Divisive Prog Albums

Of course my definition of "divisive" is just made up and you can have another one. Particularly I didn't specify a minimum number of ratings overall but I should, for being thorough (maybe 100 or 200). I have my reasons though; I say at least 20% 5 stars as there need to be enough people to defend an album passionately for being "divisive". Also higher ratings are generally preferred, therefore 20% isn't really that much. Almost everybody gives 4 stars to almost everything, so the number of 4 star ratings doesn't really indicate a polarising album, but as I said, you may disagree. Alternatively you can think of an album that has a very few really passionate fans and is not appreciated by many as "divisive" though (I'd defend Beat, ALT, and Ummagumma for sure). I found it interesting how few people actually rate albums such as Topographic Oceans, Passion Play, or even Tago Mago low, given that we have in mind that there are some haters (not necessarily meant in a negative way; I'd give one of these 2 stars myself ).

  

Anyway, Steven Wilson comes closer with To The Bone (18:16). You can check it yourself easily of course.

You're right

Check out the rating summary on metalstorm

https://metalstorm.net/bands/rating.php?album_id=109253 

If to be quite serious about this "divisive" stuff, I'd say:

4-5 stars  -  "likes"

1-2 stars  -  "dislikes"

an album is "divisive" when ratings are:

1. likes% circa equal to dislikes% 

2. likes + dislikes = at least 60% of all ratings

3. minimum 300 persons have rated

But that might be too serious. 

Just something to think about, and you have surely more experience to make a more realistic definition, which might be interesting to see. 

My take on "divisive" albums is that an album didn't sound like a favorite that came before.

That meaning it deviated significantly from what the listener expected RATHER THAN judging the album on its own merit.

On some albums in the prog realm for example, the artists presumed the audience was keeping up with them musically and intellectually and found there was a glass ceiling that didn't realize.

Divisive albums such as TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS seem to divide musicians and non-musicians.

Nothing new of course, bands like Gnidrolog faced this same dilemma.

Nothing wrong with anybody not liking any album of course.

It's all personal but to call an album crap because you don't get it is another thing.

I hate Genesis' Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme for the most part but i realize many people love these albums and i'm the one who doesn't get it.

Recognize you have blind spots, peeps!

It's just the reality of being human :)

Heresy!  I consider it one of the best albums ever recorded, of any genre.   My offering would have been "The Lamb."  Some creative editing would have made it more cogent & powerful. 

Here, worship The King!