American Prog

I just happened upon a review of Styx and the writer sais basicaly that American just can't do Prog. While I agree with his assesment of  Styx to an extent (I consider them Prog-lite), what about Spock's Beard, Glass Hammer, Dream Theater, Echolyn, Enchant, Cairo, Shadow Gallery, etc.. Any thoughts?

If you're referring to older bands, I think you'd have to add Santana into the coversation. Abraxas and Santana III, the albums that preceded Caravanserai (when they forayed into jazz-fusion), are very progressive, albeit from a Latin persepective.

Don't forget Phideaux !!
The best prog band from the US period!

I think the issue here is that American's can't seem to do Symphonic Prog,( with a few exceptions of course). Most of the attempts come off far to similar to cheesy AOR, such as Journey, Styx, Foreigner. 

The Dixie Dregs are amongst the best of the lesser knowns.  I think it probably has something to do with the Dixie in the band name.  What If has some of the most intense prog instrumentals you will ever come across. Any Mahavishnu Orchestra fans who haven't heard that album are depriving yourselves.  Steve Morse and the guys were heavily influenced and did covers in the early days.  And then freakin' Jerry Goodman wound up playing in one of the latter incarnations.


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 25 2011 at 04:05

Americans can and do make good prog. I think it gets overwhelmed and overshadowed by pop and country music, which gets all the attention here in the states. America has become such an "instant gratification" society that prog doesn't get much attention since it requires some patience and time to actually listen to in order to get the payoff and enjoyment. Fortunately, that hasn't stopped musicians here from producing some excellent prog music. There are many fans here who love and support prog in the USA.

Sorry that write is quite ignorant. Maybe old-school symphonic prog is not the strongest suit of the US (actually it has quite a few great bands) but other forms of progressive rock are being played and created here. In the world of metal, American bands are very important, and I'm not talking about traditional, heavy-speed based prog metal a la DT but post-metal and avant-garde metal...

Like most stereotypes, the idea that all Amercan prog is somehow substandard is utterly wrong.

I freely admit that prior to joining the site, I had not heard much from over the pond. Probably the only North American bands I took much notice of were Rush and Dream Theater.

Since joining, I have been introduced to the delights of Kansas, Echolyn, and Phideaux to name but a few, all of which are prime examples of the best in progressive rock.

I do not think much of Spock's Beard, I am afraid, although that is a personal taste thing, rather than a commentary on a band who can undoubtedly play and who are highly regarded by prog fans.

KansasFan165 wrote: American Prog is for L.O.S.E.R's Lovers Of Symphonic European Rock

However, KF, I think that people who really do like Prog rock will agree that there isn't much which is up to standard with the European rock they love. Sorry, but I think Kansas is a subpar band. At least, I think you will agree, they are much weaker than any of the leading European bands (for example Yes, KC, Genesis or Pink Floyd). This matters because Kansas is always held as the top historic American prog band!

Phideaux is good, but he is a echo of prog glory, not a big earth shaking prog group. HIs albums have great stuff, though, better than Kansas, and I will agree with another's comments here that he is probably the best act in America doing Prog right now.

 As for the rest, Rush is Canadian, as is Saga. There are good American plain rock bands though, of course. But were talking about real Prog right?




Edited by RoyFairbank - February 25 2011 at 15:43

It's stupid to say "country X can't do Y". It's not as if everyone in the country composes from some mega-mind-meld or something. Sure, there might be slight differences, but it's silly to say America can't do prog.