Popular Prog Bands that you just can't get into

Wow, this thread just got started and already three pages.  First off I just want to say that if you don't like a band I think is da bomb, you're obviously a jerk and have bad taste in music.

But seriously, there's so much stuff out there under the prog umbrella and so much variety, you're not going to find anyone that likes all the popular prog bands.  If you criticize, be fair.

Wait.  You don't like Radiohead?  Who could possibly not like Radiohead?

I think the real gems are found in the artists off the beaten path.

BaldFriede wrote: You obviously have not understood a word I wrote. I was not even criticizing the musicians of Rush. The only thing I criticize is the behaviour of their fans. I have nothing against people liking certain musicians; everyone has their favourite one, and that's fine with me. I have my personal favorites too. But I am not declaring them to be über-musicians. The musicians of Rush are excellent; I never doubted that. So where is your problem?

Beware of the rabid fan boy or girl.


Edited by Slartibartfast - June 12 2009 at 18:57

Gentle Giant, i've tried a couple times. But im sure they'll click soon. VDGG i used to sort of like but not really get the fuss, untill Still Life clicked, now i love them. The only band so far i havnt been able to get into is Dream Theater, i find a good couple riffs in there, but they always seem to be so over the top, all my friends love them, and have loved them for a long time, so i dont think ill ever really like them.

I have to add, almost any music that is simply weird, like GSYBE. If it doesn't have a decent melody, it's just not an enjoyment. I guess I'm not artsy fartsy enuff.

BaldFriede wrote: Hercules wrote: VDGG, King Crimson, all the Krautrock I've heard without exception, Can, Gong, Magma, Zappa, The Mars Volta, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum; anything dark or avant garde. I used to include Gentle Giant and Strawbs in this group, but I now love both these bands. ELP are also just beginning to grow on me after years of indifference. You are missing out on all the good stuff.

I think it's a good job you and I don't live in the same house! I suspect our tastes are diammetrically opposite.

Pink Floyd

Hercules wrote: VDGG, King Crimson, all the Krautrock I've heard without exception, Can, Gong, Magma, Zappa, The Mars Volta, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum; anything dark or avant garde. I used to include Gentle Giant and Strawbs in this group, but I now love both these bands. ELP are also just beginning to grow on me after years of indifference.

You are missing out on all the good stuff.

There are quite a few that I'm just not into anymore.  It's common for music to pall over time for me.  With Rush, some of the music clicked in a big way, but I never developed much appreciation for the band (some albums I certainly enjoyed).  Really, I haven't put much effort into trying to get into bands.  If an album doesn't have quick appeal, I don't force the album or band's stuff on myself.  I like what I like and don't expect others to have the same tastes (of course there are those who share similar tastes to mine), and I don't expect to like what others really like (unless I already know that we share similar tastes).

I can't think of cases where I took to a band only after making an effort (sometimes one may start with the wrong album, or piece of music....). The appreciation comes quickly for me with ones I really like, it's just that with some the appreciation deepens over time.

Actually, there was one that I felt I misjudged at first, but can't remember what it was -- not a favourite, anyway.  Oh yeah, Radiohead.  Mea culpa, I didn't know enough of the music and had some misconceptions, but I didn't make an effort, I just happened to hear more material that immediately appealed. 

EDIT: Sorry for digressing from the topic, but for me I see little point in trying hard to get into bands and certain types of music when there is already such a  huge amount of music that will appeal (fit my tastes).  I still like to explore outside my comfort zone, and may find at some time that music that would not appeal to me at this stage in my musical journey may appeal at a later time (it can take musical steeping stones to get there).  But I'm lazy.... If I'm not intrigued at the least, to start with, by the music, then it's unlikely that forcing myself would make me appreciate more (might even make me hate it more). 


Edited by Logan - June 12 2009 at 16:23

And I concur with the others before me as Rush has never appealed to me in the slightest. Great musicians with great chops, no doubt, but their albums leave me completely unmoved. Different strokes, I guess.

StyLaZyn wrote: akamaisondufromage wrote: StyLaZyn wrote: Camel, Caravan, and Gong...boring blah!   Ok so you don't like them but that knife turning at the end!  To say GONG are boring (Cotton Buds needed) NEVER boring NEVER conventional (Unlike most modern prog and a lot of old).     (Does Rick Wakeman count?  ) I have tried so hard to give all of them a chance over and over. Camel I can somewhat get into but it would never be a play for enjoyment. And there is boring unconventional music. Gong happens to be one of those.

I found that I really like Camel's debut and Moonmadness is pretty good too.  I haven't heard Mirage except for a couple of songs.  I find that Snow Goose has a couple of really good moments, but mostly falls under the boring.  I've only listened to a little bit of Gong, but what I have heard was too strange for my tastes.  Still, if I happen across any of their other albums in the used section I'll probably be sure to check them out.

Let's see, the Flower Kings are a pretty obvious choice. I don't see their genius, they seem pretty standard to me.