Area - Jazz Fusion or Prog Rock Italiano?

Rocktopus wrote: Finnforest wrote:    Write a letter to the big dogs making your case, maybe they'll move Area back for you if you think its such a disgrace.  I'll survive. I'm just stating my opinion in a thread about where Area fits in. The two main arguments I've seen for moving them to RPI, is that they were italian and well known.

Hi,

Finnforest wrote: Logan wrote: I'd rather like to see Area in Eclectic. Ha Greg!  You'll have to wrestle them from our cold, dead hands.....   then we'll come back from the dead and steal them anyway

So as not to risk any fallout...



...I'll back off.  I know better than to mess with undead Crac! heads, and I wouldn't want to wrestle with any cold, dead hands -- very unhygienic, you never know what Crac!s they've been getting into.

I'd rather like to see Area in Eclectic.

At least on "Caution: Radiation Area" they are all over the place. Jazz, prog, avant-garde... Hard to classify this band really.

Finnforest wrote:    Write a letter to the big dogs making your case, maybe they'll move Area back for you if you think its such a disgrace.

I'll survive. I'm just stating my opinion in a thread about where Area fits in. The two main arguments I've seen for moving them to RPI, is that they were italian and well known.

I don't think so, Arti is a "dryer" jazz rock that fits well in JF.  Sensations I've not heard, so I can't comment yet.  Area is a more specialized case.  But you're entitled to your opinions man, as I said, there are others who feel as you do, and some who agree with us, it's not always open and shut case.  Some bands *could* be in more than one genre.  The RPI team more than any other is used to being second-guessed, remember, there are many people who feel we are not even a legitimate subgenre.  It's not up to me to change your opinion, I'm here to serve the music.  Write a letter to the big dogs making your case, maybe they'll move Area back for you if you think its such a disgrace. 

I gave my opinion, I'll bow out now and let others have their say. 




Edited by Finnforest - April 16 2010 at 05:47

Clearly there will be debate about things like this.  Here's my perspective: if I were new to Area, where would I most likely come across them and discover their greatness?  RPI.  Sure, there are some JRF elements.  But there are other elements as well, and the best RPI bands of the 70s were a great amalgamation of many influences seen in Italy, including jazz, avant, opera, classical, folk, fusion, psychedelic, and symphonic prog.  Clearly, each had their own spin and unique blend of influence.  But in Area's case, both for the music and the historical importance, not to mention the newbie litmus test, Area is best served in RPI.  I once talked to a guy who fairly convincingly argued that Area was more avant than anything!

Finnforest wrote: Sckxyss wrote: I'm gonna play the troll card here and say that Italy is a country, not a genre. Every band there could comfortably fit in one of the other subs.      Hi Alex, you're not trolling.  There are many people who share your opinion.  But there are quite a few others who believe that RPI, like Krautrock, has enough of a cannon and style to be legitimate.  I'm thankful this site believes that.

No problem with that. Loads of bands and artists with a similar attitude/approach linked to a place or country is one way of defining a genre/style. But nothing about Area's music can be considered RPI. Geography alone isn't enough.

German bands (correctly) placed in jazzfusion like Kraan, Out Of Focus and  Embryo have more incommon with krautrock than Area has with the Rock Progressivo Italiano-sound.

(It could be argued that Area should be in avant/RIO)

Agree to that, RPI is a flavour of prog, just like Canterbury and kraut are.

After struggling with PFM for a while, Area cracked the RPI can for me.
At first I took them for jazz-rock / RIO as well, but knowing more RPI albums now, I don't think they are all that different from other wild RPI bands such as Baletto, Osanna, Cervello etc...



Edited by Bonnek - April 15 2010 at 14:42