Steven Wilson - "Why I'm Making Pop Music Now"

It never fails to amaze me just how many otherwise sensible and mature music lovers decide to unload a pile of vitriol on an artist just because he/she/they make a "commercial" record.

Let us be clear. Artists make music out of both love and, hopefully, to make a few pounds/dollars/pesatos etc. out of their endeavours. Once artists cease to make money, they generally cease to exist.

Lest we forget, our favourite "pure prog" bands were, in their heyday, the commercial successes of their day.

Genesis, in their prog days, had a, gasp, hit single with I Know What I Like. It made Top of the Pops. Bloody sellout, eh?

Led Zep, The Who, and Pink Floyd were the best selling artists of their day. The latter had a massive worldwide hit single with Money, from the album most regard as being one of the epitomes of progressive rock music.

Yes had a massive hit single in Amerca with Roundabout, a pure pop rock track, and absolutely broke them into superstardom in that country.

Even Crimson, whilst not as commercially successful, shifted more than a few truckloads of music in the day.

It's just music. You either like it, or you don't. I do not care two hoots how it is classified. If I think Wilson produces a decent album, I will enjoy and review it as such. If I think it is crap, it will not be because it is "pop", but because it is crap.

This neverending debate is so tiresome, it really is.

Man Overboard wrote: As if vocally supporting the violent occupation of Palestine and attacking more conscientious artists he made a career cribbing weren't enough, settler colonial sympathizer Steven Wilson goes pop, releases new pop single.  Steven Wilson - Why I'm Making Pop Music Now Listen here:

Wow, what a dishonest mischaracterization of that interview. You should apply for CNN.

As if Man Overboard's being outraged over people having different political opinions weren't enough, this terrorist, suicide-bomber-sympathizer thinks Steven Wilson owes him the kind of music he wants to hear.

I don't like Steven Wilson's new music either, but the man has given the world enough prog and I don't blame him for doing whatever excites him.

Friday13th wrote:   Wow, what a dishonest mischaracterization of that interview. You should apply for CNN. As if Man Overboard's being outraged over people having different political opinions weren't enough, this terrorist, suicide-bomber-sympathizer thinks Steven Wilson owes him the kind of music he wants to hear. I don't like Steven Wilson's new music either, but the man has given the world enough prog and I don't blame him for doing whatever excites him.

Friday13th wrote: Sure, Wilson's prog is highly overrated in general, though I own a few albums I enjoy. See, but Wilson and I have been to Israel. After you finish paying your tenth Palestinian taxi driver, visit the their prominently placed shops in every Jerusalem corner, yet see no Palestinian wives in public, you would also see the humanity of Israelis. Don't think you'd be dwelling on how virtuous you are for "seeing the humanity" of Palestinians if they were allowed to take over Tel Aviv. In Qatar, owner of the oh-so progressive news outlet Al-jazeera, the punishment for homosexuality is stoning. Hamas would be no different, and is clearly not "good company."

"They're not really human like you or I, so it's okay to take their land, push them out of their homes, kill their children, and sneer at anyone who disagrees with the construction of a racist ethno-state in historic Palestine."

Pinkwashing jackass.

lazland wrote: It never fails to amaze me just how many otherwise sensible and mature music lovers decide to unload a pile of vitriol on an artist just because he/she/they make a "commercial" record. Let us be clear. Artists make music out of both love and, hopefully, to make a few pounds/dollars/pesatos etc. out of their endeavours. Once artists cease to make money, they generally cease to exist. Lest we forget, our favourite "pure prog" bands were, in their heyday, the commercial successes of their day. Genesis, in their prog days, had a, gasp, hit single with I Know What I Like. It made Top of the Pops. Bloody sellout, eh? Led Zep, The Who, and Pink Floyd were the best selling artists of their day. The latter had a massive worldwide hit single with Money, from the album most regard as being one of the epitomes of progressive rock music. Yes had a massive hit single in Amerca with Roundabout, a pure pop rock track, and absolutely broke them into superstardom in that country. Even Crimson, whilst not as commercially successful, shifted more than a few truckloads of music in the day. It's just music. You either like it, or you don't. I do not care two hoots how it is classified. If I think Wilson produces a decent album, I will enjoy and review it as such. If I think it is crap, it will not be because it is "pop", but because it is crap. This neverending debate is so tiresome, it really is.

I agree with what you've said Laz. Good music is in the ear of the beholder, and prog gone pop is generally not an issue with me. However, a pure sellout just for the money, and there were a few of these over the years (mostly proggers who went broke due to excesses and touring with expensive orchestras, etc.) is anathema to me personally, as the pop they produced seems to be more of caricature of what they these artists think pop music should be. I could spin the psych pop of the Zombies' Odessey and Oracle album all day long while knowing it  would gag a majority of prog listeners. It's not pop that's the issue with me but the quality of it which I find lacking from some prog artists. Alas, the debate goes on.

Edited by SteveG - July 05 2017 at 04:32

cemego wrote: So let me get this right... If the stuff is a bit simpler and not in some ridiculous time signature, its not prog?!  I'm sorry, I've been with Steve Wilson's music since the beginning.  I think he's come so far.  I think one of the most endearing things about "prog" music is that when you follow a "prog" artist, it's an adventure.  If Wilson was going to put out another Porcupine Tree sounding album like Up The Down Stair would you really be impressed?  You'd probably say it was boring and he hasn't "prog"ressed.  I can appreciate what he is doing here and to be honest, I LIKE IT.  The lyrics are NOT trite and stupid and the song sounds good.  It sounds like he's working hard to make something challenging and yet appealing to the ear (i.e. something that sticks in the head). I'm sure there will be arguments out there about my comment, but "prog" is short for "progressive" and I dont think it's fair to say this isn't "prog".  I think he is "prog"ressing and isn't that what we are all here for?  If the guy makes a catchy tune that makes money are we all supposed to run screaming from him?  Remember some of our most revered "prog" bands nearly killed their existence by making overly complex music. I have been tuned in and will stay tuned with Mr. Wilson.  I think he has the right idea for music and I like "prog"ressing with him.  I think he suffers for his art and I feel like I'm witnessing his musical growth.  Let's not be over dramatic about this.  You know the man will toss in something really grand, dark, complex and over the top.  I mean C'MON... IT'S STEVEN WILSON FOR CHRIST SAKE!  Remember in order for something to be "pop" it should be "popular".  I think Steve Wilson's music has to really dumb it down a TON more than this song to be a "pop" song.  I don't think he'd ever sink that low.  I think he likes a challenge too much. Musical categories/genres are for sissies.  Categorizing music ruins the art form.  I say RUN WILD Mr. Wilson.  I'm with you 100%

I suffer from enough "collateral damage" - as I get exposed to pop-crap every time I go out to the pub, or have a family barbecue (my eldest son is completely pop-oriented - and hates all the music I like) so why would I want to inflict more on myself intentionally !!!

Edited by altaeria - July 07 2017 at 09:54