The Album That Killed Prog?

 

I disagree that punk was fully consumed by the industry. Have a look at this: http://www.punkinscotland.co.uk/bands%20scottish.HTML, bands acting outside the industry.

 

I only know of two or three Scottish prog bands, maybe it's different where you are.

 

ATTWT is more Prog than many other Prog albums or even artists here. I think it's a far cry from turning their backs on the genre. Duke and Abacab had some definite Prog moments. 

 

And is the desire to make money a crime?  It kills me that folks ridicule musicians who use a formula to be successful in a realm where they can achieve significant success. And I really believe it takes talent to become a Mega-Popstar. If it was so easy , everyone could do it. The Genesis Trio was far from a one hit wonder mainstream band.  

 

Back to topic...Prog is not dead. No one album killed or even maimed Prog. To suggest so is an open door to slam an album you don't like.

 

 

so very true

 

I can't accept ATTWT as a 'sell-out' either. I wouldn't say any Genesis album had an adverse effect on the genre, personally. There is only one pure pop song on ATTWT, 'Follow You Follow Me', the rest is just a streamlined, more concise version of what they usually did, imho.

 

'Duke' is far from a commercial album as well (with the exception of 'Misunderstanding', which is the most out-and-out commercial thing they did up to then- 'Turn It On Again' is NOT a sell-out whatsoever, imho- check out that time signature and shifting bridge), it is (imho) 'Abacab' where the band shifted gear somewhat (I tend to see that as their weakest release- more poor songs on that, imho, than any other Genesis album, and even the stronger ones are not amongst their best tunes ever). But all of the other albums have their share of excellent longer songs which show the 'prog/pop' divide isn't as clear as some claim. And most of 'Abacab's better songs sound better live to me...

 

And I can't really see how punk is more thriving than prog is at the moment, either. Look at all the bands that have managed to make inroads into the mainstream lately; not sure I can say the same about punk as of now. A few years ago, I would have agreed (what with the hype machine kicking in for The Strokes and the like) but I'm not sure about now.

 

I only have it on vinyl, so it's harder for me to play it, though now I think I'll hook up the turntable and give it a spin. I actually haven't heard for, like, 25 years.

 

As a young fan back when it came out, I liked the Works lps (though viewed them as essentially "holding patterns" while ELP figured out how to get their act together and create something on the level of Brain Salad). So I had high hopes for Love Beach, and was profoundly let down by it. For me, I was expecting something much better.

 

To my mind, they really blew it at a crucial juncture.

Good point. Those things have something Prog never did....fashion. Prog artists are about the geekiest artists ever to live.