RIO suggestions
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=96682
Printed Date: August 09 2025 at 22:38
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: RIO suggestions
Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Subject: RIO suggestions
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 19:55
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Hey again everyone! Once again, I'll be making an open confession for a subgenre I have yet to explore much of. This edition: RIO/Avant Prog. I know very little about this subgenre, except that its component parts are all wildly different from each other in a variety of ways. Keeping that in mind, I'm sure that somewhere within this nebulous group of musicians, I'm guaranteed to find something that'll pique my interest and likely fit into my tastes. I tend to prefer groups with strong, well-developed melodies combined with a healthy sense of variety, focus, and drive. A bit of an edge doesn't hurt either, but more in the sense of sonic texture and not necessarily grating harmonies. Free atonality really doesn't work for me, nor does minimalism. I've referenced a few of these groups in past topics I've made, but the ones that represent my preferences the most include VDGG, Wetton-era KC, Opeth, Discipline, and Riverside. Thank you all so much again! I definitely appreciate all the suggestions, and am really eager to read your choices and why you think the groups you pick are special. |
Replies:
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 19:59
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As far as bands that aren't as dissonant go, try Univers Zero, Art Bears, Samlas Mammas Manna, Cardiacs, Miriodor, MiRthon, Hoyry-Kone, maybe Guapo or Kayo Dot. just off the top of my head |
Posted By: TheGazzardian
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 20:17
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Check out Secret Chiefs 3, they have some great folk influences and are very melodic. Of course I say that and it's true but only part of the time. Secret Chiefs 3 is basically 7 bands. (Check out Book of Secrets and you'll know exactly what I mean).
If you like melodic stuff, Chamber Rock is probably the portion of RIO that you would like best. Univers Zero and Art Zoyd are the obvious starting points, but Present is great on the rockier side, Aranis is great on the more classical side, Rational Diet and its two splinter bands The Archestra and Five Storey Ensemble on the more chaotic side, Yugen on the just-reaching-the-brink of losing control and reigning it in side, and other bands like Pikapika Teart, Breznev Fun Club, DAAU, etc... Also, I must must MUST mention Alec K. Redfearn and the Eyesores for their wonderful melodies and folk-twinged accordion lead music. Look up the song "The Night It Rained Glass on Union Street" on youtube to get a good idea.
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Posted By: pfloyd
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 20:19
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i recommend everything by Univers Zero. My favorite rio album is Generations Sans Fur by Art Zoyd, takes a while to appreciate though.
------------- check out my art: http://alexanderbennett33.wixsite.com/portfolio 
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 20:24
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Ok this is going to be fun. A bit of an edge will be easy but avoiding grating harmonies and atonality will be a bit harder :)
This is my essential must listen list:- Henry Cow - In Praise Of Learning - technically complex with no compromise with Dagmar in full throat, if she's not to your taste try Western Culture which is my personal favorite Univers Zero - Ceux Du Dehors - The dark end of the Chamber Rock pool, this is melodious and moody in spades, their whole catalog is phenomenal, the bassoon is featured heavily. Cardiacs - On Land & In The Sea - This is punk prog at it's best, high energy, lyrically complex, punch you in the face nuts, this is what punk is when played by musicians. Alamaailman Vasarat - Huuro Kolkko - Finish heavy band play instrumental metal using trombone, sax & cellos. Uz Jsme Doma - Caves Another punky prog band high energy shouty vocals, folk influence, metal touches. Vezhlivy Otkaz - Geese & Swans - Russian Folky underground band with jazzy classical arrangements Thinking Plague - In Extremis - Guitar led with angular vocals about dark subject matter, complex arrangements that rock Present - Triskadekaphobia - Univers Zero's electric focus brother, angular dissonant and soul crushing. Secret Chiefs 3 - Book Of Horizons - Metal instrumental with a Middle Eastern aesthetic Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Of Natural History Avant Metal with some cookie monster vocals but high concept and wonderful tunes. Guapo - 5 Suns - Heavy zeuhlish tendencies with crushing heaviness. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: zravkapt
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 20:40
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There is such a wide variety of music in that sub, even one artist's discography can be all over the place. Lots of good ones mentioned already. Here's a few examples (but don't expect every song/album to be similar):
------------- Magma America Great Make Again |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 11:20
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I agree that Univers Zero and Art Zoyd would probably be two RIO groups whose music you would enjoy.
------------- Making the useless useful 24/7. |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 12:02
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Here's a few more suggestions:
------------- Making the useless useful 24/7. |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 12:09
| Start with Leg End if you want to check out Henry Cow. In Praise of Learning might be a bit rough for a newcomer. |
Posted By: VOTOMS
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 12:12
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Check: John Zorn's Naked CIty, French TV's Violence of The Amateurs and Zappa's Civilization Phaze III (my top3 ) It's a great way to start into the best progressive sub :3
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Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 19:04
All these look like awesome suggestions. Thank so much everyone! Once I get a chance to sit down and give them an earnest aural dissection, I'll let you all know that I think! Many thanks to all you wonderful people  And if there are any more, don't be shy! All are definitely appreciated.
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Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 19:23
You are welcome. One more: ------------- Making the useless useful 24/7. |
Neo-Romantic wrote:Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 23:18
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Some RIO/avant prog is out there and can be difficult to get into but Hot Rats by Zappa is very accessible yet edgy.
I also like Uzed by Univers Zero, French TV-Violence..., Henry Cow-Legend, and Clear Spot by Beefheart ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: ole-the-first
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 23:39
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Unvers Zero and Art Zoyd are really the ones you'd better to start from. I also appreciate Norwegian band Shining very much, especially their 'Grindstone' (2007) and 'Blackjazz' (2010). Those guys did a really unusual journey from jazz to post rock to black metal to indie rock. ------------- This night wounds time. |
Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: January 14 2014 at 21:17
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So I'm previewing Uzed by Univers Zero now, and I mush say, I'm really digging this! There's some powerful music here that really appeals to my appreciation for well-constructed, driving music. Definitely going high on the "to buy" list! Thank again everyone I'll be sure to give the others a listen too!
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Posted By: dogen
Date Posted: January 28 2014 at 07:09
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mmm…you’re talking my oevre! I have VDGG and
Wetton-era KC in my DNA and I humbly suggest that you already have some
understanding of RIO/Avant because I would say that those two titans fit that
label (as much as any other such band might).
That aside…
I think if you are likely to come across some “grating harmonies” and / or “free atonality” in such an
experimental field but anyhoo…
Like others
here, I really enjoy Guapo, Secret Chiefs and Mr Bungle but…
If I was to
try to score two direct hits given your OP, I would definitely recommend you
give a serious listen to both Thinking Plague (think VDGG with a female
vocalist) and Gosta Berlings Saga (think a more fluid instrumental KC),
if you have not already done so. All of their albums are, to my ears, superb,
but if you want a nudge, try TP’s “Decline and Fall” and Gosta’s “Detta har
hant”. I shall be listening to these artists all my days I think. Their
creativity, originality and sheer musicality make them the modern equivalents
of VDGG and primetime KC, for me. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 28 2014 at 10:25
Just learned about these guys....nice stuff..
 ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 28 2014 at 10:45
This is unbelievably available for $5 at Wayside!!
http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Products/Uz-Jsme-Doma-Caves-%28Mega-Blowout-Sale%29__Rune-spc-312-MBS.aspx" rel="nofollow - http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Products/Uz-Jsme-Doma-Caves-(Mega-Blowout-Sale)__Rune-spc-312-MBS.aspx ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: ShW1
Date Posted: January 30 2014 at 13:35
I would go on that list (above), and add to this Alek Redfrain, Charming hostess and U-Totem. Maybe even 5UU's hunger teeth? Aranis? problem is with that recommandation threads that it end up with dosen of recommandations that no one can really digest 
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