Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Blogs
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - How to define and classify "Progressive Rock"?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

How to define and classify "Progressive Rock"?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 23242526>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 08:04
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

Originally posted by jamesbaldwin jamesbaldwin wrote:

Another problem is:

Does crossover prog exist?

I dont see Supertramp or Roxy Music in this kind of classification.

That thing didn't exist when I wrote this article, and anyway, I only mention "main sub-genres". 
If Crossover Prog does fullfil the requirements of the proposed definition, it can be considered as Prog by this definition. If so, it could be a part of "my" Eclectic Prog.

The same concerning Supertramp and Roxy Music (except from the comment about Eclectic Prog?), but I better say here, I don't see any reason for very specific musical anlysis in this discussion but rather discuss some general principle concerning definition and classifing.

And jamesbaldwin, be sure to have seen my comment to you concerning Jazz Fusion - which the proposed definition doesn't consider as Prog.


I better add here that there's a subjective element in the proposed definition, namely 
"2. be rather complex or at least to some extent experimental in another way than #1."
which makes it possible for each person decide exactly which bands/albums they will consider as Prog.


Edited by David_D - November 20 2021 at 08:06
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 07:55
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

I agree with the late Peter Banks, we should call it "Dave."

Edit:
It may seem to me that you find my way to try to influence the defining process of Prog being maybe somehow dictatorian. If that's the case, I think it would be good to discuss it here.


Edited by David_D - December 04 2021 at 01:06
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 07:51
Originally posted by jamesbaldwin jamesbaldwin wrote:

Another problem is:

Does crossover prog exist?

I dont see Supertramp or Roxy Music in this kind of classification.

That thing didn't exist when I wrote this article, and anyway, I only operate with "main sub-genres". 
If Crossover Prog does fullfil the requirements of the proposed definition, it can be considered as Prog by this definition. If so, it could be a part of "my" Eclectic Prog.

The same concerning Supertramp and Roxy Music (except from the comment about Eclectic Prog?), but I better say here, I don't see any reason for very specific musical anlysis in this discussion but rather discuss some general principles concerning definition and classifing.

And jamesbaldwin, be sure to have seen my comment to you concerning Jazz Fusion - which the proposed definition doesn't consider as Prog.




Edited by David_D - November 20 2021 at 12:04
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
Psychedelic Paul View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 16 2019
Location: Nottingham, U.K
Status: Online
Points: 35120 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 07:42
^ I always make a point of listening to all of the albums by an artist as I like to hear the *progression* from one album to the next. By the way, I've no idea what "Cliff Notes" are and you can count me amongst those who've never read War and Peace or Moby Dick as I don't generally read fiction - apart from Labour Party manifestos. Wink
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 07:32
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

Also I'm still not quite sure how much of non-rock influences are meant to be covered by the "main genres", so raga, flamenco, and traditional music from Ghana yes, blues and hip hop no? On what basis?

By the way, Hip Hop is included by the definition I propose as it's a part of Rock.
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
moshkito View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
Status: Offline
Points: 16290 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote moshkito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 07:17
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

moshkito wrote:
"For me, the better/best idea is to consider it (properly!!!) as an evolution of the musical process as it will better fit things."

Here can I only say, I completely agree with this as a starting point.
For instance, I find it much better to label each album specifically instead of just label a band which may change it's music very much during it's existence.

Hi,

I am not a proponent of an "album" as the representative of this or that. We don't look at Victor Hugo as an example of this for one novel. We don't look at Ernest Hemingway as an example of this or that. We don't look at Pablo Picasso as an example of this or that ... they are considered ARTISTS because of the work they did, NOT BECAUSE OF ONE ALBUM or in this case novel, or painting.

This is important for me, for if "Progressive Music" is to make a step forward, it has to be raised to the level of ART where it deserves to be in ... instead of the level of a SONG, that most folks tend to look at it as.

There is more to gain about showing it as a valid, and VALUED, example of a great extension in music, that was done by electric instruments, and also showed a parallel universe within the jazz scene ... at pretty much the same time, although I think the jazz scene was much better developed in America, although not known, since the Film Studios owned all the Music Registration and Copyright machinery and they did not wish to give attention to anyone but THEIR ARTISTS ... think about this for a second! (And see the Tom Dowd special for some serious historical moments!). Rock music, got luckier with The Beatles and Rolling Stones, that ripped through it all even with many business folks thinking that the long hair folks would get nowhere at all (see worst business decisions ever on the net) ... and all of a sudden it all broke loose!

That a band "changed" is not a big deal ... we are not criticizing Picasso for his changes in style and then we are not criticizing Burroughs for his 52 pick up style of writing, or even the word plays by Peter Handke ... (no person on PA will EVER read one of those plays!!!) ... but we respect their work. Handke went on to write for Wm Wenders in a couple of films that we tend to like. So what he did had value after all? See the issue? 

Again, my biggest concern is that few folks here are interested and can see an ARTISTIC POINT OF VIEW and they will not get away from one album, because the next album destroys their analysis of their view of "progressive" ... and as such, the right thing to do is to look at the person ... at the artist ... NOT THE FAN ... or what I call top ten.

It's your book ... the depth of it is in relating it to music history, not to rock history is meaningless without a sure sense and understanding of the music history ... otherwise, this is just another pedantic exercise in mass media studies ... just because of the fame of this album or that ... no one gives a sh*t about what "Epitaph" really meant and was about anyway ... that time is long gone, and many folks have a way of talking about it like it never happened! 

Deny history ... the best way to not learn anything is what I keep thinking!

Sorry I write so much, but this is important for me and my life, despite folks here not even bother reading it ... I am not sure they could read a War and Peace, or Moby Dick these days without their Cliff Notes. And they tend to look at this the same way, with most of history completely erased so that the meanings are put away and not worth a discussion.
Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com
Back to Top
Cristi View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Crossover / Prog Metal Teams

Joined: July 27 2006
Location: wonderland
Status: Online
Points: 41455 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 07:06
Originally posted by jamesbaldwin jamesbaldwin wrote:


Does crossover prog exist?

I don't see Supertramp or Roxy Music in this kind of classification.

well it exists, crossover prog is more or less prog lite, music that might be catchy, or even easy to listen to for some, but still have a bit of experimentation, outside the box thinking, going beyond the pop-rock song patterns. 

If you can think of other categories Supertramp and Roxy Music fit better, open a thread to discuss and we could find a better place for them. 
Back to Top
jamesbaldwin View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: September 25 2015
Location: Milano
Status: Offline
Points: 5744 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 07:00
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

My comments to you, jamesbaldwin:

"Perhaps this classification is a little less extensive than that of Progarchives" 
It is, not least there where a Progressive artist to begin with, eventually ends as not Progressive, or the other way around as
"- The classification should follow the albums, not the groups."  I completely agree with that.

"- Not all jazz-rock fusion is progressive: it is not that of musicians who come from jazz: Davis, Hancock, Di Meola, Mahavishnu but neither is Steely Dan's pop-jazz (which I don't read here, however)"
right!

"- Electronic music is not progressive, or, at most we should distinguish between progressive rock and progressive electronic, as Rate Your Music does"   
agree!

"- Little about post rock is prog"
Well, I don't know what "post rock" you think of here, but my definition is surely limiting.

Thank you for your contribution.


Another problem is:

Does crossover prog exist?

I dont see Supertramp or Roxy Music in this kind of classification.
"Happiness is real only when shared"
Back to Top
cstack3 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: July 20 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Status: Offline
Points: 6776 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cstack3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 06:48
I agree with the late Peter Banks, we should call it "Dave."
I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 05:43
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

Also I'm still not quite sure how much of non-rock influences are meant to be covered by the "main genres", so raga, flamenco, and traditional music from Ghana yes, blues and hip hop no? On what basis?

On basis of what historically has been considered as Prog (tradition, and admittedly on basis of some personal choices of mine which mean incoherence in the definition) - but that may change with time.
Edit:
As you probably have noticed, I've suggested to consider "Progressive Punk" as a new "sub-genre".

Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

Another thing is that much of prog (if probably not the most innovative, let's say what is classified as prog as a standard) in my view drew their influences from earlier prog rather than from outside rock music, or only by implication through these earlier "pioneers".

I think that's good enough when talking about validity of the definition I propose. But as I see it, the new Prog is getting more and more eclectic so, it's getting more and more difficult to classify with this definition, or we will more often use the label Eclectic Prog.


Edited by David_D - November 20 2021 at 06:31
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 04:41
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:


How does a genre qualify to be a "main genre" in this sense? What about for example hip hop, flamenco, major African or Asian genres (about which I'm not so knowledgeable)? Do the latter all count as "folk"?

I must say, I don't know enough about Flamenco to have any suggestions of genre classification of it, and so, neither of Andalusian Rock as a part of a specific "sub-genre" of Prog. - But I'll reckon it's a kind of Traditional music.


Edited by David_D - November 20 2021 at 04:52
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
Lewian View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: August 09 2015
Location: Italy
Status: Offline
Points: 14130 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lewian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 04:34
The thing with Psychedelic may be that they increased the scope of rock being inspired by psychedelic experiences, alternative lifestyle, and probably also other art forms such as films. One can certainly see some influence of avantgarde in some early Pink Floyd music, but that doesn't necessarily hold for all psychedelic (I'm not sure actually). The concern I have is that other influences than the main genres mentioned by you may somehow be artificially forced into that framework.

Also I'm still not quite sure how much of non-rock influences are meant to be covered by the "main genres", so raga, flamenco, and traditional music from Ghana yes, blues and hip hop no? On what basis?

Another thing is that much of prog (if probably not the most innovative, let's say what is classified as prog as a standard) in my view drew their influences from earlier prog rather than from outside rock music, or only by implication through these earlier "pioneers".
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 04:02
Originally posted by jamesbaldwin jamesbaldwin wrote:

- Not all jazz-rock fusion is progressive: it is not that of musicians who come from jazz: Davis, Hancock, Di Meola, Mahavishnu 

Principially, I distinguish between "Jazz Fusion" and "Jazz-Rock". Jazz Fusion is obvious mostly Jazz oriented (say Bitches Brew), and thus can't be said being part of Rock, and then is not Prog (but can be a part of "Progressive Music"). Jazz-Rock, on the contrary, has strong Rock elements and can be considered as Prog (say Birds of Fire).

Edit:
In my point of view, the most important thing is not which genre the musicians come from but what kind of music they make at a certain point of time. The musical process is an evolution (right moshkito?). 


Edited by David_D - November 20 2021 at 04:33
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 03:12
My comments to you, jamesbaldwin:

"Perhaps this classification is a little less extensive than that of Progarchives" 
It is, not least there where a Progressive artist to begin with, eventually ends as not Progressive, or the other way around as
"- The classification should follow the albums, not the groups."  I completely agree with that.

"- Not all jazz-rock fusion is progressive: it is not that of musicians who come from jazz: Davis, Hancock, Di Meola, Mahavishnu but neither is Steely Dan's pop-jazz (which I don't read here, however)"
right!

"- Electronic music is not progressive, or, at most we should distinguish between progressive rock and progressive electronic, as Rate Your Music does"
Following my definition, it will include electronic music with distinctive rock elements.

"- Little about post rock is prog"
Well, I don't know what "post rock" you think of here, but my definition is surely limiting.

Thank you for your contribution.


Edited by David_D - December 03 2021 at 14:36
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 02:52
Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

For me the whole point of progressive rock was (and is) to think outside the box. Trying to classify it and pigeonhole it is unprogressive imo. 

Then how would you know what should be called "Progressive Rock"?
Edit:
And as I pointed in the beginning of my article, it's not about putting things in boxes, but rather to put some label(s) on them (while they are in movement, right moshkito?).


Edited by David_D - November 20 2021 at 05:23
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
David_D View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 26 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Points: 13530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2021 at 02:38
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

Doesn't look bad at first sight. Question:
"be a synthesis of Rock and at least one of the other main genres: Classical, Jazz, Folk, electronic avant-garde or other avant-garde"
How does a genre qualify to be a "main genre" in this sense? What about for example hip hop, flamenco, major African or Asian genres (about which I'm not so knowledgeable)? Do the latter all count as "folk"?
And is there any synthesis in the sense of your definition in psychedelic and post rock?

"main genres" are those which usually are considered to be so, and those I mention. Nevertherless, in my point of view, they must have global scope.
For instance, concerning Folk-Rock that means (as I've written):
"* Progressive Folk-Rock, defined as Rock fused with Traditional/Folk music from any country in the entire world" 
In the same way the "Classical" I'm talking about is supposed to include all Classical music from the entire world and not just Western/European.

Lewian wrote:
"And is there any synthesis in the sense of your definition in psychedelic and post rock?"

Concerning Post-Rock first, yes, and as I've written:
"* Progressive Post-Rock, defined as the more avant-garde influenced part of Post-Rock"

Concerning "Psychedelic Prog", I must say, I'm not quite sure about that, but I would reckon there's some considerable influence from Indian Classical music.

Anyway, you got maybe straight to some weak points in my definition, the way it's formulated at the present state, and I must admit, I wasn't thinking about non Western Classical music in the beginning of my defining process.

Thank you very much for your contribution, as I find it very valuable. 
I'll make an addition in my definition of "Symphonic Prog" so, it includes non Western Classical music, as well.
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Back to Top
jamesbaldwin View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: September 25 2015
Location: Milano
Status: Offline
Points: 5744 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 19 2021 at 19:35
Perhaps this classification is a little less extensive than that of Progarchives, and I like this very much (we are here to discuss, Progarchives will not change)

However, as I have already expressed in other threads, in my opinion

- Not all jazz-rock fusion is progressive: it is not that of musicians who come from jazz: Davis, Hancock, Di Meola, Mahavishnu but neither is Steely Dan's pop-jazz (which I don't read here, however)

- Electronic music is not progressive, or, at most we should distinguish between progressive rock and progressive electronic, as Rate Your Music does

. Not all kraut rock is prog

- Little about post rock is prog

- The classification should follow the albums, not the groups.




Edited by jamesbaldwin - November 19 2021 at 19:36
"Happiness is real only when shared"
Back to Top
AFlowerKingCrimson View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 02 2016
Location: Philly burbs
Status: Offline
Points: 16410 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 19 2021 at 17:52
For me the whole point of progressive rock was (and is) to think outside the box. Trying to classify it and pigeonhole it is unprogressive imo. 
Back to Top
Lewian View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: August 09 2015
Location: Italy
Status: Offline
Points: 14130 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lewian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 19 2021 at 17:13
Doesn't look bad at first sight. Question:
"be a synthesis of Rock and at least one of the other main genres: Classical, Jazz, Folk, electronic avant-garde or other avant-garde"
How does a genre qualify to be a "main genre" in this sense? What about for example hip hop, flamenco, major African or Asian genres (about which I'm not so knowledgeable)? Do the latter all count as "folk"?
And is there any synthesis in the sense of your definition in psychedelic and post rock?
Back to Top
Easy Money View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Joined: August 11 2007
Location: Memphis
Status: Offline
Points: 10367 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Easy Money Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 19 2021 at 15:02
I would move Ozric Tentacles from Eclec to Psych.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 23242526>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.216 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.