Why Do you prefer Prog over other music genres?

My name was the only thing you got right, there was not much else I wanted to say.

Since you clearly want me to do better, who am I to refuse, but you're not gonna like it.

In a single post you have managed to demonstrate that you have not only failed to understand a single word I have typed, you also failed to understand the nature of Progressive Rock from the 1970s through to the 21st century and the reasons for this site's existence. I admit that the first part of that problem is mine for I have evidently failed to express myself at a level that you can understand, this is a cross I have to bear - throughout my life I have struggled to relate my thoughts into word that everyone instantly understands. Yet for all your words you still fail to answer my simple question: you criticise my post for lacking objectivity and methodology without further explanation of what you mean by that and spout this opinionated drivel by way of reply so my 'Pathetic' response to that is to be expected. Your view is narrow and archaic and I find that to be disappointing, depressingly so, that you are "of my generation" but not of "My Generation", I could say you sound like my Dad, but he never sounded like you (we went to see Tangerine Dream together in the mid-70s - he was a cool dude). Progressive Rock has moved on, it grew and changed as we grew and changed. The World turned and Prog moved on. Gone are the days when we eagerly listened to the 'happening sounds' of the underground scene, hanging-on the latest release from the big boys of Prog, curious and hungry for news of lesser knowns like Stackridge or Rare Bird. We can lament, we can reminisce, we can look back but we cannot go back. Prog moved on. You have what... an eight year head-start on me?.. you should have arrived at this juncture before me but I fear it is too late for you. We "old farts" who lived through that era have a lot to offer and a lot to say yet we waste it in our arrogance, quick in our condemnation of those that try and slow to appreciate those who succeed - that's what's pathetic... but it's saddening more than maddening, I've heard it all before, I am no longer frustrated when it crops up again, just a little disappointed that in all this time we've not moved on. So we are on opposite sides and I am happy with that because even in 1976 when I was front-row at an Enid or VdGG gig, I seriously doubt that I was on your side.

I will admit that I am not a fan of what Neo-Prog has become, it was music of its age that is where it should have stayed. Fortunately the Neo-Prog bands of old (man, it was thirty years ago - get over it) have moved on, those bands like Marillion and Pendragon have embraced the 21st century - they progressed and changed yet manage to stay vital and in-touch, if only we could say the same of others. But back in the day "Neo-Prog" (we certainly didn't call it that in 1984 - the name is a later creation and definitely not invented by the bands themselves), was great and had a lot to be commended for - carrying the Prog banner into the 1980s: when all else was big-hair and MTV and Frankie Says Bloody Relax; when all our Prog heroes had turned their backs on this genre that we profess to love so much; when all the music industry, the gravy-train riders and the bandwagon-jumping muso-journalists could offer was ridicule and derision - for that the so-called Neo Prog bands of the late 70s and early 80s should be lauded and praised for standing their ground and trying to continue the scene that we profess to love so much and their albums should be stood proudly alongside the good and the great from that era we profess to love so much. Neo-Prog wasn't a copying it was continuing - more of the same with a different tune, as I said, it wasn't "Neo" then it was just "Prog". The Gabriel era Genesis clone tag has become ever so tiresome - it was never the case back then and it is even less the case now - it reveals someone who has maybe heard but definitely not listened - the lazy parroting of a lazy criticism they read in a long forgotten review in some long forgotten rag by some long forgotten journalist - the sad thing is, it was never true - oft repeated but never actually demonstrated (and don't bring up Grendel... less than 1000 people had ever heard that back then). All this is a shame and it's shameful. I find these kinds of genre-bashing comments embarrassing to read and in a moment of uncharacteristic restraint chose not to respond. That moment has passed and you have only yourself to blame, I was content with my pathetic "Well, at least you got my name right" response.

btw: I am not frustrated that we have not been able to produce an all-encompassing definition of Progressive Rock here at the PA (or anywhere come to that) because one cannot be produced - it's a fools errand and any one who thinks they have are deluding themselves. I find it amusing that people even try.