Is Steven Wilson making Prog music?

Yet Iron Maiden and Kate Bush aren't considered prog on this site. Their music bears trades of the genre and is therefore included in Prog Related, - but it doesn't make them into prog artists.

Edited by jude111 - March 08 2013 at 11:16

in answer to the main question......of course he is....stupid stupid question.....its 2013......it all cant sound like something from the seventies......if anything he is probably one of the top prog people out there right now.....if he's not prog what is he then?...funk??.......pah......silly question...

Thanks to all the people who at least most of them answered my question. for those who compare Wilson with Fripp (!) and those who thinks that this is a clear and fixed fact that Wilson is the definition of Prog and when they read my question thinks that im crazy or somethin or maybe too old fashioned i have nothing to say.  but to the rest of you(majority) i want to add something to my first statement :

1. to Holy Moly: im so agree with you about the definition of the word "Prog"  but what im trying to say is that there are different aspects of this wide definition that one can hold on to it and im strongly suggest this fact that Wilson fans aspect is totally different from the classic 70`s fans aspect.
2. if we accept that Wilson is a 100% Prog musician, the problem is (as Junges said ) he is way way overrated.
3.Thanks Argonaught for reminding of the calender i must say im totally disagree with you because i never said that in 21st century we never hear  masterpieces i am a fan of new bands and musicians such as Phideaux, Wobbler, Sigur Ros, Mogwai, Decemberists,  GYBE!, IlTempio delle Clessidre and so many other modern bands and even old bands with fresh and new music like Anderson`s new album. YES i live in 2013 but i rather listen to 70`s!

my main point is there are different approaches to defined Prog music but i totally disagree with picturing Wilson as the man with the flag of the Prog in his hand in front of the heritage of 45 years 


Edited by sorcerer kermes - March 08 2013 at 14:30

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jude111 wrote: sorcerer kermes wrote: ... if we accept that Wilson is a 100% Prog musician, the problem is (as Junges said ) he is way way overrated... i am a fan of new bands and musicians such as Phideaux, Wobbler, Sigur Ros, Mogwai, Decemberists,  GYBE!, IlTempio delle Clessidre and so many other modern bands and even old bands with fresh and new music like Anderson`s new album. YES i live in 2013! my main point is there are different approaches to defined Prog music but i totally disagree with picturing Wilson as the man with the flag of the Prog in his hand in front of the heritage of 45 years  Okay, now you've probably confused many of us even more.  Sigur Ros, Mogwai, and GYBE! are about as "prog" as Radiohead - which is to say, not really prog in the strictest, purest sense - and furthermore, their audience is probably a 99% non-prog audience. Wilson is clearly more aligned with prog and steeped in its traditions. It's not that Wilson is the "man with the flag of prog in his hand," it's that he's clearly in the zone right now. I mean, Grace for Drowning and The Raven are two brilliant albums, arguably the best of his career, and a reason to be excited these days. Furthermore, given his age, it's defying the odds and pretty inspirational - most of the prog giants of the past at 45 years old were long past their peek, but Wilson's seemed to really find his voice.

Plz jude dont play these games with me plz dont say you think that i dont know the definition of Post-Rock, I mentioned those bands just to prove to my friend who thinks i lost my calender i have one! but you are right, of course they are not 100% Prog!


Edited by sorcerer kermes - March 08 2013 at 17:11

I don't care if it's prog or not, really. I just love the music of Steven Wilson. 

sorcerer kermes wrote: 2. if we accept that Wilson is a 100% Prog musician, the problem is (as Junges said ) he is way way overrated.

I could, and would, say the same thing about Jon Anderson, especially his singing.  Once again, I don't see the relevance of this to the question you've asked. 

Purism has never done the world many favors down the years and it should be self evident that Wilson is in a classic 'no win' situation here i.e. to appease the naysayers in our midst he has to imitate a style that he actually wants to (cough) progress beyond (yet somehow avoid charges of plagiarism - go figure). What would classic prog have sounded like had the originators assimilated contemporary developments like Post Punk, Dream Pop, Chamber Pop, Grunge, Post Rock, Shoegaze and Indie etc
Might it have sounded a wee bit like (gulp) Steven Wilson or Porcupine Tree?

rogerthat wrote: sorcerer kermes wrote: Ady Cardiac wrote: in answer to the main question......of course he is....stupid stupid question.....its 2013......it all cant sound like something from the seventies......if anything he is probably one of the top prog people out there right now.....if he's not prog what is he then?...funk??.......pah......silly question... hey roger see this! read posts more carfully I have read it.   And yes, Wilson is, commercially and popularity wise, one of the top prog rock musicians now, I don't find anything lofty in that statement because it's just an observation and a fairly accurate one.  And Ady Cardiac has only asked what should he be classified as, if not prog.  Perhaps you read it as "if he's not prog, what is".  Because I nearly did the first time. You seem to be anguished that prog rock FANS like his work so much.  Well, you should ask why Akerfeldt seeks him out to master his work.   Wilson is sought after by prog rock musicians, let alone the audience.  Their choices are not for you to judge.

of course they are not mine to judge!  no roger i can tell that Wilson is certainly not Funk!! and i read that statement correctly, i just wanted to hear the opinions here and i heard yours thank you.

thanks roger but again i dont think reading these infos make my ears believe he is donig 100% Prog! 

Edited by sorcerer kermes - March 09 2013 at 04:10