bands you don't like but know you should

I got At War with Self's album Torn Between Dimensions for Christmas.  I got it based on recommendations from Amazon (I think) for Gordian Knot.  I haven't listened to it all that much, but I don't like it too much.  It's not the musicianship (which is very good), and it sounds similar to Gordian Knot.  But I can't get into it, and I'm not sure what exactly I dislike.  It didn't seem very dynamic, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

Also, I can think of Ozric Tentacles.  I have three of their albums (Erpland, Jurassic Shift, The Floor's Too Far Away), yet I feel I should like them more than I do.  The first three songs on Erpland are exceptional, but it seems to go downhill after that, plus the album really drags on for too long.  I haven't given the other two enough listens, so I certainly won't say I dislike them yet.

Ghost Rider wrote: While, to my way of thinking, it is perfectly understandable for a fan of Camel or Caravan not to 'get' Opeth or Mastodon, it is much less so for a Yes fan not to get ELP.

Camel were a big influence on Mikael Akerfeldt though, Raff and he even uses the intro from a Camel song in an Opeth song.  I do understand what you mean though, because it does seem that both bands are completely alien to each other.

As to the subject premise, well for me, I do not like the digital keyboard sound of the 1980s all that much, so the majority of neo-prog bands pass me by.  It is also not only a case of the keyboards though, I quite often dislike the vocalists style too.  I have tried listening to some Fish-era Marillion (especially as they influenced by VdGG) and it is mostly Fish's vocal style that does not work for me.  Marillion, I must admit, play good music (when it's not the poppier style) and they do not have that grating keyboard sound as much, but in their case, I believe it's mostly Fish's vocals.

Also, because I am not really a fan of Genesis (again, it's Gabriel's vocalisation I do not like) that much, it is quite often difficult for me to get into a lot of neo-prog, especially those who have what I deem, an unexciting vocalist.  Genesis, as has been mentioned, are also quite mellow at times.   I have the same issue when it comes to Camel, but The Snow Goose is an excellent album, even if I do not listen to it all that much.

I prefer heavier music in general, probably because I was brought up on my father's records, like The Rolling Stones, The Faces and The Small Faces, as well as the blues of Clapton and Green (Fleetwood Mac).  Mellower music for me, makes me drift off, but I do not mean in a daydream way either.  I switch off entirely a lot of the time.  That is why I have difficulties with post-rock too, especially Godspeed You Black Emperor's Lift Your Skinny Fists..., which I really cannot get into.

Having said that though, I am getting into more classical music (and mellower compositions too), but for me, classical music is completely different to a lot of the mellower prog that is around.

As for my reasons for not really grasping Tool or Rush, well in Tool's case, it's a lack of originality on their more recent albums, plus the use of swearing, which I find quite derogatory.  I do not want to hear the F-word all the time, especially in music of that nature.  With Rush, it's mostly Geddy's voice, but also a bit of noodling and the occasionally odd decision to play cod-reggae (which also ruins Yes's Roundabout for me, by the way).

I guess a lot of it has to do with preconceptions too.  I hated Phil Collins-era Genesis and still do and that era of the band has meant I find it much harder to get into the Gabriel-era albums.  I will try again though.

micky wrote: for me..  Genesis ..Genesis.. and Genesis again they are good no doubt at what they do... elevator prog.... but I'll be damned.. they simply put me to sleep.

Lofcaudio wrote: laplace wrote: Are there any bands that you *need* to like, but which constantly elude you?   Van Der Graaf Generator   I own Godbluff and Pawn Hearts and have listened to them both numerous times, yet fail to be satisfied with what I am hearing.  Hammill comes across as a histrionic vocalist who takes pleasure in dissonance.  I continue to be completely baffled by those of you extol the virtues of A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers and consider it to be one of the very best epics, when all I hear is a bunch of stilted sounds smashed together with lyrics that border on gibberish.  What am I missing here?

Give World Record a try. I do find Pawn Hearts O.K., but repeated listens have yet to reveal its' supposed "classic" status as affirmed by many at PA.

Gentle Giant!!!!

for me it's almost the entire symphonic prog genre ruled out for me
I used to think it's weird I don't like Genesis & Yes at all, I used to dig ELP but that passed me like a bad cold
I can find a song or two of genesis I would like (on SEBTP) but I just hate those bands
I used to think it's weird but now I realise I just don't like the symphonic side of prog, though I realise its merits

Zargus wrote: micky wrote: for me..  Genesis ..Genesis.. and Genesis again they are good no doubt at what they do... elevator prog.... but I'll be damned.. they simply put me to sleep.   That was the reason Gabriel started with the masks and make ups, people where falling asleep on the shows.   To be honest i hade the same problem when i started with Genesis, my first album was Selling England, and i dont think i culd have picked a worst starting album (it was all thx to seeing it in the PA top 100 list back in 05 when i joined) it was so horrible dull and boring i just culdent get into it, anyway i bought some more early albums and finally with Tresspas and Foxtrot it clicked, i whuldent say they are one of my realy favorites, but i do like Genesis nowdays, even tough i like to bash em sometimes yust to anoy thiere army of fanboys.   A band i dont realy like but know i shuld whuld have to be Deep Purple.

As I've noted several times in the years I've been around as well... Genesis is just too hit and miss for me. They have some really great songs on those early albums.. but lots of stuff that that is akin to staring at the ceiling and wating for the whole thing to be over.   SEbtP.. even with it's weak tracks.. has enough incredible music on it to be rated a classic by myself.  But the others... they simply don't.  Supper's Ready? come on... Yes had at least 3 maybe 4 epics alone which tower over that.  ELP several as well.. .that doesn't even get to the epics  that are well known among hard core prog fans ..but maybe not the tweeners here like Zarathrustra, Aria,  and Oro Caldo,  to name just a few, that if not better.. are damn sure as good. The problem is.. when seemingly average albums.. and in my mind... all of them but SEbtP ARE average prog albums are hailed on par with albums that simply are in another league.  Preference rules the day though... and they were good at what they did... so it is just fun to take good natured  shots at them. 

Now Deep Purple....  you should them check out...

Evandro Martini wrote: VDGG!

I have to ask... which albums have you heard...

kenmartree wrote: Visitor13 wrote: [QUOTE=ghost_of_morphy] I have never understood why I should waste a moment of my precious music listening time on Gentle Giant. Because chances are Gentle Giant are better than whatever you spend your precious music listening time onQuote Define BETTER, or do you mean that he should be listening to GG because you like them? I don't get it. Or is it the music you listen to and like is better, how open minded- and I like GG it has nothing to do with that

The words 'waste of time' and 'Gentle Giant' don't go together at all. There is no disputing the fact that these guys
are responsible for some of the most intelligent rock music ever, not to mention just how dedicated they were as musicians. Obviously you don't have to like them - but to describe their music as a 'waste of time' is unfair and ignorant to say the least, not to mention that it's rude to the band members, in view of how much they did to make sure that their music was not a waste of time.

Case in point - a band which I 'should' like, but don't, is Magma. It's a band whose music I consider inferior to that of their two major influences  - Coltrane and Sun Ra - but I would never describe it
as a 'waste of time', since their skills and dedication are still significant and there to be heard. I'm actually
glad I got to listen to their music, even if I don't see myself revisiting it often.  

Often seeing a band live can change your opinion quickly and dramatically (Hint GG) . In terms of recordings, one that keeps stumping me all these years in Museo Rosenbach "Zarathustra" ! I LOVE the Italian school (cause I speak the language enough to "capish"!) but I just cannot get their heavy symph  vibe  (maybe "You gotta gettin , to get out" over & over until it happens) . I tried day, night, wine, grappa, various drugs, pills, zen, yoga,standing, sitting, with dinner, fasting ! and Niente!  .  Still in my collection , though, taunting me!