Should politics return to Prog music?

Only if it's well done. I really enjoyed Dream Theater's The Great Debate, and no one can deny the edginess of 21st Century Schizoid Man. Sometimes you get some real duds though, as if the politics are an afterthought (I'm looking at you The Mars Volta). Someone like Zappa though; the politics are up front and center, and it's perfect.

I'm on the politically conservative side of politics, but it's never prevented me enjoying the films of Jean Luc Goddard, so why should it prevent me enjoying good Prog music?

Since 9/11, the Flower Kings have engaged the political world with their music on every album. "Unfold the Future" was a profound, spiritual plea for the world to shift course away from the "clash of civilizations" narrative. They just don't hit you over the head with it and say, "George W. Bush is an idiot." They have bigger fish to fry.

"The truth will set you free. We will stand up to the lie.
With this heart, bigger than America
We will fight fire with fire, no more (Judas) kiss will seal the lie"


I think that people wishing for apolitical music are perhaps not very aware of the political dimensions of even the little things in life. Wherever you have people expressing something, it's politics. Don't feel so threatened by it. It's just the birth pangs of humanity's dreams taking shape.

SteveG wrote: It may be a valid opinion but it maybe only your opinion. We cannot force Prog music to become more political with these discussions but perhaps we can learn something about the other members of the Prog fan community. It may not seem like a great accomplishment at the moment but perhaps it will in time. Keep the faith.

akamaisondufromage wrote: As Daevid Allen says 'Rock n' Roll is - Opium for the People'

 

Edited by moshkito - June 20 2014 at 13:49

Unlike folk music prog doesn't really have an illustrious history of engaging with actual politics in a mature and serious way (c.f. punk which knows it stands for something but isn't quite sure what it is). Peart, like many libertarians, seems to write in an abstract universe safe from the buffeting of real events. Zappa's ever-regressing sense of humour undercut his satirical edge. The British bands of the 70s basically avoided political engagement so as not to get slammed for their perceived poshness, and the hints of engagement they offered don't really stand up to scrutiny.

As serious political prog goes - Art Bears' 'The World As It Is Today' is a substantial piece of intelligent communist savagery underneath Fred Frith's multi-instrumental reign of terror. Roy Harper's expansive work in the prog folk arena, such as McGoohan's Blues, The Lord's Prayer or the much later Burn The World and Rushing Camelot illustrate his rather peculiar blend of spirituality and politics. I think Genesis' Selling England and the rather visionary Get 'Em Out By Friday have that political tint but it's abstract/sci-fi rather than direct engagement. Roger Waters' real foray into politics comes with (in my view rather touching) The Final Cut sort of after Pink Floyd's real supremacy as a prog band fizzles out and it becomes more of a singer-songwriter affair.

chopper wrote: twosteves wrote: Yours is no Disgrace is the best political song---Don't Kill the Whale---sort of okay. I've yet to work out the political significance of a purple wolfhound.

It's very similiar to a Yellow Matter Custard. Trust me.

twosteves wrote: Yours is no Disgrace is the best political song---Don't Kill the Whale---sort of okay.

I've yet to work out the political significance of a purple wolfhound.

I would prefer music about politics over music about sex, drugs, alcohol, and women (or men). Still, lyrics don't usually ruin a song for me. Someone mentioned 'The Great Debate' from Dream Theater. Prime example. Whatever message they seemed to try to convey there fell flat, but I do like the song. On the other hand, their religion-themed songs turned out much better. Blind Faith, In the Name of God, Sacrificed Sons (though a bit bland lyrically) are definitely some of my favorites from them.

ExittheLemming wrote: Anyone who thinks that Prog musicians have remained faithful to their political allegiances while operating from within the music industry is surely credulous enough to believe that an antelope would vote for a lion.

Iain, it could be argued that a "cult based" artist like Zappa did not worry about record sales or at least what his record company thought. Isn't much of modern prog music "cult based"? For one example, they release recordings and downloads on their own private labels now.


Edited by SteveG - June 20 2014 at 09:18