Suggestions

I know this question probably gets asked alot, but here goes anyway:

I like: older Rush (i.e. Caress of Steel, Hemispheres etc.); the new Opeth discs (Deliverance, Damnation, Blackwater Park); on again off again with Pink Floyd

I don't like: Dream Theater, Yes, etc.. ( I know that's extremely general, but it's the only two that really stand out)

I was directed to Porcupine Tree and I like "Signify" so far, but I'm looking for more. Any suggestions? Most of my previous attempts at prog have been underwhelming, so I don't want to just go buy stuff and find out if it's any good. Thanks in advance.

Your description is hard to get a handle on :

You like :  RUSH,Floyd, which are two very different styles (Opeth ? I don't know them)

and You dislike : DreamTheatre and YES  again different stlyes so its hard to point you in a specific direction. I think you have to be more precise in what you like and dislike about the bands you mentionned.

You can maybe try: TFK The Flower King , Lizard, Pallas...

Thanks for the suggestions.

Let me refine my description a little better. I like every Rush album ever made. But my favorites are C.O.S., 2112, Hemispheres. Very melodic, often acoustic (ref. The Fountain of Lamneth). I'd delete Floyd from the list because I like Floyd because they are Floyd. I don't know if I can use them as a band to make recommendations from. And Opeth, who started as more Swedish Death Metal, but have now progressed to a more acoustic sound on some albums. On other albums they split time between the acoustic style and a more death metal style. ( If you've never heard these guys, do yourself a favor and pick up Damnation.)

As for dislikes, maybe I can qualify those a little better. I don't like Dream Theater mainly because I can't stand the singer's voice. Also, I'm not crazy about the general degree of "w**kery" in their songwriting. Instead of being subtle in their playing, they tend to be over the top. (Not an attack, just an opinion). And I'm not crazy about the keyboards. I know that contradicts with my like for Rush, but I don't think the two styles are the same. I do like certain songs by DT (I think it's Peruvian Skies), but I generally don't care for them. As for Yes, it's strictly the singer. I do like "Roundabout" by the way, but that's about it. The guitar player (Steve Howe right?) and Bassist are both incredible. I'll give them technical merit, but I don't enjoy their songs. I hope that clears it up a bit.

As for King Crimson.. I'm not sure. I bought "Thrak" a while back, and I was not impressed. I was really looking forward to getting into these guys because I like them all individually and wanted to see what they could do, but it just didn't do it for me. Any other album ???

And to answer The Owl, yes I would say that I lean towards those styles. Even towards the metal end of the spectrum (although I really enjoy the more laid back acoustic stuff). Some other bands I enjoy are: Iron Maiden, Nevermore, old Queensryche, Grateful Dead (and their many side projects), Adrian Legg. That's not a complete list, just maybe enough to give you an idea of what I'm looking for. I know most of those bands are not considered prog, so I did not include them earlier.

Other bands I have tried: Symphony X (so-so) Porcupine Tree (definitely interesting from what I've heard), and various other samplers mainly from labels like Century Media, most of which are metal bands with an occasional prog band in the mix. No one really stood out on those.

I hope that's enough. I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to point me in the right direction. And a final question: Where is a good place to buy these albums? Thanks

Thanks dude!

I'm not really into death metal. I can't stand the "cookie monster" vocals. And I don't usually agree with the lyrics. So I'm with you on that point. But there are some I do like. Don't let the death metal references fool you, I like alot of stuff. Including blue grass, jazz, classical.....

I have looked at the reviews/pages of just about every band on the site. I haven't downloaded many samples because I'm still stuck on dial up. I'm still not sold on D.T. though.

DNA1997,

 I agree with you on DT's singer and the whole "cookie Monster" screamers out there.

Like Rush? Check out Singularity's second disc, Between Sunlight and Shadow.

Floyd like, RPWL. German band that used to be a Floyd cover band and maintain a strong influence.

If you found Porcupine Tree interesting, check out Pineapple thief. Much like Porc Tree, but with Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins singing.   There's also Steve Wilson's new band Blackfield and No-Man. I'm also into David Sylvian, mellow and melodic, great musicians, many from Porc Tree. Rain Tree Crow, Japan reunited.

Jazz: I'm a big Allan Holdsworth fan. Check out Secrets, it's my favorite AH disc.