I've been wanting to write this post, a paean to progressive rock, for quite some time. This desire was fueled by our fun, short-lived Muxtape game during which Mel, in response to Spock's Beard's "June," said, "I did not know they still make this kind of music today."
For the uninitiated, where most rock and roll is based on the blues (which, like all good American music, has its roots in African-American slave music), with its twelve-bar structure and verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus arrangement, prog takes its influences from other places, most frequently from classical music. Common elements in prog rock are extended instrumental solos, very long songs with multiple movements, key changes, tempo changes, and an emphasis on technical skill.
Critics call it pretentious and cerebral, saying it takes the sweat and hormones out of rock and roll. Punk rock is often said to have saved rock and roll from disco, but it was also a response to the popularity in the 1970s of prog.
Fans love the interplay of instruments, the excellent musicianship, and the model of the rock song as a composition, rather than merely a three-minute space on the radio.
I love love love love love prog, and am happy to say that it is not dead. In the 1970s, bands like Gentle Giant, Genesis, Yes, ELP, and King Crimson sort of defined the genre.
Those bands influenced a lot of musicians who are today making killer music. I've put together a mixtape at 8tracks.com for people interested in hearing some of what's out there. The first time you listen to it, you'll hear it in the order I suggest, but after a first listen, plays will be randomized. Obviously, you can fast-forward past anything that sounds lousy.
The songs:
Okay, so I know I'm not the only proghead on HT. Anyone else want to come out? What were some of the killer shows you've seen? Are you as eager to see Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett get back with Genesis as I am? What albums have you spun a million times? Don't leave me hanging!
For the uninitiated, where most rock and roll is based on the blues (which, like all good American music, has its roots in African-American slave music), with its twelve-bar structure and verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus arrangement, prog takes its influences from other places, most frequently from classical music. Common elements in prog rock are extended instrumental solos, very long songs with multiple movements, key changes, tempo changes, and an emphasis on technical skill.
Critics call it pretentious and cerebral, saying it takes the sweat and hormones out of rock and roll. Punk rock is often said to have saved rock and roll from disco, but it was also a response to the popularity in the 1970s of prog.
Fans love the interplay of instruments, the excellent musicianship, and the model of the rock song as a composition, rather than merely a three-minute space on the radio.
I love love love love love prog, and am happy to say that it is not dead. In the 1970s, bands like Gentle Giant, Genesis, Yes, ELP, and King Crimson sort of defined the genre.
Those bands influenced a lot of musicians who are today making killer music. I've put together a mixtape at 8tracks.com for people interested in hearing some of what's out there. The first time you listen to it, you'll hear it in the order I suggest, but after a first listen, plays will be randomized. Obviously, you can fast-forward past anything that sounds lousy.
The songs:
- Yes: Roundabout. 1971. I put this here so people could hear what I'm talking about, in case anyone didn't know.
- Spock's Beard: The Doorway. 1996. My favorite current prog band.
- Presto Ballet: The Mind Machine. 2008. Current infatuation. Band used all-analog instruments and recording equipment.
- Tiles: Back and Forth. 2008. Band gets compared a lot to Rush. You can definitely hear the influence.
- Kaipa: Solitary Pathway. 2007. Swedish band.
- Pallas: The Blinding Darkness. 2001. Scottish band.
- The Tangent: Follow Your Leaders. 2006.
- IZZ: The Mists of Dalriada (live). 2007. New York prog band.
- Dream Theater: Panic Attack. 2005. American prog metal. On an instrument-by-instrument basis, I think this is the most talented band in the world after Yes.
- Symphony X: Revelation (Divus Pinnae ex Tragoedia). 2007. Symphonic metal from California.
Okay, so I know I'm not the only proghead on HT. Anyone else want to come out? What were some of the killer shows you've seen? Are you as eager to see Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett get back with Genesis as I am? What albums have you spun a million times? Don't leave me hanging!
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