Should politics return to Prog music?

SteveG wrote: It may be a valid opinion but it maybe only your opinion. We cannot force Prog music to become more political with these discussions but perhaps we can learn something about the other members of the Prog fan community. It may not seem like a great accomplishment at the moment but perhaps it will in time. Keep the faith.

Since 9/11, the Flower Kings have engaged the political world with their music on every album. "Unfold the Future" was a profound, spiritual plea for the world to shift course away from the "clash of civilizations" narrative. They just don't hit you over the head with it and say, "George W. Bush is an idiot." They have bigger fish to fry.

"The truth will set you free. We will stand up to the lie.
With this heart, bigger than America
We will fight fire with fire, no more (Judas) kiss will seal the lie"


I think that people wishing for apolitical music are perhaps not very aware of the political dimensions of even the little things in life. Wherever you have people expressing something, it's politics. Don't feel so threatened by it. It's just the birth pangs of humanity's dreams taking shape.

I'm on the politically conservative side of politics, but it's never prevented me enjoying the films of Jean Luc Goddard, so why should it prevent me enjoying good Prog music?

Only if it's well done. I really enjoyed Dream Theater's The Great Debate, and no one can deny the edginess of 21st Century Schizoid Man. Sometimes you get some real duds though, as if the politics are an afterthought (I'm looking at you The Mars Volta). Someone like Zappa though; the politics are up front and center, and it's perfect.