How to define and classify "Progressive Rock"?

My previous post turned out way too long (sorry).

I love lots of retro music, including kinds of retro prog. Many of my favourites from the 90s up incorporate classic psychedelia, classic electronica, classic Krautrock, classic "space-age" music, classic lounge, and classic exotica, as well as classic soundtrack music. Kosmischer Laufer is one of my favourite projects of the past decade (included in PA), and that is music that actually pretends to be from the 70s and 80s, with elaborate backstory and all. Klaus Morlock is another such artist that I am very keen on.

So definitely I enjoy that, but I rather feel that if we don't allow more modalities and styles into the Prog universe, then most everything modern that we bring into PA will end up just trying to sound like past acts, and not only is that not progressive, but I think it would be not that interesting in terms of being so limiting. I would hope that the Prog made today could be approaching as innovative and adventurous as that which was made in the classic era.

Edited by Logan - May 14 2022 at 14:24

Thanks Logan! I appreciate it.   

I always enjoy reading your posts.

“I would hope that the Prog made today could be approaching as innovative and adventurous as that which was made in the classic era.”

The 60s, 70s and 80s were so innovative, and I think some people just expected it to go in a different direction after that. If your ears aren’t enjoying the experience of listening to a particular newfangled sound, then why listen to it? If you’d rather listen to your neighbor cut tile than a new sound, then I think it is perfectly acceptable to clamber over the rocks back to your generation’s genre cave and explore unwritten songs. I find some of the retro Prog songwriting to be more original than certain new music in terms of instrumentation, tonality, riffs, chord progression, etc. Each to their own. (Someone is probably running off and recording someone cutting tile right now and setting it to a 7/8 time signature. Home Industrial Prog Genre). If you have ever seen Jon Lovitz’s “It’s a Picasso” act, you’ll know what I’m getting at.

Edited by David_D - May 15 2022 at 13:49

suitkees wrote: David_D wrote: Today, I'm much more concerned with that the understandig of what Prog is can be so including that Progressive Rock becomes difficult to distinguish from mainstream Rock - and that would be a pity for us, Prog lovers. " Out of curiosity, and just because I don't understand it, but can you explain how a genre label influences your music appreciation?

Edited by David_D - May 15 2022 at 22:41

There is nothing in what you’ve quoted from Kees there that shows any influence of definition upon his appreciation. You do seem to understand things very differently from most people, and I think you infer from what they write your own understanding. There is nothing wrong with understanding things differently, but it is important to recognise that not everyone will think the way you do, so to frame their words by your own reference will often result in something quite different from what was actually said.

David_D wrote: Well, suitkees, all I can do is repeat what I've written before because as I see it, you have a certain understanding/definition of "progressive rock", and that has a negative influence of you appreciation of music

Edited by suitkees - May 16 2022 at 07:15

Something of an aside, perhaps, because I have not understood your argument, David (haven't given it much thought either and only briefly skimmed the posts), but...

That I can think of now, where a label could effect my enjoyment would be because it influenced my expectations. This has happened and had more to do with problematic labeling where I came in expecting something different and had I come in with different expectations , then I might have appreciated it much for what is, than be disappointed about what it is not. If I already like something, then seeing how it is labeled by others should not affect my enjoyment. I love very diverse music anyway.

I have come to enjoy quite a lot of music because it ended up being deemed Prog at PA (or at least it was added to our categories) and that led to me discovering the music.

Labeling art I seem to find best for the utility when it comes to finding things that are likely to interest me. Of course labels are very useful -- such as on one's medication and other things.

And thanks Jaketejas, I enjoy reading your posts and found those in this thread interesting and enjoyable.

Edited by Logan - May 16 2022 at 08:01

suitkees wrote: EDIT: Oh, good heavens... You're so almighty that you deleted your superior intelligent message. Now mine is wandering in the emptiness of my ignorance... and on this forum...

Edited by David_D - May 16 2022 at 14:52

Edited by David_D - May 17 2022 at 01:49