens to be catchy. _________________ Progressive Rock
Progressive rock was a misguided attempt to turn rock music into a universally acknowledged high-brow art. It tried to appease the fart-sniffing classical critics, as if a rock musician couldn't respect themselves unless were in playing on a mandolin in 12/8 time.
But the genre's naysayers ultimately defeat themselves when they dismiss prog experimentation out of hand, blindly imposing their own pretentious requirements on what can and can't motivate good music.
Listen to it the same way you listen to anything else, with an ear to what elevates your soul.
This is well said and likely true.
I suppose what I just said is a description of what does and doesn't elevates my soul.
When music feels forced (regardless of type), it turns me off. Trying to fit as much musical gymnastics into a single song feels forced to me.
FischmanRockMonster, JazzMeister, Bluesboy,ClassicalMasterProfile Land of Enchantment
all of these things can be exhausting to listen to.
Challenge is good. I find challenge to be far more satisfying than what comes easy.
sethmadsen wrote:
I guess all I'm saying is prog rock is some of the most complex stuff out there musically, and so to say people call a banana a banana, well it is because it is a banana. To say prog rock isn't purposely intricate, complex, and therefore overblown would be calling a banana an orange.
I don't see something being "purposely intricate, complex," automatically making it "overblown." Something is only overblown if it puffs itself up beyond what makes its point. Complexity and intricacy is part of how prog makes its musical point. Without this, it would be a pointless shadow of itself.
Back to Les Miserables. It's almost 1500 pages! It is full of literary devices and complex themes. It has multiple plot lines woven in together. It is challenging. By comparison, the sub-600 page abridged version lacks the richness and brilliance of the full version, hardly worth reading at all for that matter. This is like great prog--if you try to reign in it's unique characteristics, the whole musical point is lost. Yes, there are some who just like to build fast and complex for their own sake, but for most, the real goal is to put these devices in the service of the music. People complain of prog's "excesses," but anything done in service of the musical vision is not by definition excessive.
Just because someone can't hang with Close to the Edge, doesn't mean it's "overblown." For those who get it, it's just right.
As a side note, all the complaints against, and laudables in favor of, prof have been laid out against/for fusion as well. (another genre I love)
RoundTheBendI miss the comfort in being sadProfile Ground Control
I don't really know any of that music you listed intimately, but I'm pretty sure the definition of progressive rock is overblown rock.
So Tha1ChiefRocka's reply is absolutely appropriate. That's the answer to bloated progressive rock: punk rock.
This thing about punk being an answer to prog is something always mentioned when talking about the origins of British punk. Prog had long since had its prime and was fading in popularity by 1976. There may be something to it but I'm not sure it's as big a factor as has been insinuated. Uk punk was more inspired by the pub rock scene in London than being a movement against prog.
Oh - interesting.
Yeah, I've heard the claim I made from lots of musicians and musicologists, but good point. Like anything in history, there's like a a whole web of influence instead of a singular, linear line of clearly defined causation.
Thanks!
Any examples of these pub rock bands?
Heres a few names of Pub rock bands that I'm aware of, but I don't really know that much about it . But I do know these names;
Brinsley Schwarz
Dr. Feelgood
Ducks Deluxe
Eddie and the hot rods
Nick Lowe
Huh - I know nothing about music. haha. Thanks!
RoundTheBendI miss the comfort in being sadProfile Ground Control
I've always likened the progressive rock movement to the baroque movement - a focus on technically-impressive music rather than something that happens to be catchy.
And yet a great baroque movement can be full of all that wonderful complexity and virtuosity...and still have some really catchy stuff as well. Think Bach's double concerto--catchy as hell and just as intricate. Prog may focus on complexity and virtuosity, but that's certainly not mutually exclusive with hummable tunes.
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