For the prog fan that is not a prog fan

Rocktopus wrote: darkshade wrote:   MercyfulFatesWarning wrote: I didn't see Van der Graaf Generator your list?  I know they're old, but I'd think they would be right up your alley..   ive given this band more than 3 tries, they just dont click with me. they're almost, dare i say, booooring. i actually fell asleep to one of their albums (and it was 3 in the afternoon and i wasnt tired prior) so yea, no. thanks for the suggestion though Either you haven't tried hard enough, or the wrong album. If not, just forget all about all my suggestions.

I agree, the first VdGG album I listened to was Pawn Hearts and I totally hated it... I couldn't get into it, it was a bad experience... that was 2 years ago I think, but, a couple of months ago I got Godbluff and Still Life and I was marveled by these 2 albums... I've given Pawn Hearts a few chances since then, but I still can't enjoy it
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Now Darkshade, I'm reaching the point where prog rock isn't  enough and I'm starting to dig in jazz-fusion, though I'm familiar with some Chick Corea, Weather Report & the Mahavishnu Orchestra... so my musical journey hasn't been so long as yours.

My point is, I don't know if you have check'em out, if you have, I don't  know if you'll like'em or not, maybe you'll hate them... but since you like Zappa, Mr Bungle & Gentle Giant...

you should, I mean... YOU MUST CHECK CARDIACS...

Easy Money wrote: Hey Darkshade, You know I share your enthusiasm for Hancock and Miles, we both keep showing up in the same threads ha ha. I was raised on classic early 70s prog rock. It's great stuff but there's only so many times I can listen to the same records. I keep looking for newer prog rock that I like, but there is a lot of weak material to wade through. Some post 70s bands I like include Ozric Tentaclees, Birds and Buildings, Jaga Jazzist, Shining, Maserati and Kensos. There is also a lot of great progressive music in the modern world of electronic music, not exactly prog-rock but similar. P.S. I don't care for new prog bands that sound like old prog bands, it's time to move on, most of the bands I listed draw on the past but still sound fresh and new.

sorry for the repost.  after posting the first message I got an error message telling me the post had failed, so I started over.  oh well...

I tend to like the 70's prog I first became familiar with back in the day, but have not yet heard much new prog that excites me (though, like you, I keep listening!).  In general, when it comes to new music, I tend to like  that which takes me somewhere I've not previously been, and much of what is being made now simply sounds too much like what went before.

In fact, of the artists I've only become familiar with in the past year or so, the only two that have caused my head to turn have been:

BOB DRAKE (I'd suggest starting with WHAT TIME IS IT... or maybe the title is WHAT DAY IS IT... something like that, and then, if you like that, try ANIMAL MEDALION CARPET). and

AHVAK (I believe they only have one album to date).


As for older stuff that's different from the norm, I'd suggest trying the following, and if you like any of these, I'd be happy to make other recommendations:

CAN (Flow Motion and Limited Edition are both great, though the later - and more unusual of the two - is easier to find in a double-length collection titled Unlimited Edition, and I'm not really fond of any of the added material)

GONG (Shamal or Flying Teapot... the 1st is jazz/space/fusion, the 2nd definitive spacerock)

HENRY COW (LegEnd or Western Culture or Desperate Straights... in order of unusualness)

GREAVES & BLEGVAD (Kew. Rhone.   This one is sort of avant-prog jazz)

Good luck!
Paul

   Take it easy Darkshade , on yurself , you must pay money , time , and sweat for yur earnings . i'm into progressive rock since 1968 , and i still enjoy my stuff up till now . I don't look at all for somethng new to buy , as my old albums satisfies me . You must always take into consideration these factors to get a step ahead in music . The right timing , the right place , the right people and the right mood . So , don't push things to the Extreme , wait for your turn in our school , YOU HAVE TO DIG A LOT my friend ////////////////// 

darkshade wrote: This is me basically. I enjoy bands that make prog rock, but I dont like prog rock. Now before you all lynch me, let me explain. There are people on this site (generally speaking) that are into prog rock and cant get enough of it. I am not one of those people. I dont generally 'look' for prog rock. If anything I am, more or less, seeking music that is jazz, funk, jazz-fusion, etc related. I said, I enjoy certain bands that make prog rock, but the genre as a whole I technically dont listen to...

Yeah, Italian Symphonic would be right up your ally I believe. The style is often jam like while still keeping that symphonic sound.

You mention world influences, which leads me to ask if you've heard Orphaned Land? They're of the metal variety but they have a pretty tight sound I believe you should at least check out. And if Metal is what you seek, Unexpect are a rather formidable band who offer, well, 'unexpected' variations in their music, which might offer the 'intensity' and variation you appear to want to discover.

yea im into Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Phish, String Cheese, moe, and other jam bands, so i enjoy bluegrass and appreciate it. i dont own any 'actual' bluegrass records, but i like it when i hear it.

forevergrateful68 wrote: You and I share a pretty similar taste. I'm also really into jam bands as well as prog. I can see why you would like Jazz-Fusion and all since that's basically how jam bands work, improvising and all. I'm guessing you have a pretty broad knowledge of the genre but here are some bands I really like that are on the jazzy side: Galactic, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Victor Wooten (solo), The Big Wu, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Addison Groove Project... Galactic i havent had a chance to check out, but i have all 3 of Stanton Moore's albums which are fantastic. The rest of those i havent heard of except Addison Groove Project. My friend owns some stuff by them, ill ask him if i can check out some of his cds. and im quite familiar with MM&W, and Victor Wooten. Which of the ones i havent heard would you say is best to check out first? If you have time also check out these bands: Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, STS9, Yonder Mountain String Band, and My Morning Jacket. these bands i have never heard of either. will check them out.   Glad you have an appreciation for Umphrey's McGee too, they are probably the best new band on the live circuit right now. thank you. they definitly are. seen them live twice. will again, next time theyre in my area

Nice to hear that people are bringing up bands like MM&W, STS9 and Particle. I think these bands are creating a whole new type of prog rock that is being missed out on by a lot of people on this site.