The most successful modern prog music nation? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

When looking at the two toplists, I've made on basis of all the ratings on RYM and PA, these are the countries which have got most post-1990s albums on these two toplists if seen together:

1. USA - 26 albums (11 from '00s and 15 from the '10s)

2. UK - 13 albums (4 from '00s and 9 from the '10s)

3. Norway - 11 albums (4 from '00s and 7 from the '10s)

4. Sweden - 10 albums (3 from '00s and 7 from the '10s)

The number of albums are rather close to the number of different bands.

( Top 100 all-time as rated on RYM and PA , Top 100-160 all-time as rated on RYM and PA , Top 50 of the 2010s as rated on RYM and PA )

quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond

richardh wrote:

Saperlipopette! wrote:

Chiyo wrote:

Saperlipopette! wrote:

^^With a population smaller than Minnesota, the density of relatively known progressive rock acts from Norway is probably unmatched. That's unless there's one modern, profilic prog rock act from either Liechtenstein, San Marino or Andorra...

What about the Big Big Train? Sure, they've been around for 34 years now; their original frontman died, so I can understand that some people might hesitate to put them in the modern cell, but they are active—the below live video was filmed in 2022—their take on prog-rock music is still modern, and any Norwegian prog-rock band that is on the scene now is not even close to Big Big Train.

What about what? So your argument is that one AOR-like, not genuinely progressive band that I'm totally indifferent (or rather, I dislike their music) to is bigger than a whole national scene with myriads of active bands? An argument for UK would have to be about their vibrant Windmill-scene. And not a band you personally enjoy formed in 1990 with 23 000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

BBT are genuinely progressive with a small 'p'. They do a lot of long form tracks with lyrics based on English history. Putting them in AOR is unfair and very inaccurate. I know them may seem 'prog lite' to many but they mean a lot to me and many others.

Ok, sorry. I could easily have gotten my point across without sharing my impression of them. I listen to - and love plenty of AOR btw, so it may have appeared meaner than my intention was.

The 15 most popular European bands, not including post-Brexit Britain who are no longer part of Europe, politically speaking. Smile

01. PFM (148 points)

01. Tangerine Dream (143 points)

03. Magma (126 points)

04. Riverside (120 points)

05. Wobbler (89 points)

06. Area (78 points)

06. Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (78 points)

08. Univers Zero (77 points)

09. Can (69 points)

10. Amon Dull II (67 points)

11. Anekdoten (65 points)

12. Eloy (61 points)

13. Art Zoyd (46 points)

14. Focus (41 points)

15. The Flower Kings (35 points)

^I'm slightly surprised to see Eloy so low! They're very well loved on this site. I get that people have issues with the vocals, but I enjoy them

The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time...

MikeEnRegalia wrote:

Britain no longer part of Europe? That will be news to map-makers

Only from a political and proggy perspective. When I think of European prog bands, I'm thinking of continental Europe. Wink

^ How many did vote? And why ever could lead that number of votes to the statement that those are "The 15 most popular European bands"?

These are rather rhetorical questions...

The razamataz is a pain in the bum

suitkees wrote:

^ How many did vote? And why ever could lead that number of votes to the statement that those are "The 15 most popular European bands"?

These are rather rhetorical questions...

They're the 15 most popular European prog bands as voted for by the good members of ProgArchives. What more do you need to know? That's a rhetorical question too. Smile

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

suitkees wrote:

^ How many did vote? And why ever could lead that number of votes to the statement that those are "The 15 most popular European bands"?

These are rather rhetorical questions...

They're the 15 most popular European prog bands as voted for by the good members of ProgArchives. What more do you need to know? That's a rhetorical question too. Smile

Ah! That's already two additional criteria that were not mentioned before. Remains the question of why those 12-or-so voter in your thread could legitimize the proposition that that these are "The 15 most popular European bands" as you dared to state before? I don't think you can justify such a statement other than by lying to yourself. It suffices to do a diligent search in the PA database (or on RYM) to get completely different results...

Edited by suitkees - January 09 2024 at 10:56

The razamataz is a pain in the bum

Manuel wrote:

It's hard to say, since there are so many sub-genres in prog these days. Italy, UK, USA, Germany, Sweden, etc, all have many good bands. Depending on what kind of prog you are into, the result could be quite different.

Excellent reply!

USA is seeing something of a resurgence in jazz-rock fusion, with younger players (Gabe Severn) hitting the stage and older acts (Al Dimeola) continuing to tour. No huge break-out acts yet, I'll post when there are.

Not much in symphonic from USA lately, although the new Glass Hammer CD "Arise" is certainly excellent! Colin Carter's new CD "Tracks in Space" is another fine work (eclectic?)

PA is great for tracking all of this stuff, thanks for all the updates!!

I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!

If you look at the PA Top 10 for the last decade there are 5 Norwegian albums. There's your answer right there.

Ian

Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com

https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/