If we ignore the technical brilliance? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

I'm not sure I understand the question.

I like lots of prog bands -- period. I like the music & lyrics. I don't sit there thinking of "time signatures," or how "technical," or supposedly "drug-related" it all is. (So I guess I already ignore those things.)

I like lots of music besides, & most of it is not "prog" & not complicated.

I really like music. I'm listening to The Police right now. Earlier, it was John Hiatt, & before that Genesis' Wind and Wuthering.

For the record, I can't immediately think of any of my prog collection that has overtly "drug-related" (or drug advocating) lyrics. There were lots of drugs around in the late 60s - early 70s in rock music (& jazz -- even country) in general. (There still are.) The drugs didn't often show up in the lyrics, though -- unless (as was most often the case, in my experience) they were referred to in a negative, cautionary manner (see Steppenwolf's "The Pusher," Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "That Smell," for example).

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.

[Prog] -- [technicality] = [Pink Floyd]

Don't forget progressive electronic.

rileydog22 wrote:

I think that VdGG are the perfect example of a prog band that simply produces good music, rather than just seeing how many notes they can fit into a bar or how high the numerators of their time signatures can get. Dream Theater is just the opposite.

I would complete reverse those bands, and then I might agree with you...

DT definately does do that sometimes though, but not NEARLY as much as people say.

Hmm, yeah, hard to think of many prog songs with drug themes...........

And the other stuff is essential to prog if you ask me. But not necessary for good or even great music. But for me, compositional complexity (not necessarily the same thing as instrumental dexterity) is what defines prog as a genre. You can't have prog without it. Again though, this is not a requirement for good or great music and many prog bands incorporate simpler music into their albums (and even sections of longer pieces). But I think without it, you don't have prog (I am one of those heretics that doesn't consider PTree to be a prog band.........but they are a great band nonetheless).

I don't know though, I get confused myself about what I consider prog, let alone what other people think LOL

I'm really not interested in being rude nor close-minded, but to me the things you've listed aren't nonsense at all, in fact, they are some of the esence of prog. I'd prefer to say that some albums are more PROG (strictly talking in terms of elements) than others.

"…but would I leave you in this moment of your trial?"

Jethro Tull is brillant in this way I think. It's not too technical (even if it must be really really hard to play their music!!), so making complex music sounding simple is just brillant!

My music: http://spleenarcana.bandcamp.com/
My blog: http://groovesandmemories.com/

I don't find that VDGG is simple Stern%20Smile

About "technical", I think really about playing skills. That's what I mean, for me prog is about complex composition (in different ways). Probably another endless debate ;)

My music: http://spleenarcana.bandcamp.com/
My blog: http://groovesandmemories.com/

Shakespeare wrote:

why should it?^

I don't know, I'm juste asking, for me it's clear that it's not a question of technical skills but I'm curious to know what people think about it here ;)

My music: http://spleenarcana.bandcamp.com/
My blog: http://groovesandmemories.com/

why should it?^

rileydog22 wrote:

I think that VdGG are the perfect example of a prog band that simply produces good music, rather than just seeing how many notes they can fit into a bar or how high the numerators of their time signatures can get. Dream Theater is just the opposite.

That's why I love both bands.

I'm a sucker for technical brilliance.

And by the way, Dream Theater does actually produce good music, different with VdGG.

Edited by Majestic_Mayhem - September 05 2007 at 05:56