Should politics return to Prog music? |
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Evolver
Special Collaborator Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams Joined: October 22 2005 Location: The Idiocracy Status: Offline Points: 5482 |
Posted: June 19 2014 at 10:16 | ||
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=38167
3rd Degree "The Long Division"
Excellent political prog, relevant to the last US Presidential election.
Spears both left and right for rampant hypocrisy.
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Trust me. I know what I'm doing.
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SteveG
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20503 |
Posted: June 19 2014 at 11:07 | ||
Edited by SteveG - June 19 2014 at 13:18 |
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Gully Foyle
Forum Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 350 |
Posted: June 19 2014 at 14:20 | ||
I agree that it is excellent, though i think they make the same error some others do as regards the extremes of left and right in the US. There are people on both extremes, but there is a real difference between left and right: on the right many extremists hold national political office, whereas on the left the extremists are locked out of office and spend more time in drum circles.
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SteveG
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20503 |
Posted: June 19 2014 at 17:16 | ||
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twosteves
Forum Senior Member Joined: May 01 2007 Location: NYC/Rhinebeck Status: Offline Points: 4070 |
Posted: June 19 2014 at 22:13 | ||
Yours is no Disgrace is the best political song---Don't Kill the Whale---sort of okay.
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richardh
Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 26161 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 01:29 | ||
I wouldn't consider that a political song. Also anti-war songs don't count either. Its like saying 'Pizza is tasty'. I think a political song should get some reaction. I can think of a couple that were regarded as thinly veiled attacks on the USA IQ - Harvest Of Souls Muse - Take A Bow both good ones as well
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*frinspar*
Forum Senior Member Joined: May 27 2008 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 463 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 01:52 | ||
I don't like the idea of a concerted effort to change, and especially not a fan-driven shove, to coerce bands into saying things they didn't already want to say.
Prog is basically about natural progression, yeah? Coincidentally, if some are not finding their needs met by the music they hear, maybe they should fill that void on their own. Much like the reason many politicians give when asked why they're running for a particular office. Edited by *frinspar* - June 20 2014 at 02:33 |
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ExittheLemming
Forum Senior Member Joined: October 19 2007 Location: Penal Colony Status: Offline Points: 11415 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 08:46 | ||
Anyone who thinks that Prog musicians have remained faithful to their political allegiances while operating from within the music industry is surely credulous enough to believe that an antelope would vote for a lion.
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SteveG
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20503 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 09:10 | ||
Edited by SteveG - June 20 2014 at 09:18 |
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ExittheLemming
Forum Senior Member Joined: October 19 2007 Location: Penal Colony Status: Offline Points: 11415 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 09:24 | ||
The only artists that need to worry about record sales are those who don't make sufficient to make their art viable. If you are self employed you can only afford to take a finite amount of losses. For me, as much as i adore some of Zappa's ourput, he actualy embodies the first world capitalistic entrepreneurial 'American Dream' that his political allegiances might have suggested he proffered to abhor? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad his music is available to buy but if it didn't sell sufficient units it would either be abandoned completely or be entirely at the mercy of state controlled art subsidy (like much contemporary classical music) |
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Metalmarsh89
Forum Senior Member Joined: January 15 2013 Location: Oregon, USA Status: Offline Points: 2673 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 09:31 | ||
I would prefer music about politics over music about sex, drugs,
alcohol, and women (or men). Still, lyrics don't usually ruin a song for
me. Someone mentioned 'The Great Debate' from Dream Theater. Prime
example. Whatever message they seemed to try to convey there fell flat,
but I do like the song. On the other hand, their religion-themed songs
turned out much better. Blind Faith, In the Name of God, Sacrificed Sons
(though a bit bland lyrically) are definitely some of my favorites from
them.
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SteveG
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20503 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 09:38 | ||
Edited by SteveG - June 20 2014 at 09:55 |
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chopper
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 13 2005 Location: Essex, UK Status: Offline Points: 19943 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 09:59 | ||
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ExittheLemming
Forum Senior Member Joined: October 19 2007 Location: Penal Colony Status: Offline Points: 11415 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 10:02 | ||
I'm puzzled as to what you actually thinks constitutes 'politics' i.e your post indicates that' you would prefer a level playing field freed from the constraints of sexual attraction and altered mental states facilitated by external stimulants/'depressants. i think the notion that neutrality v subjectivity as espoused by something as delusional as say, 'straight edge' might actually offer some sort of solipsistic perspective as to the value of abstinence.Then again, you might think that sobriety offers alternative perspectives. |
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SteveG
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20503 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 10:03 | ||
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SteveG
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20503 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 10:16 | ||
Edited by SteveG - June 20 2014 at 10:26 |
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TGM: Orb
Prog Reviewer Joined: October 21 2007 Location: n/a Status: Offline Points: 8052 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 12:03 | ||
Unlike folk music prog doesn't really have an illustrious history of engaging with actual politics in a mature and serious way (c.f. punk which knows it stands for something but isn't quite sure what it is). Peart, like many libertarians, seems to write in an abstract universe safe from the buffeting of real events. Zappa's ever-regressing sense of humour undercut his satirical edge. The British bands of the 70s basically avoided political engagement so as not to get slammed for their perceived poshness, and the hints of engagement they offered don't really stand up to scrutiny.
As serious political prog goes - Art Bears' 'The World As It Is Today' is a substantial piece of intelligent communist savagery underneath Fred Frith's multi-instrumental reign of terror. Roy Harper's expansive work in the prog folk arena, such as McGoohan's Blues, The Lord's Prayer or the much later Burn The World and Rushing Camelot illustrate his rather peculiar blend of spirituality and politics. I think Genesis' Selling England and the rather visionary Get 'Em Out By Friday have that political tint but it's abstract/sci-fi rather than direct engagement. Roger Waters' real foray into politics comes with (in my view rather touching) The Final Cut sort of after Pink Floyd's real supremacy as a prog band fizzles out and it becomes more of a singer-songwriter affair. Suppose what i'm trying to suggest is that prog has never really had more than a passing interest in actual politics (as opposed to social commentary, which is related but not really the same) unless you go out into the more independent art rock/RIO scene. Serious political prog would delight me, if only for its novelty, but I might be alone in that.
As long as it's not just wishy washy banalities that everyone agrees with anyway. I want some ridiculous unsupportable political views in there. |
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Gully Foyle
Forum Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 350 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 12:26 | ||
in re: Whole Foods, i wonder which 'side' you are putting them on? The majority/owner CEO of Whole Foods is kind of a nutbag, with a whole 'Obama is like Hitler' thing going on...so while the people who shop there might be liberals, its more because of where their stores are, since the company is itself in the very extreme reality-free right wing (as opposed to the reality-based right wing, which i still think exists somewhere) it wasn't just people who decided to try and equate christianity and republicans, it was the republican party who decided to push for that, and people went along, much to the detriment of christians and republicans... i'd like to see more historical political prog...concept album about the american whig party and its downfall, or the Reform Bill of 1832 in parliament...keep prog obscure!
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moshkito
Forum Senior Member Joined: January 04 2007 Location: Grok City Status: Offline Points: 16163 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 13:32 | ||
Where you can forget everything and go through like in a stupor and not understanding and knowing anything.
Enjoy the dope!
And that is the part that is hard to deal with. Some folks think that a mindless song about nothing is more important than a song about politics, or philosophy or medicine or whatever.
I think that we're all looking for different grains of sand in the beach, and as such, we will not only NOT get anywhere, it will be impossible for anyone to agree on anything!
There are other subtleties in various pieces that are not readily discussed.
1. AD2 - Made fun of Adolf Hitler twice - both in satirical moments
2. Guru Guru - Maybe you should take a look at the last song in "Tango Fango" ... and realize that politics here are not a bunch of words that sound stupid. They can also be a fun song that unites people, instead of separating them! Edited by moshkito - June 20 2014 at 13:49 |
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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
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SteveG
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20503 |
Posted: June 20 2014 at 13:43 | ||
Edited by SteveG - June 20 2014 at 13:51 |
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