Sci-Fi in Prog
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Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=93735
Printed Date: November 26 2024 at 20:45
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Topic: Sci-Fi in Prog
Posted By: cstack3
Subject: Sci-Fi in Prog
Date Posted: May 27 2013 at 22:55
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The ongoing thread on "The Prog Mind" has generated some great discussion about the role of science fiction in prog, either as inspiration for music or as a product of the music itself! Some great examples; a) the soundtracks to movies "Forbidden Planet" and "Bladerunner," both of which had fantastic prog elements! FP had one of the earliest synth music soundtracks, and the story was amazing! "Bladerunner" was pure genius, with a soundtrack by Vangelis! b) specific songs or LPs including "Watcher of the Skies" by Genesis, "Karn Evil 9" by ELP etc. c) prog albums that, in and of themselves, are significant works of science fiction! I like Jon Anderson's "Olias of Sunhillow" as an example! I'd love for PA forum members to take this and run with it! I'm not as interested in sword & sorcery/fantasy, but take it where you will! Cheers, Charles!
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Replies:
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: May 27 2013 at 23:22
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What you exclude is interesting since I find a lot of fantasy elements in Olias of Sunhillow. Starship Trooper has that Sci-Fi theme of course, but so do a lot of Yes songs: Yours Is No Disgrace, And You and I, Gates of Delirium. I also find it in Turn of the Century to an extent, and Awaken. Tons of songs. Too many for me to list here at this time of night after celebrating the holiday. ------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Posted By: bonestorm
Date Posted: May 27 2013 at 23:30
I was wondering when this would get it's own thread!  Obviously sci fi is very dear to my heart. I've read a lot of sci fi, had some sci fi stories published, and my album (Hibernal - The Machine) is a sci fi concept album. So it's something I've explored from many angles. One recent album with sci fi themes that's really grabbed my attention is Breaking Orbit's "The Time Traveller". I recently did a review for it here on PA as well. That's the first one that comes to mind. ------------- Hibernal http://hibernal.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - http://hibernal.bandcamp.com "This is a stunning work of art" - Muzik Reviews "A precious gem" - Dante's Prog |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: May 27 2013 at 23:42
One of my favorite albums from one of my favorite novels ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: Quirky Turkey
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 00:30
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Pretty much all of Ayreon's works are science fiction. And if Douglas Adams wrote a metal album it would be Ziltoid the Omniscient by Devin Townsend. And theres also War of the Worlds. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 00:48
No, I wasn't excluding fantasy at all! In fact, much of the best sci-fi and fantasy inter-twine....I just am not that interested in re-hashes of "Lord of the Rings"! Indeed, "Olias" does beautifully blend sci-fi with fantasy, I appreciate your comment! I filmed this a few years ago.... |
Progosopher wrote:Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 01:20
| Eloy from 1975 through to about 1983 did nothing else but sc-fi based prog. Time To Turn is my favourite but Ocean is probably their most popular album. |
Posted By: Morsenator
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 01:52
This. Just stunning works, both the album and the novel. ------------- You love the music, the music loves you! http://moonsofjupiter.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://moonsofjupiter.bandcamp.com/ |
Posted By: Morsenator
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 01:55
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From Arjen's output also worth mentioning is the prog metal project Star One that has songs based on various sci-fi movies and series. And his latest solo album of course, but I didn't dig that so much. ------------- You love the music, the music loves you! http://moonsofjupiter.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://moonsofjupiter.bandcamp.com/ |
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 02:50
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Alan Parsons' I Robot, Tales from Mistery and Imagination, and partly Pyramid Devin Townsend's Ziltoid And obviously Magma |
Posted By: Matti
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 03:18
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GENESIS's 'Watcher of the Skies' was mentioned (inspired by A. C. Clarke's Childhood's End). Well, I think Foxtrot includes another song that's bordering Sci-Fi: 'Take 'em Out by Friday'. Just think of the "conclusion" in the problem. Genetic control... people will be shorter in height to fit twice as much in the same building size. Something like J. G. Ballard might have written. RUSH's Neil Peart seems to be fond of Sci-Fi. TONY BANKS's A Curious Feeling was originally intended to be (more directly) based on Daniel Keyes novel Flowers for Algernon. HAWKWIND collaborating with Michael Moorcock, Warrior on the Edge of Time. NEKTAR's Journey to the Centre of the Eye (1971) is very strongly metaphorical Sci-Fi/Fantasy, as well as other Nektar albums. Etc, etc... I have often thought of progressive rock being "the science fiction in music", an analogy, I mean. |
Posted By: Second Life Syndrome
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 05:18
I've been addicted to that Breaking Orbit album for a few months now. It's pretty amazing. Simon Collins' new band, Sound of Contact, recently released a debut album, "Dimensionaut". It's very sci fi, and very good, too. I wrote a review for it for powerofmetal.dk, though it's not metal in any way (I'm basically the prog guy there). http://powerofmetal.dk/reviews13/sound_of_contact_review.html" rel="nofollow - http://powerofmetal.dk/reviews13/sound_of_contact_review.html
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Posted By: bonestorm
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 05:30
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Great review Jason! I checked a film clip for "Not Coming Down" on Youtube and he sure looks like his old man. Might be my imagination but he sounds a bit like him too.
------------- Hibernal http://hibernal.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - http://hibernal.bandcamp.com "This is a stunning work of art" - Muzik Reviews "A precious gem" - Dante's Prog |
Posted By: Eetu Pellonpaa
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 05:38
Here's one charming oldie with a sci-fi related theme  ( http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=14713" rel="nofollow - progarchives page )
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Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 05:43
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21 century schizoid man, may qualify as some sort of Horror Si-Fi ------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: Morsenator
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 05:50
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Oh, and Jean Michel Jarre did a show called "Rendez Vous In Space" which was in collaboration with Arthur C. Clarke who appeared on the screen reciting some epic thoughts and aphorisms, if I remember correctly. The music was quite horrible though, so I haven't watched it more than once. ------------- You love the music, the music loves you! http://moonsofjupiter.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://moonsofjupiter.bandcamp.com/ |
Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 05:51
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Bowie in a lot of songs, make an Si-Fi impression, even if the songs do not clearly contain Si-Fi lyrics.
------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 06:03
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There was a sci-fi magazine published in Italy in the early 70s, called "Galassia"" (Galaxy). I have read on one of them an article about sci-fi and music. It was not properly about prog as I think the word prog didn't actually exist. I remember the author mentioning Magma, Jefferson Starship, and even a now ancient pop-star whose first album had something of prog: Riccardo Cocciante and his suite "Mu". Of course Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream were mentioned as well. I'm sure that I still have that copy in some box in a garage. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: VOTOMS
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 07:51
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This thread!!! I'm a huge sci-fi fan and collector. From manga/anime and series to oldschool books. Well, my TOP PROG SCI-FI CONCEPT: 3 - ELP - Karn Evil 9 2 - Khan - Space Shanty (album) 1 - Voivod (everything) I have many musical projects, most about sci-fi, but unfortunattely, you will only find some Turtopsy demos at internet and stuff from the last release at the myspace, and it's extreme music, so too many people around here will not get into this project. Actually, I'm recording a prog album within jazz/fusion, symphonic prog, avant-garde, psychedelic rock and death metal influences. The name for the project is Rashaverak (taken from C. Clarcke's Childhood's End) but it's not definitive. A tracklist: The Sprawl Suite: a) Neuromancer b) Count Zero c) Monalisa Overdrive Freak Show From Outer Space / Attack of The Nuclear Beast Creatures (original from Turtopsy, an early Technical Death Metal project of mine) Somewhere Between Asteroids For Tyrannobot Rex ... and some suits aren't named yet here's the lyrics for Somewhere Between Asteroids, it's a voivod-like prog metal song a strange lab in spaceship; our bodies was diving in capsules. countdown to destroy! (awake!) eyes wide open the capsule is broken now who wants to play with our enhanced moves? aliens - are everywhere the robots - are watching but commanding and conquering we're stronger than all - timeline bugs! disturbing delays! the alarm rings! - open the gate! - enemies reinforcement! calm down, everything is under control! - without orientation, we're crossing dimensions throug shooting stars and laser beams. there are UFOs burning and battleships turning around. nothing left to annihilate! (nothing left to destroy!) - hey, you! why don't you join us? can't you see? there's no reason, there's no reason for you to hide. so the day has come to blackmail the earth. we're taking hostage mankind to the depths dungeons under moon. have you been lightyears searching, and there's no place for you to call home? prisoners, you've been banished and you guys will be slaves from now on the great infinity, explore and colonize, makes no difference to you, the space fortress is mine. til' the day i die i'll rule the only sky. from the day i born, a legend was shaped. the connection is lost but i'll live forever and more. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 10:22
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I always thought that Rush's 2112 Temples of Syrinx suite was all about an alien world where music was banned..? There are sci-fi themes in several Hawkwind songs. ...Moorcock even wrote lyrics and themes for them. A few IQ songs seem to have a futuristic earth theme to them also. Pioneers Over C by VDGG is about space travel to another world. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 10:34
| Simon Says Tardigrade has also a sci-fi concept. Great album btw. |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 10:43
When I think of sci-fi prog, the first artist I personally think of is electronic guru Adelbert von Deyen, who's early work means so much to me, check out his first five album covers:
 
 
Beautiful, hypnotic and icy electronic sci-fi soundscapes, please look into them (but stay away from the `Eclipse' album, bit of a dud that one, as much as it pains me to say!) 
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Posted By: questionsneverknown
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 10:51
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Here are a variety of examples that instantly pop in my head: 1) As already noted, Rush's 2112, which, alongside "Anthem," is partly grounded in Rand's science-fiction work called Anthem. Apparently Peart was, at the time, also loosely inspired by works like Samuel Delany's Babel-17. More recently though, Peart collaborated with science-fiction author Kevin J. Anderson for Clockwork Angels (with the latter writing a full novel built on that album's premise). 2) Frank Zappa references his love for z-grade sci-fi films in "Cheepnis" and "The Radio is Broken." A particular love seems to have been Zontar, Thing from Venus. 3) The band Astra reference Brian Aldiss with their song "Barefoot in the Head." 4) Magma's entire body of work strikes me as an epic act of alternate world building. 5) Wigwam's Being is a pretty amazing work that dialectically bounces around utopias and dystopias. 6) ELP's Tarkus, perhaps? And oh so much more. ------------- The damage that we do is just so powerfully strong we call it love The damage that we do just goes on and on and on but not long enough. --Robyn Hitchcock |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 10:54
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I like SF and I like Prog. I don't necessarily want them together though;. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Stool Man
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 11:17
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the Dr Who theme is proggish, and was quoted by Pink Floyd for years. Coheed & Cambria's entire career is one huge Sci-Fi epic. Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime, and lots by Alan Parsons Project, Hawkwind, Nektar & Muse and this:  ------------- rotten hound of the burnie crew |
Posted By: VOTOMS
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 11:32
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I found prog with Tarkus cover. An armadillo-mecha. This is so prog sci-fi. Take a look at Nocturnus (tech/extreme prog) album covers. Cool.
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 13:56
Michael Moorcock was involved as far back as "In Search of Space" is my understanding. Space Ritual would fit, in subject matter, though some songs tend to be about sic-fi comic book heroes in my stupid understanding of these things. (Master of the Universe and such) Klaus Schulze ... and his original music for the film DUNE was not used, and he released it as an album himself. The film could have used his material on it, to add depth to a superficial, cartoonish story and vision of the whole thing. But without the effects like today, what they did then was harder ... but they could have made use of video better to do some of the things they did! Klaus Schulze ... Cyborg ... however I can not tell you the connection. ... and many other albums of his as well, have had names and mentions for inspiration ... (I'll add more as time goes by after I look at my collection ... many many missing here!)
------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 13:59
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Klaus Schulze's Dune was released long before the movie and wasn't good for a soundtrack even if it's an excellent album (and my first Schulze purchase) ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 14:07
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Nick Magnus - Inhaling Green, is oft overlooked Tarkus was part organic and part machine which links in nicely with H R Giger who did the artwork for Brain Salad Surgery and later brought the part organic part machine Alien to life (based on two of his paintings that Ridley Scott liked apparently)
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 14:57
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Michael Moorcock had also his own band: Michael Moorcock and Deep Fix, space rock but more rock than space, lighter than Hawkwind but not too bad. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: stegor
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 14:58
| An all-time favorite is FM's Black Noise, not really a concept album but full of sci-fi concepts. The opener is even called "Phasors on Stun", even though it has nothing to do with Star Trek. A lot of it has a Star Trek attitude though, sort of tongue in cheek and sometimes a bit corny. |
Posted By: Second Life Syndrome
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 14:58
Thanks! He really sounds like Phil, especially on the softer end. He also has the same balding pattern
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Posted By: brainstormer
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 15:16
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Not sure if everyone realizes this, but certain people, and I think they are right, make a big distinction between the terms "science fiction" and "fantasy." I think this is a general bookseller distinction, probably used also in film. Fantasy could include mythology, and usually doesn't have futuristic themes, often antiquated surroundings. On some level, the words can all mean the same thing, in practice, there is a practical distinction used in different industries. ------------- -- Robert Pearson Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net |
Posted By: questionsneverknown
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 16:03
When Alejandro Jodorowsky was planning his film of Dune in the 1970s (with Orson Welles as the Baron Harkonnen, Salvador Dali as the Emperor, and Moebius and Giger doing the art design) he said he wanted the music to be done by Pink Floyd and Magma (and Henry Cow, I think). That may just have been ambition--who knows how far it got in the planning. ------------- The damage that we do is just so powerfully strong we call it love The damage that we do just goes on and on and on but not long enough. --Robyn Hitchcock |
Posted By: bonestorm
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 16:41
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Agree with Stool Man, Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds is a classic and very much a favourite from my youth. ------------- Hibernal http://hibernal.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - http://hibernal.bandcamp.com "This is a stunning work of art" - Muzik Reviews "A precious gem" - Dante's Prog |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 17:14
Absolutely! Bob Fripp seemed to embrace sci-fi throughout his career, particularly the dark, Harlan Ellison "Dangerous Visions" type of apocalyptic future! I thought "Epitaph" was a nice, dark little look into the future.... This cover art for "The Power To Believe" really raises the bar in terms of dark foreboding future visions! Great job, Bob!!  |
Posted By: Second Life Syndrome
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 17:29
| I was obsessed with Jeff Wayne's WotW when I was younger. H.G. Wells is my favorite author, after all. |
Posted By: questionsneverknown
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 17:35
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Some here might also be curious to know that J. G. Ballard spoke/read at the Phun City rock festival in 1970, Ecclesden Common near Worthing in Sussex. Also on the bill were the Pretty Things, Mighty Baby, Kevin Ayers, MC5, Pink Fairies, Edgar Broughton Band, Mungo Jerry and many others. I think of Ballard as having some effect on Hawkwind (largely because of the Moorcock connection), but his influence was probably much bigger on post-punk music than on prog. ------------- The damage that we do is just so powerfully strong we call it love The damage that we do just goes on and on and on but not long enough. --Robyn Hitchcock |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 17:54
The music is more on the funky avant-garde jazz side of things, but I think this qualifies. Love the film.  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 18:01
That is a GREAT album! Lots of (slightly cheesy?!) sci-fi synths all over it! I just bought the new CD reissue, anxiously awaiting it to show up at the door any day now!
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 18:19
Speaking of Canada, let's not forget Saga. Of the first four albums to reflect the earliest songs of the band's "Chapters" SF concept, the 2nd and 3rd sport great Tony Roberts paintings.. And then a couple decades later, the second album to resume the "Chapters," which was House Of Cards.  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 19:37
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Thanks, all, I'm learning much I didn't know about both sci fi works AND prog bands/music!! This is a great story about the Barrons, who composed the amazing electronic music used in the sci-fi classic movie "Forbidden Planet"! Please play the little video links at the left, as they showcase how the music was used to enhance the sci-fi visuals! The music of the Krell! http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4486840" rel="nofollow - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4486840
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Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: May 28 2013 at 22:29
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------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Eetu Pellonpaa
Date Posted: May 29 2013 at 09:31
Was http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=827" rel="nofollow - Julian's Treatment mentioned yet?
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Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: May 29 2013 at 21:35
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ZERO HOUR--TBE TOWERS OF THE AVARICE
great sci fi album. A man battles greed in a dystopian society. Complete with fantastic futuristic lyrics and themes. Excellent album. ;) ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: bonestorm
Date Posted: May 29 2013 at 22:24
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Zero Hour sounds great, love the cover art too. Will definitely check it out, thanks for the heads up!
------------- Hibernal http://hibernal.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - http://hibernal.bandcamp.com "This is a stunning work of art" - Muzik Reviews "A precious gem" - Dante's Prog |
Posted By: AreYouHuman
Date Posted: May 29 2013 at 22:59
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Ethos’s first album “Ethos (Ardour)” explored SF concepts, albeit rather cheesily. They seemed to make a point of shifting toward more down-to-earth subject matter on their second album “Open Up”, such as attacks on the music business.
Barclay James Harvest delved into SF themes with After the Day and Nova Lepidoptera (which was openly labeled as science fiction!) Let’s not forget ’39 by Queen, notable not only for its being atypical in style for the band, but for the long-term space-travel storyline. Curved Air’s Moonshine, from “Airborne.” Pallas and Earth & Fire, among others, did concept albums about Atlantis. The Enid’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” had an Apocalyptic theme. Flash’s “Out of Our Hands” was mostly taken up with the Catalina suite, which involved an interstellar messenger dispatched to Earth. Nektar’s “Remember the Future” had a SF storyline that combined elements of both Jesus Christ Superstar and Tommy (at least IMO). I’m surprised no one mentioned Gong and their Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy, with its hippy-trippy interplanetary storyline. Happy the Man’s repertoire was mostly instrumental, but the titular character of The Falcon (fr. “Better Late…”) was a space explorer with a warning for mankind. Hudson-Ford: I Don’t Understand, Revelations, Silent Star, Did Worlds Collide, Mechanics. Jon & Vangelis: Mayflower, which compares the original sailing vessel to a future interstellar vessel bringing people to a new world. McDonald & Giles’ Birdman, with its straightforward story of a man who builds himself a set of artificial wings. National Health’s Tenemos Roads was loosely inspired by “The Worm Ouroboros” by Eric Rucker Eddison. Rick Wakeman’s “No Earthly Connection” had SF themes, again rather cheesily. And let’s not forget “Journey to the Centre of the Earth,” based on Jules Verne’s novel. Holy crap, this turned out to be a long list. |
Posted By: Second Life Syndrome
Date Posted: May 29 2013 at 23:21
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76LQalK0yRY" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76LQalK0yRY This album by Cynthesis is part of a trilogy of sci fi-esque albums. Amazing stuff. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: May 30 2013 at 01:14
 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jacklancaster2" rel="nofollow - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jacklancaster2 This one by the Samuel Jackson Five is really good, too -  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: May 30 2013 at 10:37
LOL! The Samuel Jackson Five? I love their name! Holy cow! How could I forget this:  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: May 30 2013 at 20:01
Holy Crap, I can't believe I missed that one!! Ray Bennett will kill me! Thanks, you mentioned some real mainstays! Do instrumental electronic bands such as Tangerine Dream or Popul Vuh rise to the level of sci-fi influenced prog? TD albums, especially "Phaedra" always sent me to another plane! I'm not sure what their influences were, but I'm guessing there was some sci-fi in the mix.
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Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: May 30 2013 at 20:16
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Absolutely, if I may say. You can also add LOGOS and HYPERBOREA to that list of sci-fi greatness. :) Tangerine Dream are thee best electronic prog band, I can think of, who can create those long incredible dreamy soundscapes that capture the fantasty and imagination in anyone who listens to them with purpose.
:) ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: HackettFan
Date Posted: May 30 2013 at 20:28
Yep, I was going to mention the Gong trilogy. |
Posted By: AreYouHuman
Date Posted: May 30 2013 at 20:34
| (^ cstack 3 & progbethyname) Quite agreed. Lyrics aren't necessary to create atmosphere and imagery. The first half of Klaus Schulze's "Timewind," Bayreuth Return, conjures images of sailing across an endless grey icescape. The perfect soundtrack for the Michael Moorcock novel "The Ice Schooner" if it ever made it to the silver screen. |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: May 30 2013 at 20:47
Most definitely! Can't believe I forgot 'em. One of their most overtly "sci fi" albums is Exit, with titles like "Pilots of Purple Twilight," "Network 23" and the masterpiece "Remote Viewing." ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 00:53
| Another one: Le Orme's Felona e Sorona, the 2 contrasting planets keeping the universe in balance. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 09:33
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There is also "bad prog featuring sci fi" like Yes' "Arriving UFO!" Not my favorite Yes song anyway. Any other bad prog/sci fi examples? Songs that really over-reach the sci fi element?
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Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 11:22
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Oldfield - songs of distant earth
Intergalactic Touring Band - same
Dave greenslade - pentateuch of cosmogony
Schultze - Dune
David Bedford - Rigel 9
Deep Fix - new world's Fair
Solaris - martian chronicles
Lancaster/Lumley - marscape
Wakeman (also Ant Phillips) - 1984
FM-surveillance
First mysterious Appearance
Absolute Elsewhere
Teru's Symphonia - do androids dream of sleep?
Ars Nova -
Moody Blues- to our children's childrens children
Glasshammer - Prelandra
Moraz - i
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Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 11:53
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Robert Schroeder- galaxie cygnus
Baffo Banfi - galaxie my dear
Dave Greenslade - from the discworld
Magala Vallis - book of dreams
Ralph Lundsten & Andromeda All-stars - discophrenia, alpha ralpha boulevard, universe
Universe - same
Didn't Par Lindh do "Time Machine"????
And of course James Last's wick version of "Silver Machine"! (look it up on you tube,Jimmeh)
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Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 12:21
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Maxwell von Braund - monster planet
Fumio Miyash*ta - journey to space
Wakeman,Peek & Wayne - beyond the planets
Peter Bachausen - planet show
Code 3 - planet of man
Planetarium - infinity (or is it other way round?)
Ways - planetes
Egill Fylling - bound for space
Nautilus - space storm
Lee Merry Weather - space invaders
fermata - white planet
Eccentric Orbit - attack of martians
Khan -space shanty
Zodiac - music of spheres
Tritonium - between universes
Simon house - spiral galaxy
Laurent Vanay - Galaxies (absolute killer lp!)
Pond - planetenwind
Velvet universe-voyager
Dyzan (& Tim Blake) - time machine
Starglow energy - time machine, gate to Celadon
Hansson & Karlsson - man at the moon
moongarden - gate to...
Wavemaker- where are we,captain?
Uwe Schniering- cleared universe
Cosmic Hoffmann- beyond the galaxie
Celluloid - mercury
pigfarm on the moon - orbital
Earcandy - space is just a place
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Posted By: theopneustos
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 12:23
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA7VIPEJTK4 "Behind the Barrier" from Planet P Project's Pink World. Kind of a creepy video. The rest of the album was excellent also. Lots of sci-fi in it. Hear all of Pink World here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNqSNmSx9uI |
Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 12:29
| Sorry. That should have been TRITONUS (not Tritonious) |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 16:59
Thanks for your contributions! I love the music of Return To Forever, but since they were largely inspired by the bad sci fi of founder L. Ron Hubbard, I find some of their songs to be a stretch. "Vulcan Princess" by Stanley Clarke, although a nice enough little song, has some cloyingly bad lyrics! Vulcan Princess Bold and strong girl Yesterday you and me Vulcan Princess How I loved you Through eternity Vulcan Princess Bold and strong girl Always without fear Vulcan Princess How I loved you Now I am here |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 17:08
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Yup. Those lyrics do not do it for me either.
Pretty lame  ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 17:47
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Sci-fi Corp. - Sci Fi Dance Party (not exactly prog, more exploito. But I cant resist)
Larry Fast - Jupiter Menace
Artificial Intelligence - first contact ('84 US 500 copies)
Zeta Reticuli -same
Pinhas/Livengood - cyborg sally (Name "heldon" comes from Spinrad)
Prox - at last
Marge Litch - Fantasien
Ars Nova - Biogenesis project
Here is a truely scifi concept lp from my hometown. rare record:
Machines Have Landed - Part One reality-like radio snippets between tracks concerning alien landing (I dont want to pull out the lp to check but band had either two keyboardists or two drummers. I have a trade copy if anyone interested)
Quizzer for the heads:
Italian instrumental prog lp where each track is a planet given a woman's name
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Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 18:04
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Okay. I just noticed you stipulated single tracks as well as concept lps.
That is much easier:
Hawkwind - Uncle Sam going Mars
Strawbs - grave new world
Moody Blues -gypsy
Room-andromeda
Tandy & Morgan -under the blue
yes- ufo arriving
fm -phasers on stun
Slapran-attractive alternatives
Infinity-space shuttle suite
Andromeda-galaxy of beauty
Barrett- milky way
Guru Guru -space baby
Ethos-space brothers
Jerico-just in
Visitors -flatland
National health - straight on seaweed
Agathorn -85
McArthur-generations
Haack - program me
Wakeman - space oddity
Stewart Hamm - radiofree Abelmuth
Mythos-robot agents
Hillage - agents
Macdonald 8 Giles - tomorrows people
Genesis - get em out by friday
Sensations Fix -space...err summart
Black Sabbath - into the void
Lightdreams -farewell goodbye
Happy the Man - time considered as a helix
Principal edwards - halibut,milk & honey
Water- up the ladder
Vail - space creators
Aesgard -star
Chestnut Loke - starlight over skies
Birthcontrol - rescue
Oh yeah, that Dutch Arkus lp is a concept.
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Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 21:09
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Okay.
So how come none of you caught me out: Arkus has nothing to do with sci-fi theme.
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Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 22:26
Hey, thanks for reminding me of one of my all-time favorite album covers!!  |
Posted By: Larree
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 22:44
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Not really "scifi" but as bad assed as it gets from one of the greatest bands ever! ------------- http://larree.ws" rel="nofollow - The Larree (dot) Website |
Posted By: Larree
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 22:48
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... and of course the Jimi Hendrix song, 1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) ------------- http://larree.ws" rel="nofollow - The Larree (dot) Website |
Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 23:00
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Rick Wakeman - Journey (and Return) to the Center of the Earth as well as 1984 Magma - Most of their recorded output Glass Hammer - Chronometree Genesis - Domino The Tangent - Not As Good As The Book Le Orme - Felona e Sorona ------------- I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you? |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 01:52
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Has anyone heard of Jon Anderson's "Zamran Experience"? I just stumbled onto this....remarkable new material! Very much in the vein of "Olias"! http://sevendragons.org/zamran/index.htm" rel="nofollow - http://sevendragons.org/zamran/index.htm |
Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 03:22
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Van der Graaf Generator - "Still Life": Many wouldn't think of this classic VdGG song as sci-fi because it's not about space travelling, etc, but Hammill has described it as a sci fi song in that the lyrics deal with a world where immortality is achieved, and the consequences of what seemed like a good idea (taking away the threat of death). I love the lines Living through the millions of years A laugh as close as any tear Living, if you claim that all that entails is Breathing, eating, defecating, screwing, drinking, spewing, sleeping, Sinking ever down and down and ultimately passing away time (Which no longer has any meaning) That's some dark, twisted, scary, and funny stuff all at the same time (very Hammill)
------------- jc |
Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 05:30
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Recently been diggin' Jupiter Society's stuff. ------------- Bigger on the inside. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 08:10
Intrestingly there was a ufo on the back cover and i thought there was one on the front upper corner too but I have a remastered cd with booklet and it;s not there. But online pics do show one on the back cover. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: brainstormer
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 10:08
Fun stuff. Thanks for posting that. ------------- -- Robert Pearson Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net |
Posted By: MustardSea
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 12:03
woah, really cool! I have to check this guy out! The first two covers remind me of Klaus Schulze's early album covers! Thanks for the recommendation! ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=8335" rel="nofollow - Kanoi on PA http://kanoi.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - kanoi.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 13:53
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Those two coverarts are by von Deyen.
Its obvious he was dojng an Urs Amman.
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: June 02 2013 at 03:33
Yes, this is a stellar album! Tony Carey is a hell of a talent. He's released a slew of albums under the banners of prog rock, songcraft and instrumental electronic. Great singer, too. He's disgustingly multi-talented. The song that reeled me in to Pink World is "To Live Forever"...a catchy song, like Genesis-meets-Rush minus Peart's drumming (and Tony sounds nothing like Phil or Geddy, of course). ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: June 02 2013 at 12:14
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Hi, I'm really concerned with the way this thread is going ... people thinking that something is Sci-Fi, just because it has a title, or a lyric that mentions some person, character or event somewhere, in a book, or tv show. I might as well tell you that I'm from Grugok and Pajkarenia and do not speak your language, and you would not believe me, so why would you believe anyone else ... ohhh yes ... consumerist society ... you see a CD, or album, or book, and that person is automatically annointed with the holy oils! THAT is NOT "sci-fi" and what it was meant to show and express, in the form that something like a handful of films had, or a few writers, like Asimov, and others made you flip ... it was so out there! More than half this stuff listed here is not "sci-fi" at all ... it's just a lyric, but you believe it? Strange! I might look at the old LPs for Hawkwind, like "In Search of Space", "Space Ritual" and "DoReMi" ... and even the stories and art work, was some kind of a culture that was sci-fi related, via Michael Moorcock, but the one album with him, that we mention is the one, where he had the least influence on the material, and was instead replaced with his voice, to make it sound more ... sci-fi ... and he comes off just like Walter Wegmuller did in TaroT for the Cosmic Couriers ... !!!!! If Sci-fi is an extra-ordinary world that we don't know, then, most of the music listed here is the worst example of sci-fi ever ... and it tells me that very few people have EVER, spent any time, actually reading science fiction, and that their idea of this is the comic book versions that appear in the movies! THAT is not "sci-fi" at all ... that's ENTERTAINMENT! Don't insult "sci-fi" and its outstanding literary tradition! Please ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 00:12
Thank you for your thoughts! Set the controls for the heart of the sun....
|
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 00:33
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Warreï döel bradia di ? ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 02:55
If you did not speak my language I would have no idea what you were saying when you confessed to it, which I can only assume to be true since I usually have no idea what you are saying. ------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">  https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: MustardSea
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 04:56
ahem.. Science Fiction is a literary genre and I'm quite sure that it falls under ENTERTAINMENT. I mean - don't you read it to be entertained by it? Otherwise you could just read a scientific report bang full with hard scientific facts (and if you enjoy that kind of stuff you'll also be entertained by it ergo everything is more or less part of your so-called "ENTERTAINMENT") please correct me if I'm wrong ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=8335" rel="nofollow - Kanoi on PA http://kanoi.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - kanoi.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 06:29
I think I know where Moshkito is from. I've been a huge SCi-Fi fan for years before choosing to spend my time reading of physics. For a fan is very sad when somebody thinks that Sci-Fi is just that kind of entertainment that TV and cinema usually produce. My favorite writer is still Cliff Simak and mainstream people in general never heard of him. I think you proggers can feel the same when you mention King Crimson to somebody who opens his eyes and says "Who???". Prog is ENTRTAINMENT as well, but you can put something on while you are cooking or gardening or you can wear headphones and concentrate on each single instrument. They are different experiences. Think to Blade Runner which as movie is considered a cult (and is an excellent movie, too) but was just a mediocre short novel of an artist who has published better things. It's like if Pink Floyd have made a movie from The Gnome instead of from The Wall. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 08:56
Thank you! Given all that, I still believe that there are many, many examples of excellent progressive music that are inspired by sci fi, and even rise to the high standards of the best written/filmed sci fi. Examples: a) "Watcher of the Skies" by Genesis - loosely inspired by the novel "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke b) "Karn Evil 9" by ELP - an original work describing war with self-intelligent computers, years before "Terminator" c) "Olias of Sunhillow" and "The Story of I" by Yes men Jon Anderson and Patrick Moraz - excellent music with strong, original sci-fi themes d) "Cheepnis" by Frank Zappa, chronicling a very bad sci-fi movie "It Conquered The World"! e) "The Mule" by Deep Purple, reputed to be inspired by the mutant character in Asimov's "Foundation and Empire." And so forth. Admitted, some music is quite cheesy (I put Hawkwind in this category), but that is part of the genre. I actually quite enjoy the cheesy, "brass-bra & ray gun" sci fi space-operas of the 1950's! Therefore, cheesy sci-fi prog doesn't bother me (aka Rush). |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 09:59
Clifford, and many others. Harlan Ellison is the god of speculative fiction (and his nonfiction is equally stellar) and he should absolutely be a household name, but I could go up to any random person in a bookstore and drop his name and get looked at like I just pissed on their shoes.
I see your point, though I don't think I'd call anything by PKD "mediocre." The movie didn't cover everything in the book, either. The movie is one of my favorite films (with one of the best musical scores ever), of course. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 10:01
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Rush SHOULD bother everyone.
....
CMU -space cabaret
Bell Air - cogs
Hillage - ufo over Paris
PFS - all backed up
2060 - reflection of the future
YES-then
Hammill-future now
Here are some psych etc ones:
Aorta - shape of things to come (also Max (summat) & the Troopers???)
Don Thompson - jupiter
Magik Dayze - ufo calling, future roads
Marino - Juggernaut
Donovan - intergalactic laxative
Kim Fowley - stranger from the sky
Tables-spaceman
Golden Earring -silver ships
Byrds - cta
..............................
The best example was already given: Julian Savarin.
Why?
Because ,foremost he was a scifi (and spy-adventure) novelist.
|
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 10:07
Sorry, I have used the wrong words. I meant mediocre respect to Dick's best works. What I was wishing to say is that what is considered (and for me is) a great movie comes from a thing which is not his best. It's true that it contains all the most important elements of Dick's literature and the Director's cut version of the movie with the final unicorn makes more justice to it. I have probably chosen a bad example. After 2001 Space Odyssey, Blade Runner is my favorite SciFi movie. I could have used other examples from Dick like the two versions of Total Recall or Screamers (not too bad this one). ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 10:13
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I remember a novel by John Varley (or John Shirley maybe) in which something was happening at a concert of Blue Oyster Cult. Sci-Fi Quoting Prog(related) instead of vice versa. I don't remember the title of that novel, it was about a "living city" and was published around the end of the 80s. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: MustardSea
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 11:53
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..also, to add something on-topic: - Barefoot In The Head by Astra inspired by the eponymous book by the great Brian Aldiss! ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=8335" rel="nofollow - Kanoi on PA http://kanoi.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - kanoi.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: MustardSea
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 11:56
wasn't that a trilogy set on a kind of living, hollow world around Saturn or Titan? I think the first one was even called "Titan" if I'm not wrong but it's been a while since I've read it so I could be completely wrong ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=8335" rel="nofollow - Kanoi on PA http://kanoi.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - kanoi.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 14:03
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Maybe it is only distantly prog related, but "Wooden Ships" by Crosby Stills & Nash is an excellent song, with very apocalyptic vision and haunting lyrics! Somewhat in the spirit of Harlan Ellison's "Dangerous Visions," a classic!
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 14:31
The real problem in your example is not the language ... it is your willingness to share and appreciate! And learn! WE'RE ALL BOZOS ON THIS BUS ... with one difference ... you don't know it! What I try to say can be determined real easy by any of you ... close your eyes and hear someone say it ... you'll know by the colors what it all means ... I am not very good at twisting words at all, otherwise! The only issue, for some folks here, is that I hold rock music, in the same light as I do the history of art, the history of literature and the history of music, and that throws a lot of people way out for a loop, because of the references, which a few people here don't like ... and they spend their time trolling and trashing the thread ... and it is NOT any kind of comment on anyone, except the GREAT desire of mine to lift the spirit of the music into a better and more respected level ... now tell me ... what is so hard about understanding that? Unless you think it's crap, anyway! Right?
------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 14:53
It does me! OVER RATED! Nice, and all that ... but OVER RATED! I'm also getting over Marillion ... the stuff that was nice, had good lyrics that made sense, are now ... meagher and kinda lost their sense and sensibility!
------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 15:37
| Tend to think that Rush were better when they left the sc-fi thing alone. Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures were a spectacular reinvention of their sound and style more so than any other band I can think of. Rush were never as self consciously embedded in the whole seventies prog thing as other more symphonic styled bands were. They just rode it while it suited them imo. |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 23:03
------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Knobby
Date Posted: June 04 2013 at 16:21
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It is discomfiting for a Prog Masterman to admit it, but I have never heard the concept lp "Ark 2" by Flaming Youth.
I have some vague feeling that its not half as bad as most everyone says it is. I mean, for crikeys, its got Philsers on drums!
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Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: June 04 2013 at 20:16
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...on the other hand, I cannot think of a single Jethro Tull song that is even remotely sci-fi! Oh well, what do we expect from a band that adopted its name from the inventor of the seed-drill? My vote for "worst" Sci-Fi prog (or prog related) is probably the soundtrack to the movie "Flash Gordon" by Queen. Awful music for a bloody horrible film!
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Posted By: AreYouHuman
Date Posted: June 04 2013 at 20:45
| The closest to SF I can think of for Tull is Wond'ring Again, from Living in the Past, with its imagery of a world falling apart at the seams. |