In the last ten months or so since I found MOG, I've been introduced to a lot of great music. I've also tried to do my share, as well, but early on I learned that my absolute favorite genre of music is not only under represented here, but is under appreciated as well, even hated in some circles, and I'd like to try and rectify that a bit.
I'm talking, of course, about progressive rock.
Now, before you go and click on the next post and send this to oblivion, allow me to clarify something. I think in many cases, the problem is that when people hear the term "progressive rock" or "prog," for short, this is automatically what most people think of:
or this:
Now, I love Yes quite a bit, but I can see how one could be turned off to the whole idea of progressive rock if them or early King Crimson, or any of the hundreds of knock-off bands that try to emulate them are your only exposure. And while I love those bands, I'm not blind to the fact that the dripping 60's peace and love sentiment can be pretty sappy. And while I'm inclined to give benefit of the doubt due to the era it comes from, I can understand teh snickering it ensues.
I'm here to tell you, though, that that particular scene was, and is, only a very small percentage of what is classified as "progressive rock." The term itself is really an umbrella term, referring to any musical act that tries to stretch the boundaries of what has been done before. That sounds a bit pretentious, really, but that's beside the point. Really, there is an incredible array of styles that all fall under that category, and I'll bet that those of you who follow me through this will be pleasantly surprised at what you may find.
What I plan on doing, sporadically at best, is discussing some of the genres that are usually considered by us proggers to fall under the term of "progressive." Some of it is classical based, some jazz, and others come from all points in between.
Here's something in the meantime that's a little different:
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Ambitious undertaking.
Never heard of Moebius/Plank/Neumeier before. What's their deal?
Is that you in the back (with the hat on) in the first pic?
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Moebius/Plank/Neumeier is one of the many electronic-based projects that in some way relate to the German group Cluster. In this case, Dieter Moebius and Connie Plank are from Cluster (doing keyboards and sounds and production and stuff), and Mani Neumeier is the drummer from the band Guru Guru. Those guys, along with Michael Rother from Neu!, Hans Joachim Roedelius (also from Cluster), Brian Eno, and a host of others, put out dozens of albums with different names depending on who is in the collaboration. It ranges from early electronic experimental stuff, to more ambient, to almost new age (which is where it starts to get boring), to more rock oriented stuff like this.
And no, as cool as that hat is, that's Rick Wakeman doing his best to look obscure and mysterious, I think. Although he ends up looking more like an idiot, I think.
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So they belong to the ever popular "Incestuous Group Of German And A Brit Musicians".
I.G.O.G.A.A.B.M. for short.
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Well, that’s the section I look for it under!
That can't be good English. I 'll have to call Miz Liz in here to do an evaluation.
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Well, that's the section I look for it under!
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I thought about that after I posted it. As a Language Arts teacher (ain't that a scary thought?) I only have one defense: I used my poetic license.
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I know everybody likes to be all indie and obscure at times but as you may remember Groon, I loves me some Yes and so good ol' Genesis from time to time. Hell I could go for a little Marillion or maybe some Queensryche right about now.
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I'm down to be schooled Groon.....
it;s one of those genres that I have tried to like, but I can never really stick with. It doesn't mean I dislike it, but rather given the choice (and lord knows we have way too many choice of what to listen to) I don't go there.... for instance: I tried to get into The Mars Volta and all I ever ended up listening to was their earlier reggae/dub influenced incarnation DeFacto.
I respect the musicians for their awesome abilities, i.e. Fripp...... and I am attracted to Fripp's Guitar Craft philosophy, but King Crimson just has not found heavy listening from me.
So do your best..... I'm in the front row
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I'm listening.
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Come on - confess. The only reason you love prog is because Rick Wakeman wears ugly hats. ;-)
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dach: I'll consider you "one of the choir," but I hope you'll be able to find other prog related things that don't fall into the same vein as Yes and Genesis. There's so much out there!
Dzend: I can respect that. King Crimson is my number one, but like I just said, there's so much more out there to find!
Mike: That's all I ask
Dermahrk: Gotta love the capes, too!
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Damn right the capes! Don't forget to mention some of the bands that have prog tendancies. Radiohead, Tool, and even the Decemberists can be heard throwing in a few odd time signatures and great musicianship. Can't wait to see where these series of posts go Groon. Lay it on me.
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I look forward to this. There are some great under appreciated groups out there like you mentioned (Guru Guru, etc.). I love this stuff - the crazier the better. Of course there are also bands like Hawkwind (which are almost unheard of here in the States) too, which I still never get tired of.
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sweet, i look forward to this lecture and learning something. i agree, there are some pretty heady stereotypes floating around about prog. could you call CAN prog? or just some prog tendencies? i expect many more hats and capes
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CBW--hope I can deliver some good crazy stuff! I agree with "the crazier the better," but I'm gonna try not to scare the "straights" too much. Or I might just go completely for broke. Have to admit Hawkwind is a band I know of, but haven't heard too much stuff from. They're on my list, though!
Madrid spacestation spain (great name, by the way!): I would definitely call CAN prog, and plan on talking about them in one of the parts of this series I'm cooking up. I'll try to keep this thing full of capes and hats, too!
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I hear a bit of where The Chemical Brothers got some influence.
Very intriguing.
I've never really listened to any of the german synth-pop bands before.
I've always like it a bit noisier.
Good stuff though.
Fun to listen to.
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Oh CAN, my mouth is watering already.
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Chris: I don't think I knew you were a Can fan. I absolutely love them, as many of my posts have indicated. Will definitely be getting to them soon!