Longevity

progbethyname wrote: zeqexes wrote: Ambient Hurricanes wrote: Dream Theater is one of those bands where you don't realize how long they've been around; 24 years and counting, with a new album coming this fall!  I think they're the kind of band that could be around practically forever, although their longevity is going to be contingent on how long it takes for Labrie's voice to go pop. Actually it's closer to 28 years, if you count the years before the debut album. And I agree about LaBrie. If their newest album doesn't really show any spark or creative difference from their other albums, then I think a lot of people will say that they've reached the stage where the best is behind them. It is 28. We cannot forget those majesty days and I'm like you guys where by I'm very excited to see what lies ahead. Dream theaters last album was nothing short of amazing. That track, Outcry is an immediate attack of the senses. Wow. I believe I gave the album a 5/5

Yeah, I didn't know how long they had been together beforehand so just counted it from the debut.  I also loved ADTOE and think it's one of their best, but I do think they've reached a point where it's time to go in another creative direction; I'm thinking something like Six Degrees, where the band mingled a lot of other styles and influences into their sound while still sounding like themselves.  But because they're more mature composers now, I think they could manage to write an album that's more coherent and less sprawling than 6DoIT.

I really, really do hope that Labrie can hold his voice together.  He sounded great on the last record but from what video I've seen of live performances it sounds like he's trying too hard.  I think a more melodic, less "metal" direction for his vocals on the next album, with a bit of range adjustment, would make the live performances of the new songs better.

Slartibartfast wrote: I'm not so sure this a very good thing.  A lot of the greats from the '70's drifted off into commercialits. Yes became very stale for me... I wouldn't be surprised if Rush carries on as heads in jars like Futureama.

I think the age of the band is irrelevant, the only thing that matters is whether or not they're putting out good music.  Some bands can have members in their 40s and 50s still come up with ideas and something new.  Other bands of 20-somethings put out one album and then run out of inspiration even though they are quite young.  I know which I'd rather listen to.

A lot of bands have made great music that had no longevity.  And when

octopus-4 wrote: What about Camel? After recovering from his serious ill, Andy Latimer is back on tour and has promised a new album soon. it's 40 years this year since the debut album was released

I just worry about longevity because I feel, at a certain point, their names keep them going more than any innovation or musical genius.  Rush has kinda sounded the same for forever.  Dream Theater is probably the worst offender, though.  They haven't changed much at all in the past 20 years.  Yet, their fans still faithfully buy the music: More power to them if they like that sort of thing.  I guess stale prog is better than no prog at all.  

Stool Man wrote: I think you'll find that Rush have not sounded the same forever. As for the fans still faithfully buying the music, that's mostly new fans buying the new music. For example, most early Pink Floyd fans who bought The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn in 1967 would have gone off the new sound of the later Pink Floyd heard on, say, Meddle. The new fans who bought that album when it was released would later mostly be replaced by another generation of new fans who bought The Wall. Later on again, The Division Bell was largely bought by another new generation of fans, many of whom thought that the band's first album was The Dark Side Of The Moon. I exaggerate, of course, but the point is that over a long period of time the people buying a band's albums are different people. There are loads of other examples of a band's sound changing over time

progbethyname wrote: Second Life Syndrome wrote: Stool Man wrote: I think you'll find that Rush have not sounded the same forever. As for the fans still faithfully buying the music, that's mostly new fans buying the new music. For example, most early Pink Floyd fans who bought The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn in 1967 would have gone off the new sound of the later Pink Floyd heard on, say, Meddle. The new fans who bought that album when it was released would later mostly be replaced by another generation of new fans who bought The Wall. Later on again, The Division Bell was largely bought by another new generation of fans, many of whom thought that the band's first album was The Dark Side Of The Moon. I exaggerate, of course, but the point is that over a long period of time the people buying a band's albums are different people. There are loads of other examples of a band's sound changing over time Good point.   Good bands like RUSH don't have to sound exactly the same as they did in the past. For example, geddy's voice is not as good as it was 15 years live. Neil Peart is not as fast as he was, but they still make quality music and they still sound great. My longevity, in prog rock music, vote goes to RUSH. 40 years! Wow

Hi,

Maybe someone here will start a "20th album" poll sometime.