Alternative Prog?

Does anybody else think that there should be a sub-genre entitled Alternative Prog? (or something similar)

I dont know how many bands would qualify for it, but the main ones that come to mind are Oceansize, dredg, and Amplifier.  Right now Oceansize and Amplifier are stuck in the psychedelic/space rock genre, and while at times they have psychedelic moments, they seem out of place.  dredg is in the Crossover prog genre, and that makes sense in a way...but seeing El Cielo next to Supertramp, Mike Oldfield, and The Moody Blues on the crossover prog main page just doesn't seem right.

Other bands that I think might fit this category are Aereogramme, Youthmovies, Muse, Pure Reason Revolution, etc.  I'm sure there are plenty more that I'm forgetting or don't know about...

Anybody have any thoughts on this?  Does there need to be more bands like this to make it an official sub-genre?  Or is it ok with these bands in seperate categories?

I'd push again the idea that Alternative Rock influences or even defines some Progressive Rock modern bands. Therefore, an Alternative Prog band could be present in many genres, even Heavy and Eclectic. So a full sub-genre would be a bit too pushed move.

A reminder, upon reading the impression of "dredg not fitting next to Oldfield, Moody and Supertramp" is that many genres up here (and especially Heavy, Eclectic or Crossover, might I say) don't focus on a single line of music and artists. So dredg could stick along anyone, if they fit the nature/definition/whatever of Crossover Prog.

Alright, I can understand both of your arguments for dredg being in Crossover Prog.  I guess my main point was about Oceansize and Amplifier in the Psychedelic/Space Rock genre.  I consider dredg and Oceansize to be very similar, and very often they are spoken of in the same sentence.  Maybe an easier solution would be to move Oceansize and Amplifier into the Crossover genre.  Although I dont know, it just seems like Crossover is a collection of bands that don't fit anywhere else...

I believe I spoke to soon.  The more I look into the Crossover description, the artists involved, and the difference between it and Prog-related, the more I understand.  Thanks for clarifying!  I'm still fairly new here.

That still doesn't answer the Oceansize question though.  Maybe I should ask one of the space rock collabs.  I actually think Oceansize and Amplifier would fit quite well in Crossover if there is no Alt-prog group.

^ In essence yes, though I think New Prog is an even broader category that includes many Neo Prog and Post Rock bands that you wouldn't necessarily associate with Alt Rock or Alt Prog.

darqDean wrote: ^ In essence yes, though I think New Prog is an even broader category that includes many Neo Prog and Post Rock bands that you wouldn't necessarily associate with Alt Rock or Alt Prog.

New Prog...pff...I understand New Age...but the over-use of "New" in prog timeline or even music would be really heavy-off.

Ricochet wrote: darqDean wrote: ^ In essence yes, though I think New Prog is an even broader category that includes many Neo Prog and Post Rock bands that you wouldn't necessarily associate with Alt Rock or Alt Prog. New Prog...pff...I understand New Age...but the over-use of "New" in prog timeline or even music would be really heavy-off.

I like to sit back with a glass of champagne and relax to the contemporary sounds of próg nouveau.

I do worry that every time a prog genre surfaces it's a case of diminishing returns and I assume the next time this happens it'll be home to bands who are *almost* as prog as Muse or Radiohead. ;P

rushfan4 wrote: To me, I think that Tool would be the flag bearer for an Alternative Prog genre, especially their earlier work.

I knew there was a big one I was forgetting to mention!

Ghost Rider wrote: Seriously speaking, 'new' is too much of a relative concept, as is 'modern'.

My thoughts exactly.  'New' doesn't offer any description to the sound, just says that it was made recently.


Edited by Oceansizzle - January 29 2008 at 14:15