Mew

Phileas wrote:

Muse may have some virtuoso-ish piano interludes here and there, but other than that their music is pretty straight forward, not very Prog at all in my opinion (still I love them to bits, but that's another issue). How many times have you actually listened to And the Glass Handed Kites, and how carefully?

I stand by my opinion that Mew ought to be added in Prog Related. They may not sound like 70's Prog, but they're quite progressive none the less and more so than many bands already here, Muse is one example and dredg another. I can give more examples.

Regrettably the "more Prog/progressive than [...]" argument used in the previous post isn't working, although it actually makes perfect sense and should be regarded as a valid argument when discussing a possible band addition. It seems as though the site tries to ignore their mistakes instead of dealing with them, by pointing to a "we don't remove bands" policy that obviously causes more harm than it prevents. But if even the staff recognize certain additions as mistakes, what good does it make to leave them on the site? And what good does it make leaving bands more progressive and Proggy than the mistakes out?

I think it boils down to the older staff not seeing the Prog-ness of Mew that many younger members see, because they won't really listen to them as the sound is too "modern" or something, doesn't appeal to them. Loads of prejudice on my part, I know, there are always exceptions. But I still have a strong feeling that ignorance because of age is the problem here. The counterarguments suggest this and it has even been admitted to a certain extent. I'm confident there are others who agree with me on this point.

I haven't seen any really satisfying explanation to why Mew shouldn't be added in Prog Related. "They're Pop/Alternative", "I don't hear Yes" isn't enough. Those positive to inclusion have pointed out the characteristics of Mew's music that ought to get them included in Prog Related, but those against have only offered vague explanations like those I presented above. If you want to convince me, point to characteristics of Mew's music that are missing but needed to get them included. And listen to their music thoroughly before doing so! As with most Prog, one listen isn't enough.

Edited by Philéas - June 10 2007 at 17:20

I basically agree with Philéas, although I would prefer Mew in Art Rock, but really, the most important thing is just for them to be added. Also I think the adding policy should be quite liberal. To see a band like Nightwish in here is just ridiculous though.

It's great to see more support for Mew's inclusion!

Time Signature wrote: They do exhibit a sufficient number of the features listed in the above-mentioned article to be included, meiner meinung nach. Not including them seems almost kind of self-contradictory to me.

Exactly!

You managed to pinpoint Mew's proggy features very well. If those who oppose the inclusion actually took time to examine the music carefully, they would find them, I'm sure.


Edited by Philéas - July 21 2007 at 18:05

I don't know.

Rember to actually listen to the music carefully before dismissing it as "just Pop" or something. 

Atkingani wrote: chamberry wrote: Have the Admins come to a conclusion on whether Mew should be added or not?   No conclusion yet, Ruben. Anyway, I put the issue for votation with the other Admins and I believe some news will be displayed asap.

Thanks Guigo.

Hmm... Difficult issue, really.

On one hand, comparing them to Muse and/or Radiohead is just ridiculous. Prog isn't only about complex time signatures and whatnot. Prog is something that's really deep inside, you feel it rather than KNOW it's prog because there's this, this, and that. Muse have that, especially on Black Holes And Revelations. Perfect MODERN new prog. I ain't saying they are King Crimson or whatever.

The problem is... And the point I'm trying to bring across... Muse, for example, are prog within. Mew are prog on the surface which isn't enough. I hope that makes sense. While Muse makes prog accesible and "poppy" (what a nasty word), Mew makes pop - prog. And that's the difference.

That's the thing that I feel is scaring off older prog fans who are against their addition. Mew are very much pop WITH prog and other bands are more or less prog WITH pop.

Though of course having listened to the new album and having seen them live, I have nothing to say against their addition to Prog-Related. I don't think it'd hurt the website. They are an interesting band. And with the last album they deserve to be in Prog-Related.

But of course not Art Rock by a mile. Let's keep Art Rock clean, because it's a very... "interesting" and subtle genre.

What kind of cat is that? Are they usually that big?