The Underrated

Lozlan wrote: Nektar.  All I ever hear about Nektar are close, but no cigar narratives...a band that was highly innovative, but whose innovation perpetually trailed behind more 'progressive' and successful acts.  However, I put on Tab, or Remember the Future, or their recent 2000's albums, and I'm just blown away.  This is a band that, in my humble opinion, totally deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the great, renowned artists of prog.  Just give Recycled a listen, and try not to be bodily transported.  I dare you.

was already listening to Nektar as I was reading this. (well, not a total coincidence as we are discussing UNDERRATED bands)
I completely agree.
am listening to their live performance "Sunday Night At The London Roundhouse". KILLER SHOW!
so much energy and great interpretations to their classics...
though a bit of a shame nothing from their debut which is really unique, even compared to their latter albums
but each album is unique! just listen to A Tab In The Ocean and than go on and listen to Down To Earth (a totally circus-themed album, much less spacey (as the name would suggest))

extraordinary band


Edited by Verwuestung - October 25 2010 at 16:24

Hey, over in my hip-hop sample thread in Just For Fun I featured the rap song Battle For Asgard by Cannibal Ox which has a Nektar sample in it. So there could be any number of rap fans listening to Nektar without realising it ;)

Known as they are in the prog world, I still say Mahavishnu Orchestra are underrated because John McLaughlin should be a mainstream figure. In my opinion, he should be mentioned in the same breath as Page and Hendrix and so on yet he's fairly consistently overlooked in any mainstream survey of great guitarists.

I think the reason the US counter culture scene is and was more prominent than the UK one is the level of political intent. The US had Viet Nam and conscription. The UK had Swinging London. The US had a heavy situation, the UK had fun and fashion. Different worlds.

I think the Canterbury scene will probably stay as a prog rock sub genre. At least it is about music (and that's all) as most who think they are talking about music (IMHO!!) use that as a the base from which to start an discussion, debate, diatribe.

It might be interesting if the Canterbury scene has a following in the jazz world - it is possible, but I don't know. But as far as underground rock goes that matters now, it's deader than disco. Shame but it's this year's model that matters not yesterday's papers. There, how many cliches does it take to get into a trend.

What I meant by underrated is some album, muso, or band that get littlr or no attention, or may not be viwed with as much consideration as they msy. My examplr - anf don't worry, no one has to agree was PF' Nick Mason. I have found books and nany reports putting his drumming down. IMHO he is a very creative drummer albeit not motivated over the past 20 years or so. Just an example.

I had no idea Mahavisnu were underrated. Most acts may not be household namrd in a mainstream sense but at least within their genre fanbase. I'd like rto see people hardly mentioned and a reason, in th poster's opinion as to why we should pay attention.

e.g Someone posted Espers.

Why? Are they a band? What is so underrated about 'em? What is it that will make me flick into the archives and read reviews. Which i do btw. Much better than wordless ratings, Y'know, depth and substance in posting content as best as one can; just as we expect from the prog artists.

OK. Nick Mason is a creative drummer and many of prog fans ignor him. I think we must look NM like musician not just a Drummer. If you compare him and drummers like Billy Cobham you can see BC is very better than him. However BC is a great musician too but NM's style is different. NM is a psychedelic drummer and we must compare him to other psych drummer not J/R or Metal drummer. He have more experimental works that never released. He try to creat new sound and style. I dont know he reach to what he want or no but I believe he is a great musician and maybe underrate.

O666 wrote: OK. Nick Mason is a creative drummer and many of prog fans ignor him. I think we must look NM like musician not just a Drummer. If you compare him and drummers like Billy Cobham you can see BC is very better than him. However BC is a great musician too but NM's style is different. NM is a psychedelic drummer and we must compare him to other psych drummer not J/R or Metal drummer. He have more experimental works that never released. He try to creat new sound and style. I dont know he reach to what he want or no but I believe he is a great musician and maybe underrate.

well what you all say is true. it's all a question of relevance.
true, Camel is underrated, when comparing to Pink Floyd
but they do have a large following

Message (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1456) the band, in example, is to me a very underrated band. anybody knows of them?

O666 wrote: Nektar is big like Pink Floyd

hehe, say that again and think about it. no way, not anywhere

Manuel wrote: octopus-4 wrote: In terms of underrating, I think Camel are underrated. Their music, in particular the first four albums can compete with the most famous prog acts. The "Sinclair period" was not so good but it surely influenced the sound of a lot of bands. They are the unique band from the 70s able to give us a masterpiece like Rajaz in the 21st century. But they are always considered a "second line" respect to Yes, Pink Floyd, Genesis, King Crimson and so on.  Indeed you are right, Camel is way underrated, and Andy Latimer is also a fantastic guitarist, whose melodic approach is not well appreciated by many prog fans who are more into the metal influence. I would also mention Martin Barre of Jethro Tull, who, according to Ian Anderson, is essential to the band, but hardly considered a top of the list guitarist.

octopus-4 wrote: Lozlan wrote: Nektar.  All I ever hear about Nektar are close, but no cigar narratives...a band that was highly innovative, but whose innovation perpetually trailed behind more 'progressive' and successful acts.  However, I put on Tab, or Remember the Future, or their recent 2000's albums, and I'm just blown away.  This is a band that, in my humble opinion, totally deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the great, renowned artists of prog.  Just give Recycled a listen, and try not to be bodily transported.  I dare you. Sorry, I like only the debut. The rest doesn't make anything special to me, but of course it's just my opinion.

The problem I have with Nektar is that they never seemed to get their own sound. One album sounds like their Yes album. Another sounds like their Genesis album. Another sounds like Eloy/Floyd. And so on. I'm not saying they're not good players, I've just heard nothing that would have me label them as innovators.