Big Ears wrote: These days it is not the lyrics which are the problem, it is the 'singers'.  Where is the next Jon Anderson, Greg Lake or Chris Thompson?

Big Ears wrote: These days it is not the lyrics which are the problem, it is the 'singers'.  Where is the next Jon Anderson, Greg Lake or Chris Thompson?

There are some problems, that is one kind.

These days it is not the lyrics which are the problem, it is the 'singers'.  Where is the next Jon Anderson, Greg Lake or Chris Thompson?

JJLehto wrote: CCVP wrote: Seriously gaize, it's only rock and roll. If you would like some good lyrics, go listen to 19th century opera. Pretty much. Besides, all objective what are "good" or "poor" lyrics!

I think we can all objectivelly agree Ke$ha's lyrics are poor.

Seriously gaize, it's only rock and roll. If you would like some good lyrics, go listen to 19th century opera.

The SaidRemark wrote: @ OP: Yes. Prog often has terrible lyrics. I've heard great lyrics too, i.e. Fish. The bad lyrics I have heard in prog are far far far worse than anything I have heard in pop. Now you might say "thats just your opinion", but I challenge you to find a pop song with worse lyrics than some of Roine Stolt's most abysmal. Also terrible: Post-Kevin Moore Dream Theater IQ Most things involving Neal Morse Beardfish Later era Jon Anderson lyrics (his earlier are some favorite ever) My theory is that most prog musicians have a form of high functioning autism that makes it difficult for them to relate with other people using language.

Some of this is interesting, though I don't necessarily agree with all the points made. My feeling about the general point is that prog musicians (like jazz musicians) have a heavy bias and imbalance towards musical complexity often at the expense of lyric and melody.

Prog doesn't always have bad lyrics - look at:

Pink Floyd - Everything
Genesis - Selling England By the Pound
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
King Crimson - A lot of things
et cetera

But well, in every genre someone fails ^^

Prog? Music in general!

take offense to "bad" lyrics myself- if they are typical and not honest and I specifically choose prog which doesn't let me down in these respects, but perhaps more so in terms of lyrics understoon on the lvel of "stories" told, in which they combine with music. Although admittedly music like that of Rhapsody of Fire makes me cringe...

That combination is extremely important to me. Although that will be a very relative term- bad lyrics. To each their own. Genesis, Jethro Tull, King Crimson,Rush.. for me prog music is a source of inspiration with regards to the allusions they make or retellings they do. . Musicanship is important but if you want only music stick to all instrumental prog, which is also fine in the way it can stimulate imagination and make you imagine your own stories, though there is usually a concept behind it that partly directs the listener. Prog music is ALL about story telling and creativity,. not merely about technicality or compolexity of instrumentation on that level of technical performance. There is no other inventive music like it, which would exude the same complexity and depth and as long as its authors put their minds as well as hearts into it, it reaches the listener and never ever bores him or her. Much like classical music, which you can listen to over and over and always hear something new, something else that inspires you.

However, in that respect, I find that fantasy sort of metal prog, like Rhapsody of Fire tends to shine with cheesiness and I really have no heart to go through their music, which is only catchy and doesn't feel like having any substance to it.

It's really all taste (and very much personality) dependent but you really cannot say that prog has bad lyrics or bad stories. There is much to say about more mainstream music too. The melodies may be simple but sometimes it's the simple that makes you feel..empowered. Take Dougie MacLean and his "Ready for the Storm" for instance. I often find it a source of empowerment through a simple image and a sense of desolation it evokes. I used to really like old albums by McKennit - The Vist and Book of Secrets in particular because her music seemed to have been a result of research and genuine dedication and interest in the idea of Learning.

No, no, no. Trully, you really cannot put everything into one simple box, disregarding the varietiy and variety most of all listeners who always make their own senses of the music they listen to.


Edited by Perihelion - May 22 2011 at 08:16