bands with a message

One of the popular criticisms levelled at prog during the punk period was that it was borgeouis. That wasn't entirely fair, but punk's directness did make a lot of prog look ponderous and enigmatic. Quite honestly, a lot of progressive rock is intentionally meaningless, or else has one but keeps it tightly encrypted behind invented languages or florid vocabulary, or else layers and layers of metaphor.

That's neato and all. Sentence for Magmaluv.

But can you think of any bands who conveyed worthwhile ideas with their music? I'm not talking about bands who played at political rallies or charity events, but rather those who wrote songs containing implicit, unmistakeable messages. This does *partially* rule out bands who only made instrumental music - you can see that Henry Cow have something to say on "Unrest" and "Western Culture" when their desolate songtitles are paired with music that can be bleak and hard to digest, but it's only on "In Praise of Learning" (as well as when they mutate into Art Bears) where they go ahead and say it.

Let's name some blunt, outspoken bands, and see if we can notice a pattern. Messages aren't limited to political opinion; these opinions can range from "Hail Satan" or "Be excellent to each other", if it's commandingly said. Tool have moments where they step outside of personal philosophical considerations long enough to make you think about them too. Yes have appealed for sanctuary in the case of certain cetaceans. Area have bleated for communism. What else? =)

Besides Area (whom I wanted to mention when I saw you had already done so), other RPI bands have conveyed 'messages' of various kinds in their lyrics. The other most obvious choice as regards political content are Stormy Six, as you know very well. Jumbo's Vietato ai minori di 18 anni has very bleak, thought-provoking socially aware lyrics, tackling such topics as prostitution and drug addiction. Banco wrote some politically-charged lyrics as well, like "Canto nomade di un prigioniero politico".

stonebeard wrote: Queensryche (though I question their relevance as a prog band often), rail against corporatization, urban slumming, and centralized government, especially in the early days.

That kind of theme is certainly present in 'Get 'em Out By Friday', but whn I think about a prog act that has a theme throughout the body of work, I hate to say it, but I think about the gospel of Neal Morse .  I may not agree with all of his message, but he's definitely got one.  A few pretty good solo albums too.

Much as I love David Lee Roth I always hated this quote from him;

WideAngleWatcher wrote: Much as I love David Lee Roth I always hated this quote from him;   "A lot of bands mature, which means they get square; they start delivering messages. Hey, you got a message, use Western Union."

"A lot of singers get a big ego and leave/are kicked out of successful bands and end up as washed up ambulance drivers."

- Stonebeard

Well, what comes to mind instantly is Water's "Animals" lyrics railing against the system, establishment, Mary Whitehouse, the public "sheep."   The veil is pretty thin.  Great stuff though. 

Funny thing is, Punk ripped Floyd at the very time Water's unleashed this diatribe.  The messages weren't that different, and the punkers should have realized Floyd were an ally, not the enemy. 

The answer is found below and to the left of this text.

Edited by LinusW - February 28 2008 at 15:42

stonebeard wrote: WideAngleWatcher wrote: Much as I love David Lee Roth I always hated this quote from him;   "A lot of bands mature, which means they get square; they start delivering messages. Hey, you got a message, use Western Union." "A lot of singers get a big ego and leave/are kicked out of successful bands and end up as washed up ambulance drivers." - Stonebeard

^^ Sure, all words are made up.

stonebeard wrote: One of my favorites is Midnight Oil, who fight for indigenous rights for aborigines in Australia.

  same here...