Why can't I stand most modern prog?

jpaleschic wrote: Obviously rhetorical and rooted in subjectives, but I'd wager a percentage of prog fanatics have their own cut off point in the timeline of records that just start to smell cheesy, taste cloying, or have substituted a sense of exploration for mind masturbation.  Maybe it's just the tape hiss, the old machinery, the handmade beeps and blips of yesteryears that I love?  Maybe prog is a portal I jump into to escape the now, the sheen of nowness slipping me off its back like water on a duck.  Maybe I hate the tabla ? I'd love to acquire the names of a band or two, post '99, that other members of an "only the classics" ilk have come around to - especially if you never thought you would.  What modern bands aren't represented on progarchives you feel neatly carry the torch?  What monsters of modern prog would you never mind being erased from collective memory?

You are looking for love in all the wrong places

Nahh just pulling your leg. I actually know a lot of people who feel like you do..and most of the time it seems to be the production at fault.
Bands are making obvious retro-styled prog rock yet continuously wrap the music in 90s metal production or similarly something that sounds like it was recorded in a vacuum by scientists in white gloves.

There are however many many bands that genuinely sound like they just stepped out of a time machine: Wobbler, Dungen, Astra, Once And Future Band, Tusmørke, Gösta Berlings Saga, Landberk etc etc. Believe me it’s just a matter of better knowing where xactly to look for this and suddenly you are drowning in music.

But yeah..most of this is probably also down to your head. If you approach music by release date it can become impossible to hear the actual music because your brain constantly is making up reasons why it shouldn’t be any good
Also a question of what you’re looking for? Music that sounds like the good old days or music that is truly progressive?

Edited by Guldbamsen - February 26 2020 at 02:20

M27Barney wrote: Hm, listening carefully to non prog music is like experimenting with wearing womens clothes...what if you enjoy it too much???

Frenetic Zetetic wrote: dr wu23 wrote: ^The Watch are a decent band...but guess what?  They sound like old prog.....Genesis to be exact. My point is that almost all the 'modern' prog bands I like sound like derivations of old classic prog bands....but then that's just me. There aren't any modern ones with truly different sounding approaches that I can get into...again that's just me. No, you're spot on here, and that's my biggest gripe. Prog as a label is almost an illusion or red herring to begin with, but now you just have these modern bands copying that 70's sound and calling themselves "prog". There are so many layers of irrationality happening at once, lol. I have a big post coming in the "gripe" thread to make my case once and for all!

I'll alert Toby Driver.

Edited by SteveG - February 25 2020 at 06:27

Hm, listening carefully to non prog music is like experimenting with wearing womens clothes...what if you enjoy it too much???

cstack3 wrote: The 70s bands caught lightning in a bottle.....the musicians were young, inspired, and represented some of the finest instrumentalists of the era.  Who is the post-1970s Robert Fripp?  Steve Howe?  Rick Wakeman?   Steve Hackett?  Many modern bands like Dream Theater have amazing chops, but they sound derivative to me....what have they innovated or invented?  I enjoy how Fripp keeps re-inventing the King Crimson warhorse....three drummers onstage??  Brilliant!!  Using i-Pads with Mellotron software onstage?  Again, Brilliant!   I'd love to see more women in prog, especially as vocalists.  Magenta, Glass Hammer and other acts show how powerful this can be.

 

Enchant X wrote: I think the music itself today is just as strong as in the 70's ... but it was new and fresh in the 70's so it made more of an emotional impact

Yup, there's nothing like your first time!

Going to see the watch doing Classic genesis covers in manchester. Seen them before, excellent stuff. If prog bands want to produce music thay sounds like 1973 prog, I personally love it! If you want a prog band to sound like a new romantic band from the eighties to do something different tben listen to new romantic cover bands....The more derivative, the better they are in my opinion...

Edited by M27Barney - February 24 2020 at 01:41

^The Watch are a decent band...but guess what?  They sound like old prog.....Genesis to be exact.

There's some great modern prog out there.... some rather derivative, some straddling genre borders, but a lot giving a fresh take on the concept of prog. Can't remember a year like last year when I bought so much music on CD or download and I have to push myself to revisit the classic era when there is so much new stuff to appraise and listen to. Given the improved production values on most, you're missing out if you don't take the advice of Internet prog radio, PA or prog media and explore further, whilst also basking in the undoubted glories of the past.

I prophesy disaster wrote: Grumpyprogfan wrote: I've been listening to music for 50 years, so I win.   It's not a competition, is it? I hope not, because I don't think the way I listen to music would win any competitions if it is.