Most accessible prog?
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Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=95154
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Topic: Most accessible prog?
Posted By: schizoidman
Subject: Most accessible prog?
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 17:15
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Pink Floyd would be the 800 pound gorilla in the room with Dark Side of the Moon being one of the best selling albums of all time, but what I'm looking for is some prog that, in your opinion, deserves some recognition as you feel that it has appeal that the rest of us should know about. I'll start with Taal. Their second, and, unfortunately, last album, "Skymind", from 2003. Here is the link to the PA page for the album: http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=2214" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=2214
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Replies:
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 17:29
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There are many accessible prog bands....off the top of my head the Moody Blues ,Renaissance , Tull, and Kansas come to mind....as well as IQ and other neo prog bands.
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 17:29
| If I'm thinking in terms of the most friendly albums to the widest variety of tastes, prog or otherwise, I'm going to say Riverside's Shrine of New Generation Slaves and iamthemorning's debut album. |
Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 17:35
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Accessibility (the likability of music upon first listen) is subjective. While I can ascertain the specific range of artists you have in mind, I don't happen to find those accessible at all. I often get knocked out of music by slick guitar tones and over-the-top compositions, so finding artists that I like that I think the traditional prog crowd would like that they already don't know about is difficult for me. The artists I would say don't get their fair due and might be most accessible to the members on this site are the less proggy ones like this one right here: http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7010" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7010 And especially this one: http://%20www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7916" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7916 |
Posted By: akamaisondufromage
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 17:46
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I might say the band I am listening to at the moment 'Big Big Train'. In that they are not a difficult listen. ------------- Help me I'm falling! |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 19:10
Absolutely. The Moody's, Renaissance and Kansas....their albums are very distinctive; not a lot of diverse styles. Tull.....a huge difference between This Was and A Passion Play, yet, Anderson managed to pull it all off quite well over the years. I haven't heard IQ as of yet but will see about giving them a listen. |
dr wu23 wrote:Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 19:19
I listened to Second Life Syndrome when it first came out and sort of liked it but it's one of those albums that I never got back into. But that's just me. |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 19:52
Your statement that "Accessibility (the likability of music upon first listen) is subjective" was a line I wound up not using in my original post. So, yes, agree with you 100%. I never know what I really like until I hear it no matter who recommends it. I have to see about Midlake. The other link doesn't seem to work. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 20:11
| Cardiacs' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4PV3xaBgII%20" rel="nofollow - Sing to God |
Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 20:22
SLS is an incredible album, definitely one that takes a few listens to digest though. The one I mentioned is vastly different. It's much more of a crossover prog album. I respect that group for their sheer ability to reinvent their sound so easily. The best in my book from them, Anno Domini High Definition, is vastly different from both of these. But it and SLS are definitely not nearly as accessible as SONGS, which is by far the easiest of theirs to jump into and get immediate gratification no matter what background you have. |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 22:25
That band seems to crop up in a lot of threads lately. Guess I will have to put an ear to their stuff. |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 22:28
Since your avatar, "Red", is one of my all time favorites I will have to go back and give our Eastern European friends another go. |
Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 22:29
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Haha I like your reasoning! Hope you enjoy! I'll definitely be interested to hear what you think! |
Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 22:48
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: September 10 2013 at 23:49
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Marillion are very accessible and Kayleigh as single has been a best seller.
------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 00:07
| Beardfish |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 00:14
Beardfish....? Accessible..?
 ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 00:15
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 01:45
Incredible album? Damn right! Accessible? Mmmmmm...I don't think so. |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 05:03
Whilst IQ are one of the finest bands ever, they are not really what I would call very accessible. Their music is quite complex and the lyrics can be impenetrable at times. Marillion, Pendragon, Camel, Mostly Autumn and Renaissance are all truly excellent bands which a newcomer to prog would not find too intimidating. There are many others, but none so fine as these. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: PabstRibbon
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 08:56
| I think I will say Big Big Train. They are very catchy and use strong melodic structures but when you listen to it closely you can feel all the complex time signature and the multi-layers harmonies. THey are one of the most brilliant band of their time. |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 09:38
I did go out on the limb with that one. Taal is nowhere near as accessible as The Moody Blues but I really wanted to give them a bit of attention.
So then, as an alternate I would like to suggest Ian Anderson's "Divinities: Twelve Dances with God" : http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=3809" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=3809
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Posted By: Metalmarsh89
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 09:59
| Rush and Camel are two more bands I would add to this list. |
Posted By: bloodnarfer
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 10:11
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Rush for sure... its one of the few prog bands that my girlfriend will listen to. I would like to mention the Dear Hunter which are crossover... I have several friends that listen to them but have no idea what prog is. I think their music is very accessible, yet creative. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 10:12
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 10:32
| Honestly, the real answer is Rush, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull and all the others that have become classic rock canon. Since everybody has heard them already anyway. |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: September 11 2013 at 15:39
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Add Planet P Project's Pink World to the list. Great moody Floydian prog from the early '80s. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 12 2013 at 01:28
| Lifesigns |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: September 12 2013 at 13:17
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Accessible as in a bit more commercial sounding, but still maintaining a flexible amount of complexity in the music I'd have to look at Peter Gabriel's solo career being a good start. 'So' is a very accessible Prog album. NINE INCH NAILS are another. Boy, Trent Reznor will give you just about anything these days. Actually, his latest album 'hesitation Marks' is a very accessible album. Another choice would be the infamous 'Duke' album from Genesis. Ummm...for more guitar based sound with less keyboards would be Fates Warning's Insideout album. Lastly, OSI. OSI are extremely accessible and I would rank them as my top recommendation for this forum. The album 'FREE' is a great example of just how accessible Prog can be. ;) ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: September 12 2013 at 21:03
That they're still being played 50 years or more after their inception leads me to believe that you are right regarding their relative accessibility. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 10:45
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Out of all the great suggestions I took a chance with Big Big Train since I have seen them crop up in quite a few other threads. Wow. They are that good. At least, to my ears. I'm basing that on listening to their last three albums "The Underfall Yard", "English Electric Part 1" and "English Electric Part 2".
Elements of early to mid period Genesis are present as well as a recognizible XTC influence (with Dave Gregory on board that's not surprising).
Whether anyone will be listening to them 50 years from now is a question that can't be answered today, but, imo, BBT are a great, accessible band for the here and now.
The last time I was this impressed with a band was when I first heard Porcupine Tree in 2005.
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Posted By: Stool Man
Date Posted: September 13 2013 at 12:03
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Any prog band that's had more than one Top Ten hit single. Just one hit could be dismissed as a one-off quirk, but more than one means people actually like the act. ------------- rotten hound of the burnie crew |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 01:26
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Queensr˙che--Eyes of a Stranger. Watch the video too! It's so MTV. LOL ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: ole-the-first
Date Posted: September 14 2013 at 11:27
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I find classic-era Genesis pretty accessible because of very catchy melodism. ------------- This night wounds time. |
Posted By: wowie
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 08:24
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Jazz and Symphonic music in general are pretty accessible and can be very proggy. there is a lot of soul music that is pretty accessible and yet very proggy. Jackie Brown OST there is a lot of modern music that you cant classify due to a strong genre mix which can be very progressive. The whole electro genre is extremely progressive at times. There are amazing remixes out there, full of all kinds of genres. And it is accessible because it consists out of very modern stuff which is very well known even if it is complex and very flexible and unstraight. The people love minimalism/reductionism, but they also love diversity. and of course you have to ask for, accessible for whom? Which background of genre you have? A hard rock, a pop soul or a melodic rock background? no background and no prog restriction: Peter Gabriel The Beatles The Doors Air Radiohead Dredg Anathallo Broken Social Scene Annuals Grizzly Bear Mew Mum Hanne Hukkelberg Talk Talk The Notwist The XX TV on the Radio Rage Against the Machine from a restricted prog and rock definition: IZZ Big Big Train RPWL Marillion Kansas so maybe you recognize how much this relates to the background you have. many bands are very accessible if you just play the right songs and if not, they are also not accessible. Pink Floyd Pain of Salvation The Flower Kings for example those are mostly the bands which have a very wide range of genres. |
Posted By: kingesis2
Date Posted: September 15 2013 at 10:25
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I will say that Porcupine Tree, the other day my cousin who listens to modern pop (yuck), she was listening songs in my ipod and she was listening "in absentia" and she liked it. Marillion it is another option. ------------- "Cranberry sauce" The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever |
Posted By: Anthony
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 10:37
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Introitus ------------- Future prosperity lies in the way you heal the world with love (Introitus - The hand that feeds you) |
Posted By: Mr. Mustard
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 16:09
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A lot of Crossover and Symphonic stuff that has that pop inflection like Kansas, Alan Parsons, Marillion, Spock's Beard (though they have a lot of weird/"inaccessible" moments), and Big Big Train. And of course the heavier stuff like Rush, Riverside and Porcupine Tree. Yes and Genesis aren't that hard to get into, in my opinion.
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Posted By: ProgEpics
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 18:01
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a big goodbye ------------- Come on you target for faraway laughter, Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine! |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 20:05
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I'll second Midlake. Progressive enough to be approved by prog folk and accessible enough to be enjoyed by those who can't spell prog I have been reveling in the Anglo-German band POOR GENETIC MATERIAL. I think their latest "A Day in JUne" is one of their best and their most accessible Others, leaving out most of the ones already mentioned and extremely wel known acts in general ANYONE's DAUGHTER self titled album is probably their most accessible to PA members ASIA MINOR "Between Flesh and Divine" I found to be instantly likable and wearing well much of 1970s BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST might work, especially "Once Again", "Everyone is Everybody Else", Octoberon" and "Gone to earth" BELIEVE "Hope to see Another Day" is their most accessible and most enduring BLUE OYSTER CULT "Fire of Unknown Origin" CAROL OF HARVEST s/r CLEPSYDRA "Alone" COLLAGE "Moonshine" DECEMBERISTS "THe King is Dead" (very low prog quotient) German space rockers DICE, especially "Dice in Space" EARTH AND FIRE "Song of the marching Children" and "Atlantis" most work by ELO (although I only like a few of their albums) I gotta name something by ELOY, so I would say "Time to Turn" is their best combination of excellent and accessible ENGEL AARON ENGLISH "All the Waters of this World" FM "Black Noise" DANIEL GAUTHIER "Above the Storm" GORDON GILTRAP and OLIVER WAKEMAN - "Ravens and Lullabies" HORSLIPS "THe Book of Invasions" or "THe Man who Built America" JUMP - "The Beachcomber" KAOS MOON "After the Storm" KERRS PINK "Art of Complex Simplicity" JAMES MCCARTY - "Out of the Dark" MIRAGE - "Tails from the Green Sofa" MR GIL - "Alone" LE ORME - "Felona and Serona" -it might not be their best (although it might be) but it hits me from the first OSIRIS - s/t and "Myths and Legends" - good fun PERERIN - first 2 albums PROCOL HARUM - first SATELLITE - :"Street Between Sunrise and Sunset" SNOWDONIA - "Pallas" SPRING s/t STRAWBS "Bursting at the Seams" TAI PHONG - s/t TEMPUS FUGIT - "Tales from a Forgotten Land" and "Chessboard" ZOMBY WOOF - "Riding on a Tear" |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 01:36
| Anathema - Weather Systems |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 10:02
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I wonder if todays audience can be considered to have a more sophisticated and broader range of taste than the audience that was first introduced to prog in the late 1960's? Thereby giving todays audience the ability to consider the diverse and esoteric forms of prog more accessible than in the past.
I'm thinking that would be a definite Yes. The way to discover and absorb new music in the old days was through the radio. There was no worldwide internet with dedicated websites and streaming cablecasts with endless discussions on hundreds of albums to widen a persons musical perspective.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 10:07
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Yeah there's probably some truth to that, but what most youngins have completely lost in the process, is the vital gift of patience. The mere task of sitting through an entire album without having to skip to something new inside of 5 minutes... As for the thread: Pure Reason Revolution. Wins over chicks like a regular Don Juan. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 10:24
No way man. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=6842" rel="nofollow - Orthrelm . ------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 13:26
That's funny but absolutely true. I had to get up and lift the needle on the record player to the next track. Today it's hit the >| button and one has entirely bypassed side one of Tales from Topographic Oceans.
Pure Reason Revolution....I liked their first two albums immensely, never really got into their third and last one. Their mellow stuff really knocks me out especially "The Exact Colour".
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 13:37
http://Owww.youtube.com/watch?v=e2EGKt8yONI" rel="nofollow - OV is actually a damned good album , I 'm finding. Oh wait, that's because I was listening to Brainstorm at the same time (two youtube tabs both playing music which blended in a beautifully complex and quirky way). |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 14:19
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Izz......My River Flows so does the music
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Posted By: ProgEpics
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 16:32
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------------- Come on you target for faraway laughter, Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine! |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 16:40
I'm a cd generation dude, but I'm going backwards and have started purchasing vinyls on a regular basis. Keeps me patient and ready for whatever comes along. Sometimes music needs a little time - or I need a little time. That "little time" very quickly gets annihilated by the skip button. With Pure Reason Revolution I am somewhat odd in that I prefer their second one, Amor Vincit Omnia. I think it's the best album they put out, and one of the most successful attempts at fusing pop, electronic and prog.
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 19:04
Funny how over the years vinyl has verrrry slooowly been making its way back into the market place. Can I ask if you find it to be superior audio than CD's? Overall I listen to Amor Vincit Omnia more often than The Dark Third. I agree that AVO is a hugely successful go at fusing pop, electronic and prog. For sure one of the best....which gets me to thinking....what other group has tried to merge pop, electronic and prog???? Radiohead is one. Well...off on a bit of a tangent here....back on topic at some point....... 
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Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 23:15
 Interesting.But yeah, OV is a good album, I reckon. I have to be in the mood for minimalistic guitar and drums avant math metal though. Y'know, the really common, everyday stuff.  ------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
Posted By: floflo79
Date Posted: September 28 2013 at 06:42
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For me, the most accesible prog bands are Supertramp and some neo-prog band like Marillion. Pretty easy to listen. ------------- 
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Posted By: iamathousandapples
Date Posted: October 08 2013 at 23:51
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Coheed & Cambria, a lot of Devin Townsend's work, Pain of Salvation(BE not withstanding), Protest The Hero(if coming from a metal background), The Dear Hunter, a lot of Riverside's later works(and I'd argue Out of Myself as well), Muse, Galahad, and Pure Reason Revolution ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/thamazingbender" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 09 2013 at 07:32
Why yes. This is a great example.  ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: October 09 2013 at 07:39
Just pull yourself together, sit back and relax. Take control over your F#¤ miserable life, and then decide to NOT hit that skip button.  ------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 09 2013 at 07:45
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I still say the most accessable Prog I've heard is OSI and CHROMA KEY. It grooves so nicely. Great driving music and everyone that I have shared those 2 Kevin moore projects with people have loved it, especially the girls!!! Yes progheads...chicks dig OSI!!! ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |