The most archetypal classic Progressive Rock?

Starshiper wrote: richardh wrote: As much as I love VDGG they were really a 'one off' and entirely based around the mercurial genius of Peter Hammill. What other bands sounded even remotely like them??! Ah, the term 'archetypal'—a rather posh way of saying *original,* wouldn't you agree? Now, when it comes to bands that have taken a leaf out of the Van der Graaf Generator playbook and decided to traipse down a similar path, we find ourselves with quite the eclectic bunch. There’s the late 70s Swiss band Island, who released only one record, yet a masterpiece with H.R. Giger sleeve design, seems to think they can channel that vibe. Discipline, who are clearly on a mission; Dear Hunter, who might be hunting for something more than just a catchy tune; Thank You Scientist, because why not throw in a bit of gratitude while we’re at it; and Dog Fashion Disco—yes, you read that right. It’s all rather amusing, really. By the way, as you can see, he also regrettably missed Gentle Giant; he just listed the "Big Six."

richardh wrote: Starshiper wrote: richardh wrote: As much as I love VDGG they were really a 'one off' and entirely based around the mercurial genius of Peter Hammill. What other bands sounded even remotely like them??! Ah, the term 'archetypal'—a rather posh way of saying *original,* wouldn't you agree? Now, when it comes to bands that have taken a leaf out of the Van der Graaf Generator playbook and decided to traipse down a similar path, we find ourselves with quite the eclectic bunch. There’s the late 70s Swiss band Island, who released only one record, yet a masterpiece with H.R. Giger sleeve design, seems to think they can channel that vibe. Discipline, who are clearly on a mission; Dear Hunter, who might be hunting for something more than just a catchy tune; Thank You Scientist, because why not throw in a bit of gratitude while we’re at it; and Dog Fashion Disco—yes, you read that right. It’s all rather amusing, really. By the way, as you can see, he also regrettably missed Gentle Giant; he just listed the "Big Six." I like DFD but not so much Dear Hunter or Thank You Scientist. I'm not convinced any of those are like VDGG though. On the definition then I suppose you are correct. However does it mean the style has to stay the same? VDGG doesn't change but King Crimson were almost a reinvention for every album which for some may the defintion of progressive rock. Genesis and Yes (and VDGG) just do the same thing (brilliantly) for every album so what does that say. I'm confused about the point of the thread tbh. Is it just about what is 'progressive' or what bands influence can be strongly heard in modern day prog? The latter is what I took it to be but then I may just be confused.

Richardh,

I would disagree Yes did the same thing for every album. The Yes Album, Fragile, Relayer, Drama and 90125 all sound quite different from each other. You can add the Ancient to the mix from TFTGO as side long piece of music that sounds far different than anything that band ever did. Some of the changes in the musical direction Yes took are due to the keyboardist, drummers and guitarists that were in the band at the time of recording these albums. Kaye, Wakeman, Moraz and Downes would never be mistaken for the other. Steve Howe (Jazz, Country influences) and Trevor Rabin (Metal, Fusion) are stylistically far apart. Obviously, Bruford and White drumming styles are quite different.

As far as KC is concerned, they get far more credit for reinventing themselves from album to album than probably is deserved. The Wetton era of KC chewed much the same ground. The 80s reincarnation of Crimson was quite different than what they had done before, but those three albums, Discipline, Beat and Three of the Perfect Pair, I have always grouped together musically. The Construkction of Light and The Power to Believe does the Industrial Metal experimentation.

Just my take on the matter.

As far as the posters question, Yes and Genesis are probably what people think of when it comes to the arch type Prog. ELP would take the third spot.

Guru Can wrote: Nah. When it comes to the U.S. bands, it could be only Utopia.

Well, while Todd Rundgren's Utopia is an incredible prog band, in my opinion, they're way too experimental, stylistically eclectic and "shaped like itself" for me to consider them and archetypal example of the prog rock genre in a way that it's an approximation of all the core elements.