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For the prog fan that is not a prog fan

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Topic: For the prog fan that is not a prog fan
Posted By: darkshade
Subject: For the prog fan that is not a prog fan
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 01:36
This is me basically. I enjoy bands that make prog rock, but I dont like prog rock. Now before you all lynch me, let me explain.

There are people on this site (generally speaking) that are into prog rock and cant get enough of it. I am not one of those people. I dont generally 'look' for prog rock. If anything I am, more or less, seeking music that is jazz, funk, jazz-fusion, etc related.

Now I wasnt always like this. Before I got into any of those genres, I got into prog rock first (i was a metal head/hard rock fan before that). And I did "look" for prog rock, because it was new for me. And i checked out all the bands one should, like YES, King Crimson, Genesis, Rush, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, ELP, Dream Theater, (was already into them because I was into heavy metal at that point), The Mars Volta, Porcupine Tree, Phish, Opeth, etc, etc, etc,....

I was also vaguely familiar with jazz-rock since I had a Return to Forever album, a Chick Corea Elektric Band album, and a Mahavishnu Orchestra album.

Once I was familiar with those bands and got enough of their discographies, i began to seek more and asked some of you on this forum where the next step would be. Some of you gave me many bands to check out, and I did and found myself very disappointed.

So I thought, "I enjoy some of this jazz-fusion type of music, maybe I'll explore this stuff more."

So I did and found myself loving it even more than prog rock. Now I was listening to both at the same time, mixing it up and such.

Then I discovered the music of Frank Zappa. This was perfect for me, because he made avant-guard prog rock, jazz-rock/fusion, funk, and smart comedy rock. His vast music took up so much of my time that I almost forgot about all the other music I liked.

When the thrill of his music began to wear down (this is months and months later btw...) I decided to explore jazz-fusion even deeper, going beyond what is on this site (but i still discover stuff here to this day!) This eventually led me to Jazz. I mean Jazz. I mean the type that was made before the late 60s. Guys like Mingus, Trane, early Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Charlie Parker, etc, etc, etc....

I went a little overboard and forgot how much I need some ROCK in my musical daily diet. So i began exploring funk and jazz-funk, since I believed that to be the natural progression of my musical search. I was already familiar with these 2 genre's, but I wanted to be MORE familiar with them. I even had a breif Blues phase where I wanted to listen to more Blues artists. I also realized i enjoyed music with world music influences in them, although I do not own ONE world music album.

I then didnt know where to go, since I was unsure if I should explore world music deeper. So I "regressed" in my musical search and was listening to some metal, hard rock, and pop that I used to listen to but 'forgot' about, like Stevie Wonder, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Steely Dan, etc.. etc...

The I got hit with a big jam band crave. I was into jam bands before I got into prog rock, but I got hooked on them again and got more live shows. I then realized something...

It was during this time that I had a thought. "I love funk, and jazz and jazz-rock. But what happened to all the prog rock I was listening to a couple of years ago?" Listening to some of the jam bands like Phish, Umphrey's McGee, String Cheese Incident, or moe. reminded me of my earlier prog rock days, since these bands do play prog rock. I began getting into all the prog bands I got into when I first started listening to prog. I threw Close to the Edge on, a few King Crimson albums, Free Hand, etc... etc... I then thought "wow i love this stuff, how could i have forgotten?"

So my musical daily diet began to be evenly spread out. Throughout the day, I might listen to (for example) Red or The Power to Believe, then throw on some Herbie Hancock "Thrust", then listen to some Rush, maybe Iron Maiden, then listen to some Charles Mingus or Ornette Coleman, then maybe a Zappa album, or a Garaj Mahal album, or maybe I want to listen to a Phish or Umphrey's McGee show, then cap the night off with Miles Davis or John Scofield or Area!

But then I thought, I want to get into more prog rock, since I feel I barely skimmed the surface of the vast genre. I looked into other bands with great reviews and rating on this site. Checked out the most popular and appreciated albums by bands I had no albums by, and was AGAIN disappointed.

Why is this? Am I not checking out the right bands for me? Have I already listened to all the great innovative bands? Not that I look for innovation all the time when getting into music. I dont have any particular sound in mind (not really looking for prog metal, strictly, but I'm open-minded), but even though I've checked out various prog bands, I cant seem to latch on to any of them. Maybe because after listening to Frank Zappa so much, no other prog band could compete Wink

Maybe you guys can try to help me. Does anyone else have this problem? Like I said, I enjoy certain bands that make prog rock, but the genre as a whole I technically dont listen to... Cry


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm




Replies:
Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 02:03
Dude, I'm a lot like you in music taste. I got into all the classic prog (Yes, Genesis, King Crimson) and some popular modern bands (Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Transatlantic), but when I tried to get into more obscure bands... it just didn't appeal. I'm way more into jazz (including fusion) and classical. Honestly, I think that with progressive rock, for the most part, the most popular bands are the best, or maybe a better way of putting it would be, the best bands are the ones who gain the most popularity. There is the occasional rare find that is just awesome, but usually I find that I've already heard the best of it. Which really is a compliment to the genre and it's fans, because most other types of pop music don't reward quality as much as prog does.


Posted By: russellk
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 02:36
Why see it as a problem? Enjoy what you enjoy, keep experimenting and go back occasionally to the albums and bands that disappointed you - you never know, some day you might change your opinion on a few of them.


Posted By: NurseryCryme89
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 03:35
Originally posted by russellk russellk wrote:

Why see it as a problem? Enjoy what you enjoy, keep experimenting and go back occasionally to the albums and bands that disappointed you - you never know, some day you might change your opinion on a few of them.



well said...Clap


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 04:32
Originally posted by russellk russellk wrote:

Why see it as a problem? Enjoy what you enjoy, keep experimenting and go back occasionally to the albums and bands that disappointed you - you never know, some day you might change your opinion on a few of them.


I completely agree with you. I've done this many times. However, most prog bands I hear don't make me want to come back, which I never got when I originally was checking out prog rock the first time. I've gone back to some albums, and not much changed. The only recent prog bands I've recently gotten into were Area, and they play jazz-rock (among other things) and PFM.

Maybe I'm not in the right mindset.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 04:36
Originally posted by King Crimson776 King Crimson776 wrote:

Dude, I'm a lot like you in music taste. I got into all the classic prog (Yes, Genesis, King Crimson) and some popular modern bands (Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Transatlantic), but when I tried to get into more obscure bands... it just didn't appeal. I'm way more into jazz (including fusion) and classical. Honestly, I think that with progressive rock, for the most part, the most popular bands are the best, or maybe a better way of putting it would be, the best bands are the ones who gain the most popularity. There is the occasional rare find that is just awesome, but usually I find that I've already heard the best of it. Which really is a compliment to the genre and it's fans, because most other types of pop music don't reward quality as much as prog does.


haha yes you and I do share similar opinions and tastes.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: Tristan Campbell
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 07:29
I think your situation is actually a really good thing.
We should all be looking for stuff that we like the sound of, regardless of how we categorise it.

I have had a similar thing. I have went and looked at music and found it to be lacking in emotion or the singer sings about something that seems very trivial. I do like the Mars Volta even though the lyrics don't make much sense. It is like they are making fun of lyrics being meaningful.

Often the prog stuff I like is the stuff that has been most sucessful e.g. Yes' Fragile, King Crimson's Court, Rush's Moving Pictures and even Kansas' Leftoverture. There is a reason that some prog is not popular. It is because it is crap.


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 17 2008 at 15:53
Originally posted by Tristan Campbell Tristan Campbell wrote:

I think your situation is actually a really good thing.
We should all be looking for stuff that we like the sound of, regardless of how we categorise it.

I have had a similar thing. I have went and looked at music and found it to be lacking in emotion or the singer sings about something that seems very trivial. I do like the Mars Volta even though the lyrics don't make much sense. It is like they are making fun of lyrics being meaningful.

Often the prog stuff I like is the stuff that has been most sucessful e.g. Yes' Fragile, King Crimson's Court, Rush's Moving Pictures and even Kansas' Leftoverture. There is a reason that some prog is not popular. It is because it is crap.


yea i have some Kansas albums, and they are good, and a couple of Flower Kings albums, i'll throw them on from time to time, but I have a couple of Atomic Rooster albums and Frumpy albums, and i do not like them much. especially AR get talked about a lot here, but I dont see the big deal with them


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: August 18 2008 at 08:06
I don't see the problem:you enjoy music and discover new stuff suits you well.Do not hesitate to go this way!

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I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world

of searchers with the help from

crimson king


Posted By: twostikks
Date Posted: August 19 2008 at 12:50

Hey, wow, someone with an open mind!

Nothing wrong with that. 
 
You said you love Jazz/Rock Fusion.  Are you familiar with Brand X?  Check out "Unorthodox Behaviour" and "Morrocan Roll".  If you're not familiar with these guys, you're in for a real treat.
 
If you ARE, then you already know what I'm talking about.

Either way, nothing wrong with checking out the scene -- sometimes you may be disappointed, but nothing like being rewarded with something GREAT!
 
Peace.


-------------
Gary
"... people will always be tempted to wipe their feet on anything with WELCOME written on it"
Andy Partridge


Posted By: Rune2000
Date Posted: August 19 2008 at 13:02
I can understand the problem that the original poster has touched on, it was more or less the same for me for a very long time. A tip from my personal experience is that you should listen to your inner self and after doing that seek out the musical style that you feel could inhence that mood. For example I've been listening alot to "Talk Talk" - Spirit Of Eden/Laughing Stock (+ Mark Hollis' solo album) and a great deal of "Peter Gabriel" (4/Securaty, Us, Up). Also there's been alot of post-rock like "Samuel Jackson 5" and (ofcourse) "Godspeed You Black Emperor!"

Guess which mood I'm in right now? LOL


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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: August 19 2008 at 15:34
If you're a prog fan who's not a prog fan, then you're not a prog fan, so what's the point? Tongue

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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 20 2008 at 03:38
but i am a prog fan. I love many prog bands.

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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: Jimbo
Date Posted: August 20 2008 at 05:15
I feel much the same way. I still consider prog-rock to be my favorite genre of music, but I haven't found anything worthy of a closer look in a year or so. Of course, it's not difficult to find bands that you 'like', but I miss the thrill of hearing albums like 'Red' or 'Close to the Edge' for the first time. I suppose it's naive to assume that you could make those kind of discoveries on a regular basis though. In the meantime, I've been exploring other genres (folk, jazz, indie etc) but they seem to suffer from the same disease.

I suppose when you reach a certain point in your musical education (meaning, you've heard a lot of stuff), it becomes increasingly difficult to find anything that truly rocks your boat. I maintain that I would probably like around 30 %  of all the bands in the archives, but how many would I truly love? I'm beginning to fear that there aren't many left.


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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: August 20 2008 at 08:24
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

but i am a prog fan. I love many prog bands.

Yes, but if you are a prog fan that is not a prog fan but is a prog fan how can I make any useful suggestions? LOL
Now, if you are a prog fan that is not a prog fan but is a prog fan but aren't a prog fan, then I'd suggest you go and tip toe through the tulips with Tiny Tim or you could try some Talisma.


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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 20 2008 at 23:25
hahaha

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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: August 22 2008 at 08:46
Hey Darkshade, You know I share your enthusiasm for Hancock and Miles, we both keep showing up in the same threads ha ha.
I was raised on classic early 70s prog rock. It's great stuff but there's only so many times I can listen to the same records. I keep looking for newer prog rock that I like, but there is a lot of weak material to wade through. Some post 70s bands I like include Ozric Tentaclees, Birds and Buildings, Jaga Jazzist, Shining, Maserati and Kensos.
There is also a lot of great progressive music in the modern world of electronic music, not exactly prog-rock but similar.

P.S. I don't care for new prog bands that sound like old prog bands, it's time to move on, most of the bands I listed draw on the past but still sound fresh and new.


Posted By: ArcAxis
Date Posted: August 23 2008 at 20:52
Here: You're a prog rock fan BUT not a fan of prog rock. ;)

And you and I  (hehee, Yes reference) share musical tastes. . . infact, I'm following the same path as you; Right now I'm at the Yes / Genesis / King Crimson / Dream Theater stage, starting Jazz; Like John Scofield and such (I'm downloading Davis's Kind of Blue right now :P). . .
Keep rockin' bro.


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 24 2008 at 17:29
Originally posted by Easy Money Easy Money wrote:

Hey Darkshade, You know I share your enthusiasm for Hancock and Miles, we both keep showing up in the same threads ha ha.
I was raised on classic early 70s prog rock. It's great stuff but there's only so many times I can listen to the same records. I keep looking for newer prog rock that I like, but there is a lot of weak material to wade through. Some post 70s bands I like include Ozric Tentacles, Birds and Buildings, Jaga Jazzist, Shining, Maserati and Kensos.
There is also a lot of great progressive music in the modern world of electronic music, not exactly prog-rock but similar.

P.S. I don't care for new prog bands that sound like old prog bands, it's time to move on, most of the bands I listed draw on the past but still sound fresh and new.


i have some Ozric Tentacles, and I like them a lot. They have a jazz-rock feel to them sometimes, but i enjoy their overall sound very much (even the newer stuff which i know some people dont agree with)

the others i have no idea about. any good suggestions, or descriptions of those other bands?


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 24 2008 at 17:39
Originally posted by Slartibartfast Slartibartfast wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

but i am a prog fan. I love many prog bands.

Yes, but if you are a prog fan that is not a prog fan but is a prog fan how can I make any useful suggestions? LOL
Now, if you are a prog fan that is not a prog fan but is a prog fan but aren't a prog fan, then I'd suggest you go and tip toe through the tulips with Tiny Tim or you could try some Talisma.


well i am a prog fan. I enjoy bands that make prog rock. There's just so many bands I dont like because they either dont do it right, whether they're being too pompous, or whatever, or they sound like many other bands. i had this same problem when I was a big metal-head.

off the top of my head, here's the prog bands i like (non jazz-rock)

Yes
King Crimson
Gentle Giant
Genesis
Frank Zappa
ELP
Camel
Jethro Tull
Rush
The Mars Volta
The Flower Kings
Mr. Bungle
Gong
The Soft Machine (jazz-rock, but they're more prog anyway)
Dream Theater
Liquid Tension Experiment
Phish (yes they are prog!)
Umphrey's McGee
Kansas
Steve Hackett
The Beatles (latter-era)
Ozric Tentacles
Atomic Rooster

now this is a lot of bands, but i could make a list 2152564 times larger if I listed the jazz-rock bands I enjoyed. I guess im just picky about which bands i like. I do not like Spock's Beard or Transatlantic so do not suggest them. I would have like Transatlantic had Neil Morse not been there.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: tillerman
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 02:52
It sounds like you enjoy really expertly rendered inprovisation.A lot of the new prog bands do lack that.

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[email protected]Blue Font


Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 03:33
The obvious problem seems to be that at some point you will run out of new stuff. Which raises the question: Can that really be the point about music ... the illusion of "new"?

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https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to:


Posted By: Rocktopus
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 04:36
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:




The Mars Volta
The Flower Kings
Mr. Bungle
Dream Theater
Liquid Tension Experiment
Phish (yes they are prog!)
Umphrey's McGee
Ozric Tentacles


Spock's Beard or Transatlantic so do not suggest them. I would have like Transatlantic had Neil Morse not been there.


Hm, suggestions from me might be a little irrelevant to you, because I don't like the modern bands you list except Mr. Bungle (maybe you have been checking out the wrong bands), to some extent. But I can relate  to your opening post, and we share a lot of jazzfavorites.

My favorites among the newer bands are:

http://www.myspace.com/noncredo - Non Credo: (a must hear!) Try Happy Wretched Family or Impropera
http://www.myspace.com/guapoband - Guapo : any of their three latest
http://www.myspace.com/kayodot - Kayo Dot: Blue Lambrency Downward. Surely album of the year! (you've probably heard them already)
http://www.myspace.com/secretchiefs3 - Secret Chiefs 3
http://www.myspace.com/elephant9theband - Elephant9 (brilliant, brand new jazzrockfusion)

Maybe not to your taste at all, but I love them. And I think they all have a unique sound.

I think many of Dave Kerman related bands are great. U Totem, Motor Totemist Guild, 5Uu's... Tried anything from the Japanese scene? Its not all hysterical.




-------------
Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes
Find a fly and eat his eye
But don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
Don't believe in me


Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 09:11
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:


Originally posted by Easy Money Easy Money wrote:

Hey Darkshade, You know I share your enthusiasm for Hancock and Miles, we both keep showing up in the same threads ha ha.
I was raised on classic early 70s prog rock. It's great stuff but there's only so many times I can listen to the same records. I keep looking for newer prog rock that I like, but there is a lot of weak material to wade through. Some post 70s bands I like include Ozric Tentacles, Birds and Buildings, Jaga Jazzist, Shining, Maserati and Kensos.
There is also a lot of great progressive music in the modern world of electronic music, not exactly prog-rock but similar.

P.S. I don't care for new prog bands that sound like old prog bands, it's time to move on, most of the bands I listed draw on the past but still sound fresh and new.
i have some Ozric Tentacles, and I like them a lot. They have a jazz-rock feel to them sometimes, but i enjoy their overall sound very much (even the newer stuff which i know some people dont agree with)the others i have no idea about. any good suggestions, or descriptions of those other bands?




In the time it might take me to describe these bands you could already hear their music on myspace, their own website or on PA. Click on my profile and then my homepage and you will find Birds and Buildings and Maserati in my 'friends' section, also a band called Bogdanovitch, ha ha ha.


Posted By: Stughalf
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 18:25
Since your are an avowed fan of jazz-rock, and admire Soft Machine and Gong, I must ask whether you have explored the music of other bands in the Canterbury Scene.  If not, I'd heartily recommend Caravan, Hatfield And The North, and National Health.


Posted By: mr70s
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 20:00
I find contemporary prog so dissappointing, and always return to prog's best days or jazz rock fusion Wink
Maybe sometimes combining the two - Refugee (even if Jacksons singing ? makes me cringe), or Moraz's masterpiece Story of I (with Ray Gomez, Alphonse Mouzon and Jeff Berlin).
Is this the kind of music for the prog fan that is not a prog fan ?


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 20:48
Originally posted by Stughalf Stughalf wrote:

Since your are an avowed fan of jazz-rock, and admire Soft Machine and Gong, I must ask whether you have explored the music of other bands in the Canterbury Scene.  If not, I'd heartily recommend Caravan, Hatfield And The North, and National Health.


now that you mentioned it, I havent. I feel like i checked out Caravan a long time ago, but i dont remember. I'll give these bands a listen on the stream.

BTW, i checked out IF and they are awesome! I am getting their first 3 albums asap!


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 20:50
Originally posted by Rocktopus Rocktopus wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:




The Mars Volta
The Flower Kings
Mr. Bungle
Dream Theater
Liquid Tension Experiment
Phish (yes they are prog!)
Umphrey's McGee
Ozric Tentacles


Spock's Beard or Transatlantic so do not suggest them. I would have like Transatlantic had Neil Morse not been there.


Hm, suggestions from me might be a little irrelevant to you, because I don't like the modern bands you list except Mr. Bungle (maybe you have been checking out the wrong bands), to some extent. But I can relate  to your opening post, and we share a lot of jazzfavorites.

My favorites among the newer bands are:

http://www.myspace.com/noncredo - Non Credo: (a must hear!) Try Happy Wretched Family or Impropera
http://www.myspace.com/guapoband - Guapo : any of their three latest
http://www.myspace.com/kayodot - Kayo Dot: Blue Lambrency Downward. Surely album of the year! (you've probably heard them already)
http://www.myspace.com/secretchiefs3 - Secret Chiefs 3
http://www.myspace.com/elephant9theband - Elephant9 (brilliant, brand new jazzrockfusion)

Maybe not to your taste at all, but I love them. And I think they all have a unique sound.

I think many of Dave Kerman related bands are great. U Totem, Motor Totemist Guild, 5Uu's... Tried anything from the Japanese scene? Its not all hysterical.




my tastes are weird. Even by describing the music I listen to, I could still get into a band you wouldnt think I would. it's weird.

But i will check out these bands. thanks for the suggestions. Ive seen Kayo Dot mentioned a lot on this forum. Maybe I'll check them out first.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 25 2008 at 20:53
Originally posted by tillerman tillerman wrote:

It sounds like you enjoy really expertly rendered improvisation.A lot of the new prog bands do lack that.


i mean it's true i enjoy bands that improvise. I dont necessarily look for that, at least when looking for new prog, since most of my favorite prog bands dont improvise anyway, at least on studio albums. it's hard to explain why I cant get into a lot of prog bands the way some member here do. But then, im sure there's people here who cant get into jazz related music as easily as I or others here can.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 16:53
Originally posted by Easy Money Easy Money wrote:




In the time it might take me to describe these bands you could already hear their music on myspace, their own website or on PA. Click on my profile and then my homepage and you will find Birds and Buildings and Maserati in my 'friends' section, also a band called Bogdanovich, ha ha ha.


haha you do know that was my band right?


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 19:35
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:


Originally posted by Easy Money Easy Money wrote:



In the time it might take me to describe these bands you could already hear their music on myspace, their own website or on PA. Click on my profile and then my homepage and you will find Birds and Buildings and Maserati in my 'friends' section, also a band called Bogdanovich, ha ha ha.
haha you do know that was my band right?



Mos def, you and I were the only site members to submit fusion bands to the unsigned band thread.


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 20:46
Originally posted by Easy Money Easy Money wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:


Originally posted by Easy Money Easy Money wrote:



In the time it might take me to describe these bands you could already hear their music on myspace, their own website or on PA. Click on my profile and then my homepage and you will find Birds and Buildings and Maserati in my 'friends' section, also a band called Bogdanovich, ha ha ha.
haha you do know that was my band right?



Mos def, you and I were the only site members to submit fusion bands to the unsigned band thread.


heh, i think you're right. everyone else's bands are either metal bands or wanna-be prog bands. Your band and mine are the only (from what I know) that are actually serious and could see being listened to by a lot of people on this site.

it sucks, though, cause we broke up. But i'll have a new band in no time.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: tillerman
Date Posted: August 27 2008 at 05:17
Well remember the best improv sounds arranged.Most of Starless & Bible Black for example....

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[email protected]Blue Font


Posted By: Draith
Date Posted: August 29 2008 at 01:45
Yes, I love Thrust! Smile

I see exactly what you mean. I've been through a remarkably similar musical journey myself (in fact it's eerie, I love exactly all of the same bands, in all the genres), though mine happened more all at once in a few months than a kind of succession. The only difference is I don't have nearly enough money to pay for most of it. Cry

It gets to the point where the whole complexity and intellectualism of prog gets a bit tiresome and I feel like "progressing" my tastes to something different. For me, jazz fusion and jazz was the answer, Return to Forever, Mahavishnu, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and especially John Coltrane, and anything similar. I've even expanded to the more progressive Death metal bands, something I would never have expected, and I even enjoy opera now as well.

The thing is I DO go out and hunt for great new progressive bands, some I find are amazing, many I simply can't stand at all. So I think I could probably call myself a prog fan. I guess my main point is prog rock shouldn't be the only thing you listen to, or at least not for me. Just because prog rock isn't all you listen to, doesn't mean you don't like it as a genre. One should have an open mind!

Great blog, it's one's such as this that make this site really worthwhile! Clap


Posted By: Scarlet
Date Posted: September 09 2008 at 04:35
Quote The thing is I DO go out and hunt for great new progressive bands, some I find are amazing, many I simply can't stand at all.
 
At the moment I have 2 suggestions. Big Big Train and Hammers Of Misfortune. BBT has been around since 1989 and HOM came to birth in the late 90s. These bands are not really new, but they could be to anyone who hasn't heard them.
 
I will repost an exerpt from a review that Bill Gillham wrote:
(With 99% of my cds I always think something could be better. Sometimes a cd will have too much of this, or not enough of that, or the vocals are weak, or whatever. With Big Big Trains album The Difference Machine, I cant imagine how it could be better.)
 
http://www.bigbigtrain.com - Go to their site and listen to some soundclips
 
While BBT is proggy and also have a hint of Jazz, Hammers Of Misfortune instead are more straightforward with elements of metal. I find myself keep playing http://hammersofmisfortune.com/downloads/Trot%20Out%20The%20Dead.mp3 - Trot Out The Dead over and over again.


Posted By: Ancient
Date Posted: September 12 2008 at 08:07
Have you tried following Bill Bruford's carrer. His first solo albums are absolutely marvellous. So is his jazz band Earthworks. Saw them live last year and they are such talented musicians.

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... and the flowering creativity of life wove it's www


Posted By: MercyfulFatesWarning
Date Posted: September 16 2008 at 11:10
I didn't see Van der Graaf Generator your list?  I know they're old, but I'd think they would be right up your alley..


Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: September 16 2008 at 14:19
How about the Roine Stolt interview and his comment re : the "retro-prog" tag that the Flower Kings has ?
I never thought of it, but if he's been playing prog since the mid 70s (Kaipa onwards), why would we say that he's just imitating those 70s icons ?


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"Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case.


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: September 17 2008 at 23:02
Originally posted by Ancient Ancient wrote:

Have you tried following Bill Bruford's carrer. His first solo albums are absolutely marvellous. So is his jazz band Earthworks. Saw them live last year and they are such talented musicians.
 
oh yea of course. i have Feels Good to Me, Gradually Going Tornado, and One Of A Kind
 
of his Earthworks albums i have A Part, And Yet Apart, Random Acts Of Happiness, The Sound Of Surprise, and Stamping Ground
 
all of these albums are excellent jazz-rock, jazz, and prog efforts. im especially keen to his 70s solo albums, but ive recently been enjoying his Earthworks stuff again
 
Originally posted by MercyfulFatesWarning MercyfulFatesWarning wrote:

I didn't see Van der Graaf Generator your list?  I know they're old, but I'd think they would be right up your alley..
 
ive given this band more than 3 tries, they just dont click with me. they're almost, dare i say, booooring. i actually fell asleep to one of their albums (and it was 3 in the afternoon and i wasnt tired prior) so yea, no. thanks for the suggestion though Smile


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: Rocktopus
Date Posted: September 18 2008 at 03:30
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

 
Originally posted by MercyfulFatesWarning MercyfulFatesWarning wrote:

I didn't see Van der Graaf Generator your list?  I know they're old, but I'd think they would be right up your alley..
 
ive given this band more than 3 tries, they just dont click with me. they're almost, dare i say, booooring. i actually fell asleep to one of their albums (and it was 3 in the afternoon and i wasnt tired prior) so yea, no. thanks for the suggestion though Smile


Either you haven't tried hard enough, or the wrong album. If not, just forget all about all my suggestions.


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Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes
Find a fly and eat his eye
But don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
Don't believe in me


Posted By: mr70s
Date Posted: September 18 2008 at 06:56
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

 
ive given this band more than 3 tries, they just dont click with me. they're almost, dare i say, booooring. i actually fell asleep to one of their albums (and it was 3 in the afternoon and i wasnt tired prior) so yea, no. thanks for the suggestion though Smile
 
Must admit, they had the same effect on me. Maybe I just didn't hear the right albums...


Posted By: forevergrateful68
Date Posted: September 22 2008 at 18:26

You and I share a pretty similar taste. I'm also really into jam bands as well as prog. I can see why you would like Jazz-Fusion and all since that's basically how jam bands work, improvising and all. I'm guessing you have a pretty broad knowledge of the genre but here are some bands I really like that are on the jazzy side: Galactic, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Victor Wooten (solo), The Big Wu, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Addison Groove Project...

If you have time also check out these bands: Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, STS9, Yonder Mountain String Band, and My Morning Jacket.
 
Glad you have an appreciation for Umphrey's McGee too, they are probably the best new band on the live circuit right now.


Posted By: kem828
Date Posted: September 28 2008 at 17:44
Originally posted by forevergrateful68 forevergrateful68 wrote:

You and I share a pretty similar taste. I'm also really into jam bands as well as prog. I can see why you would like Jazz-Fusion and all since that's basically how jam bands work, improvising and all. I'm guessing you have a pretty broad knowledge of the genre but here are some bands I really like that are on the jazzy side: Galactic, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Victor Wooten (solo), The Big Wu, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Addison Groove Project...

If you have time also check out these bands: Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, STS9, Yonder Mountain String Band, and My Morning Jacket.
 
Glad you have an appreciation for Umphrey's McGee too, they are probably the best new band on the live circuit right now.


Absolutely agree, I was in a very similar position almost a year ago, so i got really into the prog jam scene. In addition to those above, try Particle, maybe even some Disco Biscuits.

Its tough to know if you enjoy a lot of these bands, as sometimes the studio album is nothing like the live experience. I didn't enjoy listening to STS9 until I saw them with Umphrey's, for instance.
Did I miss you talk about Bela Fleck and the Flecktones? because they are also quite fantastic.

Its alittle off, but I've recently been listening to two different spectrums of the "prog-jam" The Livetronica of The New Deal, as well as the bluegrassy jam band style of Tea Leaf Green. They are all fantastic bands, but it depends on what you are feeling like

-Tehan (Progandpoo)


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http://www.last.fm/user/kem828/?chartstyle=autosizeRecentTracks">


Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: September 28 2008 at 18:54
Nice to hear that people are bringing up bands like MM&W, STS9 and Particle. I think these bands are creating a whole new type of prog rock that is being missed out on by a lot of people on this site.


Posted By: forevergrateful68
Date Posted: September 30 2008 at 01:13

You know, I did skip over Bela Fleck, dunno how I mentioned Wooten and not Fleck...I only have a little Bisco and Particle but both bands are great. I'll definitely hit up a show if either of them are in town.

I've heard of The New Deal, but have yet to really check them out. I have seen Tea Leaf Green before (put on a free concert at my college!!) and they were awesome. Totally groovin' and played a cool Doors cover. I bought a bootleg CD of one of their Jam in the Dam performances and love it.

I was planning to go to the UM/STS9 show when they came to Atlanta but missed it due to sickness Cry. It's cool to see other people feeling the same music I love, especially since the jam scene has some of the best music out today.


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 01 2008 at 22:45
Originally posted by forevergrateful68 forevergrateful68 wrote:

You and I share a pretty similar taste. I'm also really into jam bands as well as prog. I can see why you would like Jazz-Fusion and all since that's basically how jam bands work, improvising and all. I'm guessing you have a pretty broad knowledge of the genre but here are some bands I really like that are on the jazzy side: Galactic, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Victor Wooten (solo), The Big Wu, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Addison Groove Project...

Galactic i havent had a chance to check out, but i have all 3 of Stanton Moore's albums which are fantastic. The rest of those i havent heard of except Addison Groove Project. My friend owns some stuff by them, ill ask him if i can check out some of his cds. and im quite familiar with MM&W, and Victor Wooten. Which of the ones i havent heard would you say is best to check out first?

If you have time also check out these bands: Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, STS9, Yonder Mountain String Band, and My Morning Jacket.

these bands i have never heard of either. will check them out.
 
Glad you have an appreciation for Umphrey's McGee too, they are probably the best new band on the live circuit right now.

thank you. they definitly are. seen them live twice. will again, next time theyre in my area


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: forevergrateful68
Date Posted: October 02 2008 at 19:10

I'd say it all depends on what you're really into right at the moment. The best is probably the Aquarium Rescue Unit, but if you really want jazz-fusion done right, I'd go with the Dirty Dozen Brass band since they're style is much jazzier, with AQR being more on the rock side. The Big Wu is also more rock, while the JFJO is acid jazz more or less.

As for the other bands, I'd say that it's a must to check out Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, and STS9. P-groove is definitely my favorite, as I've seen them live many times. YMSB is great too, but it's bluegrass so I don't know how much you're into that, and My Morning Jacket is more indie-rock style than jam. They are pretty experimental though, which is something I like. Also check out The String Cheese Incident, as they are great too.
 
Remember, if you want a preview of what these bands sound like, you can check out http://www.archive.org - www.archive.org to hear some live shows. A lot of the recordings are very well done, so just look for the right one. I'd recommend doing that before buying anything just to make sure it's what you want. Plus, you can use it to check out hundreds of other bands too.
Happy listening!


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 02 2008 at 19:16
yea im into Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Phish, String Cheese, moe, and other jam bands, so i enjoy bluegrass and appreciate it. i dont own any 'actual' bluegrass records, but i like it when i hear it.

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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: Luna Tuna
Date Posted: October 04 2008 at 21:01
Look to Italy, discover another nerve....
Banco (Darwin), Semiramis (Dedicato a Frazz), Balletto di Bronzo.
Good luck with the discovering!
;-)



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Don't discuss taste...unless you agree ;-)


Posted By: Lystmaler
Date Posted: October 08 2008 at 04:30
Yeah, Italian Symphonic would be right up your ally I believe. The style is often jam like while still keeping that symphonic sound.

You mention world influences, which leads me to ask if you've heard Orphaned Land? They're of the metal variety but they have a pretty tight sound I believe you should at least check out. And if Metal is what you seek, Unexpect are a rather formidable band who offer, well, 'unexpected' variations in their music, which might offer the 'intensity' and variation you appear to want to discover.


Posted By: mr70s
Date Posted: October 08 2008 at 09:51
Goblin's Profondo Rosso is a great mix of gothic prog / jazz-rock. A previous release when they were known as Cherry Five is good also (think that is S/T) The self - titled Dedalus lp is worth checking out also.


Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date Posted: October 13 2008 at 18:11
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

This is me basically. I enjoy bands that make prog rock, but I dont like prog rock. Now before you all lynch me, let me explain.

There are people on this site (generally speaking) that are into prog rock and cant get enough of it. I am not one of those people. I dont generally 'look' for prog rock. If anything I am, more or less, seeking music that is jazz, funk, jazz-fusion, etc related.

I said, I enjoy certain bands that make prog rock, but the genre as a whole I technically dont listen to... Cry
 
Maybe you should check FROGG CAFÉ, from the USA. Highlights are "Creatures", "Fortunate Observer of Time" and the semi-live double CD "The Safenzee Diaries" --- all of them albums full of great prog music with lots of jazz and experimental elements, as well as some exciting jams here and there.
 
From Italy, you can check DEUS EX MACHINA and D.F.A. (both of them actually releasing new albums this year): jazz-oriented prog with a strong experimental edge, and a gusto for jamming. Also from Italy is ACCORDO DEI CONTRARI, whose music is more structured but there's good jamming as well.
 
"Five Suns", "Elixirs" and "Black Oni", the three latest GUAPO albums might as well appeal to you: the basic style is Zheul, yet the jazzy elements are clearly noticeable.
 
KARCIUS from Canada (Quebec) can also fit your preferential musical tastes.
 
From Japan... you can't go wrong with KBB: their three albums are some of the best that this country has ever delivered to the world of prog. And yes, the jazz element is a strong asset in their style.
 
From Spain, do not miss GURTH, PLANETA IMAGINARIO or SOMA.PLANET.
 
   Hopefully, these reccomendatiosn will be useful for you.
   Kind regards. 


Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: October 16 2008 at 08:48
Excellent recommendations Cesar IncaClap!

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I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world

of searchers with the help from

crimson king


Posted By: trackstoni
Date Posted: October 21 2008 at 06:52
   Take it easy Darkshade , on yurself , you must pay money , time , and sweat for yur earnings . i'm into progressive rock since 1968 , and i still enjoy my stuff up till now . I don't look at all for somethng new to buy , as my old albums satisfies me . You must always take into consideration these factors to get a step ahead in music . The right timing , the right place , the right people and the right mood . So , don't push things to the Extreme , wait for your turn in our school , YOU HAVE TO DIG A LOT my friend //////////////////Clown 

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Tracking Tracks of Rock


Posted By: OZ_Prog47
Date Posted: November 12 2008 at 04:44
Hi guyz from Down Under,
 I'm reading these threads and find them of interest...... KBB have a new one out and could I suggest that you give a shoot to Outer Limits, Vermilion Sands, Interpose+ S/T, Rovo, Theta , Cinema, Teru's Symphonia or Pochaite Malko.... They all have a great violin playing amongst their ranks..... The Japanese scene is a very active on many fronts. Prog , zeuhl, jazz rock or more experimental stuff is all over the place..... It's one the country who absorb many influences and make them part of their scene.....
      G'Day for now         Erick
 


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I am listening to music for the last 45 years..... Mainly prog jazz world dub cross over and anything with strings attached


Posted By: pkazee
Date Posted: December 01 2008 at 15:37
I tend to like the 70's prog I first became familiar with back in the day, but have not yet heard much new prog that excites me (though, like you, I keep listening!).  In general, when it comes to new music, I tend to like  that which takes me somewhere I've not previously been, and much of what is being made now simply sounds too much like what went before.

In fact, of the artists I've only become familiar with in the past year or so, the only two that have caused my head to turn have been:

BOB DRAKE (I'd suggest starting with WHAT TIME IS IT... or maybe the title is WHAT DAY IS IT... something like that, and then, if you like that, try ANIMAL MEDALION CARPET). and

AHVAK (I believe they only have one album to date).


As for older stuff that's different from the norm, I'd suggest trying the following, and if you like any of these, I'd be happy to make other recommendations:

CAN (Flow Motion and Limited Edition are both great, though the later - and more unusual of the two - is easier to find in a double-length collection titled Unlimited Edition, and I'm not really fond of any of the added material)

GONG (Shamal or Flying Teapot... the 1st is jazz/space/fusion, the 2nd definitive spacerock)

HENRY COW (LegEnd or Western Culture or Desperate Straights... in order of unusualness)

GREAVES & BLEGVAD (Kew. Rhone.   This one is sort of avant-prog jazz)

Good luck!
Paul


Posted By: pkazee
Date Posted: December 01 2008 at 20:04
Glad to see Soft Machine and Gong on your list.  I presume you know the later's SHAMAL?  Anyway, like you I have not heard much in the way of new prog that has excited me, though I've only come back for a taste during the past year.  One album from the past decade that has impressed me is Bob Drake's What Day Is it?  Have you checked this one out?  I'm also fond of his more recent, Medallion Animal Carpet, though it is quite different from What Day Is It?

Another newer album that impressed me is by a band called AHVAK.  I believe its their only album.

Going back to older stuff, you may be familiar with much of this, but if not, I'd recommend:

Rock Bottom - Robert Wyatt (of Soft Machine)

Leg End (aka Legend) - Henry Cow
   (or... if you're a bit more adventurous, then Henry Cow's Western Culture, or if you really like to swing
    toward the unusual, then Desperate Straights,  by H. Cow and Slapp Happy.

Kew. Rhone - Greaves & Blegvad (just maybe the greatest avant-prog-jazz album ever)

Flow Motion - Can
   (or, if you're ready for a very strange trip, then my fave... Limited Edition.  Unfortunately, this one
    is hard to find, except as an expanded double-disc edition titled Unlimited Edition.  I say that this is
    unfortunate because... for my money... none of the added material is nearly as interesting).




Posted By: pkazee
Date Posted: December 01 2008 at 20:06
sorry for the repost.  after posting the first message I got an error message telling me the post had failed, so I started over.  oh well...


Posted By: CJCrackaMcNasty
Date Posted: November 23 2009 at 21:50
  I feel for you.  It gets really annoying in my life because I don't have any friends as into a diversity of music as I am. All whom do live in wwwland.  However I started with Hip Hop and evolved from there.


Posted By: Kashmir75
Date Posted: February 28 2010 at 19:44
Originally posted by Easy Money Easy Money wrote:

Hey Darkshade, You know I share your enthusiasm for Hancock and Miles, we both keep showing up in the same threads ha ha.
I was raised on classic early 70s prog rock. It's great stuff but there's only so many times I can listen to the same records. I keep looking for newer prog rock that I like, but there is a lot of weak material to wade through. Some post 70s bands I like include Ozric Tentaclees, Birds and Buildings, Jaga Jazzist, Shining, Maserati and Kensos.
There is also a lot of great progressive music in the modern world of electronic music, not exactly prog-rock but similar.

P.S. I don't care for new prog bands that sound like old prog bands, it's time to move on, most of the bands I listed draw on the past but still sound fresh and new.
 
This. I am all for the great bands of the 70s, but I just don't think bands these days should be doing that. It isn't the 70s anymore. I find stuff like Transatlantic a bit cheesy, actually. Unless that's the idea.


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Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while...


Posted By: progressive
Date Posted: March 02 2010 at 00:07
Avant-prog should cure any person.

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► rateyourmusic.com/~Fastro 2672 ratings ▲ last.fm/user/Fastro 5556 artists ▲ www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=4933 266◄


Posted By: daslaf
Date Posted: March 21 2010 at 10:31
Originally posted by Rocktopus Rocktopus wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

 
Originally posted by MercyfulFatesWarning MercyfulFatesWarning wrote:

I didn't see Van der Graaf Generator your list?  I know they're old, but I'd think they would be right up your alley..
 
ive given this band more than 3 tries, they just dont click with me. they're almost, dare i say, booooring. i actually fell asleep to one of their albums (and it was 3 in the afternoon and i wasnt tired prior) so yea, no. thanks for the suggestion though Smile


Either you haven't tried hard enough, or the wrong album. If not, just forget all about all my suggestions.


I agree, the first VdGG album I listened to was Pawn Hearts and I totally hated it... I couldn't get into it, it was a bad experience... that was 2 years ago I think, but, a couple of months ago I got Godbluff and Still Life and I was marveled by these 2 albums... I've given Pawn Hearts a few chances since then, but I still can't enjoy it
---

Now Darkshade, I'm reaching the point where prog rock isn't  enough and I'm starting to dig in jazz-fusion, though I'm familiar with some Chick Corea, Weather Report & the Mahavishnu Orchestra... so my musical journey hasn't been so long as yours.

My point is, I don't know if you have check'em out, if you have, I don't  know if you'll like'em or not, maybe you'll hate them... but since you like Zappa, Mr Bungle & Gentle Giant...

you should, I mean... YOU MUST CHECK CARDIACS...




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But now my branches suffer
And my leaves don't bear the glow
They did so long ago


Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 21 2010 at 17:35
I know just what the OP means, most of my friends are like that: they very much like certain prog albums, or certain bands during a period - Thick as a Brick, Fragile, Discipline, Wish You Were Here, etc. - but they could take or leave Prog as a genre and certainly don't seek it out  ..heck I was that way myself for a long time






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