Moody Blues - Art Rock?!
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Forum Name: Proto-Prog and Prog-Related Lounge
Forum Description: Discuss bands and albums classified as Proto-Prog and Prog-Related
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11037
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Topic: Moody Blues - Art Rock?!
Posted By: maani
Subject: Moody Blues - Art Rock?!
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 12:23
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How on God's earth did The Moody Blues get classified as "art rock?!" Not only were they the first (or second) rock group to use an actual orchestra, but they were heavily mellotron- and keyboard-based from the get-go. If these guys don't qualify as "symphonic prog," then no one does. Max: are you listening? Peace. |
Replies:
Posted By: philippe
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 12:38
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My voice will count for nothing but I think that The Moody Blues are far from progressive music. What I've heard from them sounds as pop music with discreet "psych" accents + "soft" ballads. I've surely not tried what they've done with orchestra and so on...so I can't decide on this one. ------------- 
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Posted By: gabbel ratchett
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 12:40
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The Moodys are symphonic, no doubt about it. Art rock, I don't think so. ------------- dead things don't talk too well, they've got a shaky sense of diction. |
Posted By: Chris_Kemp
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 12:49
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Definitely a proto-prog band, one of the percursors to full-blown prog and a damn good one, too! |
Posted By: Flip_Stone
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 13:44
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Man, forget the stupid and gay terminologies like "art-rock" and "proto-prog! Labels like that don't mean squat! The Moody Blues were simply one of the first progressive rock bands, maybe even the first! But don't let their early orchestrations, early psychedelic/60's sound, or later commercial/pop songs get in the way. They were doing some innovative and groundbreaking songwriting and playing back in a different time. And the mellotron? They were using it in ways bands hadn't at that point, and probably haven't since.
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Posted By: Chris_Kemp
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 14:15
| My comment wasn't meant to be a slam. They're great. My first introduction to the Mellotron at the tender age of 12. |
Posted By: robertplantowns
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 14:19
???? Why would you even comment on this forum if you've never heard the progressive side of their music is beyond me. I might as well say that Emerson, Lake and Palmer is pop-rock also because the only song of theirs I've heard is 'Lucky Man.' If you see a topic that is unknown to you then skip over it. There's no use in wasting your two cents, you might as well keep the worthless change. Listen to Days of Future passed, there is nothing discreet about it. Most of the album is full-blown orchestral music that rivals even some very good classical music. They also mix in the classical elements brilliantly into their songs and even though it doesn't sound like progressive music as we know it today it was revolutionary at the time and cannot be considered anything else than very progressive music. Even their most popular tune 'Nights in White Satin' has an entire orchestra in it, and everyone should know that one. If they're not Symphonic Prog then the genre doesn't even exist because the Moody Blues are a hallmark and a forefather of the genre and not recognizing their place in progressive rock is a prog blasphemy. |
philippe wrote:Posted By: Chris_Kemp
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 14:24
| They're also an important pioneer of the concept album. |
Posted By: DarHobo
Date Posted: September 02 2005 at 14:56
| Moody Blues are awesome. |
Posted By: The Minstrel
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 00:52
Why does it matter if they are classified as symphonic prog or art rock? Seriously, who cares? What should matter is that the Moody Blues are an awesome band who greatly influenced the roots of prog. It's not like they said one day, "Let's be a symphonic prog band." We should let the music be what it is and not try and classify every single band. |
Posted By: maani
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 12:22
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All: The reason it "matters" what subgenre they are put in on PA is that there are many members - especially many of the newest, youngest crowd - who will be getring their "prog history" from this site. Thus, it is critical that, to the greatest degree possible, all bands - especially the historical, "seminal" bands - be properly categorized so that those "learning" their prog "ABCs" here will "get it right the first time." That is my concern. I don't think it's misplaced. Peace. |
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 12:26
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Many bands in Art Rock and Prog Metal belong to other genres, some of which don't exist (yet). Some of the Art Rock bands (like Moody Blues) clearly belong in the Symphonic Prog genre, and many of the experimental bands in PRog Metal belong in RIO/Avant-Prog (Sleepytime Gorilla Museum would be an example here). BTW: I never really understood what Art Rock meant, it always seemed like a catch-all genre for bands of the 70's that fit nowhere else. ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to: 
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Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 12:27
maani spelled a word wrong!!!!!!!!
mark this day on your calendar everyone!!!!!!!!
------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 12:56
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I believe taking their catalogue as a whole, Art rock is the right place for them. You are of course entirely right Maani about their pioneering work with orchestra, and their use of mellotron. Most of their albums though contain shorter uncomplicated tracks. For me symphonic prog is not so much to do with the use of orchestral sounds or instruments, but implies that the music is structured in a more complex, classical way. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong), they only used an orchestra on one studio album. The "Have you heard" suite is for me Symphonic prog, but most of their tracks, while undoubtedly prog, are more at home in the Art rock category. |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 13:26
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All i know is "nights in white satin" is one of the worst songs i have ever heard. |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 13:28
Ummm are you sure about that, cuz i can think of many more that qualify as being worse than "Nights in White Satin" ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 13:35
Drew, perhaps you could explain how you think that contributes to a constructive discussion? |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 13:37
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Thats simple, it doesnt contribute positively at all
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Eetu Pellonpaa
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 14:11
| You should label albums, not bands. |
Posted By: Syntharachnid
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 16:58
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AHA!!! An idea! Yes, ladies and gents, this is what needs to be done. The whole "King Crimson is not Symphonic!" idea would also be solved then! ------------- 
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Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 17:05
Then we could have 8,709 debates about genres, instead of just the 1,856. 
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Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: September 03 2005 at 17:10
| I didnt want to contribute anything to the conversation- just thought id add that- who knows- perhaps someone agrees with me. |
Posted By: maani
Date Posted: September 04 2005 at 12:35
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stonebeard: No such luck... Peace. |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: September 04 2005 at 12:37
maani:   ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: September 04 2005 at 14:18
Spel chick, hoo neeeds a spil chiquer? |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: September 04 2005 at 14:19
 ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |