Excuse my ignorance... What is progressive?

[fraseyboy]

I've been hearing the word "Progressive" used a lot in music and I've always wondered what it means...

What exactly is Progressive Rock/country and how are they different to normal rock/country?

Oh and what are some good progressive bands I can try out?

 

[asmox]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_rock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_metal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_country

Decent information throughout those articles, though that last one is basically worthless.

In my eyes, there are two types of progressive rock/metal bands - those which are progressive by style, and those which are progressive by ideal. To put it simply, the former includes bands that ripped off/built on Rush, and the latter includes bands that ripped off/built on King Crimson. I prefer the latter, personally... as these bands tend to far more closely represent the idea of being "progressive" as opposed to simply capitalizing on an already established sound.

As far as what being progressive actually means - most bands under the label feature elaborate arrangements, instrumental wizardry, complicated rhythmic structuring, unorthodox approaches to melody and harmony (dissonance isn't uncommon), use of atypical instruments, conceptual themes that span entire albums (whether lyrical, musical, or otherwise), elements of improvisation, heavy use of dynamics, and other things that "progress" outside of the boundaries that generally limit the music genre in question.

As far as what bands you can try out - most people will recommend stuff like Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, The Flower Kings, IQ, Marillion, et al. These bands are fine, but I don't really think they're very progressive so much as they carry on the "prog" banner that was coined by bands like Rush, Yes, ELP, Gentle Giant, etc. Same old crap, new equipment and modernized sound.

I'd recommend bands like Hammers of Misfortune, Bubblemath, Estradasphere, Mr. Bungle, Gordian Knot, Sleeping People, Alchemist, Indukti, Devin Townsend, Pain of Salvation, Subterranean Masquerade, Maudlin of the Well, Dysrhythmia, Upsilon Acrux...

However, I imagine that most progheads would disagree with me regarding the "prog" and "progressive" dichotomy. Regardless, there's a lot out there on both ends of the spectrum. Dive in.

 

[Riordan]

i've never heard or read of 'progressive country' - that term sounds like a misunderstanding to me. 'alt.country' or 'alternative country' is possibly what was meant, but that doesn't have much to do with progressive rock. progressive metal on the other hand (asmox's recommendations) does.

another of the old-timer bands that usually gets thrown in with the progressive crowd is the folk/hard-rock tinged jethro tull, which goes to show just how wide the progressive spectrum is... from ambient soundscapes to extreme death metal, from neo-classicist keyboard wizardy to neo-pagan folk songs.

 

[jonnywolfet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by asmox /img/forum/go_quote.gif http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_rock http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_metal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_country Decent information throughout those articles, though that last one is basically worthless. In my eyes, there are two types of progressive rock/metal bands - those which are progressive by style, and those which are progressive by ideal. To put it simply, the former includes bands that ripped off/built on Rush, and the latter includes bands that ripped off/built on King Crimson. I prefer the latter, personally... as these bands tend to far more closely represent the idea of being "progressive" as opposed to simply capitalizing on an already established sound. As far as what being progressive actually means - most bands under the label feature elaborate arrangements, instrumental wizardry, complicated rhythmic structuring, unorthodox approaches to melody and harmony (dissonance isn't uncommon), use of atypical instruments, conceptual themes that span entire albums (whether lyrical, musical, or otherwise), elements of improvisation, heavy use of dynamics, and other things that "progress" outside of the boundaries that generally limit the music genre in question. As far as what bands you can try out - most people will recommend stuff like Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, The Flower Kings, IQ, Marillion, et al. These bands are fine, but I don't really think they're very progressive so much as they carry on the "prog" banner that was coined by bands like Rush, Yes, ELP, Gentle Giant, etc. Same old crap, new equipment and modernized sound. I'd recommend bands like Hammers of Misfortune, Bubblemath, Estradasphere, Mr. Bungle, Gordian Knot, Sleeping People, Alchemist, Indukti, Devin Townsend, Pain of Salvation, Subterranean Masquerade, Maudlin of the Well, Dysrhythmia, Upsilon Acrux... However, I imagine that most progheads would disagree with me regarding the "prog" and "progressive" dichotomy. Regardless, there's a lot out there on both ends of the spectrum. Dive in.

Asmox, that was a fantastic distillation of what progressive is, ive printed off your text in order to show friends who have asked me the exact same question as the OP recently. Thanks!
awesome band suggestions too. i would add;
Tunguska Butterfly, Battles, Behold... The Arctopus, Psyopus, Storm And Stress.

 

[Masonjar]

music that people say they listen to so they can feel smarter than everyone else

 

[gp_hebert]

The very best definition you can get:

http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive-rock.asp

 

[fraseyboy]

Wow thanks guys! Now I know what progressive is and I LIKE IT!!!

From what I've listened to, I really like porcupine tree... Thanks again!

 

[Thelonious Monk]

i'd just like to comment that, as a porcupine tree fan, they're not really progressive rock and iirc steven wilson even said this himself in an interview. they have a very unique and certainly not bland style, but not really "progressive" like king crimson, the nice, and other greats.

speaking of the nice, everyone please go get The Nice - The Thoughts of Emmerlist Davjack.