Elitism in Prog?

I am absolutely a prog elitist. Why settle for less?

VanVanVan wrote: I am absolutely a prog elitist. Why settle for less?

And in no way are we going to let you into the club if you aren't one.

thellama73 wrote: I see a lot of elitism on these boards (and I have been guilty of it myself) mainly in the form of putting down fans of other styles of music as unsophisticated or closed-minded. I admit to being a music snob, but just because someone likes Pop or Punk doesn't make them an idiot.

rogerthat wrote:   Also, it cannot be emphasised enough that prog is NOT the most complex/most sophisticated/most technical music out there...please venture out of your shell and listen to other music.  If you dismiss jazz and classical as too posh or lacking energy, how are you any different from the people who say they can't listen to prog because it's too civilized, lengthy and boring?

prog is too civilized? I'd love an explanation of this

70s prog =/= all prog

and you should just throw down some Magma if they tell you it's not rude enough

But they like prog metal. See, that's why I mentioned 70s prog in particular.  They like stuff with riffs, as simple as that.  Most such people generally like Rush but not stuff like Genesis or Gentle Giant, to say nothing of stuff like Egg or Supersister. There's no way you'll get them to listen to Magma, they'll say it's too bizarre or drugged or whatever. 

We're elitist because we care. Because obviously if you don't defend your favourite band with reckless abandon, and no thought to any proof of your wild arguments, you aren't really a fan.

kingfriso wrote: I also have trouble being happy for others who like IMHO less good music (let's say populair music and dong-dong-dong-dong music). This makes me soud like I think I'm the elite.

Well, it could be construed as elitist if you openly sound to them like you scorn their music...this is ground that must be carefully negotiated and it's easy to over generalize. I am sure if I say Stevie Wonder is my favourite Western music artist within the umbrella of pop/rock (including prog), most people here will think of I Just Called To Say I Love You or Part Time Lover and smirk.  But what if I say I also love KC, Magma, Gentle Giant, Can among others?  We cannot assume that popular music is bad by virtue of its being popular.  I don't even know how people go around with that view when we know how popular Beatles are.  You may not find something to like in Beatles or Stevie's music but that certainly doesn't imply that they lack merit or people who consider them amongst the foremost music artists (within rock/pop categories, that is) need to be pitied upon. 

thellama73 wrote: I see a lot of elitism on these boards (and I have been guilty of it myself) mainly in the form of putting down fans of other styles of music as unsophisticated or closed-minded. I admit to being a music snob, but just because someone likes Pop or Punk doesn't make them an idiot.

I Disagree with this. I have been on these boards for a year or so and have been generally surprised at the open mindedness of the members and the fact that they do not generally put down other styles of music. I've seen countless threads where people have gone out of there way to demonstrate this ('i dont only listen to prog, it isnt the be all and end all of music, i listen to pop, classical etc etc etc') as if they are afraid of being accused of being close minded. But in my opinion this is a good thing about these forums, and allows excellent and enlightened musical debate!