Progressive pop/art-pop
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105297
Printed Date: July 20 2025 at 02:41
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Topic: Progressive pop/art-pop
Posted By: Prog-jester
Subject: Progressive pop/art-pop
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 11:55
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Probably should've been in Prog-Related, but whatever... Ok, gimme some good Progressive Pop/Art-Pop. Not poppy Prog, please - no Saga, ELO, 80s Yes or 80s Genesis etc. I look for Pop Music with hooks and great melodies, but with an experimental edge to it (tricky signatures, challenging arrangements, non-standard song structures, etc.), but not the mainstream experimental stuff like Bjork, Death Grips or Animal Collective. Good examples: Joanna Newsom "Ys" Ought "Sun Coming Down" Grizzly Bear "Shields" Owen Pallett "In Conflict" Julia Holter "Have You In My Wilderness" Jim O'Rourke "Simple Songs" FKА twigs "LP1" Jonathan Wilson "Fanfare" Kiev "Falling Bough Wisdom Teeth" The Reign of Kindo "Play with Fire" Wolf People "Fain" Everything Everything The Blue Nile Japan Talk Talk (of course!) Cardiacs (but a bit TOO weird) Radiohead (even though I can't stand'em) Bad examples: all 70s Prog bands that gone Pop in the 80s; technical stuff that's not Prog but screams complexity (djent, mathrock, etc); all those whiny Alt-Rock bands Кscope marketing as "New Prog"; Muse |
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 12:50
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Not sure what you mean by proggy pop, but XTC is my favorite arty proggy pop band of all time.I would also recommend Sanguine Hum,,they have 3 albums now....perhaps more prog related or neo yet there is arty proggy pop going there also. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: fudgenuts64
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 13:55
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John Foxx era Ultravox. Even the later stuff definitely qualifies to a point. Also check out 10cc. ------------- 
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 14:15
don't forget about avant pop-prog man  MoeTar rules ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 14:20
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I don't know if I'd classify some of those as art pop. Maybe because there are genres/traditions that seem a bit more obvious labels. I'll go artist by artist (for the ones I know) and recommend some you might like. Probably going to recommend some "mainstream experimental stuff," just in case you've missed some. Joanna Newsom "Ys": The singer from Icelandic band Mům has a similar singing style. They also use harp sometimes. Efterklang's Parades might be another comparison? I haven't listened to too much Joanna Newsom tbh. Ought "Sun Coming Down": Dead ringer for post-punk. Seems to draw from Television, Wire, The Fall, Mission of Burma, Gang of Four, Pavement, and Sonic Youth. Grizzly Bear "Shields": Daniel Rossen has another similar project called Department of Eagles. Panda Bear's Person Pitch has similarly reverb-y production (though more extreme) and Beach Boys-ish harmonies. If you want something like Grizzly Bear's early work that's really really depressing, you could try Giles Corey's s/t album. But, as I said, it's pretty dark. Fleet Foxes is a rather obvious suggestion. Owen Pallett "In Conflict": Andrew Bird, obviously. Julia Holter "Have You In My Wilderness": Similar in some ways to some of the echo-y female sirens like Grouper, Sea Oleena, and Juliana Barwick. Obviously with some Talk Talk and David Sylvian influence. Jim O'Rourke "Simple Songs" (haven't listened to this album yet) FKА twigs "LP1": Try Tujiko Noriko (particularly Solo) and Hundred Waters' The Moon Rang Like A Bell. Glitch-y, low-key, atmospheric electronics. Thundercat's Apocalypse maybe. Jonathan Wilson "Fanfare" (don't know) Kiev "Falling Bough Wisdom Teeth" (don't know) The Reign of Kindo "Play with Fire" (Don't really like Reign of Kindo tbh. I've heard some stuff that reminded me of them, but I didn't like it or hate it enough to remember it) Wolf People "Fain" (don't know) Everything Everything: I would suggest Japan and early Talk Talk, but you already have them here. They remind me just a bit of some of the more complex J- and K- pop. Fhana and Etsuko Yakushimaru come to mind. I might think of more later. Bloc Party and Vampire Weekend also come to mind (though you probably know them) The Blue Nile (don't know) Japan: First off, David Sylvian's solo material. It's not really that similar and some of his most recent stuff is pretty avant-garde. But I would recommend Secrets of the Beehive in a heartbeat for this. He's also made some pretty great ambient stuff with Holger Czukay. Also worth mentioning is Jun Togawa's great, bizarre new wave album Tamahime-sama. (And she has an even more bizarre electronic cabaret project called Guernica). Talk Talk (of course!): Check out Mark Hollis' s/t album. Sigur Ros is also quite Talk Talk-ish at points. Cardiacs (but a bit TOO weird): Can't think of anything like Cardiacs tbh. Some of the organ tones on Game Theory's Lolita Nation draw them to mind a little bit, though, and that's an album worth checking out. Ariel Pink's sometimes complex pop tomfoolery also comes to mind. Radiohead (even though I can't stand'em): My favorite band actually. I actually can't think of a lot of bands like them that I like, though. Shiina Ringo's Shoso Strip reminds me of OK Computer a little, I guess, for how sonically dense it is. A weird thing about that album is how it seems to draw from both Merzbow and Britney Spears. You read that correctly. You have (well-written) radio pop songs just drenched in noise, ambience and chaos. It's quite effective actually. Majical Cloudz seems to have the minimalist electronics of Kid A, though they aren't nearly as adventurous. Some more bands/artists you might like: Unwound Chavez Polvo Deerhoof Viet Cong Protomartyr After Dinner Blonde Redhead UA I could really go on and on with the very inclusive definition you've given. Don't be surprise if you get drowned in recommendations. ------------- https://dreamwindow.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My Music 
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 14:23
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Two great albums released in 2015, with Bandcamp links for your listening pleasure: Orion Rigel Dommisse - Omicron http://orionrigeldommisse.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://orionrigeldommisse.bandcamp.com/ William D. Drake (ex Cardiacs) - Revere Reach http://williamddrake.bandcamp.com/album/revere-reach-2" rel="nofollow - http://williamddrake.bandcamp.com/album/revere-reach-2 |
Posted By: TheLionOfPrague
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 15:43
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70's ELO? I think it fits the description. Some stuff of Supertramp or Alan Parsons maybe, or early Bee Gees. ------------- I shook my head and smiled a whisper knowing all about the place |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 17:02
I can suggest Kajagoogoo  they are mostly cheesy 80's synth-pop (claptrap to most folks) - . But try songs like Freyo, Introduction, Take Another View, The Garden and Melting The Ice Away. All have an artsy twist you may go for. |
Posted By: Blinkyjoh
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 18:14
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Would the last couple riverside albums, united program fraternity's fall in love with the world, and The Windmill continued, continuation albums qualify? They all seem prpg poppy to me, but I struggle with classifications. I wonder if arena"s Unquiet Sky would be ok as well, but read the short story Casting the Runes first. I'm thinking sound of contact as well but that might be pushing it, as it is genesisy. These are albums I've discovered the last full year myself. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 19:28
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Roxy Music, Supertramp, 10cc, Sparks, Queen, Nik Kershaw,Tears for Fears, the Zombies, ELO, Jukebox the Hero, It Bites. -------------  
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 19:30
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Smashing Pumpkiks, Wilco, At the Drive in -------------
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 25 2015 at 19:51
^ Pumpkiks  Perhaps some of the longer cuts by The Cure. |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 00:16
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Silversun Pickups might be a good fit. ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 00:18
 And I presume this is something to be called Art Pop at some point...Amazing taste, btw, I've chosen quite a few artists/releases I'm yet to check out from your list, thanks a lot! Others you've mentioned either long-time faves of mine or something I don't really want to get back too)
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dr wu23 wrote:Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 00:24
micky, Raff - streaming those now, thanks!
You guys are the best! |
Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 00:44
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I can suggest Ambrosia, their first album is their progiest and also the best, other good albums are somewhere i've never travelled and Rock Island. Also check Transister from 79' the album called Zig Zag, it's an excellent example of poppy like tunes but very clever and progy enough, it's quite rare actually. I must have more...
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 00:45
| My appreciation for Kajagoogoo has only been enhanced by the fact that their braided-haired bassist is a bona-fide Prog-head well even before he formed this 80's band. He is now Steven Wilson and Steve Hackett's touring/recording bassist. As well as umpteen 80's acts preferred choice of basssist. But part of me always dug Kaja, and even though they are mostly laughable, I love their work, and find some Proggy ideas in what they've done. Nothing wrong with mainstream/new-wave acts, as long as their musicianship takes the (at the time, current) trend a little bit further. I get it, Kajagoogoo name-dropped on a Prog forum is preposterous - though, I love their songs, love what they do, and I am prepared to wear it for ever.......... I just hope some other folks can hear what I hear in their offering of music............ |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 00:52
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The "all 70s Prog bands that gone Pop in the 80s" as bad examples kinda throws a wrench in, but Split Enz debut was great - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Split_mental.gif" rel="nofollow">  and Ariel were damn good -  ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 01:14
| ^ Flick - DAVID - You dig the Enz .....? I've loved them since my pre-teen years. Their early albums are 110% Prog. True development between Prog artistry and Pop-song writing with creative and colourful arrangements. These guys are dear to my heart.......... |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 01:17
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of course I like the Enz, artrock at its best - ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 01:23
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David Bowie's 'Berlin Trilogy' is an example of great Art Pop.
"Progressive pop" doesnt exist.
Kscope's artists are marketing as Post-Progressive.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 01:37
| Yes - Bowie. There's so much to enjoy - if you even analyse Duran Duran (of which I can't get into) you'll find some talent that is a cut above 'average' musicians....... After all, they're not famous for just being a 'bassist' or some such.......... |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 01:42
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Posted By: fudgenuts64
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 05:16
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I'll second Smashing Pumpkins. On the surface they don't really seem like an art rock group, but on an album level they get really diverse. I recommend Siamese Dream and Adore, maybe Mellon Collie but it has too much filer for me but with some choice cuts. Also reminds me I need that Split Enz album. Completely forgot about that one. Finally, the one that I forgot about in the first post is Talking Heads. Can't go wrong with Fear of Music or Remain In Light both essential art rock albums. -------------
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 06:37
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some Yugo art-pop video clips from the early 80s - perhaps it could be interesting : Oliver Mandić "Pitaju me, pitaju"(1984) Oliver Mandić"Osloni se na mene"(1980) :
Oliver Mandić "Samo nebo zna"(1981)
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 08:00
Love Split Enz, but thanks anyway!
Very much so, but quite obvious to recommend But hey, finally someone mentioned Talking Heads! 
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 12:59
^^^Talking Heads? hardly that they were "pop" back in the day...well, there's a lot of funk, but ... eg. Police's catalogue is full of reggae, but nobody says that they were a reggae band.
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Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 13:05
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^Most of the bands he's mentioned aren't really considered "art pop." He's conceded that somewhere in the thread at least. He's just looking for interesting bands that aren't prog is all. ------------- https://dreamwindow.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My Music
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Posted By: The Bearded Bard
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 13:19
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Two avant-pop(prog) acts (and songs) very dear to my heart: Slapp Happy: After Dinner: -------------  
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Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 13:55
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Syzygys is good avant pop as well (not to be confused with Syzygy) ------------- https://dreamwindow.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My Music
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 14:08
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art-pop by Belgrade's singer Alexandra Sladjana Milošević - "Fantastično putovanje"(1985) Alexandra Sladjana Milošević - "Neko je tu" (live @Zagreb,1987)
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Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 15:25
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Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 16:03
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned Steely Dan,,,,the first 3 or 4 are all prog pop/ art rock to a large degree. I don't think the early ones are really 'jazz fusion' at all, but opinions differ. Prog pop at it's best imho..... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: December 26 2015 at 22:15
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a some more acts from that developed & pitoresque art-pop scene in the early 80s Belgrade: female singer-songrwriter Bebi Dol's "Mustafa"(1981) Kozmetika "Gaja"(instrumental) (1983)
Kozmetika "Ne da / Ne nego i/ili"(1983)
Kozmetika "Jedne noći na terasi na moru"(1983)
Du-Du-A "Primitivni ples" (1983)
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: December 27 2015 at 07:11
Well, kinda close description. But I'm also looking for hooks, great melodies, unusual but great melodies, challenging arrangements, long tracks, etc. No metal|hardcore|math stuff plz, but I might like some electronic|hip-hop-related stuff |
Posted By: Rando
Date Posted: December 27 2015 at 17:16
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Candy Flip Daft Punk The Beloved Brian Eno Talking Heads 808 State Talk Talk New Musik There's just so much out there, but these immediately came to mind - ------------- - Music is Life, that's why our hearts have beats - |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: December 30 2015 at 00:13
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one album wonders of 80s Yugo art-pop: Dobri Isak "Mi plačemo iza tamnih naočara"(1986, Niš-Serbia)
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Posted By: thebeastmustdie
Date Posted: December 30 2015 at 20:13
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Pavement - Wowee Zowee and/or Brighten The Corners Super Furry Animals - Rings Around The World Godley & Creme - L Beach Boys - Smile Sonic Youth - A Thousand Leaves High Llamas - Hawaii |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 02 2016 at 08:59
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Du-Du-A "Ja ne bi ne bi ne bi" (Belgrade, 1982)
Bebi Dol "Rudi" (Belgrade, 1983)
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Posted By: TheLionOfPrague
Date Posted: January 02 2016 at 19:09
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Trafalgar from the Bee Gees is a great album. It probably falls in "art pop" category. ------------- I shook my head and smiled a whisper knowing all about the place |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 03 2016 at 09:51
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Oliver Mandić "Moja draga voli Kurosavu" (Belgrade, 1980)
Oliver Mandić "Da on je mali"(Belgrade, 1980)
Oliver Mandić "Dođe mi da vrisnem tvoje ime"(Belgrade, 1985)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 03 2016 at 23:15
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Beograd "Sanjaš li u boji?" (Belgrade, 1981)
Beograd "Opasne igre" (Belgrade, 1983)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 04 2016 at 01:49
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A female fronted art-pop band called Bastion from Skopje, Macedonia, ex-Yugoslavia: "Mesec u šolji" (1984)
Bastion "A Hot Day In Mexico" (Skopje, 1984)
Bastion "Molitva" (Skopje, 1984)
Bastion "Lica u ogledalu" (Skopje, 1984)
Bastion "Mister Kompleks" (Skopje, 1984)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 08 2016 at 21:42
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Haustor "Šal od svile" (Zagreb-1985)
Max & Intro "Ostavi sve", (Belgrade-1985)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 09 2016 at 22:15
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Videosex "Neonska Reklama 2" (Ljubljana-1984)
Videosex "Videosex" (Ljubljana-1984)
La Strada "Nečujni hod stranca" (Niš-1983)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 19:15
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Haustor's "Čudne misli", the song from "Tajni grad" lp released in 1988, in Zagreb, Croatia, ex-Yugoslavia. Haustor "Tajni grad" (title track) (Zagreb-1988)
Haustor "Uhode" (Zagreb-1988)
Haustor "Crni žbir" (tv appearance, 1982)
Haustor "Sejmeni" ( video tv spot, 1984)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 04:41
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a great swan-song of the greatest art-pop singer-songwriter of our time.
reast in peace.
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 12 2016 at 00:56
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Zagreb's art-pop band Boa were playing as an opening act for David Bowie (rest in peace) at his concert at Maksimir football stadium, Zagreb, Croatia, ex-Yugoslavia. here are three songs from their debut lp, 1982. |
Posted By: backtothegarden
Date Posted: January 13 2016 at 10:56
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I'll second Sanguine Hum. Love that band, and can't wait for their "new" album to come out in 2 weeks. I also like Tin Spirits. The last song on their album "Scorch", called "Garden State", is a 15-minute instant classic for me.
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: January 14 2016 at 16:31
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the Balkan Prog Thread is slightly getting on topic again, thank you! The bummer is I really don't like Sanguine Hum, much ado about nothing |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 15 2016 at 06:25
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^^^no, not Balkan prog. Balkan prog is where melodic hard rock meets jazz-rock and psych, with just a slice of symph a la RPI and (or) British prog.
this is Balkan art-pop thread now
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Posted By: backtothegarden
Date Posted: January 15 2016 at 08:12
No worries. This song seems to be a better fit for this thread, though: |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 15 2016 at 09:30
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Sladjana Milošević, "Dolazi zima (Prvi sneg)" (Beograd-1987)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 17 2016 at 02:47
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Borghesia "Noćne šetnje" (Ljubljana, Slovenia, ex-Yugoslavia, 1985)
Borghesia "Mi smo posvod" (Ljubljana - 1986)
Borghesia "U crnom" (Ljubljana - 1988)
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 17 2016 at 02:57
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so many videos, the page won't even load |
Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 17 2016 at 04:51
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Miladojka Youneed "Ratata" (Ljubljana, Slovenia, ex-Yugoslavia 1987)
Miladojka Youneed "AfroArgo" (Ljubljana -1987)
Miladojka Youneed "Swans Lake" (Ljubljana - 1987)
Miladojka Youneed "YU special" (Ljubljana - 1987)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 18 2016 at 08:35
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Bebi Dol "Na planeti uzdaha" (Belgrade - 1981)
Bebi Dol "Ruže i krv" (Belgrade - 1983)
Bebi Dol "Lapis Lazzuli" (Belgrade - 1983)
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Posted By: Komandant Shamal
Date Posted: January 19 2016 at 00:59
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Denis & Denis "Dio refrena" (Rijeka, Istria, Croatia, ex-Yugoslavia 1984)
Oskarova fobija "Beli Dekolte" (Belgrade, Serbia, ex-Yugoslavia, 1982)
Bebi Dol & Oliver Mandić "Neverne bebe" (Belgrade - 1982)
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Posted By: Dead Sea Fisherman
Date Posted: January 30 2016 at 00:24
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How about Tim Bowness, No-Man, Phil Selway, Eno & Hyde, Syd Arthur, early Simple Minds. |
Posted By: backtothegarden
Date Posted: February 04 2016 at 13:51
Tim Bowness has been my jam lately. I've been into Stupid Things That Mean the World since it came out, and I found Memories of Machines not long after that. This past week, I got his other two solo projects, My Hotel Year and Abandoned Dancehall Dreams. Can't get enough of it. I especially like the stuff he does with a live band behind him, Like Last Year's Tattoo, or the live band mixes on Abandoned Dancehall Dreams. Know That You Were Loved was my favorite song of 2015. Once I'm done absorbing those albums, I'll likely give No-Man a shot.
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Posted By: Dead Sea Fisherman
Date Posted: February 04 2016 at 19:58
| I like No-Man a lot. Very addictive sound. I particularly like Schoolyard Ghosts & Returning Jesus. |
Posted By: CharonKnight
Date Posted: February 09 2016 at 12:48
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I would suggest Gloria Mundi who were sort of a prog punk band that were also friends with John Foxx when he was fronting Ultravox! http://www.gothpunk.com/formaldihyde/ppgloria.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.gothpunk.com/formaldihyde/ppgloria.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Y9EN8nE5I" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Y9EN8nE5I Possibly Yellow Magic Orchestra and their solo albums (I'm just citing them based on your original citation of Japan). |
Posted By: CharonKnight
Date Posted: February 09 2016 at 12:51
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Oh, and I don't think anyone mentioned Magazine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MbXEJwcec" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MbXEJwcec Or Duncan Browne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBDVnrc99Jk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBDVnrc99Jk The video is rock 'n' roll cliche at its finest but the last few minutes are pop prog perfection.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: February 09 2016 at 14:12
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Anyone mention Phew? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHRUJo0G2i4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHRUJo0G2i4 After Dinner is another I'd mention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5gQQbUmrK4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5gQQbUmrK4 A lot of "avant pop" could fit the list. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: February 09 2016 at 16:55
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The Zombies - Odyssey & Oracles, best art pop/progressive album of all time (imo) -------------
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Posted By: AugustusFlora
Date Posted: February 14 2016 at 13:51
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Aurganic has been doing cool stuff lately. Atmospheric but catchy. Check out Shaman, In Deep Waters, Deviations https://soundcloud.com/aurganic
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