Neo-prog or just prog nowadays

Jared wrote: richardh wrote: ^ but it isn't Pastiche and that is what is frustrating to me. Also Spock's Beard are not 'Neo'. I feel strongly that people are missing the point- its not imitation but an attempt to create prog that is more 'song based' and relies more on atmosphere and melody. ''Influenced by'' not imitating. Most who critic it don't care for it and I understand that but not everyone values off the wall innovation as much as others do.  Oh, Spock's are Symph.... thru and thru. Excellent post, Rich, as usual. I also think what has too often been understated about Neo is the valuable role it has played over the past 40 years, as a bridge for many mainstream rock and pop listeners, to explore more challenging material. Irrespective of what you think about Marillion, if they hadn't plugged the gaping void in the early 80's, many of my generation whose homes were not blessed with an array of their parents Pink Floyd albums whilst growing up, possibly wouldn't have found a gateway to more ambitious bands..

richardh wrote: ^ but it isn't Pastiche and that is what is frustrating to me. Also Spock's Beard are not 'Neo'. I feel strongly that people are missing the point- its not imitation but an attempt to create prog that is more 'song based' and relies more on atmosphere and melody. ''Influenced by'' not imitating. Most who critic it don't care for it and I understand that but not everyone values off the wall innovation as much as others do.

^ but it isn't Pastiche and that is what is frustrating to me. Also Spock's Beard are not 'Neo'. I feel strongly that people are missing the point- its not imitation but an attempt to create prog that is more 'song based' and relies more on atmosphere and melody. ''Influenced by'' not imitating. Most who critic it don't care for it and I understand that but not everyone values off the wall innovation as much as others do. 

Great point in the opening post. I do think that most people consider what are technically "neo-Prog" bands and their sound as just regular "prog." I get it. What I can't let go of is the fact that these bands that began popping up in the 1980s (and have continued to do so) were/are actually imitating previous styles and sounds, predominantly using instruments that replicated, imitated, or duplicated the sound palettes of the "classic era" "progressive rock" bands like Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, and Pink Floyd. Thus, "prog" may be a categorical referent distinctly different than "progressive rock" in a similar way that electrified jazz--or "smooth jazz"--is usually distinctively different than "true" jazz or acoustic jazz. 

Edited by BrufordFreak - October 17 2022 at 07:24

David_D wrote: Cosmiclawnmower wrote: Really?? Neo neo prog.. for gawds sake..  That's not what I said, and what is your suggestion?

David_D wrote: Cosmiclawnmower wrote: richardh wrote: I tend to be fiercely protective of neo prog bands and the terminology mainly because I was on the verge of cancelling my 'prog membership' until the likes of IQ and Marillion came along in the 80's. I feel that connection to the past when I listen to any of these bands and also the likes of Pendragon and Pallas who also form this club. Talking to people who know very little about prog is of course very different. I had trouble even convincing someone a while back that prog rock even existed! So that's another problem altogether. I feel the same to some extent; the emergence of bands like Marillion, Pendragon, IQ and Solstice came about at a time when there was also a resurgence in british heavy metal, heavier more politically orientated punk and a thriving UK reggae scene and i remember a real cross over of interest in music of all sorts and a much less polarised and more cross pollenated views about music. The early to mid 1980's did have a vibe about it (in the UK anyway) that music and the people into it were being less tribal.. some great and groundbreaking music has come out of that. But how about calling newer bands which play in the 80's Neo-Prog style for "new Neo-Prog".

richardh wrote: I tend to be fiercely protective of neo prog bands and the terminology mainly because I was on the verge of cancelling my 'prog membership' until the likes of IQ and Marillion came along in the 80's. I feel that connection to the past when I listen to any of these bands and also the likes of Pendragon and Pallas who also form this club. Talking to people who know very little about prog is of course very different. I had trouble even convincing someone a while back that prog rock even existed! So that's another problem altogether.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: My current Top 30 of British Neo Prog:- <div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Abel Ganz <div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Arena<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Castanarc<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Citizen Cain<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Credo<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Cyan<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Edison's Children<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Elegant Simplicity<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">The Far Meadow<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Galahad<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">IQ<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">It Bites<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Jadis<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Janison Edge<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Landmarq<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Lifesigns<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Magenta <div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Marillion<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Mostly Autumn<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Nth Ascension<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Martin Orford<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Pallas<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Pendragon<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Quantum Pig<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Sanguine Hum<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Shadowland<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Solstice<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">The Tangent<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">Twelfth Night<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;">The Violet Hour <span style=": rgb248, 248, 252; font-size: 10px;"></span>

Superb list

I tend to be fiercely protective of neo prog bands and the terminology mainly because I was on the verge of cancelling my 'prog membership' until the likes of IQ and Marillion came along in the 80's. I feel that connection to the past when I listen to any of these bands and also the likes of Pendragon and Pallas who also form this club.

Edited by David_D - October 14 2022 at 06:45