My ProgArchives Problem

I have noticed in times of late the sad state of the progressive rock archives forum. Recent threads questioning the inclusions of bands on this website (usually Radiohead), and other threads about hating bands, talking trash about other members' tastes, and a general ill-feeling have been running rampant over the message boards

I'm through with these kinda forums and arguments. For one, I obviously believe that Coheed and Cambria should be on the progarchives; I even tried including them once, then they got kicked off immediately. I then sent the administrators everything that was needed to put Coheed on the website; however, after weeks went by and countless tries to contact the admins to see how the update was going, I gave up. There's really no point to the struggle anymore, and sadly, one of today's finest rock bands (PROG rock bands) are going to be completely left out of one the (supposedly) best progressive rock sites on the net.

It is blasphemous that bands such as Radiohead, The Mars Volta, Coheed and Cambria, and other modern acts get bashed upon by the archives so much. At least The Mars Volta gets good reviews on the site; Radiohead doesn't have an album with a score above 4.00 stars, which is, to say the least, pathetic, and an obvious showing of the lack of musical knowlege of the members of this site. To have some classic albums such as OK Computer and, to a lesser extent, Kid A, being so trashed on this website does not make me proud to listen to progressive music. I can only imagine the horrible reviews any Coheed and Cambria album would garner on this website, so for that reason I am glad they haven't been included, but it is still a sad feeling.

As some of you may have noticed (probably not, though), my participation on these forums as of late has been meager, mostly due to the same arguments and problems arising on every thread. This thread is in the worng section, you're taste in music sucks, you're such a n0OB, that band isn't prog, Dream Theater still sucks, etc... it's grating, to say the least. If I wanted to argue about sh*t like this, I'd instigate an argument with some popular kids at school, not my supposed musical colleagues on a website that I once considered my home.

Problems such as this ("should this band be on this site?," "this band shouldn't be on this site, here's why," and "this band isn't prog!") are the reasons why I have tried to remove myself from the community here at progarchives, and have gone elsewhere, both to the Dutch progressive rock page and, more often then not, the Coheed and Cambria fansite "Cobalt and Calcium," whose atmosphere is probably the warmest of any forum i have ever been to. No threads are outwordly stupid, there is no name-throwing or hating, and half the forums don't just make fun of bands. And, NOT SURPRISINGLY, many other members of this forum for a so-called "emo" band by many people here are into all the same music as any prog fan would be: Yes, King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, etc. I can, it seems, get my prog fix elsewhere, and sadly, if things don't change, I will be entirely forced to.

The sad thing is, my thread will probably only be looked on with scorn. It first may get moved into one of the hundred sub-categories on this forum. Then, I will be yelled at for perhaps making a thread that someone else already did. Possibly, some d1ckhead will ask me for exact references at sources fro my problems. Its this kind of atmosphere and fellow musicians that I wish to deviate myself from, and to those of you who would never do any of this, you are in the minority from my point of view.

I love progressive rock music, but I don't love the atmosphere of late on this website. i can only hope that it will change for the better. I know this post may go overlooked and unread, but I believe that I needed to rant and let my voice be heard for all those who may be feeling the same way. I love modern prog, and if we don't accept that on this website, we will be rehashing the same threads for ten years.

Keep prog alive, keep it real, and most importantly, chill out, man!

-Tom

P.S. At least Muse () got on the archives...how long till they get booted?

I agree with everything you said.  I think people really need to chill out.  Who cares if a certain topic has been posted a million times?  As long as it isn't "What's your favorite Yes album?" I don't care.  I'll ignore the topic if I don't want to reply to it.  I also think Coheed and Cambria should be on this website.
Well put, Deadwing.

TheProgtologist wrote: I think the topic creator raised some valid points,and I agree with much of what he/she said. But it basically seems that you are just pissed because Coheed & Cambria got rejected.

The rejection of Coheed onto the archives was the fuel to the fire, if you will: It was that personal problem that was the bringer of the other problems, and the need to voice them all. SImply making a thread about COheed not being on the website would, by my own principles, be frowned upon.

Some good points, especially the first three lines. And the bashing to bands an the  wining about being in the wrong section. Those matters are not really that important. Make fewer sections you can post in and the troubles will be over.

About bands that should be on Progarchives, that's purely subjective. Do not make that too big of a problem for yourself.

This is a sensible thread, everyone should at least read this.

If one does not like a certain band it does not mean the band is totally crap. That is always ones personal view !!!!!

For now, bye.

IMO Coheed and Cambria should be added. Wait ... let me rephrase that: They must and will be added.

... What does Coheed and Cambria sound like actually? never heard anything by them

http://www.coheedandcambria.com/index2.html

Video etc.

It would help if you gave specific sources or references as to where your problems are.  

I just listened to a few tracks from their myspace page, and they aren't bad.  I'd say Prog Related, at best, though.  My nu metal detector went off .  The guitar in Welcome Home is great, though.

Tony R wrote: MikeEnRegalia wrote: IMO Coheed and Cambria should be added. Wait ... let me rephrase that: They must and will be added. Whilst not to my taste,they most certainly should be here.

If you and Mike feel that way why were CaC removed from the archives in the first place?

I agree with u that the inclusion of 'hating bands' creates an ill feeling towards other members of the site and of the site itself, especially when they are talking about bands that i have never heard of before.  However, there are always ppl who are purists in their tastes of music, and in this case, the 'if its not prog, its not good' ethic is something i have also noticed, and also resent.  I love prog as well as many other genres, and hearing a small number of ppl say that only one genre is good is annoying to say the least.  Thank u for putting this to the attention of the forum, and i hope that has given some things to think about for some forum members. 

Admittently thou, this is a prog music website and there are some who will say that they feel that this song or that album is not progressive.  They may love the album, but it would be for a different reason.  (For example, i love the album 'filligree and shadow' by 'This mortal coil", but i would never argue that they r prog... they are not.)  The art is to determine who is using this as a statement of bile for the music, and who is simply stating that they dont think it is a prog band, recording, or whatever.  Not everyone who states this is bagging the music, although i agree with u that some are just bagging and complaining, and it is immature, at best, if this is their reason.

Also, I would like to comment about the radiohead albums that 'only' receive 4 star status.  Personally I love Kid A and Amnesiac, and that is why i would give them 4 stars.... as good as they are, there are times in my emotional spectrum where I just dont feel like listening to them.  For me, albums that i can listen to in most moods get the 5 star rating, and I have only heard about a dozen albums in my entire life that would qualify.  I feel that to get 5 stars on an album would make the album absolutely exceptional, almost perfect.  For me, i can only think of about a dozen albums that qualify that i have listened to.  And only 2 of these (that I can think of off hand) would appear in progarchives (Sigur ros "()", and Hawkwinds "Warriors at the edge of time").  5 stars is a mighty high aim, and ppl giving radiohead albums 4 stars is a good complement.   OK Computer is a good album, but i wouldnt give it 5....

I give my special thanks to putting these greviances to the attention of the forum.  I think they needed to be aired.