What Do You Look for in Progressive Rock/Music?

I was first drawn to prog rock because it is one of the only commercial music genre that has a heavy emphasis on melody (most genres relying more on rhythm or harmony). It was all new to me and opened up a whole new musical world. I continued to delve further because some artists who fit under the progressive rock label have a knack for experimentation and made some of the most exciting and game-changing innovations to ever happen in rock music.

All that is not in most other music, the clear intention of an artistic expression. Great musicianship, bombastic explosions of melodies and arrangements, no time constrictions, epic stories and inner self exploration. And long virtuoso solos.

I look for... uh... music? If you are always looking for something very specific, aren't you limiting yourself? Aren't you being intolerant of trying to find new, interesting, refreshing music? And then suddenly genres become extremely important and you become extremely sensitive to anything that goes beyond a certain genre or a certain criteria that you seek in music. Which to me means to be narrow-minded musicwise.

Edited by Junges - March 22 2018 at 23:12

Man With Hat wrote: The main characteristics of the music I like are: Complexity, variety, experimentation/exploration of sound, 'fullness' (a lot of sound/sounds), and percussive/rhythmically inclined  From a prog angle, I look for all those things in a rock context.

Great thread Frenetic!

SteveG wrote: I think this is another "why do you like prog?" thread, but its been awhile so here's my two cents: music that has qualities that the Average Joe just doesn't get and never will! An elitist attitude for sure, but there it is.

Well, that’s exactly what it is   

I love your explanation here, btw

I don´t really ever wanted to separate from the group `cause my music taste. I think my life would have been easier in school, if I had listened same as others (other boys listened Mötley Crue & Twisted Sister, while I like Jimi Hendrix, you can imagine what rasist comments I had). It´s just music has always been so big thing to me what it isn´t to most of the people.

I like Classical Music, I like thrash metal.......thus in between that bread is the filling of progressive rock , jazz and progressive metal - YUM YUM

Music listening has a transcendent potential. And progressive rock in its widest, most inclusive interpretation covers a lot of the music that takes my mind elsewhere. Complexity or lack thereof isn't really the point. Both Henry Cow and Tangerine Dream may both do the trick.

Frenetic Zetetic wrote: Some great threads and discussion have been taking place lately, with lots of cool insights, views, and experiences coming together.  This has lead me to wonder: what do you personally look for in progressive rock/progressive music in general? For me personally: I love sweeping, grand, symphonic synth and moog sections (intro to Watcher of The Skies, Wakeman's CTTE Solo, etc) I enjoy complex time signatures/odd meters and shifts done well (Apocalypse in 9/8 for example, pretty much 95% of Gentle Giant's output, etc) I love lyrical themes dealing with psychology (Gentle Giant comes to mind here) I love smooth, smoky 70's production, but also really really enjoy the crisp new age sound of 80's records like Genesis Duke, Yes 90125, etc. I'm sure I'll come up with many more as this thread progresses. What are your thoughts and prog preferences? Discuss!

So, do you listen the the album "The Art of Madness" by The Psychedelic Ensemble?  It might scratch your itch...

Me, I like depth, complexity, lots of layers or music woven nicely together... masterful composition!  Vocals have to be exceptional, and performed like they're another instrument with the band. Virtuoso musicianship is definitely a requirement for me.  Odd time signature? Maybe, if they establish an interesting counterpoint to the piece.  And "energy"... I love it when the music has energy (even though I'm not exactly sure what that means!)