THE contemporary prog genius - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Philéas wrote:

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler Zavala.

If there was to be a prog genius nowadays it would be either Omar rodriguez or Mike Patton...

Happy Family One Hand Clap, Four Went On But None Came Back

Saw Ptree last week in Montreal. All I can say is the man has talent and a unpretentious demeanor which is most welcome in today's selfish world.

Voted Other.

Got to go with Roine Stolt. He has had success in both the seventies, and since the nineties. His songwriting, for me, is second to none. He is a multi-instrumentalist. (Not many people probably know he started out as a bass player, and he plays both bass and keyboards on his two solo albums, The Flower King & Hydrophonia.)

His voice is certainly decent, imo, and his lyrics make more sense than Jon Anderson's!

Likewise, I could have voted for Steve Hackett, who has spanned all four decades of prog, is a fine composer/guitarist, and plays a wonderful harmonica! However, his voice is not so good, so he just comes in second.

Out of interest, if I was to choose someone off your list, it would be Steven Wilson.

Cardiolan wrote:

And the poll is for individuals, as opposed to the more collective efforts from bands like Tool, The Mars Volta, Radiohead, Dream Theater or Opeth.

Not sure why you consider Opeth to be a "collective effort". Everything I've read or seen regarding the band (interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, etc.) seems to indicate that Mikael Akerfeldt is almost entirely responsible for that band's songwriting.

I voted Other - Mikael Akerfeldt.

Also, for those who have cited Omar and Cedric, from what I've read, Omar (like Akerfeldt) is almost completely responsible for that band's sound. Apparently Omar records or at least makes demos of almost everything by himself, then brings in the others and tells them what to do to finish the material, basically. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the impression I've gotten from articles I've read about the band. I guess it's possible that Cedric writes all or most of his vocal melodies and lyrics, but even if so, I don't think that puts him on the level of overall songwriting genius that is really what this poll is about. On the other hand, I agree Omar is a songwriting genius.

fuxi wrote:

No offense - but there's no one in prog who sounds like a true genius to me!

I kinda agree with you on this one. Sure there are amazingly talented musicians/songwriters out there, but to give them the title of "THE" prog genius ??? I'm not certain. Stern%20Smile

A few deserve to be placed on top of the list (Zuffanti, Morse, Wilson, etc.) but no one surely is in a class of its own ! I guess it's up to our preferences and musical taste.

Et je ferme les yeux
Puis je croise les doigts
Pour empêcher
Les souvenirs de fuir.
(KERMESS - Atome d'existence)

None. There wasn't one in the '70s either.

No one is worthy enough.

They (plus Akerfeldt, Stolt and a few others) are all extremely talented, but to vote one of them as THE genius...naah...

But on the other hand...Mikael Akerfeldt has for a long time had my sympathy, so, I guess I'm going to vote for him. In other words, it's the option 'other' for me.

whuuh, this was a tough one....

Edited by Eerichtho - June 10 2007 at 05:49

ROBERT FRIPP !!! he is still contemporary!! isn't it???

A new KC album is on the way!!

Poll Question: Which one is worthy of the title?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Daniel Gildenlöw	11	[10.38%]
Arjen "Ayreon" Lucassen	7	[6.60%]
Neal Morse	15	[14.15%]
Devin Townsend	3	[2.83%]
Steven Wilson	31	[29.25%]
Other (elaborate)	15	[14.15%]
No one is worthy enough	24	[22.64%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted