Theism v. Atheism in Prog

Starless wrote: If the original poster is asking if religion (rather than spirituality) has a place in prog lyrics then almost certainly not, as all religious lyrics I have heard are a real turn off, and sound preachy even if that is not the lyricist's intention. The one major exception I can think of is the mighty Supper's Ready, which is loosely based on the Book of Revelations (possibly??).   To all those who do not seem to care what the lyrics are saying as long as the music grabs attention, surely you're missing the point. To be a "song" a tune must have lyrics or it is simply a tune. Granted a lot of modern prog bands never seem to get beyond banal 6th form poetry, but try telling Peter Hammill, Steven Wilson, Thom Yorke etc that lyrics are not important.

*cough*

Nah, I don't think Swilson's that bad a lyricist, but I don't find his lyrics that captivating outside a couple of songs.

Roll the Bones - Rush sums up how I feel

I think what attracts me the most to progressive music is the depth of the songwriting and musicianship. I also prefer lyrics that have a deeper or more spiritual meaning. I enjoy Jon Anderson's lyrics probably the most.

Now on the other side of the coin I also love Rush and Porcupine Tree. I may not agree with some of the lyrical content but I'm not afraid to listen to a different view point. Plus the music just freaking ROCKS!

Keep in mind folks that religions are maintained by humans. Human's are not perfect so someone looking to find fault with any religion will always be able find ammunition. Religions can do some great things for people's lives but religions can also be twisted into making excuses for people to be very hurtful to other people who don't share their views. The bottom line is that it doesn't matter what religion someone subscribes to, what is important is in people's deeds and how they treat their fellow human beings wether they believe in a certain religion or don't believe in any religion at all.

"Be excellent to each other and party on dudes" Wild Stallions

Although a tad obscure and probably difficult to obtain now, there is the 1971 'Ten Commandments' album by UK proto proggers Salamander which is perhaps worthy of consideration as representing the theistic side.
Although I don't personally share their faith, I do love the music and in this attractive setting can certainly be persuaded to respect a worldview that otherwise, would be closed to me.

It's a record well worth hunting down, irrespective of your spiritual orientation.

It seems like a lot of musicians of any genre tend to believe in individual spirituality rather than organized religion (with plenty of exceptions). Which makes perfect sense, because all of these musicians let their music take them over and become something greater than what they are. For the sake of controversy, playing music could be construed as a form of prayer. And atheist or deist or agnostic, all musicians feel that wave of happiness come over them when they play a great performance, they just call it differently.

By that logic I think all the music on this site has a spirituality about it, as it's music for music's sake, rather than a band forming and writing songs just to say "f**k politics". I mean, Yes can say "f**k War" in the song Yours is No Disgrace, but they didn't form the band for that purpose.

What do you think?

stonebeard wrote: I generally prefer humanistic topics. The most spirituality I can get without taking notice and having it alter my perception of the artist/music is Pain of Salvation's BE or typical Jon Anderson lyrics.

Right on!
I really like Anderson´s spiritual lyrics, most specially the ones from Tales!

Other than that, I dont know if many of the artist I listen have anything but spiritual lyrics, in the sense that I dont listen to any christian prog like Neal Morse for example, only Transatlantic, and I havent really picked up any religious themes, at least not very point out. The same goes with atheist. Personally I believe in God, but I wouldnt get too biblical with my band either

I haven't heard Popol Vuh's album, Raul, but according to the reviews it's based on the Beatitudes: some of the most sublime passages from the Gospels. I also noticed the band (who seem to have a flair for ancient scripture) based one album, DAS HOHELIED SALOMOS, on the Song of Songs from the Hebrew Bible (i.e. the "Old Testament"), some of the most wonderful erotic poetry ever written.

No, preachy they are not.

Edited by fuxi - May 10 2008 at 05:04

@Pnoom. We'll have to agree to disagree, then. I didn't like the style or wording, so...

MisterProg2112 wrote: I'm suprised no one has brought up Dream Theater's "In the Name of God". I'm still unsure whether they are on one side saying religon is corupt and terrible, or if they're presenting both sides and staying in the middle.

"Is there fantasy in refuge?
God in politicians?
Should I turn on my religion?
These demon in my head tell me to"

Cthulu wrote: In "Aqualung" Ian Anderson was satirizing the treatment of God in organized religion. Anderson's album "Divinities: Twelve Dances with God" is New Age instrumental music about God!

I know about "Twelve Dances with God". It's precisely the mellowing in Ian's attitude (in middle age) which led him to state (in his ISLE OF WIGHT DVD Commentary) that he was never against God as such. But this doesn't change the fact that AQUALUNG's liner notes (which I quoted earlier) sound atheist. I wonder why so many of you keep harping on the "fact" that Ian was ONLY against organised religion. Do you find it so hard to swallow that he might have had atheist ideas when young?

As for Catholic church music: if you're adventurous in spirit, check out Joseph Haydn's late masses. There are about six or seven of them, all relatively short (around 30 minutes each), and they really rock. I'm not kidding you. Haydn's Glorias and Credos are as joyful and exhilerating as a Southern Baptist Gospel Choir! Especially in performances on "period instruments" (I recommend John Eliot Gardiner's), with prominent kettle drums, swinging gut strings and brass well to the fore!

Finally: Yes' "Awaken" may be considered a "religious" piece of work, and the live recordings I have heard are quite exuberant, but I am usually put off by the lyrics, which are extraordinarily inept. Yeah, talk about preachin'...